NATIO- Lip Balm SPF 30+ Review

Livia’s Summary: SPF 30+ in a Lip Balm, Congratulations NATIO. In our climate we need to see a lot more of this type of product. Not a bad word could be said about this little beauty. It feels great on the lips, moisturises well, keeps your lips hydrated and protected. It was a pleasure to review this product.

Description: Features & Benefits: Encourages a soft silky shine, lips feel comfortable. Water resistant for up to 4 hours. Key Ingredients:Vitamin E to soften, smooth and repair. Aloe Vera to rejuvenate and cool. Tips:For sun and environmental protection apply 15 minutes before exposure.

Available: Myer, David Jones and selected pharmacies.

Price: $3.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Definitely a keeper! A dirt cheap “must have” for every handbag/car/bathroom/office – you can afford to keep one everywhere!!!!
Comments: Wow! This is a brilliant lip balm – perfect for windy days when you don’t want your hair-do sticking to your lip gloss! Went on easily, felt amazing on the lips and lasted for ages. Added bonus of 30+ too. This is a must have and so incredibly priced!

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: Good value at $3.95. I would purchase this product.
Comments: The lip balm applies easily, has no odour or flavour and lasts a long time. It feels very soothing.

Skin Type: Normal, Slight Rocasea.
Value for Money: Excellent value for money, SO cheap compared to other products that don’t even come close to this lip balm.
Comments: Now, I am a lip balm addict and have using the same brand for at least 10 years as I was convinced that nothing else worked. Wrong!! Even though it looks like a simple stick, it does a lot even if you have super-dry lips! Better yet, it has an SPF and is tiny enough to take everywhere. I’ve been converted

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: Great value & durability is excellent.
Comments: This lip balm has everything I want – sunscreen, creamy to apply, stays on in the pool, cooling and moisturising.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I would buy this again.
Comments: Great value for money, smells good, feels good on, moisturizes and is beautifully silky on the lips.

Pros: SPF 30+ and inexpensive.

Cons: None.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Revlon- Super Lustrous® Lipgloss Review

Livia’s Summary: Once again REVLON have created a winner. This lip gloss is beautiful to use and gives a lovely gloss and colour to the lips without a heavy, greasy feel. The colour choices in the range are fantastic to suit everyone. Make sure you have a look at this gloss the next time you are at the shops.

Description: Silky….Sexy….Brilliant. And now with 2 gorgeous new shades! LiquiSilk combines sheer, shiny colour with silk-enriched mega-moisturizers and vitamins, while light-reflecting spheres create amazing shine. It’s the gloss of glosses. Wear it solo or slicked over Super Lustrous Lipstick. Now in 12 shades of sheer genius!

Available: Myer, David Jones, BIG W, K-Mart Priceline, Target and selected pharmacies.

Price: $19.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Oily Skin.
Value for Money: I’ve spent way more and way less on lip glosses – it rates well with them all. The $20 mark seems pretty standard for a decent gloss these days!
Comments: It’s seems to be a nice gloss. It wasn’t gluggy or sticky like some and had decent staying power especially for a gloss. I thought it felt greasy on the lips, which was a bit strange. The shade is nice and sheer without being over the top.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: This is good value at this comparable price. I will be buying more shades of this gloss.
Comments: I liked this gloss with an easy applicator. It gave my lips a luscious feeling. On it’s own it enhances a natural look but applied over your favourite lipstick, gives it a wow look and feel.

Skin Type: Normal, Slight Rocasea.
Value for Money: Fantastically priced.
Comments: Absolute winner! Gives a great shimmer and shine, and unlike many other glosses this one actually moisturises! There’s no way to fault it and I will be buying at least two more when I run out of this one. The colour does change slightly after a while, and in the case of “Shine That Pink” it goes from a pale shimmery pink to a soft pink with not so much shimmer.

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: Good value gloss. I will be buying this again.
Comments: This is the perfect lip gloss. The packaging is wonderful because I can stand it on my dresser as I do my make-up in the morning. The colour is divine and makes my teeth look whiter. The texture is the best I’ve found, in that it is not gooey – some go all over the place outside my lip-liner – and it is sheer enough to look fresh and not too ‘made-up’. Ideal for this tropical climate. I love this product and I am a convert.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I would buy this again.
Comments: It is a yummy product. I liked the texture and consistency. It has a beautiful shine and lasted quite well. The smell isn’t too great but the packaging is nice.

Pros: Lovely shimmering colours.

Cons: None.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

MAYBELLINE- Volume Express Mascara Waterproof

Livia’s Summary: As all our panelists noted this mascara did not provide the claimed triple lash volume it promised. This was a great disappointment as I love volumising mascaras. It was indeed more like a lash tint as noted by Carmen. Unfortunately for me the waterproof claim failed as well as it left great black rings around my eyes when I sprayed my face with Evian. However for most of our panelists the anti-clumping claim was true.

Description: Maximum volume, maximum impact! Triple lash volume in a quick clear sweep! New Anti-Clump Brush for all the volume without the clumps Multi level bristles give a smooth finish – Short bristles for maximum volume, long bristles to separate Exclusive tri-volume formula for instant volume that lasts all day Ophthalmologically tested – Suitable for contact lens wearers.

Available: Variety stores and selected pharmacies.

