Melbourne International Beauty Expo – April 4,5 2009

Over 30,000 visitors have flowed through the doors of the Melbourne International Beauty Expo since it’s inception taking advantage of the opportunity to source the latest products and trends from hundreds of the industry’s most innovative suppliers. April 2009 will see in the Melbourne International Beauty Expo’s 6th successful year running

Returning this year to Melbourne, back by popular demand are the prestigious Nail Awards. Each year leading nail artists from across the country travel to compete in the Nail Awards which since 2005, have only been held once a year at the Sydney International Spa & Beauty Expo. For the first time in three years Melbourne will host its own awards. They are open to all who choose to compete from students to masters, and include categories such as Tips & Overlay, Sculptured French Twist and Salon Flat Nail Art.

“Winning the Nail Awards has helped me not only further my career on an international level, but has also given me the drive to continue striving for better!” Viv Simmonds, Industry icon and 5 times Overall Champion.

A New education format has been introduced to allow more time for visitors on the exhibition floor. Visitors will be offered the choice of eight individual seminar sessions presented by independent industry experts as well as the popular interactive workshops run by Elly Lukas college of Beauty Therapy. Operating for over 50 years, Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College – a CIDESCO, ITEC & CIBTAC International College – offers aspiring beauty therapists the highest beauty therapy qualification available in Australia.

Celebrity make up artist Rae Morris drew a huge crowd at the Sydney International Spa and Beauty Expo in August 08 and is now confirmed for a live one hour demonstration in Melbourne 2009. Rae Morris is one the leading makeup artists in the world today with regular celebrity clientele including Cate Blanchett, Megan Gale, Hugh Jackman, Jessica Biel and Delta Goodrem.

2009 will also see the Melbourne launch of the industry first Low Carbon Initiative for the Spa & Beauty Industry. The goal of the Initiative is to reduce the operational climate change impact from our industry by 20% by 2015.

The international Beauty Expo has been working with the Australasian Spa Association, Spa Australasia magazine and the Carbon Reduction Institute to develop the Initiative. Participating in the Initiative will let industry insiders to investigate practical ways to reduce power, water and waste in your business. Business owners will also be provided with the opportunity to offset some emissions with carbon credits and earn the well-established LowCO2 or NoCO2 business certification logo to promote their environmental actions.

Event Details:

Venue:         Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre
Date:         4 – 5 April 2009
Time:         10am – 5pm daily
Contact:         Jessica Robbins – Reed Exhibitions
Ph:             +61 2 9422 2933
Email:         jessica.robbins@reedexhibitions.com.au
Registration website: www.internationalbeautyexpo.com.au

Melbourne International Beauty Expo Introduces:
‘Free Educational Seminars’
Seats are limited to a maximum of 50 guests per session, first in best dressed.

This April, the Melbourne International Beauty Expo will be teaming with well respected industry speakers and experts in their field to hold a number of ‘Free Educational Seminars’ running throughout the 4th -5th April.  Topics will cover subjects such as Marketing your Business, Health and Hygiene and the impact good communication has on client relationships.

Dr Douglas Grose, experienced cosmetic physician and consultant to ASAP Skincare shares his ‘Secrets to Good Skin’ in one of the first seminars to be held over the weekend.

Paul Carbis is widely regarded as one of the world’s most popular educators for the reason that he delivers easy to understand, easy to implement, cost effective ideas to grow your business. His seminar on “Marketing your Business” will be no exception, filled with marketing ideas that are tried and proven to work.
Paul will also be holding a second seminar on “ethics and reputation”. Learn how good business ethics can equate to more dollars through better staff management, performance and stronger customer relationships.

Learn the importance of Communication with Lisa Ezzy from Your Coach Beauty. Her seminar concentrates on how verbal and non-verbal communication impacts with both staff and clients on a day to day basis. This session will explore how to effectively communicate to enhance working relationships with colleagues and clients.

Michelle Cullen, an expert in infection control and representing Public Health, will talk through the current health and hygiene regulations and guidelines to ensure your business is functioning under these standards.

These free educational seminars will be running throughout the Expo from Saturday 4th till Sunday 5th of April with a maximum of 50 people per session. Spots are available on a first in first serve basis to everyone who has registered for the expo. Turn up early to save your seat and ensure you do not miss out on these valuable sessions that will help you learn how to grow and improve your business.

If you have not yet registered for this year’s expo, register your attendance now on www.internationalbeautyexpo.com.au

Event Details:
Venue:             Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Date:                4 – 5 April 2009
Time:                10am – 5pm daily
Contact:          Vibeke Burke – Reed Exhibitions
Ph:                   +61 2 9422 2933
Email:              vibeke.burke@reedexhibitions.com.au
Registration website: www.internationalbeautyexpo.com.au/melbourne

Beauty News March 2009

All the latest and best beauty products coming your way this coming month!

Body Shop Raspberry Bath & Body Range
For years, their sweet and tart taste has been one of the most popular flavours. Now, raspberries are proving to be more than a seasonal treat or decoration. Their high content of antioxidants and vitamins has seen them quickly become the ideal beauty ingredient.
The Body Shop presents the sumptuously fruity limited edition Raspberry Bath & Body range. Three all new, preservative free products, rich in skin nourishing ingredients, including moisturising raspberry seed oil.
Raspberry Body Butter $27.95
A rich, creamy all over body moisturiser with a delicious raspberry scent. Absorbs into the skin easily, helping to condition, soften and prevent dryness, and provides up to 24 hours moisturisation. Ingredients include, raspberry seed oil and Community Trade organically grown soya oil, rich in essential fatty acids for ultimate moisturisation, and Community Trade babassu oil to help soften and restore suppleness to the skin.
Raspberry Shower Gel $12.95
A refreshing soap-free cleansing gel with a sweet berry fragrance that lathers to leave skin feeling fresh and clean. Contains raspberry extract to moisturise, and Community Trade organic honey from Zambia to condition and moisturise.
Raspberry Puree Body Lotion $21.95
A light, easily absorbed body moisturising lotion, which leaves a lingering berry aroma, to help condition, soften and smooth the skin. With raspberry seed oil to moisturise and Community Trade organically grown soya oil, this lotion is rich in essential fatty acids to give skin a silky, velvet finish.
Raspberry is available in stores from 5 January 2009 for six months or until sold out.

The Origins Organics™ Collection:
As concern about the damage to our soil, water and air increases continues to grow and we become more aware of the presence of pesticides in food and personal care products, the demand for products that help protect and sustain the environment will surely mount.  Origins Organics™ uses Certified Organic ingredients grown following the laws of nature and harvested according to traditional farming methods.  In addition, Origins uses a blend of Organic essential oils to help preserve the purity of its Organic products.
Certified Organic, NEW! Refreshing Body Powder.$49.00
Formulated without talc or harsh chemicals, this skin-soothing powder with Organic Tapioca helps eliminate bothersome friction between clothing and skin. It absorbs excess moisture while surrounding the body in comfort. This light-as-air powder eliminates wetness without caking to leave you completely refreshed and confident. Origins 100% Organic essential oil blend including Clove, Geranium, Lemon, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Mandarin, Patchouli, Palmorosa, and Ginger leaves skin lightly scented.
Certified Organic, NEW! Totally Pure Deodorant $32.00
Ideal for men and women, this organic alternative to conventional deodorants controls odour with a blend of Organic White Willow Bark and Lavender Alcohol. Organic Vinegar protects the purity of the product. Origins 100% Organic essential oil blend including Clove, Lemon, Ylang Ylang, Lavender, Mandarin, Patchouli, Palmorosa and Ginger helps keep you feeling like you just stepped out of the shower.
IN STORES 1ST MARCH 2009

Estée Lauder Fleur de Lys Shimmer Powder
You can’t go past this gorgeous shimmer powder that will help to prolong your post-holiday glow with a flash of iridescent pink on your cheeks. This glistening floral palette tempts you with swirls of shades of pink and fuchsia together with berry and soft peach shades to achieve a radiant complexion.
RRP: $72.00, Stockists: 1800 061 326

Estee Lauder Gift Time Exclusive to David Jones.
With 2 gifts to pick from, select your 9 piece gift with the any purchase of $70.00 or more from the Estee Lauder range.

Offer :
*         EyeShadow Quad  Compact with applicator in Signature Quad Smokey Pink
*         Signature Lipstick in Venetian Rose
*         Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black
*         Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Crème for Normal/Combination Skin 15ml OR DayWear Plus Multi Protection Anti-Oxidant Crème for Normal/Combination Skin 15ml
*         Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum Corrector for Lines/Wrinkles/Age Spots 7ml OR Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher 7ml
*         Sensuous 4ml EDP Spray
*         Take It Away Towelettes x5
*         Navy, Green & Light Blue Colour-Blocked Patent Companion x2
Available untill 22/02/09, subject to stock availability and conditions.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Minerals – Loose Powder Foundation

A beautiful complexion that keeps up with your fast-paced lifestyle. The silky-light loose powder texture blends effortlessly and tracelessly onto the skin and covers flawlessly. The gentle formula contains more than 95% skin loving minerals and a complex of ingredients with smoothing, softening,protective and light reflecting properties.

It comes in a convenient jar with a sifter and it’s own natural bristle Kabuki brush.RRP $19.95
Available from March 2009 from Priceline, Kmart, Target, Bigw and selected pharmacies nationally.
For Stockists call: 1800 812 663.

New Minerelle Natural Facial Cleanser with Centella $44.00

Minerelle’s Natural Facial Cleanser has been developed with sufferers of rosacea, acne, sun damage,
eczema, dermatitis and sensitive skin in mind. It is the combined formulation of ancient medicine with
modern science that offers a product with outstanding benefits for the skin. Suitable for all skin types and conditions, Minerelle’s Natural Facial Cleanser is enriched with essential fatty acids to nourish sensitive and fragile skin. It is a velvety, soft gel that does not require a toner.
Minerelle’s Natural Facial Cleanser has been formulated with premium ingredients and is free from parabens,
toxic ingredients, petrochemicals, artificial preservatives and ingredients that will harm the skin or body.
Minerelle is Australian, natural and created with the health conscious consumer in mind after testing on
Queensland women with rosacea and fragile skin conditions.
Available online at www.minerelle.com.au or 07 3904 8032 and from selected beauty salons nationally.

Fingrs Color Crush Flirt Metalic Nails $13.99

Fingrs Color Crush Flirt Metalic Nails Vibrant latest trend colors, liquid prescious metals from day to night Includes 24 solid color nails plus 12 design nails Long wearing 2g glue and press on adhesive tabs.

Estée Lauder Introduces TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara™ $62.00

Ladies, get ready to rev up your lashes! A lash revolution is taking place. Now, with the simple twist of the cap, you can power on a ground-breaking new mascara and create the lashes you have always wanted. Estée Lauder’s new TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara™ is the world’s first power-performing, vibrating mascara that delivers all effects – volume, length, definition, separation and curl all in one.
A revolutionary breakthrough, the patent-pending Estée Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara™ combines an innovative formula and brush design with a unique micropulsing effect that allows the brush to penetrate deep into the lash bed and comb through lashes faster and more effectively. As the brush gently works its way through the lashes, it expertly separates then saturates the lashes with the luxurious formula from root to tip.