Price: $16.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Oily Skin.
Value for Money: It promises but definitely didn’t deliver. I suppose the price would be OK for a product that actually did something.
Comments: I tried it. I tried it several times. I’m still waiting for the triple lash volume to kick in! No clumps mean no lumpy bits and one swipe of the lashes to me – this was either nothing or a Tammy-Fay Baker look alike contestant! Honestly there is nothing memorable about this mascara. It flaked during the day. It smudged after a hefty laugh. It did nothing for my lashes at all. There are much better quality mascara’s on the market that out perform and out value this one by far.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: This product is within the usual price range for the product. I would buy it again.
Comments: This product has a good shaped container that is easy to hold while applying mascara. It went on easily with absolutely no clumping. In fact it made my fair lashes just simply appear darker as if they were naturally dark, and gave them a great look. However I’m not sure about the waterproof claim as it was washed off easily in the shower with normal cleanser, and didn’t need to use any special eye make up removers.

Skin Type: Normal, Slight Rocasea.
Value for Money: Existing Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof is better value due to its thicker application.
Comments: It is extremely silky on application; however, it is in fact so smooth that it’s difficult to tell if the coats add any volume… On the plus side, the brush separates lashes nicely; it doesn’t smudge, and was easy to remove. It should be noted that it flaked off during the day.

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: At $16.95 it is excellent value.
Comments: Although I don’t really think this mascara is as volumising as others I have used, I really like it for its anti-clumping feature. I have yet to find one that thickens my lashes as much as I want without clumping, so I think the benefits of this are the chunky container which is so easy to hold, the very separating bristles & also that it is long-lasting yet easy to remove (I have used Maybelline non-oily eye-make-up remover forever & it is the best in the world).

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: It is a normal price for mascara. I don’t like waterproof but if I needed one I would buy this one.
Comments: The mascara wasn’t clumpy and glided on well. I don’t feel that my lashes were thickened very much, more like a lash tint then a mascara. It didn’t smear when wet.

Pros: Light texture.

Cons: Not really waterproof.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Garnier- Body Tonic

Livia’s Summary: This is a very nice light body moisturiser with a pleasant citrus smell. The texture of the lotion is a little sticky on application as was noted by our panelists however if you don’t mind this, it is a very nice product to use.

Description: Body Tonic Lotion is ideal if you want to moisturise and make your skin feel firmer in one effective yet enjoyable step. The fresh, cool formula makes the skin feel toned whilst also nourishing it with moisture at the same time. The lotion keeps skin moisturised all day long, whilst making skin feel firmer. It also has an uplifting citrus fragrance and its non-greasy gel-cream texture has an immediate toning effect.

How to use: 1. Put a small amount of the cream and warm up between hands before applying.
2. Start applying milk/cream onto your feet and legs in an upward movement.
3. Continue massaging it in a large circular motion onto your stomach, hips and buttocks.
4. When massaging it onto your arms and hands, smooth it on all over from your fingertips to your shoulders. .

Available: Variety stores and selected pharmacies.

Price: $9.95 for 250ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Oily Skin.
Value for Money: It’s a cheap enough moisturiser but not for me personally.
Comments: Definitely a little goes a long way. The scent is pleasant and not as overbearing as I was expecting from this range. It goes on easily, seems to absorb fairly quickly after a few minutes of that clammy feeling, and leaves skin feeling smooth. Unfortunately I found that this product didn’t let my skin “breathe” (sweat and cool) as well as more generic moisturisers. It’s nice enough though.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: It is good value as the 250ml bottle will go a long way. I would consider buying this again.
Comments: It has a nice fresh citrus fragrance that dissipates within a few minutes. This is good as it does not compete with a perfume you may want to wear. It feels different to other creams as it tones the skin to make it feel firmer. It felt sticky for a few minutes only.

Skin Type: Normal, Slight Rosacea.
Value for Money: It’s a great price for what it is.
Comments: With a fruity smell and thick consistency, this cream is instantly appealing. It is absorbed quickly albeit slightly sticky and I do mean slightly. There was definitely a difference in the smoothness of my skin, however, when you have your next shower you can feel the cream washing away.

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: I think it is excellent value for the quantity & quality.
Comments: I thought this lotion would be too light for my very dehydrated skin but found quite a difference to the texture & moisture of my skin after just a week’s use. It has a pleasant, non-overpowering fragrance & leaves a lovely glow to the skin. Most importantly, it is non-greasy so I can use it directly before dressing for work.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I have used this before and would buy this again.
Comments: I love the citrus smell. It leaves skin feeling toned and firm. Absorbs quick and it is fast to apply.

Pros: Light, toning moisturiser.

Cons: Slightly sticky.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Sleeping Beauty – The Benefits of Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

by Livia Mercer
Due to the pressures and hectic pace of modern life few of us get a really satisfying and revitalizing nights sleep. Yet it’s not a coincidence that it is called a “beauty sleep”. Research shows that if you don’t get enough sleep it affects your irritability, you become foggy and edgy.

Your body aches and you feel drained. You become clumsy and your ability to deal with stress is reduced. Not getting enough sleep affects your immune system and may even make you fat. All these symptoms will show on your skin, as your skin is a mirror of what is going on inside yourself. Not only that but it’s been shown that it is during sleep that our skin repairs and regenerates itself the fastest. Are these enough reasons to send ourselves to bed?

If so try these tips to get a quality beauty sleep!

1. Avoid caffeine from midafternoon. It’s been shown that caffeine affects your sleep whether you are aware of it or not. Instead replace it with a warm milky drink as this helps to reduce anxiety and help promote sleep.

2. Never eat just before bedtime. Give yourself at least two hours to digest your food and avoid snacking especially on sweets, as these will definitely keep you awake.

3. Have a lovely warm bath. Not only will this help you to relax by slowing your mind down but also raises your body temperature and your natural sleep preparation will kick in.

4. Make your bedroom your haven. Oprah is a big believer in this. And she is right. Ban the television and newspapers from the bedroom and never ever have work related items in there. Choose a colour that you find calming and have a few items in that colour around you. Eg: Sheets, cushions, lampshades, paintings and pyjamas.

5. Make sure you have plenty of fresh air in your bedroom and cut out bright lights either with a heavy curtain or a sleeping mask. Ensure your bedroom is quiet.

6. Clear your mind from stress and worry. Experiment with what works for you. I clear my mind by imagining a blind being pulled down over my thoughts until all I see is black. Some nights it takes a few goes but it always works. Others imagine a blank white canvas. And others count sheep. Whatever works for you. If you keep thinking about the tasks ahead of you the following day, write yourself a ‘To-Do List’ and keep it by your bed. So if you wake up and think of something else, you can jot it down and go back to sleep.

Sometimes it’s not until we sleep well again that we appreciate the benefits of a good night’s rest. The benefits will not only be noticed by you but others will see the difference too. After all don’t we all deserve our “Beauty Sleep”?

7 Steps to Va Va Va Voom Eyes

Yes it’s that simple.

 

With the deft stroke of the mascara wand we can turn back the clock. However this little miracle worker of the cosmetic bag comes with a warning… Use it incorrectly and you’ve just added years to your appearance. So following are some secrets to the correct and age-defying application of mascara.

1. Wipe your mascara wand on a tissue before applying it to your lashes. This gets rid of excess product and alleviates globs and clumps.

2. Never use old, clumpy, dried out mascaras. Make sure you change your mascaras every three months. Never pump your mascara wand in-and-out, as this pumps air into the tube and it not only dries out the mascara but also introduces bacteria into it.

3. Start at the root of the top lashes and shimmy your way to the tips by using small zigzag movements. To apply two coats make sure the first coat is completely dry. Never apply mascara to your bottom lashes directly as this ages you. The transfer from your top lashes when you blink is sufficient.

4. If you have droopy eye lids it’s best to apply mascara on the outer corners of your lashes only rather than all the way across. By doing this you create a lighter feel to your lids avoiding the heavy ageing feel.

5. Invest in a good quality eyelash curler. Most people avoid using this because they don’t know how to use them. Once you become adept it only takes 10 seconds. Hold your curler from underneath and put your top lashes in between the two rims. Press together for about 10 seconds and remove it by slowly rolling it up. This will give you an instant eye lifting effect. (Avoid metal curlers because these can break your lashes.)

6. Use a mascara primer. Primers coat lashes to give you extra width and length and they also separate them before you apply your mascara. Makeup artists swear by this relatively new invention.

7. Keep your lashes in good condition. Always remove your mascara at the end of the day with a gentle eye makeup remover. Use waterproof mascaras only on special occasions when you know you are going to need the extra staying power, as I believe they can dry out lashes, making them brittle.

By perfecting the art of mascara application you can literally transform your look. It instantly defines the face and turns back the clock. No wonder it’s what most of us would take with us to a deserted island.

Tommy Hilfiger- True Star Review

Livia’s Summary: A very light pleasant perfume that would be ideal for summer. It is a soft floral perfume that last very well on the skin. As with all perfumes, it smells different on everyone but if you like soft florals make sure you try this one at the perfume counter next time you are shopping.

Description: A fragrance designed by Beyonce Knowles it is soft yet elegant. With notes of sweet pea, honey suckle & toasted wheat grains, it is a bouquet of flowers that is vey exciting. Shaped like an award trophy this fragrance is just like Beyonce herself, beautiful, elegant and charming.

Available:
Myer, David Jones and Fragrance outlets.

Price: 30ml $89.00 50ml $110.00 100ml $175.00

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.

Comments: First of all, I must say I love the shape of this perfume bottle and secondly, from the moment I put this on, I absolutely loved it. It has a fresh, fruity fragrance and suits the young woman. Once I put this perfume on, the smell stayed with me for hours which I loved. It makes you feel confident in yourself when you can smell the fragrance you are wearing. This perfume is very reasonably priced also. Very impressed and would definitely recommend this to my friends.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.

Comments: This is a very pleasant light scent. It went on strong but softened throughout the day. I think it is a very young fragrance. It was certainly appreciated by all my co-workers.

Skin Type: Oily Skin

Comments: This is a pleasantly light, fresh clean fragrance, which is great for everyday wear. I have received favourable comments on the fragrance after I have been wearing it for about 5 hours, but I myself can still smell it on my own wrist after 7 hours. After trialing it, I bought the fragrant body lotion to go with it to complement the fragrance.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination

Comments: Unfortunately I had an allergic reaction to this fragrance but I am very sensitive to smells so it’s always best to try it first before buying. I was not too keen on the smell of this perfume either.