The mascara’s rapid-release gel formula gives the lashes extreme volume, length, separation, curling and definition. The unique gel formula consists of “jellified” water, olive oil and paraffin waxes for effortless and buildable application. A blend of Micas and Microspheres help the micropulses give smooth and easy volume to lashes. While Micas improve the efficiency of the lightweight texture to prevent spiking and clumping for a well defined lash, Microspheres provide a ball-bearing effect by pulling and stretching the Mica to achieve the dramatic lengthening and curling effects. Holding all the ingredients together in a lightweight system is a combination of suspending agents, comprised of Kaolin Clays and Cellulose Gums. The result is lashes that are optically exaggerated, lightweight and comfortable and that won’t flake, cake or clump.
Available from Myer and David Jones stores from February 1, 2009.

Poppy King
This March, Poppy King will return to Kit Cosmetics stores to launch her two latest product collections – Big Bang Theory and Black Tie Option. To celebrate, Kit Cosmetics stores together with the Lipstick Queen herself, Poppy King, will be hosting a series of exclusive events. Both the Big Bang Theory and Black Tie Option will be available exclusively at Kit Cosmetics stores nationally from Monday 23 February, 2009.
Big Bang Theory – Illusion Gloss, RRP $35
Big Bang Theory – Illusion Gloss gives you the ultimate BANG for your BUCK by creating perfectly full, beautiful lips without any pain or stinging.
Poppy King explains: “It seems like everyday there is a new lip plumping Creation, most of which are uncomfortable to use and end up in the Black Hole of your bathroom draw. I’ve taken all of my knowledge of the lip Cosmos and have put all my Energy into designing these eight shades of gloss for a Big Bang effect. Each shade has my exact ratio of shine to shimmer to create the illusion of fuller lips. So don’t waste anymore Space on lip plumper’s that sting – with the right formula, the possibilities for fuller looking lips and luxurious comfort are Infinite.”
Big Bang Theory – Illusion Gloss is available in the following eight shades:
Time – shimmery golden nude
Expansion – shimmery pale pink
Space – shimmery grey pink
Infinite – shimmery pinky peach
Black Hole – shimmery deep wine
Creation – shimmery rose
Cosmos – shimmery ruby
Energy – shimmery bright red
Black Tie Option – Sheer Seduction
Shine Hard Core Gloss in Black Tie, RRP $35
Sheer Saint Lipstick in Black Tie, RRP  $34
Straight from the boudoir to you comes this ever-so-wearable sexy, sheer black gloss and lipstick. This unique lip colour does for your lips what sheer black stockings do for your legs… You won’t believe how gorgeous and flattering it is. Wear it on its own or over your favourite Lipstick Queen shade for amazing depth and seductive tint.
EXCLUSIVE VIP NIGHTS:
This is an exclusive opportunity to meet the Lipstick Queen herself, Poppy King, in a two hour colour workshop that’s all about lips! Hear Poppy talk about her journey so far and her latest products to join the Lipstick Queen lineup. Poppy will also be conducting “Lip Readings” to determine your ultimate lip colour and the kit creative team will be treating all guests to a lip application. Bookings are $45, redeemable for product purchased on the night. Bookings essential as limited places available.
VIC
Kit at Chapel Street: 530 Chapel Street South Yarra VIC 3141, Ph 9827 5988, 6:30-8:30pm
QLD
Kit at Myer Brisbane: Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000, Ph 3232 0168, 5:30-7:30pm
INSTORE APPEARANCES:
This is an exciting opportunity to meet the Lipstick Queen herself, Poppy King! Poppy will be conducting “Lip Readings” to determine your ultimate lip colour, plus find out about her new products and be treated to a lip application by the kit creative team. No bookings necessary.
VIC
Kit at Myer Melbourne: Little Bourke Street entrance VIC 3000 Ph 9661 3792
Thursday 5 March 12-3pm & 4-7pm, Friday 6 March 12-3pm & 4-7pm
Kit at Westfield Doncaster: Shop 2, Ground Floor, Westfield, 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster VIC 2000
Ph 9840 7624, Saturday 7 March 1-4pm
NSW
Kit at Myer Sydney: Pitt Street entrance NSW 2000 Ph 9238 9861
Thursday 12 March 12-3pm & 4-7pm, Friday 13 March 12-3pm & 4-7pm
Kit at Oxford Street: at 140 Oxford Street, Paddington NSW 2021 Ph 9360 7711
Saturday 14 March 12-4pm
Visit www.kitcosmetics.com or phone 1800 705 800.

Bloom Celebrates 16 Sweet Years of Beauty

Throughout 2009, Bloom Cosmetics is celebrating 16 sweet years of beauty! The Bloom journey began in 1993 when at the age of 22, Natalie Bloom started out with just one product that she manufactured from her parent’s home. However, Natalie’s love of natural ingredients and obsession with packaging soon turned a hobby into a business and consequently a brand.
Sixteen years on, Bloom’s range has swelled to feature over 300 products including colour cosmetics, skincare and a bath and body range. From Dubai and Bangkok to London and Beverly Hills, Bloom is now a brand that is stocked across the globe.To get celebrations started, Bloom is launching a limited edition Sweet 16 Gift Pack which features 16 beauty essentials that Natalie simply can’t live without. Each Sweet 16 Beauty Essentials Pack also contains a special brochure that has been written by Natalie to share her personal tips on each product.
Bloom’s Sweet 16 Beauty Essentials Pack contains:
*    Full & Flirty Mascara – Black
*    Pure Mineral Radiant Touch Bronzer – Sunkissed
*    Instant Bronzing Gel – Non-shimmer
*    Eye Shadow – Taupe
*    Retractable Brow Definer – Medium Brown
*    Lip Balm – Vanilla
*    Lip Gloss – Gloss
*    Sheer Colour Cream – Coy
*    Off, Off & Away Cleansing Wipes
*    Buff Off – Apricot Kernel Face Scrub
*    Nuts About You – Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil
*    Nail Polish – Top Coat
*    Facial Blotting Tissue
*    Shower Cap
*    Cosmetics Bag – Makeup Essentials
*    Eyebrow Gel
Limited Edition Sweet 16 Beauty Essentials Pack – RRP $199 (Value RRP $342.80) Available February 2009 at David Jones – Bourke Street (VIC), David Jones – Elizabeth Street (NSW), Myer Melbourne (VIC), Myer Chadstone (VIC), Bloom’s Flagship Store (574a Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC) and online at bloomcosmetics.com.
For locations please visit bloomcosmetics.com or call (03) 9421 0200.

Green Tea In Your Skincare – Is it What It’s Brewed Up To Be?

We all know that anti-oxidants are very beneficial to us both internally and in our skincare products. One of the most commonly used and inexpensive anti-oxidants is green tea.

This ingredient has been used for centuries by the Chinese and Japanese cultures amongst many others. And they certainly knew what they were doing. Modern science has shed the light on what it is that makes this tea so beneficial.

The healthful properties of green tea lies in the fact it is rich in polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) In fact, the antioxidant effects of polyphenols appear to be greater than vitamin C. The polyphenols in green tea also give it that trademark bitter flavour.

EGCG is a powerful anti-oxidant: besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It has also been effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the abnormal formation of blood clots.
Some studies also indicate that green tea may help the body’s immune system fight off germs, and is also beneficial in helping to prevent breast cancer.

Recent results of a study presented to the American Academy of Dermatologists and conducted by Dr. Jennifer Gan-Wong of the Memorial Medical Center in the Phillipines found that green tea topically applied to the skin appears to work as well as benzoyl peroxide to control acne.

According to the book by Nadine Taylor, Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, green tea has been used in China for its benefits for over 4,000 years as a medicine. Green tea effectively reduces inflammation and redness to the skin, detoxifies, speeds healing and even deters hormonal activity shifts to help prevent acne.

Most researchers agree that tea (black, green, or white) has potent anti-inflammatory properties and that it is a potent antioxidant. Current research also indicates that EGCG, an extract of tea, can prevent collagen breakdown and reduce UV damage to skin.

Many of my Asian friends use green tea daily not only as a beverage but also as a home made skin remedy. They make a cup of green tea, allow it to cool and use it as a toner on the skin after cleansing. Also they put it in a spray bottle and use it as a mist on the skin during hot weather and to hydrate during winter. This is an ingenious and inexpensive way of harnessing the benefits of this fantastic powerhouse of anti-oxidants.

So with all this research available to us indicating useful properties of green tea, I say Drink Up! And bring on the products with green tea in them!
Here are some of our favourite products containing Green Tea, from skincare products, personal care products to Nutritional products, there is plenty to choose from.

Y Natural Skincare
1: 501 PROTECT Anti-age Moisturiser Rose Otto and Green Tea $80.30, 40ml
This luscious day-moisturiser is more jam-packed with protective anti-oxidants
than any other moisturiser we’ve seen on the planet. Potent Ginkgo biloba,
rosemary leaf, olive leaf and green tea protect the skin from free radicals and
other environmental factors that can cause cell damage and premature ageing.
Additional antioxidant protection comes from Rosehips, Avocado and Carrot oils
plus additional non-synthetic, non-animal derived Vitamins C and E. Neroli hydrosol, Lavender essential oil and Calendula extract are soothing to skin, while also delivering other skin benefits such as regenerative, healing, anti-inflammatory,
antibacterial and antifungal actions. It is packaged in an airless dispenser to protect the product from the air and possible sources of contamination. It helps keep the product fresh and ensures no wastage.

2: 700 SOFT Hand & Body Lotion $52.80, 150ml
Most of the ingredients in this luscious lotion are not found in any other hand and body lotion on the market. The powerful antioxidants, skin hydrators, natural oils, invigorating herbal extracts and pure essential oils found in 700 SOFT will help smooth, nourish, revitalise and protect your skin.
This lotion contains potent antioxidants in ingredients such as Rosehip oil, green
tea extract and cocoa butter. This is because we recognise the need to counteract
the impact of the free radicals we are exposed to in the atmosphere, from the sun,
air conditioning, cigarette smoke and other general pollutants in the environment.

3: Ultraceuticals Antioxidant Tablets 150 Tablets $60.00
Skin Protection and Health – inside and out
The latest trend sweeping the beauty world is skincare from the inside.  The idea is simple – by keeping cells healthy and well-nourished from within, your skin will glow with healthy radiance. Ultraceuticals Antioxidant Tablets are high potency antioxidant vitamins for overall health and vitality. With an advanced formulation including Vitamin C & E, beta-carotene, green tea and grape seed extracts, Ultraceuticals Antioxidant Tablets will help absorb free radicals and minimise the damaging effects of environmental pollutants and toxins. Ultraceuticals Antioxidant Tablets are quickly and easily absorbed, assisting in wound healing and the formation of new collagen, vital to keeping a youthful appearance.
Oral supplements specially formulated for the health and vitality of the skin Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) is essential for the production of procollagen, the precursor to collagen synthesis. Contains anti- ageing free radical scavengers, beta- carotene, vitamin E, grape seed and green tea extracts.

4: Nature’s Own Age Renewal RRP: $32.95 30 Capsules/ $59.95 60 Capsules
A clinical study conducted in 2008 by The Australian Photobiology Testing Facility (APTF) revealed that regular supplementation with Nature’s Own Age Renewal can improve skin resistance to sun damage by over 10% while decreasing skin redness after sun exposure by up to 55%. The skin renews itself from within, with new skin cells forming at the deeper levels of the skin before travelling to the surface. To keep cells healthy and to help decrease premature ageing, it is important to look after the skin from the inside out.
Nature’s Own Age Renewal capsules are loaded with powerful natural antioxidants to target the deeper layers of the skin where moisturisers can’t reach. The capsules work to support healthy skin tone, skin elasticity and flexibility, help protect from premature ageing caused by free radical damage , assist in the management of varicose veins and improve the appearance of spider veins and were shown in the clinical study to increase the skin’s resistance to sun damage .
Each Nature’s Own Age Renewal capsule contains the exclusive olive fruit extract, Opextan plus grapeseed, green tea, betacarotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and more. This potent antioxidant formulation assists skin defences and the body’s repair mechanisms, bonding collagen and increasing connective tissue strength.