Skin Type: Extremely Sensitive, Dry Skin

Comments: This is a very light, pleasant perfume that is not overpowering but rather quite cooling. It will be nice to use it in summer.

Tried this product? Leave your review.

Dr. LeWinn’s- Ultra R4 Eye Repair Cream Review

Livia’s Summary: The first thing I noticed when trying this eye cream was the smoothness of the texture. It was like gliding silk over the skin and it absorbed rapidly. It was great to hear back from the panelists that they were impresses with the results that they noticed in their eye area. As we are all tough critics of the products we try, it is a pleasure to find a product that delivers what it promises. I can confidently recommend trying this product for yourself.

Description: Enhances firmness and elasticity of the skin. Intensely moisturises and smoothes. Reduces appearance of lines and wrinkles. Reduces appearance of dark circles, bags and puffiness. Restores radiance. Lightly textured. Contains highly technologically advanced active ingredients. Contains “collagen” peptide, which is considered to be alternative to collagen injection.

Available: http://www.drlewinns.com/

Price: $59.95 (15g)

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: I felt that this product was expensive and would not buy it for myself. I have never really been motivated to buy creams for my eyes, as I do not suffer from puffiness and bags.
Comments: The product was smooth and easy to apply. Have not noticed a visible difference so far but will continue to use it as we all wish to reduce the lines and wrinkles.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: Yes I will be buying this product again. $60 is a good price for this type of product.
Comments: I was impressed with the performance as it reduced the puffiness on my upper and lower eyelids. It nourished the skin and helped to reduce wrinkles. I will continue to use this product.

Skin Type: Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I would purchase this cream as the ingredients contained in it justify the price.
Comments: This eye cream has quite a thick consistency but still absorbs quickly. Although it can be used day and night I preferred to use this at night, as make up did not sit well on top of it. It moisturized nicely and eyes looked and felt firmer and hydrated after use.

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: I think this eye-cream is well-priced, being comparable or less expensive than other quality eye-creams and about what I usually spend, so I would have no hesitation in buying this product in the future.
Comments: I have seen a difference in my eye-area after just a week of using this product. I have always used an eye-cream and my eyes are probably the best-preserved part of my face but over the past year or so I have noticed dark circles and loss of firmness, both of which this cream have alleviated already. The texture is nice and light and I was impressed by the properties of the matsutake ingredient.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes, I think it is good value for money and I will certainly be purchasing it in the future.
Comments: I’m thrilled by the results, the bags and puffiness under the eyes have reduced and the skin feels beautifully smooth. The feel of the cream is good, not too greasy and it is very easy to apply each morning and nighttime.

Pros: Smooth, light texture. Can reduce lines and puffiness.

Cons: None.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Tali- Colour Compacts Review

Livia’s Summary: A fantastic little makeup case for those of us who do our makeup on the run. Personally I’m always on the lookout for products that reduces the amount of cosmetics I have to carry in my handbag and this is it. The colour combinations are fantastic in the compacts and they are easy to apply with the mirror provided. So if you are travelling or just in need of more handbag space make sure you check these compacts out.

Description: Each gorgeously illustrated compact contains a large mirror for ease of application, three moisturising lip glosses, one cream blush with added illuminator for no fuss on the go application, four long lasting powder eye shadows, one double sided lip brush and one double sided eye shadow brush.

Available:David Jones, selected Pharmacies.

Price: $34.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: It would be nice to buy perhaps to start a girl off on her journey to makeuphood… but personally I would not purchase it for myself. This is not a bad price for the amount of things in it.
Comments: It overall wasn’t a bad product. The mirror I felt could have been bigger as it had the whole inside cover to use. The blush was probably the thing which I like the most in this pack- though I don’t use blush much I couldn’t resist this one, it went on beautifully.
The lipsticks were creamy but very light and as such only tinted your lips and wore of excessively quickly. The eye shadows were given in a slightly strange colour combination I thought but wore ok during the day however it was noticeably diminished by the end of the day. Probably a good product to take with you if you are in a rush and can’t get all your individual favourites together to do a face on the run.

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: Definitely good value for money. I think it would make a nice bon voyage gift to give a friend.
Comments: First of all, how gorgeous is this packaging? The picture on the front immediately attracts you to this product. The convenient travel size makeup kit is perfect to take away with you. It has everything you need – a big mirror, nice eye shadows and lip-glosses. One thing I didn’t like for me personally were the brushes that are provided to apply the eye shadow. Using this little brush I found it difficult to apply properly and had to use something else. For me, this makeup kit is great for holidays but would probably not use it for everyday use.

Skin Type: Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I would buy this product, as it’s handy to take away with you when travelling and quite well priced.
Comments: All of the colours in this compact “Morocco” were really nice. I especially loved the taupe eye shadows, one being matte and the other having some shimmer to it. I liked that the compact is very slim lined, which makes it easy to slip into your handbag. The compact contained a large mirror which made application easy and a double sided lip and shadow brush which was good for use with different shades. I also liked the cute packaging of the compact. One downside would be that the glosses in the compact were not very highly pigmented and did not last long. The cream blusher gave a beautiful natural glow to my cheeks.