John Masters Organics
5: French Green Clay & Green Tea Purifying Mask $47.60, 57g
French green clay has been used for centuries for its absorbency. It purifies and balances the skin. Green tea extract protects the skin from free radical damage, helping to reduce damage from UV rays. Oat beta glucan stimulates procollagen production and promotes cellular turnover, detoxifies the skin, protects against free radical damage and balances production of sebum. It is perfect for treating adult acne or teenage skin and great for oily skin. Apply to oily parts of combination skin.

6: Green Tea & Rose Hydrating Face Serum $43.95, 30ml
This penetrating serum provides an intense amount of moisture to skin. Green tea extract and liposomes of anti-oxidant vitamins help combination skin. Oat beta glucan stimulates procollagen production and promotes cellular turnover. And super-oxide dismutase fight free radicals allowing skin to replenish itself. This serum also treats stressed and environmentally damaged skin, penetrates instantly and contains green tea and liposomes to help cellular turnover. Use throughout the day to refresh and nourish the skin and use at night in place of heavy creams.

Pod Puraceuticals
7: Pod Liquid Eyelift 30ml $60.00
This intensive anti-ageing eye treatment dramatically reduces the appearance of puffiness, eye bags and dark under-eye circles. It nourishes skin and offers environmental protection from UV damage and ageing free radicals. Pod Liquid Eyelift contains cosmeceutical actives including a peptide and collagen complex, which reduces puffiness and strengthens skin’s connective tissues, helping to eliminate under-eye circles; and natural moisturising factor A, which is a cosmeceutical synergy of five nature-identical moisturisers that mimic healthy skin. It also contains antioxidants pomegranate, green tea and calendula, which help to reduce inflammation and fight free radicals; vitamins A, C and E and Australian Kakadu plum, which brighten and tone the skin; rosehip, evening primrose, shea and jojoba oils, which deliver omega 3, 6, 9 and vitamin A to skin; and nurturing aromatherapy fragrances including rose damask, Australian sandalwood, geranium bourbon, ylang ylang, benzoin, nag champa and Australian blue cypress.

8: Pod Liquid Facelift 50ml $70.00
This intensive anti-ageing face treatment smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and tightens, lifts and prevents sagging. As a result, skin is renewed, revealing a younger looking complexion. Pod Liquid Facelift nourishes the skin, offering environmental protection from UV damage and ageing free radicals. It contains cosmeceutical actives including a triple lift complex, which helps to tighten and strengthen skin’s connective tissues to reduce the appearance of sagging and wrinkles; antioxidants pomegranate and green tea, which help to reduce inflammation and fight free radicals; vitamins A and E, Australian Kakadu plum and glucosamine, which brighten and tone the skin; rosehip, evening primrose, shea and jojoba oils, which deliver omega 3,6, 9 and vitamin A to skin; and natural aromatherapy fragrances including rose damask, Australian sandalwood, geranium bourbon, ylang ylang, benzoin, nag champa and Australian blue cypress.
Register at: www.podpuraceuticals.com to receive free samples of these amazing products!

9: Ultraceuticals Ultra A Facial Cream 50ml $95.00
High Strength Retinol
Retinol is an excellent ingredient for combating photoageing as it lessens the appearance of fine lines, dryness and sun damage. It will help with hydration levels, leaving the skin smoother and younger looking. Retinol is also good for oily skin as it helps to reduce the appearance of breakouts. A specifically designed formula for all skin types showing signs of dullness, course texture, fine lines, uneven skin discolouration and to restore a smoother, softer, more youthful radiance. It visibly improves texture, tone and overall appearance of the skin, Offers protection against environmental and lifestyle influences and gives gentle exfoliation to improve skin appearance. Recommended for those with oily/acne prone skin or those who prefer a lighter textured cream and concerned with the visible effects of ageing, whether it be correction or prevention. Not suitable for the drier skin types.

USANA’s Natural Toothpaste $19.55 128g
Usana’s fluoride-free Natural Toothpaste provides key antioxidants including vitamin C and green tea extract to inhibit the enzyme that enables bacteria to stick to teeth.
Natural Toothpaste also contains baking soda from natural sodium carbonate, which helps neutralise plaque acids.  Vegetable glycerine from vegetable oils moisturise, soothe and protects gums. Available in a refreshing mint flavour, Natural Toothpaste does not contain artificial colours, artificial flavours or artificial sweeteners, making it the perfect alternative to everyday toothpaste choices. Available from www.usana.com

Interview with Natalie Bloom

Livia talks with Natalie Bloom the creator of Bloom Cosmetics 16 years ago and still going strong!

1: Livia: How did you get started with beauty products, all those years ago and where did you get the inspiration to get your own product range?
Bloom began as a hobby selling home-made gift cards and gift ideas to small stores. I didn’t have a long-term strategy and simply created quality products that I was passionate about and that had a strong design sensibility. At the time, I never dreamed that Bloom could become a global success story.

However, over time I became a lot more strategic with how I developed Bloom and the direction I took the business in. My range of gift products grew to include Essential Oil Blends, Massage Oils and an Aromatherapy Lip Balm. The Lip Balm evolved into Lipsticks, Lip Gloss and Lip Shine which then led to eye products. Soon a full cosmetics line was on the horizon!

Sixteen years on, Bloom’s range has swelled to feature over 300 products including colour cosmetics, skincare and a bath and body range. From Dubai and Bangkok to London and Beverly Hills, Bloom is now a brand that is stocked across the globe.

2: Livia: How much time you spend on yourself a day? (Beauty, personal development, fitness etc.)
In today’s super-charged world, it is often hard to find time for yourself. But, regardless of how busy things are with work and my family, I always make sure I take a few moments to enjoy the romance and ritual of applying makeup.

3: Livia: What is your regular beauty routine?
I’m a low maintenance girl but a stickler for the basics! Twice a day I cleanse with Bloom’s Nut’s About You – Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil as this is truly the most gentle and effective way to remove makeup and impurities. I also moisturise in the morning and evening so that my skin looks hydrated and fresh and exfoliate every other day.

In terms of turning back the clock, I believe prevention is better than cure! So my daily beauty routine also religiously includes applying Daily Shield – Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30+. This oil-free, feather light formula is ideal for wearing under makeup and protects me from wrinkles and spots caused by everyday exposure to the sun.

4: Livia: Do you have a favourite beauty product that you can’t live without and Why?
Choosing just one beauty product is like asking me to say which of my children is my favourite! But if I had to choose, it would be a dead tie between Lip Gloss and Mascara. Even if I don’t have time to do a full face of makeup, a lick of Mascara and quick swipe of Lip Gloss instantly gives me a beauty boost that changes the colour of my day!

5: Livia: Do you have a home beauty remedy that you swear by?
I absolutely adore Bloom’s Shower Cap – it brightens every shower time and believe it or not, my home beauty remedy involves wearing it even when I’m washing my hair! Maximise the performance of your hair treatment by shampooing, then gently squeezing excess water out. Put your treatment in and pop your shower cap on. Then, allow water to fall over your cap so that it steams up and helps ingredients penetrate the hair shaft.

6: Livia: What sort of products or treatments do you splurge on and why?
When it comes to my beauty budget, I believe that brushes are the best place to splurge. The difference between using a good quality makeup brush rather than a cheaper version is like cashmere to cotton! Other than brushes, I’m also very partial to splurging on a manicure as perfectly polishes nails are the ideal accessory for any outfit.

7: Livia: What’s the best piece of beauty advice your mother gave you?
When I think back, I can definitely trace my love affair with all things beauty back to my mother. In fact, you could almost say makeup is in my makeup! Mum taught me the importance of grooming and taking pride in your appearance. She never leaves the house without makeup and is incredibly precise with her application.

8: Livia: In your hectic schedule, what do you do to relax?
To relax, I indulge in weekly French classes. Not only do these classes satisfy my love of all things French, they also provide me with much treasured time for myself. I also love cooking, especially on the weekend when I have time to lovingly prepare a meal to share with friends and family.

9: Livia: Do you have a favourite perfume at the moment?
Perfume is the exclamation mark on the statement you are making, and Gardenia Passion by Annick Goutal is the magical finishing touch that I can’t be without. This incredible fragrance perfectly captures the seduction of blossoming gardenias. In fact, I’m so enamoured with Gardenia Passion that I now stock it in Bloom’s Flagship Store on Chapel Street, South Yarra.

10: Livia: And last of all, who would be your dream person to make over with Bloom Cosmetics?
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. While she may not need a make over, I could think of no better canvas for Bloom’s products than France’s First Lady! This willowy beauty is both beautiful and thoughtful – the essence of who I think a Bloom girl is.

Scent-Sational Perfumes

Summer is the time to experiment with the fragrant delicacies of nature. The flowers bloom in a heady aromatic harmony, the night breeze is sweet-smelling and the fragrances around us tantalise with unimagined surprises. Wether your tastes, when it comes to perfume, run to the mysterious deep scents or the flighty floral notes there are fragrances to tempt the most discerning modern woman. Here are five of the latest offerings. Enjoy.

Shiseido Zen

Zen awakens from its traditional stillness. A Zen that projects the essence of a modern woman—drawing the truth from her inner reaches of breath of floral freshness, layered with amber and wood. It retranscribes the state experienced after meditation: a perfect harmony of the body and mind, eliciting freedom, energy, liveliness and joy.
Top Notes:
The Blue Rose is a key ingredient in the top note of the Zen fragrance. The Blue Rose is so unique because of its unusual olfactory composition which lacks a key note that usually marks a traditional rose’s identity: green with honey overtones. Shiseido wanted the perfect balance of the citrus note and the lightness that it brought, making sure that it wouldn’t over-power and de-nature the other fragrance notes. In addition to the Blue Rose, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Peach and Pineapple also form the top notes.
Middle Notes:
Freesia, Gardenia, Red apple, Violet, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth, Chinese Rose* and Lotus Flower.
Base Notes:
Patchouli, Cedar wood, Skin musk, White musk, Marine, Amber and Incense.
The patchouli used in this fragrance is also a new discovery – the classic patchouli was reworked to eliminate the scent of damp straw and heavy soil, and to bring out the elegant woody note.
30ml- RRP $79.00, 50ml- RRP $108.00, 100ml- RRP $130

Shiseido Zen is available nationally through David Jones, Myer and selected pharmacies Now.

Sunkissed Glow by Jennifer Lopez

The fragrance is a tropical fusion of ruby red grapefruit, pineapple juice, and cassis sorbet, juicy and sweet. A kiss of beach flowers, orange flower, water lily, and passion flower, lush and sensual.  A warm breeze of sheer amber, cashmere wood, and hot sand glides over the skin, sexy and sultry.
The bottle itself has the same sensual curves. Smooth, frosted glass. Splashed with a soft gradient palette of burnt orange, sandy yellow, and crisp mossy green. Jennifer’s personal touch – a wearable seashell charm bracelet.