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: I think this compact is excellent value as you can pay this same amount for just one blusher or eye-colour set & I would definitely buy this product in the future.
Comments: I love the packaging of this combination of products as it fits easily into my bag yet contains all I need for touch-ups through the day & is also great for a weekend away without having to pack individual items. Each product has a good texture for easy application & staying-power without being heavy. The colours are versatile & I especially love the pink lip-colour (the middle one), which is one of the prettiest pinks I’ve used!

Skin Type:Oily Skin.
Value for Money: As I don’t not personally use cream blush and two of the lip colours would not suit me, I would not purchase this compact for myself. This is a good product for someone who would use all or most of the colours and would make an ideal gift, as it is well presented.
Comments: The eye shadows were great in this colour compact. They were soft and easy to apply. Also, the four eye shadow colors blended well together, giving a sexy, smokey look. When using the cream blush it is best to lightly pat on, because if you rub the product on too vigorously, it may take your foundation off.

Pros: Innovative, Handy.

Cons: Brushes may not be adequate.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Tali Lip Gloss Review

Livia’s Summary: With so many glosses out in the market companies really have to do something different to attract our attention. Tali has succeeded in doing just that, with adding a gorgeous charm to the packaging. Now, what girl can resist that? The gloss inside the cute tube also stands up to our tough critics. It’s sheer with a nice shine and very good colours in the selection. Not sticky and lasts well.

Description: Tali lip glosses are designed to keep your lips looking glossed and glam without drying or stickiness, while the easy to use brush tip applicator makes the on the go application a cinch. After all, we know that no matter where you are, or where you’re heading, lip-gloss touch ups on the run are a must for any girl on the go.

Available:David Jones, selected Pharmacies.

Price: $19.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Dry Skin.
Value for Money: Yes. This is good if you are looking for a gloss that isn’t too expensive but you don’t want something cheap either.
Comments: Loved the packaging, including the little charm at the end. The applicator made it easy to control the amount of gloss to use. It wasn’t too sticky but didn’t last any longer than most glosses out there. The packaging would be why I would buy the product.

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I probably wouldn’t buy this myself due to the price I thought it was a little over priced for a lip gloss.
Comments: On saying that, it was lovely and I have used it every day and the tube still seems full. So it will last for ages. The gloss didn’t go all gluggy on your lips either, as many do and the brush applicator was so much easier to use than those silly wands. Very cute packaging also the little high hell shoes hanging off the end is ever so adorable.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Good value for money and I would definitely buy it again. I very much liked the built in applicator and the packaging. Charm was cute.
Comments: The product went on well, had to be careful when the brush was dry as you could easily squeeze too much out which resulted in wastage.

Skin Type: Normal skin with slight rosacea.
Value for Money: This product is very reasonably priced for what it is.
Comments: While not at all sticky and beautifully scented, the application left a little to be desired… Shaped like Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes only with a brush at the end, one has to apply considerable pressure to get the product out of the tube. Once out, god forbid you squeeze too much because there is no getting it back in! On the plus side; the colour is a gorgeous pink (Miami Minx) that we don’t see enough of and the stiletto charm attached to the tube is irresistible!

Skin Type:Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Yes, I would purchase this product again. $19.95 is a average price for a lip gloss and Tali lip gloss is good quality for this price.
Comments: This lip gloss has a sheer colour to it. It is quite soft and moisturising without feeling sticky, but it may not last as long as one that is thicker. However, a thicker lip gloss would leave more noticeable kiss marks. The packaging is appealing.

Pros: Cute Packaging, Nice colours, good applicator.

Cons: Colours may be too sheer for some, Not very long lasting.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Glamourflage- Sexy Sadie Body Scrub

Livia’s Summary: A beautiful scrub that is not harsh on the skin, as some body exfoliants tend to be. The harsher is not the better as this can lead to damage to the skin. So it was agreed by most of our panelists that even though this body scrub was very gentle it still did a very good job of polishing the skin and left it silky smooth. Great product.

Description: Emerge transformed, buffed and polished revelling in the anti-inflammatory, exfoliant and purifying qualities of walnut while being gently toned and soothed by aloe and vitamin E. Goddesses swear by it so why not succumb yourself?

Available:David Jones, selected Pharmacies. Visit website to see stockists in your area.

Price: $27.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: YES YES YES! I would definitely buy this again!! Yes it is good value for what it is.
Comments: I LOVED this product it was very easy to use and you didn’t have to use very much as it spread and foamed up quite well. Skin felt absolutely gorgeous after the invigorating scrub and most definitely softer. I used it on my hubby who being in the sun all day under a sweaty shirt gets little pimples on his back. After using it a few times with immediate results all the blemishes cleared up leaving a silky smooth back. Just don’t for get to moisturise afterward. Seriously Girls, Buy this product and try it! 10 stars out of 5 is my vote!.

Skin Type: Normal Oily Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I liked this scrub and found it good value for money.
Comments: This scrub had a slight mousse-like texture which lathered beautifully. Although it had a gentle texture it was still a very good exfoliant. It had a lovely soft scent of Freesia that was not too overpowering. Only a little product was needed and skin felt silky smooth afterwards. The packaging was also very cute.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Medium value for money. I would purchase it for myself as I liked the packaging and would use it to display it in the bathroom, hence paying extra for the nice tin.
Comments: The product went on well, not too harsh as I have found with some scrubs. It has a very delicate perfume and it left my skin feeling cleansed.

Skin Type: Normal skin with slight rosacea.
Value for Money: I think that this product is overpriced.
Comments: It’s an extremely gentle scrub and foams quite a bit, and has a lovely scent, which is almost nutty. Unfortunately I can’t say that it did much to exfoliate my skin, it was more of a luxurious shower gel.

Skin Type:Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I would purchase this body scrub again. I loved the texture of this product and a small amount goes a long way, making it great value for money.
Comments: This is one of the best scrubs I have every tried. Sexy sadie body scrub lightly foams up so it glides over the skin very easily, so you don’t have to use much. It has a light freesia scent and my skin feels very soft after using this product.

Pros: Beautiful packaging, gentle scrub.

Cons: Granules may not be large enough for some.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Glamourflage- Madam Em Bubble Bath

Livia’s Summary: This is definitely a luxury product. Keeping with the 50′s look of the company’s products this bubble bath is a gorgeous item in your bathroom. It was agreed by all that you only need a small amount, to get a bath full of bubbles that last for ages. The fragrance of the bubble bath was well liked by all.

Description: Candles¦sultry background music¦dimmed lights¦..are we talking your sort of bath-time? Then all it needs to spice up the mix is Madam Em and you have the perfect recipe for seduction.

Available:David Jones, selected Pharmacies. Visit website to see stockists in your area.

Price: $14.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: This is amazing price for the quality – I intend to buy this & devote more time to bubble baths.
Comments: I really treasured this product on the weekend as I’m in the middle of moving house & it gave me the chance to try out the bath while relaxing my exhausted body in the luxurious bubbles. The Tangerine fragrance is divinely delicate without conflicting with the fragrance I wore out for the evening and the packaging is fabulous. It is also soothing on the skin.

Skin Type: Normal Oily Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I wouldn’t purchase this myself as my skin felt a little dry after using it. I prefer to use something more moisturising in the bath. I think that there are a lot of other cheaper products out there that can do what this does.
Comments: Two tablespoons of this was enough for a big bath full of bubbles. The bubbles lasted for the 30 minutes that I was in there and would probably last longer than that. The tangerine scent is quite subtle and doesn’t last long.

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: It’s a reasonable price but I would probably not purchase this again.
Comments: You only need to use a small amount in your bath. It lathered up really well and the gentle fragrance of Tangerine was relaxing, not overpowering. Unfortunately, I thought it was a fairly average product and I didn’t think there was anything really outstanding about it.

Skin Type: Normal skin with slight rosacea.
Value for Money: Great Value.
Comments: The first thing you notice (beside the gorgeous 50s packaging) is the STRONG tangerine scent. You don’t need to use a lot to get the bubbles you’re after and thankfully they actually stay around for a while! The only drawback was that my skin felt slightly dry when I was out of the tub. Otherwise it’s a very sweet and bath-friendly product.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes this is good value for money. I may buy it occasionally, as I tend to use the shower more often than a bath.
Comments: The bubbles form very quickly and before long I’m enjoying a very relaxing experience. A note: It doesn’t leave any scum around the bath.

Pros: Beautiful fragrance, long lasting bubbles.

Cons: Can leave skin slightly dry.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Glamourflage- Raunchy Rosie Hand Cream Review

Livia’s Summary: What an all ’round gorgeous product. Everyone loved this little gem of a hand cream. From the classy container, the exotic fragrance to the silky smooth texture of the cream it was just a pleasure to use. It is very moisturising without being greasy as was pointed out to me by a “male” who after having extremely chapped hands was persuaded to use it. (Can’t name names).

Description: Packed full of vitamin E – a classic for repairing any damages life may inflict. Underpinned by a good dash of aloe Vera – what can we say; its miraculous qualities are legendary. If you don’t emerge from using this product as a screen siren then we’ll burn our sauciest undergarments.

Available:David Jones, selected Pharmacies. Visit website to see stockists in your area.

Price: $25.95

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: This product is more expensive than I usually spend on a hand or body cream of the same size, but I see it as a more ‘luxury-item’ purchase & would buy it as a treat for myself as well as a special gift for girlfriends.
Comments: This is one of the most delicious creams I have used as it is like velvet to apply and the fragrance is so pretty, yet subtle & not over-powering like some others that smell very strongly of shea-butter. I also used this on my arms after swimming at my gym’s chlorinated pool and it immediately made a difference to my very dehydrated skin. I adore the packaging and will keep the tub afterwards to keep things in like cotton balls.

Skin Type: Normal Dry Skin.
Value for Money: Yes. Quite a generous size, it would last a long time.
Comments: I absolutely loved this! It had a great smell, plus was very moisturising for my hands. A small amount definitely went a long way. The packaging was very cute too. My hands became quite a bit softer using this cream.

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I would more than likely buy this for myself now that I know the product.
Comments: This cream is beautiful. I suffer from really dry snakey hands and found that I only had to apply this once a day. Even after washing my hands I found that they were still nice and soft. It also great because you only need the tiniest little bit for both hands and it’s not greasy. I loved it.