Tropical Top Notes: Ruby Red Grapefruit, Pineapple Juice, Cassis Sorbet
Floral Middle Notes: Sultry Beach Flower, Orange Flower, Water Lily, Passion Flower
Sexy Base Notes: Sheer Amber, Hot Sand, Cashmere Wood, Skin Musk

30 ml EDT $45, 100 ml EDT $85
Sunkissed Glow by Jennifer Lopez will be available from 1st March 2009 from MYER, The Perfume Empire, The Perfume Connection and selected pharmacies nationally. Stockists is 1800 812 663.

Blue Seduction for Women by Antonio Banderas

The seducer has become seduced in the new fragrance from Antonio Banderas.
A delicate fragrance that exudes sensuality, Blue Seduction For Women embodies a
woman of character; modern and spontaneous. The Fragrance is Fresh, Feminine and Sensual.
Top Notes:
Citrus notes combined with juicy qualities of water-based fruits and violet leaves infuse a soft sensation of freshness and purity in the fragrance.
Middle Notes:
Natural rose and jasmine petals blend in subtle harmony with fruity notes of raspberry.
Base Notes:
Sensual balsamic benzoin and the lasting warmth of musk. The incorporation of a sugar note adds a sexy, attractive hint to the fragrance.

EDT 50ml- RRP $32.00, EDT 100ml- RRP $46.00
Available from Departments stores, selected pharmacies and retail specialists from
2 February 2009

Island Michael Kors Bermuda

This fragrance embodies the perfect getaway to your dream island destination – Bermuda. A private cabana on a secluded beach, the indulgence of an outing on a yacht, lounging under a shady palm tree, romantic strolls along beautiful pink sand beaches.  Crystal blue waters splashing on brilliant pink sand beaches, a warm breeze in the tropical air, a dazzling sunset moment…
Top Notes:
It opens with an exotic blend of vibrant freesia, native hibiscus, watery tropical green notes and glistening cassis buds, which capture the colourful beauty of this unforgettable island getaway.
Middle Notes:
The heart of the fragrance unfolds revealing a brilliant bouquet of tiare blossoms, pink peony and orange flower, enhanced with jasmine sambac and Bermuda’s very own passion flower.
Base Notes:
The allure of this island destination lingers with the aura of driftwood, which is paired with a soft skin accord, and authentic cedar wood. The distinctive floral blend captures the essence of the dreamy pink sand paradise.

EDP 50 ml RRP: $138, Lip Gloss 15 ml RRP: $28

Island Michael Kors Bermuda will be available from selected Myer and David Jones stores from the 9th of March 2009.  Stockists: 1800 061 326

Bond No. 9 Eau de New York

Eau de New York is a fast-as-a-flirt-paced blend of fruits, flowers, and greens whose scent molecules positively whizz through the air.
Its top-notes are breakfast-y citruses: grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot (extracted from the peel of a particularly effervescent variety of orange), and petit grain (from the young twigs of a piquant orange tree), spiked with fresh greens.
After that initial kick … another kick, but gentler this time, as the scent segues
into its heart notes:  rich-bodied neroli (from the white blossoms of yet another rare orange tree, said to act as an antidepressant), exotic gardenia (used as a mood uplifter in scent-therapy), delicate cyclamen (a mind-soother), intoxicating white lily (conducive to love and happiness), basil (a known stimulant) verbena (used by sorcerers to rekindle the flames of love), and jasmine (an antidepressant, anxiety-reducer, aphrodisiac, and headache reliever).
The lingering base notes, vetiver, oakmoss, skin musk, and white wood, all have a sensual but balancing effect.

Eau de New York is available in a 100ml slim superstar bottle and box presentation ($270); 50ml travel size ($170); matching candle ($115); or in a beautiful 200ml 24/7 Body Silk ($145) and is available exclusively at selected David Jones stores.

Practical Beauty – The Colour Purple

This season one colour stands out above all else. Purple! You see it on the cat walks, on the red carpet, on the department store clothing racks and on every celebrity. The shades of purple are as varied as imagination will allow from the deep black purples to the light lilacs, there are a million shades in between and sure to suit every colour and complexion. Wether you like blue based purples or the softer pinky purples, this is the season to experiment!
In cosmetic terms that translates to purple eyes, lips and nails.

Just for fun here are some meanings to the colour Purple:
Deep Purple – Sorrow
Warm Purple – Power
Light Purple – Gentleness, Wisdom
Lavender – Reverence and Royalty
Violet – Purpose
Indigo – Intuition

1: Zoya Downtown Collection in Rea – RRP $15.00
Available in fine salons and spas nationally and online at www.zoya.com.au. For Stockist phone 1300 855 644.

2: Bobbi Brown Heather Mauve – RRP $44.00
Available now at selected David Jones and Myer stores or call 1800 061 326

3: YSL Eye Shadow Duo Shimmering Quartz/Deep Amethyst 15- RRP $68.00
Available now at selected Myer, David Jones and pharmacies nationally or call 02 9965 9700

4: Giorgio Armani Lip Shimmer 8 – RRP$45.00
available exclusively at select David Jones stores. Stockist: 02 9931 8888.

5: OPI South Beach Collection in:
B71 Done Out in Deco
B72 Suzi & the Lifeguard
B73 Overexposed in South Beach
B74 Party in My Cabana
B77 Feelin’ Hot-Hot-Hot
B78 Miami Beet
Available from 4th February 2009, at selected beauty salons and spas, and David Jones nationally, $19.95 RRP. For stockists phone 1800 358 999 or visit www.opi.net.au.

6: Blinc Mascara in Dark Purple – RRP $48.00
For stockists or product info visit blinccosmetics.com.au or call 1300 734 783.

7: Lancôme Color Fever Shine 320 – RRP$49.00
available at leading department stores and selected pharmacies. Stockist: 02 9931 8888.

8: shu uemura pressed eye shadow ME Purple 750 – RRP$39.00
Exclusive to David Jones Elizabeth Street, Sydney, David Jones Bourke Street, Melbourne & David Jones Bondi Junction Stockist: 02 9931 8888.

9: Giorgio Armani Maestro Eye Shadow 11 – RRP$44.00
available exclusively at select David Jones stores. Stockist: 02 9931 8888.

Pure Heaven Skin Detox & Shine Bar with organic lemon, oatmeal & cucumber juice

Product: Pure Heaven Skin Detox & Shine Bar with organic lemon, oatmeal & cucumber juice

Description: Combining nature’s purest ingredients, this plant-derived blend of organic lemon,cucumber juice and green clay, with extra virgin olive oil, rainwater & coconut oil is fortified with oatmeal and cinnamon for light exfoliation. Free of sulphates, parabens & petrochemicals, this moisturising soap will leave your skin feeling refreshed. Heavenly for all skin types. Helps soothe sensitive & dry skin, eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis. Keep soap well drained between use.
Ingredients:olea europaea (virgin olive) oil, rainwater, brassica campestris (canola) oil, sodium hydroxide, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, elaeis guineensis (palm) oil, ricinus communis (castor) oil, organic citrus limonum (lemon) pure essential oil, fragrant oil, cucumber juice extract, oatmeal, cinnamon, cocoa powder.

Size: 85g
Price: $7.95
Availability: www.pureheaven.com.au
Overall Star Rating:

What were your first impressions of the Detox & Shine Bar as you used it?
I liked the feel of it….very refreshing… I love to use products with all natural ingredients.  The round shape made it easy to apply and it lathered up really well….just wish it came in a bigger size.

How did you find the texture and smell of the Detox & Shine Bar?
I liked the slightly rough texture and the smell. I felt that it had an exfoliating effect and it made my skin feel very smooth. I would but this product again. I would also give it as a gift.

Out of five, what star rating would you give this Detox & Shine Bar based on your experience with it?
4 ½ stars

The Body Shop – Pink Grapefruit Body Butter

Product: Pink Grapefruit Body Butter

Description: An intensive, creamy, all-over body moisturiser. It absorbs easily, helping to condition, soften and smooth the skin, and help prevent dryness, leaving your skin moisturised for up to 24 hours.

Key ingredients:
Shea butter: Moisturises and helps soften the skin. Also provides a rural community of women with regular work and income.
Cocoa butter: Is an excellent moisturiser that melts at body temperature, leaving the skin feeling soft and silky smooth. Enables the development of community projects such as schools and village wells, in addition to providing small-scale farmers with income to support their families.
Glycerin: Is an effective moisturiser which helps improve softness and maximise hydration.

Size: 200g
Price: $27.95
Availability: The Body Shop
Overall Star Rating:

How did you find the application of the Body Butter on your skin?
This moisturiser is easy to apply, absorbed easily without leaving my skin feeling greasy and felt smooth and soft on application.

How did you find the texture and smell of the Body Butter?
The smell was absolutely beautiful. The smell also lasted on my skin which made my skin feel fresh all day. My skin was much softer especially around my elbows in only a matter of days. I will be buying this product in the future for sure.

Out of five, what star rating would you give this Body Butter based on your experience with it?
I would give it 5 Stars. Great smell that lasts, softened my skin and made me feel fresh…

LanaB Facial Cleansing Grains

Product: Lana B Facial Cleansing Grains

Description: These beautiful natural cleansing grains will gently exfoliate dead cells from your face leaving it smooth, nourished and soft to the touch without any tightness associated with harsher cleansers. Used as part of your beauty regime you simply mix a teaspoon amount to a paste with water, milk or toner in a small bowl or the palm of your hand and then gently rub over your face.
The grains can be left on the skin for up to fifteen minutes as a mask to give a deeper, more thorough cleanse or simply rinsed off for a quick refreshing cleanse. Use every morning to cleanse the face ready for your moisturiser and make up.

Ingredients: Oatmeal soothes and softens delicate facial skin, buttermilk powder provides proteins and other nutrients, honey powder deeply hydrates and heals, calendula extract provides healing benefits, jojoba oil moisturises and the Kaolin deeply cleanses and helps to tighten and close pores. The essential oils of sweet orange, lemon, geranium, bourban, white grapefruit and jasmine combine to refresh and soothe. 100% natural and safe for all skin types.

Size: 100g
Price: $9.05
Availability: www.lanab.com.au
Overall Star Rating:
The very first thing noticed by everyone who used these Cleansing Grains was the incredibly beautiful, refreshing and natural smell. I just couldn’t stop myself from smelling it repeatedly, even after I finished using it. The only downfall of this product is the messiness of using it. It does tend to get all over the basin, however after reading Claudia’s review of just using her fingers to dip into the powder, I tried it for myself and found it to be a lot better. See, even I learn a thing or too from my panelists! I loved this product and highly recommend it for anyone to try, even if it’s only for the smell of it.


I have never seen anything like this before as a facial cleanser, so I was curious about what it will be like.  The smell of it attracted me to want to try this out…
As I am a busy person I did not have time to follow the instructions exactly as they were, so I just wet my face and with the tips of my finger I scrubbed my face removing totally all the make up I had on.  I then rinsed it off with water. The texture is a powder form with oatmeal granulates.  It has a light refreshing citrus scent as well as a mixture of essential oils that go together perfectly.  I LOVE the smell!
After using other exfoliants in the past I have had breakouts on my skin as I’m quite sensitive.  Using this product I didn’t have such problems even after prolonged usage.
My skin felt as soft as baby’s skin.  I could totally tell the difference as I was refreshed after using it. I will definitely purchase this product when it runs out, but the price is surprisingly cheap for what it’s worth. ( a tub this size last’s for ages!)
This definitely deserves 5 STARS as this is a beautiful product! I love it!!