Skin Type: Normal skin with slight rosacea.
Value for Money: Initially I was skeptical at the amount you are given for $25.95, however, that being said a little does go a long way. As cute as the packaging is, a tube would have been better for hygiene and to control application.
Comments: The scent is lovely, not too overpowering, and the texture is thick and generous. The cream doesn’t take too long to absorb and the packaging is gorgeous. However, the lid isn’t too secure and if you were to accidentally drop it you would lose everything… thankfully I’m not that clumsy.

Skin Type:Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I would definitely buy this again. Even my Dad liked the feel and moisturising qualities of this product and he has dry, damaged hands.
Comments: I found this hand cream moisturises well and absorbs into the skin easily, without leaving a sticky, tacky feeling. I also loved the light freesia scent of this hand cream. I love the retro packaging.

Pros: Lovely packaging, very moisturising.

Cons: Tub (packaging) may be difficult for some.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Redwin- Sorbolene Body Wash

Livia’s Summary: This body wash is really great value for the size of the product. All our panelists agreed that it was nice to use in the shower and it really helps with the dryness of the skin. Due to it’s gentle ingredients it is suitable for sensitive skins too. All around this is a product that we feel confident in recommending.

Description: All year round skin moisturizing. It has a smooth and creamy texture that moisturizes while gently cleansing the entire body. It is a great cleansing alternative for those who are sensitive to the harshness of traditional soaps made with tallowate (animal fat). By leathering a desired amount into the hand or soft cloth and massage into the skin in the shower or bath the sorbolene will act as a moisture barrier to restore flexibility and elasticity in the skin and prevent dryness, roughness and flaking.

Available:Supermarkets, Variety stores, Pharmacies.

Price: 500g $5.98, 1L $10.98

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: It’s an inexpensive product, which isn’t too bad to use. But I wouldn’t really buy it again.
Comments: I don’t really have too much to say about this product. It is nice to use although I didn’t find anything outstanding about it. I think I’ll use it more as a moisturising hand wash.

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: This is definitely good value for money and would buy it in the future.
Comments: I loved the convenient pump pack. Easy to use in the shower and it lathered up very well. It had a nice smell and made my skin feel smooth and silky even after drying myself. It also made me feel relaxed and refreshed after showering.

Skin Type: Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Excellent value, I will be purchasing the body wash again in the future.
Comments: A nice smooth texture, good lather and a very pleasant smell. A good product for any member of the family to use, preventing dryness of the skin especially this time of the year.

Skin Type: Slightly dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: Fantastic value for money. Yes I will be buying this again.
Comments: The body wash has a creamy smooth texture. It helped to moisturise my skin, whereas other brands tend to leave you feeling itchy, this had the opposite effect. A definite winner in our house that all enjoyed. This is the brand I will be buying from now on.

Skin Type:Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I will definitely purchase this body was again. I am always happy to find a product that works so well and is affordable.
Comments: This body wash has a very gentle foaming action. It is delicately scented and is sufficiently moisturising, which is good, as the skin on my legs is quite dry from constant shaving. I use this product as a bubble bath, body wash and for shaving my legs and found it worked very well for me. I loved using this product in the bath.

Pros: Excellent value, Gentle product.

Cons: None.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Redwin- Sorbolene Moisturising Bar

Livia’s Summary: A very good value product. Personally I’m not a big fan of soaps but I know a lot of people who just couldn’t live without them. For those people I can thoroughly recommend this brand. It is gentle on the skin and is not heavily fragranced. Generally it was agreed by all our panellists that these soaps were very nice to use.

Description: All year round skin moisturizing. It has a smooth and creamy texture that moisturizes while gently cleansing the entire body. It is a great cleansing alternative for those who are sensitive to the harshness of traditional soaps made with tallowate (animal fat). By leathering a desired amount into the hand or soft cloth and massage into the skin in the shower or bath the sorbolene will act as a moisture barrier to restore flexibility and elasticity in the skin and prevent dryness, roughness and flaking.

Available:Supermarkets, Variety stores, Pharmacies.

Price: $2.98 (200g Twin Pack)

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: It is very affordable and I strongly endorse this product & would recommend it to anyone.
Comments: I love this moisturizing bar and will definitely be using this for cleansing in the future. I have somewhat sensitive skin & have tried many cleansers to try & find one that is non-irritating, especially to my décolletage area which reacts badly to traditional soaps, shampoos or cleansers heavy with chemicals. My skin has improved enormously in the short time I have been using this bar being softer, smoother & more hydrated. I keep one in the bathroom & one in my gym bag to ensure I am cleansing with only this bar.

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes it is, as I haven’t even used up 1 bar as yet, so it last for ages.
Comments: This was really nice on my body as I generally have dry arms and legs I didn’t seems to be as dry. My partner also used it as being a mechanic and washing his hands and arms all day in quite strong cleansers, it was nice for him to use a soap that got him clean without the dryness.

Skin Type: Normal Dry Skin.
Value for Money: Yes. Very cheap price and you get two!
Comments: Product didn’t have a strong smell, which would be good for those that don’t like heavily fragranced products. Needs a loofah to really foam it up when using it on the body. Overall I liked it but personally I would prefer products with fragrance.

Skin Type: Normal skin with slight rosacea.
Value for Money: For $2.98, I would purchase ten of these at one time!
Comments: Very simple and no frills, this soap offers everything it should. Barely any detectable fragrance and lovely to lather, my skin didn’t feel stripped or dry, although I did still feel that I needed my regular body moisturiser. Excellent value for money!