The first thing you notice is the beautiful smell of the product and there starts your sensual journey into indulgence. Initially I found this cleanser messy, in a word, but you get the hang of it after a few applications. The texture is corse but not abrasive and the scent is soft, sweet and instantly relaxing. The texture is not harsh on the skin and it left a layer of moisture instead of your usual tight skinned dehydrated feel of other exfoliants. I will be buying this again even though I didn’t find it did much to my skin but it was still a relaxing ritual. I give it 4 Stars as I was suitably happy with it.

I was really excited to try this product because it was completely different to any facial cleanser I have ever tried.  I tried mixing it with milk, making it into a paste, but I didn’t like the smell with the milk. So I tried mixing it with water and it was better. The texture was beautiful, but I didn’t love the smell.  This product felt very natural and free of chemicals and it made my face feel very smooth and soft so I would purchase this product again. I would give this product 3 ½ stars out of five.

I was eager to try the facial cleansing grains because I’ve never tried a dry cleanser before and was excited to see how it worked. For me personally, I found the application of the grains incredibly messy.  I used the palm of my hand to mix the grains and water together.  It just seemed to go everywhere and I had to clean my wash basin once I’d put the grains on my face. The smell of the facial cleansing grains is what I loved the most about this product.  As soon as you take the lid off, the smell of citrus is there and I found that I couldn’t stop smelling it.  The texture of the grains on your face felt alright and once you rinsed off, it really felt like my face had been cleansed and refreshed and hydrated. There is no doubt that my skin felt and looked refreshed after using this product, but nothing really stood out as outstanding.  I do though appreciate the beautiful natural ingredients in this product.
I think the cost of LanaB Facial Cleansing Grains is very reasonable.  I’m still not sure if I’d buy it as I find a cleanser in a tube or container to be a bit more convenient for me to use. 3 Stars

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Product: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Description: Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream was a 50′s cult favorite.
It’s the skin-saving beauty essential with serious star status that continues to stand the test of time. A multi-tasker that could magic away chapped skin, gloss lips, shape brows and highlight the cheeks. Now, it’s considered the desert island staple. A pampering product with real purpose. A true brand for the beauty savvy – And probably the best kept secret of every generation!
The skincare classic that soothes, restores, calms and helps relieve chapped, cracked, dry skin. Soothes roughness, redness and minor skin irritations.
The Legend
Created in 1930 by Elizabeth Arden to soothe skin, Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant became an instant and overwhelming success. What made it so effective is a combination of petrolatum, a skin-soothing beta-hydroxy in one of its first cosmetic uses, and vitamin E. The apricot colored balm was so beneficial to her clients, Miss Arden used it to soothe her famous thoroughbred horses’ legs. Even its name came about thanks to a remarkable performance – a loyal client used it to treat her child’s skinned knee and “eight hours later” the skin was all better.

Size: 50 ml
Price: $35.50
Availability: Myer, David Jones and selected Pharmacies
Overall Star Rating:

A guest review by the Author of A Touch of Blusher Blog who loves pretty make-up as much as I do.
Visit A Touch Of Blusher Here: http://atouchofblusher.blogspot.com/

Some of you might have read about the heavy snowfall in the UK this week. (It is the heaviest in the last two decades.) With the low temperatures and the drying indoor heating (and all the contact with water from washing my hands), my nail cuticles can be very dry and sometimes even a little sore.

Two years ago I got a 5ml sample of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream at the counter. I tried it on my cuticles and it worked very well. Later on, a friend of mine was travelling to the US and asked me if I would like her to pick up something. Knowing that it was much cheaper in the US (16 USD in the US and 19 GBP here at the time), I asked her to buy it for me. Even though I do use other items occasionally, I always come back to this when I need some serious moisture.

As most of you know, it is a dense semi-transparent orange-coloured gel-cream. (I have tried using it as a lip balm. It works fine, but the smell is a little overpowering.) It contains moisturizing agents like petrolatum, mineral oil, castor seed oil, and corn oil. (I like the fact that it does not contain fragrant plant oils, such as lemon oil or orange peel oil, as they can irritate the skin.)

I am suspecting that one of the reasons that it works well to soothe sore cuticles is that it contains salicylic acid, which is an anti-irritant. (Apart from salicylic acid, petrolatum is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.)

Because of the dense texture, I only use it before bedtime, on top of my Garnier hand cream. (I don’t feel that I need to use it more often than this.) Out of all the products I have used on my cuticles, I think this one works the best to keep them moisturized and protected.

The Eight Hour Cream can work as a multi-purposed product, but, I think, even if I just use it as a cuticle cream, it is worth the purchase (well…if I can get it from the US…). Plus, a 50ml tube will last a very long time…

Max Factor Lipfinity

Description: Max Factor Lipfinity is the original 2-step long lasting lipstick that won’t come off, won’t leave a mark on your glass, isn’t affected by eating and won’t smudge when you smooch for up to 10 hours! Lipfinity is the first lip product to use PermaTone , a breakthrough ingredient complex that delivers up to 10 hours of long wearing colour combined with moisturizing benefits. PermaTone works by gently attaching itself to the skin in a flexible mesh, allowing the colour to move with your lips and the skin and to breathe throughout the day – so your lip colour will still look beautiful, even after 10 hours! Available in 35 glamorous shades, Max Factor Lipfinity is Passion Proof (the original kiss-proof lip colour), pizza proof (won’t come off with oily foods) and party proof (no transfer on the edge of your glass).

Its two step application is simple:
1. Paint Lipfinity liquid colour base on clean lips and wait a minute for it to dry.
2. Polish with Lipfinity “Moisturising Top Coat” – you’ll never have to apply the colour base again but you can apply the topcoat as often as you wish .

Size: N/A Price: $29.95AUS Availability: Priceline, Variety stores, Pharmacies
Overall Star Rating:

When you are desperately in need of a “nothing must budge my lipstick” this is it! I was impressed with the lasting power of the colour. Of course the top coat had to be reapplied throughout the day but the actual colour of the lipstick stayed on my lips through the whole day.

This is great for those ladies whose lipstick tends to disappear or for special occasions where you just want to be sure your lipstick has stayed put. A word of warning; you do need the remover to get it off you lips at the end of the day (Remover $14.95).

Not even my waterproof eye makeup remover was good enough. I would not recommend this lipstick for ladies who have dry or very dry lips as the colour can be a bit drying, however if this is not a concern for you this is a great product to try. The colours in the range are excellent and very extensive.

I found the application a little tricky at first, but once I got the hang of it I was really pleased with the results. I found I could get a lovely sheer coverage for work or a great night look as well. I really only needed to touch up at work due to all the talking at rushed lunches. I would definitely keep using this product as it is great value for money, you certainly don’t need much of the product to go a long way.

Not a bad lipstick. It stayed on my lips quite a long time. The top coat gives a nice glossy shine. It felt good on my lips -not sticky at all. The great things about this lipstick is, it does not come off like other lipsticks do. However this can be a bad thing too, as it is hard to get off at the end of the day. Good price for a lipstick. I would buy this product again.

Excellent staying power. This Lipstick is really easy to apply. It felt great on the lips, not heavy at all. The top coat did need to be reapplied during the day, but the paint stayed put for ages.
I loved using this and I will definitely buy it again.

I have tried the Lipfinity lipstick a number of times in the past and always with the same result. The colour application is VERY drying and even after the gloss application, the lips feel very taut. When I have used the product over two days my lips have actually peeled. The colour wears off on the inside of my lips when eating and drinking and looks extremely unflattering. I didn’t like using this product at all. I would not buy this product for myself again.

Personally I found this product a little too messy to apply as it had too much colour on the applicator. It dries to a matt finish and needs several applications of the Top Coat to feel comfortable. The colour only lasted a few hours on my lips before becoming patchy. Overall I wasn’t happy using this long wearing lipstick.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

She – Eye Powders

What a great little product. The powder comes loose in the pot, making it very easy to apply. You definitely need to use an eye-shadow-brush to apply the colour but you should be using a brush with all your eye shadows.

The colours in the range are absolutely beautiful. Most of the colours have a bit of shimmer which is great as it goes very well with all the lovely summer colours. As noted by all our panellists the colour stays on very well, and it even smells nice.

Description: SHE eye powder enhances eyes for striking definition and soft shading. Blended with pure fine silk, to create a light, smooth texture, that allows perfect long lasting application and coverage.

Size: 2.5g
Price: $13.95AUS
Availability: Priceline
Overall Star Rating:

Wow, I was really surprised by this product. I was unsure about trying it and even more so when I saw the bronze colour and shimmer. It was a tiny bit messy to put on but once I mastered it I loved it, and it lasted most of the day. I look forward to trying the different colours in this range.

I got the Diva colour. It’s a great colour! Doesn’t sink into the lines, smells nice and is very pretty to use. As its great value for money I will be buying this again.

I love this product. It gives the skin a lovely glittery look. I used it on my eyes and cheeks to start with, but then dusted some on my arms. I thought it might only suit night time wear, but I’ve been wearing it in the day. Great product for summer. Loved it! Great value for money, as you only need a small amount. I will definitely be buying this in the future.

I love trying all different eye shadows and even though this comes in a loose powder form, and you might think it’s hard to apply it is actually really easy. Just dip the eye shadow brush in the powder, shake it off and apply. It is a great way of controlling the colour. I got the Karma colour and it is the most beautiful shade of green, I absolutely love it. Can’t wait to get the other colours too!

This eye shadow was very effective and I didn’t need to keep touching up throughout day. This is a very nice product although I prefer to get a few colours in a palette.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Linden Leaves Flax Seed Body Polish

Description: Cleanse and rejuvenate the skin with flax seed extract to help improve skin condition and for its anti-inflammatory properties, flax seed oil to soothe and heal, apricot seed powder for natural gentle exfoliation, shea butter to moisturise, soften and regenerate, calendula oil for its antiseptic, regenerative properties, essential oil of ginger to promote, circulation and relieve aches, and essential oil of lemongrass to stimulate and revive.

Size: 2.5g Price: $13.95AUS Availability: Priceline
Overall Star Rating:

The essential oils in this product make it especially attractive to use. I found the granules quite gentle on my skin and the shea butter certainly helped to moisturise the skin and stop it from feeling dry or taught.

The fragrance of this body polish is quite distinctive so make sure you try the tester first to see if you like it. The packaging is excellent as it is easy to stand it in the shower. Overall it is a product that I would be happy to recommend.

This is a great product especially for winter use when my skin is dry and flaky. It was value for money as a little went a long way. The polish gently exfoliated the skin and moisturised at the same time. I enjoyed using it very much.

I liked the packaging of this product and the consistency. I wasn’t a fan of the scent though – I don’t particularly like lemongrass and it was strong. My boyfriend actually used the product too, and he had the same sentiments. It was good value for money, but I wouldn’t buy it for myself.

I loved this body scrub. You can really smell the apricot & ginger, it’s gorgeous. Easy to use tube for in the shower, lovely gritty texture, leaves the skin feeling smooth & soft. I will definitely buy this product again. I think its excellent value for money, as it’s a very generous 210ml.

My first impressions of this product were that it smelt great, felt great on my body and left my body feeling clean and fresh. The application of the product was easy and the packaging made it easy to use in the shower. After applying the product, it left my skin feeling smoother and softer. Although it does leave a mess in your shower. The texture is like an ordinary scrub. Feels great on the body and there’s a lovely light scent. The price is great as there are many expensive scrubs in the market place. Great product for the price!