Skin Type:Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Good value for money. However, they are not something that I would buy as they are pretty basic. Reminded me of cheap soap that you find in Hotels.
Comments: The soap went on well, did not lather up as I was expecting. Left my skin feeling clean but did need to apply moisturiser as I felt dry.

Pros: Good value, Gentle product.

Cons: Soap’s not for everyone.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Clinique- Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion Review

Livia’s Summary: This is a very light basic moisturiser that is suitable for all skin types. Clinique recommend it to be used, as a base moisturiser building on it with specialised products depending on the skin’s needs. It absorbs fast and can be used around the eyes too. The fact that it is fragrance free was appreciated by our panellists therefore making it suitable for the more sensitive skins.

Description: Hydrated skin doesn’t just look smoother and healthier-it’s better able to function as a barrier against external aggressors. Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion is the moisture “drink” developed by Clinique dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-Zone. Softens, smoothes, improves. Custom-fit to skin type in Very Dry to Dry Combination skin formula.

Available:David Jones, Myer, pharmacies and Clinique Centres.

Price: $39.00 (50ml) $73.00 (125ml)

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Sensitive Skin.
Value for Money: I think it is very good value for money, particularly if you purchase the larger size, which is what I have always bought.
Comments: I have been using this product for years and understand why it is such a popular moisturizing lotion as I find it light, effective and well suited to my sensitive skin. As my skin is normal but dehydrated, DDML keeps the drier parts of my face moist without adding oil. I think it’s a great product & I also prefer a lotion in a bottle (rather than a tub) so that I don’t have to use a spatula during application.

Skin Type: Normal Oily Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I would not purchase this for myself as the benefits do not justify the cost.
Comments: It hydrated my skin reasonably well. I used this at night under make up and was happy with the results. Make up sat well on top of it and my face was not greasy at the end of the night. I would not wear it during the day, as I prefer to wear a moisturiser with an SPF factor. I like that it is fragrance free. I did not find that it does anything exceptional for my skin.

Skin Type: Normal Dry Skin.
Value for Money: No. The product didn’t do anything for me.
Comments: I found this didn’t really do anything for my skin’s condition – it didn’t improve but it didn’t make it worse either. I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it but it could work for someone else, just not for me.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: Yes I would buy this again.
Comments: The lotion felt good to put on and adapted to the dry parts of my skin, nourishing it. Not too heavy on the skin. Though the shape of the container made it difficult to use as the lotion did not come out easily. I will buy the bottle with the pump on it next time.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I think this is quite good value and I might purchase this in the future.
Comments: This moisturiser is very easy to apply, it absorbs quickly into the skin leaving my skin nice and smooth.

Pros: Fragrance free, suitable for all skin types.

Cons: Basic moisturiser needs layering of other products.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Clinique- Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy Review

Livia’s Summary: These lip-glosses are very sheer and easy to apply and wear. Being Hypoallergenic they are suitable for sensitive skins. There is a big selection of colours in the range. The texture is very smooth and the feel of the gloss is moisturising on the lips.

Description: Unbelievable, indescribable, inconceivable high beam shine. This smooth, light, moisturising formula comes in 17 pearly shades for a combination of colour and comfort that’s impossible to resist. Squeeze tube makes application quick and easy. How to use: Apply to bare lips, or layered over lipstick. To extend wear, partner with Sheer Shaper for Lips or Quickliner for Lips.

Available:David Jones, Myer, pharmacies and Clinique Centres.

Price: $32.00

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Personally this gloss was too expensive for me especially as I feel you can get high quality glosses for under $10.00.
Comments: The gloss was nice to use, it was very shiny when first applied then faded to a matt gloss in about half an hour to an hour. I found I had to apply it quite thick to get the high gloss and had to keep reapplying fairly often to maintain the look.

Skin Type: Normal Oily Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I would buy this lip-gloss, especially the peach goddess colour that is a natural looking peachy nude colour. $32 is rather expensive for a lip-gloss but I feel that this gloss is worth the money.
Comments: These glosses are quite highly pigmented and very shiny. They give a beautiful pearlescent glow to your lips. I like that they are not too sticky and have no fragrance. They also have quite good staying power.

Skin Type: Dry combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: No, this is out of my price range for lip-gloss. I could get something better for a lot cheaper.
Comments: What a cute little lip-gloss! I don’t think it’s the best I’ve tried but it is a beautiful colour, which goes on very smoothly. It is fairly sticky to apply but is great to use when you don’t feel like wearing lipstick and you want something a bit lighter to wear.

Skin Type: Slightly Dry, Normal Combination.
Value for Money: I felt $32 to be a high price for a lip-gloss.
Comments: I loved the moisture rich feel of this gloss. It gives a high shine to your lips whether used on its own or over lipstick. The squeeze tube is very handy and easy to use not being subject to melting in summer heat as lipsticks can do, so it is a real bonus.

Skin Type:Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Yes I would purchase this lip gloss again.
Comments: This lip gloss has a really nice light reflecting quality to it, without being glittery. I find when I wear this lip gloss my lips look fuller because of the illuminating factors. The texture of the lip gloss is medium to full thickness, so it lasts quite well.

Pros: Moisturising gloss, nice pearly shades.

Cons: May be too sheer for some.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.