The texture of this product seemed too coarse for a gentle exfoliation for me. Unfortunately my skin became quite irritated after use and resulted in a red itchy rash that lasted for two days. Perhaps I was allergic to one of the ingredients.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Gorgeous Summer Hair – How to Avoid Sun Stressed Hair

We all hear so much about protecting our skin from the sun that we can be forgiven for forgetting about another area; every woman’s crowning glory – Hair.

Yes, your hair needs just as much care and protection as your skin. The effects of the sun, salt, chlorine and even too much washing can be seen as dry brittle and dull hair. It’s time to prepare for the onslaught of summer. Thankfully there are a horde of products to help you accomplish this by protecting and nourishing your locks.

1: MOP’s Leave-In Conditioner, (200ml $23.95) with its UV protectants, has just been re-released in time for summer. Certified Organic carrot puree has been added to provide important anti-oxidants for sun-dried hair. Certified Organic Echinacea and dandelion provide extra hydration and improve dry scalp condition. In addition to enriching hair and protecting it against the onslaught of summer, simply apply Leave-In Conditioner for no tangles, no frizz and no worries.

2: Or if your hair is really in need of some deep conditioning try Keune Care Line Intensive Hair Repair (200ml $25.99) Processing in only three minutes, this intensely moisturizing and repairing treatment works to give damaged and stressed hair back its body, structure, vitality and shine. Featuring wheat micro proteins that penetrate the hair shaft and provide extra strength as well as keravis strengthening complex to encapsulate and protect strands from damage, it has an immediately noticeable effect. Suitable for daily use as it will not weigh your hair down.

3: Another fantastic hair-mask for summer is Wella’s Biotouch Sun Nutrition Protection Mask (150ml $19.95) This formulation repairs the hair from the inside to smooth the hair structure and make it easier to comb. This highly moisturizing mask comes with a convenient pump dispenser and gives your hair the intensive care it needs in the warm and drying summer. It gives a great protection to your hair from the negative influences of the sun, sea and chlorinated water. Application is simple, just distribute it evenly through towel dried hair and leave it for 10-15 minutes then rinse out thoroughly.

4: If you are more concerned with having stunningly healthy looking, shiny hair, look no further. Redken UV Protective Oil -leave-in smoother (150ml $23.25) This water-resistant formula helps to provide UV protection for hair and contains gold mica particles for a high-shine, sleek finish. Features C2 Solar Complex to protect the hair externally with UVA and UVB filters, glycerin to replenish depleted moisture and Vitamin C with ceramide to help reconstruct and re-energize weakened hair. You simply spray it on damp or dry hair and go. It can also be reapplied throughout the day.

5: Or try MOP Glisten Spray Gloss (50ml $29.95) This weightless shine spray will transform your hair from dull to beautiful in a few simple mists. Glisten Spray Gloss is a revolutionary ultra light mist that calms fly-aways, infuses brilliant shine and never weighs the hair down. It also feeds the hair nutritious ingredients that accentuate lustre, suppleness and pliability. Silica and avocado oils infuse every hair strand with a brilliant shine that lasts. Wheat protein and amino acids promote strength. Apply by holding it about 8 to 10 inches from your hair and spritz evenly to damp or dry hair. Use it sparingly, as a little goes a long way.

With these great products in your possession, you can confidently go from the beach to a party knowing you have the healthiest and shiniest hair possible. So go out and enjoy the surf, sun and sand.

Scents of Summer

Ruban D’Orange Eau De Toilette By L’Occitane

This fresh, sparkling and soft scent from L’Occitane is truly the smell of summer. It is inspired by the bitter oranges from Seville in the Mediterranean. And that is the very first note you smell as you spritz yourself with this gorgeous fragrance.

The perfume starts off with notes of Calabrian lemon, Sicilian mandarin and Seville bitter orange. It is followed by fig leaves and a base of vetiver, tonka bean and cedar. This gives the fragrance a very sophisticated edge by reducing the citrusy freshness to a more mellow warm base.

100ml $50.95AUS

Pure Poison By Christian Dior

Wow. This beautiful mother of pearl bottle contains a very seductive little scent. A wonderful blend of jasmine, sweet orange and bergamot starts the fragrance off closely followed by gardenia and sandalwood.

This creates an amazing perfume that is not only floral but has a deep base of warm muskiness. The fragrance lasts an amazingly long time on the skin. I thoroughly recommend that you go and try it for yourself.

50ml $120.00AUS

Black Code By Giorgio Armani

This men’s fragrance is a mix of freshness and spiciness. It is a very modern scent that combines the freshness of bergamot and lemon with soft notes of olive tree blossom, warmed with Guaiac wood and Tonka Bean. This translates to a very soft woody oriental fragrance that is not overpowering for summer but will stay with you all through the night and warm to the skin.

50ml $98.00AUS

Beyond Paradise Men By Estee Lauder

The first impression of this unique fragrance is of damp, mossy earth. This is a very masculine scent and not for the shy. Interestingly it takes a little while for the fresh notes of the fragrance to develop. However this gives it a very refreshing lightness that balances the deeper woody notes of Golden Melaleuca Bark, Vetiver, Beach Wood, Oak Moss and Patchouli.

This is an absolute favourite of mine (on my gorgeous husband of course) because it is truly a fragrance that conveys a masculine sensuality. Be sure to check this one out.

50ml $80.00AUS

Darling By Kylie Minouge

This has to be my favourite perfume of the year. It is just as glamorous as its creator Kylie. This perfume is classified as Chypre-Floriental. What does that mean? The perfume when you first smell it, is quite sweet and fruity with notes of passion fruit, freesia and lychee. However this is tempered with the soft notes of lily and boronia, creating a very pleasant and elegant fragrance that lasts extremely well on the skin. It has base notes of sandalwood, amberwood and vanilla adding a very sensual and warm scent.

75ml $85.00 AUS

L’Homme By Yves Saint Laurent

This is a must try for all men. Yes I did say men not boys, because this fragrance is truly masculine and modern. The first thing you smell is a sparkling freshness created by Zest of Lemon and Bergamot. However the fragrance has a depth to it created by Sandalwood, Virginia cedar, Haitian Vetiver and Tonka bean. The fragrance also has Violet leaves and Basil flowers too. All of this creates a wonderful contrast of freshness and spiciness which, on a man’s skin is quite sensual. ON COUNTER 29th JANUARY 2007

100ml $120.00AUS

Insolence By Guerlain

If you are after a unique, luxurious fragrance this is it. It cannot be described as any particular fragrance family. Violet is the first note to notice however it’s not a shrinking violet. This is a strong scent that emphasises strength in the fragrance with raspberries and rose. It also has Iris which adds an almost dignified element to the perfume. It has a sweetness to it which you will notice first up, but it’s not an overpowering sweetness rather a very feminine quality.

50ml $112.00AUS

Lip Service

Written and Researched By – Joyce Choo

In talking to a number of women, between 18 and 60 years, The Beauty Review has found that one group of women carry a lip product that they are happy to reapply on their lips through the day regardless of what they’re wearing.

Then, there’s the other group of women who carry one or two (and sometimes more) lipsticks and glosses which have been selected carefully to match their outfit of the day.

Andrea, 18, university student: I so love matching my lip colour to my clothes and carry anything from one to three lip glosses in my handbag! It all depends on what I’m wearing. My current favourite is a Lancome bronzey lipgloss.

May, 40, painter: I carry with me a Lancome lipstick in a coral-reddish shade that’s close to my natural lip colour as well as a Chanel gloss. For evenings out, I’d match my lip colour to my outfit – maybe coral or red or pink – and carry that specific lipstick in my bag.

Imogen, 19, uni student: I love changing my lip colour to match my clothes or mood. Today, I’m wearing an intense red because it’s such a gloomy day; yesterday, it was a frosty pink to go with my flowery sundress. Tonight, I’m going clubbing and I’ll wear a matte dark plum shade because I’m feeling dangerous! I love Nars and MAC lipsticks.

Sarah, 32, nail artist: I like frosted colours and carry in my handbag a pretty glimmery shimmery pink lipstick from the new range by Shiseido.

Madeline, 50, greeting card designer: I keep a Dior frosted mauve lipstick in my bag and it matches my colouring. When I’m out in the sun, it’s just lip balm with a sunscreen.

Sofia, 50, language teacher: I love my Red Earth lipstick. I keep it in my handbag and apply it in my car when I arrive at my destination.

Natalie, 39, writer: I change handbags every 2-3 days but the lipstick stays the same. I also carry a gloss and mini lip pencil. I loathe long-wearing lipsticks and I’m happy to reapply my lipstick throughout the day! Once I finish the lipstick, I replace it with a different brand. I’ve never bought the same thing twice – too many products out there to try in my lifetime. Currently, it’s Diorific Hula Hoop and Napoleon Lip Lacquer.

Peggy, 60, retail manager: I only use Clinique lipstick. I match the shade to my own colouring and even the climate. Living on the Gold Coast now, where the weather is pretty much the same year round, I use the same neutral colour. Before moving here, I would adjust my lip colour to reflect darker winter clothes and textures and then lighten up for summer. But it’s always been Clinique.

Morgan, 24, real estate agent: I have to wear a navy blazer and scarf for work so I keep my lipstick fairly neutral – it’s Bloom at the moment. When I’m not working, it’s just a slick of Bloom lip gloss. I think that colour’s been discontinued!

Final Notes:
It seems that younger women are more likely to wear bright toned or frosted lip glosses and change these around in their handbags to reflect their outfits. Older women are more likely to wear a lip colour that matches their complexion rather than what they’re wearing. The Beauty Review would love to hear from readers. Which group do you belong to?

10 Excellent Reasons To Go “All Natural” With Your Skin Care

by Ananda Mahony ND

The term “natural” is somewhat misleading with regard to use in cosmetics. In Australia manufacturers can add 5% of a natural ingredient to a synthetic and call a product natural. This is generally regarded as “greenwashing” and such products aren’t considered natural at all. So what do you look for to get the REAL benefits from truly natural products?

1: Truly natural products contain no synthetic ingredients such as artificial colours or fragrances. Artificial fragrances are amongst the most irritating ingredient in skin care with the ability to cause or significantly contribute to irritating skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rashes and hives. You will notice the difference in your skin when you avoid such ingredients.

2: Natural products contain no potentially harmful ingredients such as petrochemicals, mineral oils, sodium lauryl sulphate and propolene glycol. According to Skin Deep, an Environmental Working Group in the US, many of the synthetic ingredients used (in the US and Australia) in everyday skin care are potentially toxic to humans.

3: Natural skin care is formulated to support the healthy functioning of our skin from within and without. Humans absorb up to 60% of any substance applied to our skin. It has been calculated that the average women can absorb up to 2kg of different chemicals through their skin each year. By using natural products you ensure that what you are absorbing is benefiting your skin and body, promoting radiance and health.

4: Our bodies have to break down, detoxify and excrete any substance we put on them. This puts an extra burden of toxicity on the body and is of particular concern for young babies and children whose organs of elimination are not fully developed. Reduce your toxic burden by using whole, unrefined natural products.

5: Natural skin & body care products contain nutrients, including naturally occurring antioxidants, amino acids, botanical extracts, pure essential oils and essential fatty acids in their holistic form which is more compatible with our skin and bodies. This includes nutrients such as grape seed (rich in phytochemicals that support the skin), rose hip oil (rich in vitamin C), Carrot oil (rich in vitamin A), pumpkin seed oil (rich in zinc), olive oil (rich in squalene) to name but a few. These ingredients promote healthy skin by nourishing from the outside in.

6: Natural cosmetics are more active. Excluding water, often contain up to 95% active ingredients rather than 5% active ingredients in a 95% inert (non-active) base as in many of everyday personal care products and cosmetics. You will notice a difference when you use natural products.

7: Wholly natural products are not tested on animals.

8: Many of the suppliers of natural skin care are local and cottage industries. Buying these products supports sustainable manufacturing processes, the ability to maintain quality control by hand making small quantities in order to provide fresh product, small business enterprise and local communities.

9: Natural products are environmentally friendly. Recent studies have shown that the chemicals and toxins found in most skin care products have a harmful effect on the environment as well as they take longer to break down than whole, unrefined ingredients.

10: Value for money. Natural products are often cheaper than synthetic products as they don’t have to compete in the hyped brand focused market. You are also paying for active rather than inert ingredients. When considering the benefits available form natural skin care the value of natural products outweighs anything else on the market.

Author: Ananda Mahony ND Holistic Skin Care Specialist Owner of Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care With over 15 different pure, natural & organic ranges, Vitale Natural Skin & Body Care has answers for your skin care needs.

* Enjoy radiant skin with personalised service to assist you in choosing products that best suit your skin ” Specialising in topical skin care for problem skin – sensitive, allergy prone, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne.

* Ask an expert – Ananda Mahony ND specialises in natural and organic skin care and can help you meet your skin care goals.

* Support your skin and the environment by using only 100% natural & ethical products.

Shop online now to experience Vitale’s natural skin care at www.vitalenatural.com.au or contact Vitale directly to find out more on
07 3367 3233 or info@vitalenatural.com.au

Anthogenol – Professor Masquelier’s Original OPC’s

As a beauty editor I come across lots of great products, creams, serums, oils, masks and so on. All helping to improve the appearance of the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

However, I have always been a huge believer in the fact your skin is a mirror of what’s going on inside of you. Therefore if you have internal problems, bad diet, hormonal imbalances, drink excessively or smoke, no matter what you put on your skin you won’t have glowing, healthy skin.

For this reason I have always looked after my skin from the inside. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, drinking heaps of water, exercising and taking my multivitamins.

When the opportunity arose to try the new Anthogenol I jumped at the chance.

So what is Anthogenol? It was developed in France as a cardiovascular treatment, primarily used to minimize swelling and pain in the legs. Anthogenol is the result of 50 years of research by French Professor Jack Masquelier, who discovered its main active ingredient, OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin), in the seeds of grapes.

OPCs work by sustaining collagen and elastin levels throughout the body, supporting cardiovascular health and maintaining the flow of blood through the body. This alleviates the problems of cold hands and feet, capillary fragility (one of the causes of spider veins) and varicose veins caused by poor circulation.

However, it has the additional benefits if improving the quality of the skin, hair and nails. Anthogenol boosts overall wellbeing and reduces the breakdown in the quality of the skin which is a natural part of ageing. Anthogenol has many benefits for the body including:

* Protecting against the breakdown of skin collagen, a process that produces the visible signs of ageing

* Helping the body to preserve collagen protein and enhance the elasticity of skin

* Supporting collagen biosynthesis, a vital factor in maintaining healthy looking skin

* Assisting in the maintenance of peripheral circulation

* Powerful anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger

* Providing nutritional support for the maintenance of a healthy heart

* Helping support the body in maintaining healthy circulatory function in the legs, eyes and skin The recommended dosage is one capsule a day. Generally you will see an improvement in your skin after three months. I started to notice an improvement in the clarity of my skin after the first month. What I noticed most was how clear my skin was and how smooth my skin looked.

Into the second month without me even being aware of it a small blood blister I have had just under my eye for the past four or five years have suddenly disappeared. I found that absolutely amazing. This is not a quick fix product. If you are looking for instant results this is not it. However, if you are looking to improve you skin, hair, nails and your wellbeing over time and maintain your youthful vitality I can not recommend this product highly enough.

Every single woman should be taking OPC’s.
I certainly will be.

Party Glamour

With the party season on top of us we all need to refresh our ‘Party Glamour Repertoires’. Almost all of us are pressed for time and don’t have hours or even an hour to do our makeup. So I have compiled some tips for getting ready for that party or BBQ no matter how rushed you are.

1) Start Fresh:
Before you do anything else, make sure your skin is well cleansed and moisturised. Don’t even think about just adding some more makeup on top of what you have on. Trust me, this will only take a few minutes but the results will justify spending the time.
Take your makeup off; the makeup remover wipes are fantastic to remove makeup in a hurry. Rinse your face with water, and then add moisturiser. You may find that the moisturiser you used in winter may be too heavy for summer, especially if you are outdoors, so opt for an oil free moisturiser. In summer a lot of women find tinted moisturisers an excellent choice.

2) The Right Foundation:
You must remember that your foundation is not a mask. Your foundation is designed to even out your skin tone and hide any blemishes, but most of all it must look natural. Use a foundation type that you find the easiest to apply in a hurry. If you find liquid foundations too fussy, opt for a powder foundation. Generally anything that can be applied with a makeup sponge or a brush is quick and easy to apply.

3) Healthy Holiday Glow:
Brush Bronzing Powder over the top of your foundation or tinted moisturiser for an instant healthy holiday glow. For this, use a large round brush, dip it into your Bronzing Powder and then knock the base of the brush against a hard surface. This will disperse the powder from the tip of the brush allowing you to get a very natural looking glow all over the face. Remember to take the Bronzing Powder past your jaw line, down your neck and even down your decolletage if you are wearing a revealing top.

4) Eye Bright:
This summer there are some beautiful light, bright, and shimmery eye shadows on the market. Make your eyes the centre of attention with a little sparkle. Choose one colour that is most flattering for you. These are generally opposite colours to your eye colour. Eg: Brown eyes – Blue eye shadow, Blue eyes – Brown eye shadow, Green eyes – Gold eye shadow, ect. With shimmery eye shadows it is always best to stick to the one colour unless you are very experienced in application and blending. This will also cut down on the application time. Apply the shadow starting above your eyelashes and take it up just past the crease in your eyelid. Blend lightly so you don’t have a visible line.

5) Line Right:
An eyeliner is a must for well-finished eye makeup. Draw a line as close to your lashes as you can and follow it up with a very dark eye shadow applied with a narrow brush. This will not only even out the liner and give you a smoky look but it also seals the pencil line so it won’t budge through the night. If you are very game and you still have a bit of time you can apply liquid liner over the top. This makes for a very intense, dramatic look and it ensures that nothing will budge your eyeliner.

6) Frame Well:
Don’t forget your mascara. This is worth spending a minute on, as your lashes will frame your eyes to perfection. If the day or night is going to be hot, it is best to use a waterproof mascara, just to be on the safe side. Use a mascara that is not more than 3 months old (for hygiene reasons).

Wipe the end of the mascara wand to remove any excess product and start applying it to the centre of the top lashes by gently wriggling it between the hairs and moving up to the ends. Repeat this a couple of times then move to the corners of the eyes, first the inner corner then the outer corner. Do not apply mascara to the lower lashes. The transfer from your top lashes when you blink is enough.

7) Killer Pout:
Lip Glosses are the perfect way to finish off your party look. Not only are they quick and easy to apply, they are very glamorous too. Lip Glosses also make your lips appear fuller. You can either get a coloured gloss or use a clear gloss over your lipstick. If you are using a coloured gloss apply foundation to your lips first. This will hold your lip-gloss to your lips well.

Then apply your lip-gloss the following way: instead of putting gloss on like you do lipstick (from left to right, top then bottom); first apply gloss to the middle of your bottom lip only. Rub lips together. This will keep gloss from going on too thickly. Then if more is needed re-apply to bottom lip only , until the desired look is achieved. If you are using a clear gloss over your lipstick, give your lipstick a minute on your lips to settle then follow the application rules as above.

As they say practice makes perfect, but even with limited experience you can follow these steps to achieve a beautiful, fresh looking make-up that you can accomplish in 15 minutes.

A Day At The Spa

Have a Spa Day at Home alone for a quiet time to rejuvenate, refresh and revitalize yourself. Go through your supplies and decide which products to use – hair mask, anti-stress face mask, moisturizing body balm, aromatherapy foot scrub.

This is the perfect time to indulge yourself and buy that new treatment product you’ve read about. Stock the fridge with food and drink. Take care of house-keeping the night before so on the morning of your Spa Day, you can simply wake up and become a Goddess for the day.

A Spa Day at Home is the perfect opportunity to invite a few friends and catch up with the gossip. Ask each friend to bring their best beauty pampering product to share with the others (as well as their favourite music CDs).

* Set the scene by scenting the air. You can create your own spritzer by mixing bottled water with a drop or two of aromatherapy oil such as jasmine, chamomile or rosewood. Lightly spray your special mix into the air. Or, light scented candles.

* Make your own foot scrub with white beach sand. A few drops of peppermint oil will produce an invigorating foot scrub.

* Freeze freshly squeezed lemon juice into cubes. Drop these into iced tea for a refreshing drink.

* Prepare green tea ahead of time. Chill well before drinking.

* Don’t spend too long in the kitchen. Simply buy a roast chicken from the supermarket the day before; strip meat into chunks and toss with a fresh green salad. Prepare a simple vinaigrette with fruit vinegar and olive oil. Dress a fruit platter with ginger syrup.

* Put flower petals in a bowl of water and keep in the fridge overnight. Pour into a basin and add a little rose oil for an amazing foot soak.

* If you’re having a Spa Day with Friends, borrow a kiddie’s inflatable wading pool. Fill with water and flower petals and pull up your chairs next to the pool.

* If your budget permits, hire a professional masseur to come to the house. Refresh, renew, pamper and indulge. Make this your special day.

Make a diary entry to Remind yourself to plan A Spa Day every month.

Make this your special day

Tips for a Successful Spa Day

* Switch on the telephone answering machine.

* Let your mobile calls go to Message Bank.

* Arrange a play date for the kids or send them to grandma’s!

* Exchange a favour with a neighbour to take your dog for the day.

EXTRA TIPS
Organise a Spa Day for a girlfriend’s birthday or as a pre-wedding gift for the bride-to-be or for your mum on Mother’s Day.
Don’t forget that a Spa Day for a Significant Other can be a special time to pamper your boyfriend or husband. Consider a manly clay mask or an invigorating foot scrub.
Choose a theme for your Spa Day. Think Gold Coast Summer with frangipani scent, mango spritzers to drink, beach sand foot scrubs. Or, plan around an Oriental theme with jasmine in the air, green tea scented face mask and, for fun, fortune cookies!

Sam And The City

Livia: Thanks Samantha for your time. For those who don’t know you, can you tell our readers a little about your background, your famous Sydney Morning Herald Blog and how you came to write your book?

Sam: I write a daily Sam and the City blog for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age online. It’s about dating, sex and relationships. I came about writing the blog after living in New York for a few months, and realised that the New York dating scene was something that was heavily explored in the US media but there was nothing like it down under.

I set out to write stories about the Australian dating scene and it simply grew from there. The book, Luv n Txt, is a small gift book, delving into the proliferation of the use of technology to score a dating. These days we use technology to flirt, date, break up, make up and communicate. Plus there’s a whole new language of text! People no long flirt face-to-face as much, they flirt phone-to-phone.

Livia: What’s your 3 best tips for girls in the dating scene?

Sam:
Chuck out that Checklist
Many of us are so picky these days that we’re not giving enough men a chance. We’re not getting out there and dating different “types” of men. Instead we’re sticking to what we’re conditioned to, and what we know. Yet obviously if we’re still single, that hasn’t worked out! Keep an open mind and don’t be disheartened if you’ve had a bad date. There are plenty of fish in the sea. And if he’s not your Mr. Right, just use the simply motto “Next!”

Meeting
Forget the regular way of meeting men – although bars and clubs are always a lot of fun with girlfriends – do something different! I think the best way to meet someone who shares common interests with you is to actually go out and do it. Take up a course, sport or hobby. Join a group, learn something new, and you’ll be surprised at the types of people you meet there.
Learn to cook, a new language, a sport, rock climbing, they’re all great ways to meet other singles. Plus don’t rule out the new-fangled “meet market” which includes Speed Dating, RSVP and other online services. I know many a couple who are happily hitched from meeting over the internet.

Know Your Worth
If you’re in a relationship and you feel like you’re being mistreated, or that the relationship is 90% hard work and 10% fun, get out of it as soon as you can. Relationships are meant to be easy most of the time. That’s what romance and love is all about. I’ve seen way too many girlfriends being mentally bashed around by blokes who think it’s their right to treat them badly. No-one has to put up with that, especially early on in a relationship. When the signs are there, it’s time to go.

Livia: How much time you spend on yourself a day? (Beauty, personal development, fitness etc.)

Sam: I try exercise around 45 minutes per day, makeup and hair for me takes about 5-8 mins (I am shocking) and I try to get my highlights done around once a month. I like to read a lot and will generally take out an hour to read in peace and quiet.

Livia: What is your regular beauty routine?

Sam: I make sure I wash my face morning and night with an exfoliating cleanser, to ensure all my makeup comes off. I also drink a huge amount of water and try to eat fresh foods whenever I can. Once a week I like to give my skin a breather from any makeup and I do a face mask. I always wear sunscreen and I generally try to stay out of the sun!

Livia: Do you have a favourite beauty product that you can’t live without?

Sam: My Nars foundation and Mac lipgloss in Prrrr.

Livia: Do you have a home beauty remedy that you swear by?

Sam: Conditioning my hair and wrapping gladwrap around it to keep the moisture in. Putting an ice cube on a pimple generally helps, and getting a good amount of sleep whenever I can.

Livia: What sort of products or treatments do you splurge on and why?

Sam: I splurge on massages when I can get time to have one. That’s about once every six months! I like going to a beautiful spa and doing the whole shebang: a sauna, massage, manicure and pedicure. It’s absolute bliss.

Livia: What’s the best piece of beauty advice your mother gave you?

Sam: My mother always said to stay out of the sun, look after my hair and moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. She has the softest skin ever.

Livia: In your hectic schedule, what do you do to relax?

Sam: I like to go for jogs in the street or along the beach. Relaxation for me is hanging out with friends while watching Australian Idol and switching off my mind. When I am stressed, I do breathing meditation, Pilates, and hit the gym as often as I can.

Livia: Do you have a favourite perfume at the moment?

Sam: Dyptique, a French perfume, is my favourite because it has such a unique smell. Whenever I wear it people always comment

Be sure to visit Sam’s Sydney Morning Herald Blog: http://blogs.smh.com.au/lifestyle/samandthecity/

Create the Ultimate Party Eyes

Do the blue and green eye shadows of the new season colours take you back to the 70′s and 80′s? Or do you just shake your head and move on to your regular favourite colours thinking that you could never wear blues or greens. Think Again!

You can wear these great colours and look fabulous at your next summer party. With a few tips you can become an expert at applying these fantastic colours that go so well with all the beautiful bright colours of this season.

Follow these few suggestions and have fun.

1) Always start with a good base. Either apply your foundation on your eye lids or use a great concealer such as L’Oreal Touch Magique.

2) Start with a nice neutral colour all over the lid (from lash to brow).

3) Never ever colour in your whole lid with blue or green. Leave that look back in the 70′s.

4) Start applying the colour just above the lashes and work the brush to the outer corners of the eye, and this is where you want to concentrate most of the colour.

5) Apply a lighter colour in the centre of the lid. This will highlight and brighten the eyes.

6) Follow by applying a white or shimmery colour on the inner corner of the eye. A great product I found was the Avon Mirror Pencils. These shimmery pencils come in four colours and they just glide on. They are very easy to blend so use them with your powder shadows.

7) Follow by brushing on some shimmery shadow or a pencil shadow under the lower lashes. This has the opposite effect of applying black or brown liner and will actually open up the eyes.

As the last step, apply a thin line of eye liner and mascara. Now go and dazzle all the other party guests!

Avon Mirror Pencil

Scent of a Woman

Let me share with you two of my very favourite perfumes for this summer. I hope they will become your new favourites too!

Estee Lauder – Beyond Paradise
This exotic perfume is the perfect scent for summer. It reminds you of the tropics with its sweet combination of Orange Flower, Orchid, Jasmin and Natural Plum Blossoms. The first smell of the perfume is slightly floral with hints of fruit that I just can’t put my finger on but then it actually settles into a soft floral with woody notes.

Beyond Paradise lasts well on the skin without being very heavy or overpowering.It is a truly beautiful perfume that is well worth trying.
EDP 30ml $80.00,
50ml $100.00,
100ml $140.00

Issey Miyake – L’Eau D’Issey
This perfume is great for those hot sticky nights when you don’t want anything heavy around you. The perfume is very fresh with essences of Bergamot and Lilly of the Valley , it’s not overly floral but it stays on you skin very well because of its deeper base notes of Cedar and Amber.

If you like soft fresh perfumes this is definitely for you.
EDP 25ml $79.00
EDT 25ml $75.00
50ml $114.00
100ml $170.00

Skin Cancer – A Real, Raw Deal

By: Dr Mark Edinburg

The incidence of skin cancer in Australia is rising and part of the reason for this, is the association with our life style and increase in general prosperity. This results in increased exposure to the sun as a result of changing fashion, increased leisure time with sport, barbeques and an increased attendance at the seaside. The incidence of skin cancer increases the nearer we are to the equator and 90% of skin cancers occur in the sun exposed areas of the body.

We know that the presence of skin cancer is increased in people who spend time outdoors and people who have less pigmentation. There are, however, also other causes of skin cancer. Some of these include trauma, burn scars, chronic leg ulcers, previous exposure to radiotherapy, patients who are immuno-suppressed and, rarely, exposure to various types of chemicals.

Skin cancers can be a serious problem and, therefore, should be dealt with by doctors who have been trained adequately to deal with this problem. This means that the treating doctor should have a good clinical ability to pick up the various types of skin cancers and make a correct diagnosis before proceeding on to treatment. The doctor should have an understanding of the pathology and how the tumour behaves and, therefore, knowledge on how to treat these tumours.

It is very important that these tumours be treated in the correct manner. It is not appropriate to have tumours treated in a “willy nilly” fashion as this would have far reaching ramifications for the patient. My suggestion to you, the public, is to seek guidance from your local medical officer and, if necessary, proceed on to further management with either your Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon.

Understanding Your Skin
The history of the lesion is important, to identify how the lesion started, length of time it has been present and behaviour of the lesion. Rapid growth of a lesion would suggest malignancy, as would features of ulceration and bleeding. A family history is also important and, if necessary, a history concerning work environment, drug intake and any other factors will be taken into consideration. It is important for patients to understand that most skin cancers do not produce symptoms and, therefore, it is imperative for patients to be vigilant and aware of any new lumps or bumps of the skin. These should be reported to your local medical officer as soon as possible.

The Consultation & Appropriate Treatment Protocol
At the time of examination, the site of the skin cancer is noted and measured for its size and its shape, surface character and edge of the lesion, whether there is any ulceration, pigmentation and variation in colour of the lesion would all be important. This would then be followed by palpation of the skin cancer and the lymph nodes in the area adjacent to the skin cancer should always be examined.

At this stage we can discuss the diagnosis of the lesion. If this is not possible at the time, a biopsy would be advised. It is important to accurately diagnose the type of skin cancer that is present as there are various treatments available for different types of skin cancers. Specifically, in terms of surgical removal, some skin cancers will require a wider margin of excision than other types of skin cancers and this has particular relevance in certain areas of the body, such as the face.

If surgery is appropriate to treat this lesion, most can be managed in my surgery under local anaesthesia or sedation if required. Other forms of treatment may include liquid nitrogen, creams such as aldara, chemicals such as effudix, laser, and radiotherapy. Often the surgical excision of the tumour will require reconstruction either with flaps or skin grafts. There are many types of flaps and different types of skin grafts and if you require any one of these, the procedure will be explained to you. I believe that these surgical techniques are best carried out by plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Cosmetic Applications
At the Eden Institute, we remove many benign lesions as well, such as moles, for cosmetic or other reasons. Sometimes it may be inappropriate to excise these lesions because of the risks of poor scarring. At the Eden Institute of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, we advise you to not underestimate the importance of seeing a Specialist Skin Cancer Surgeon – prevention and early detection is crucial when dealing with Skin Cancers.

Dr Mark Edinburg, Medical Director of the Eden Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery brings decades of outstanding surgical experience to his patients. His belief that “outward beauty is based on confidence, self esteem and a positive outlook on life” is key to success of this practice which delivers a full suite of surgical and non-invasive aesthetic enhancement procedures, using state-of-the-art medical practices, technologies and products.
A holistic approach to treatments, including advanced skin care maintenance and a philosophy based on the importance of total wellness, delivered with a genuinely palpable warmth and care for his patients positions Dr Edinburg as a pre-eminent Plastic Surgeon in Australia. The team at The Eden Institute work hard to keep up-to-date with advancements in the industry and to nurture relationships with their patients, enabling them to feel comfortable and safe discussing something as important and personal as their cosmetic procedures.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Eden Institute for professional, honest and holistic recommendations and treatments in order to achieve overall face and body health.
Call (02) 8814 5800 or doctor@edeninstitute.com.au or www.edeninstitute.com.au

[A'kin] Sandalwood & Neroli Pure Facial Cleansing Gel

Livia’s Summary: An excellent cleanser that all our panelists loved. Personally I found that this gel cleanser is comparable if not better than some much more expensive cleansers, as it is really not drying on the skin at all. I found my skin was noticeably brighter and fresher after use. The lovely soft fragrance was also appreciated by all. All in all I can confidently recommend that you try this product for yourself.

Description: This pure pH balanced cleansing gel in a non-drying formula removes all traces of excess sebum and makeup leaving the skin thoroughly refreshed, vibrant and feeling smooth.

* Normal, combination and oily skin
* A non-drying formula which removes all traces of excess sebum and make-up leaving the skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and refreshed.

How to Use: Morning and night, apply a small amount to the face and décolletage, massage and rinse off. Ideal for use in the shower.

Available: www,purist.com.au

Price: $25.00 AUS 225ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Fair and Oily Skin.
Value for Money: Great product. I would make it a regular buy.


Comments: As someone who has oily skin, I find it really hard to find a cleanser that doesn’t leave a small amount of residue or leave my skin feeling tight, but this semi-foaming cleanser made my skin feel and look refreshed and oil free all day. An excellent product.

Skin Type: Oily Skin.

Value for Money: YES!! It lasts a long time!

Comments: This is one of the best face washes I’ve ever used. It had immediate results on my skin and smoothed it. I liked the smell and the gel consistency. I didn’t like the shape of the bottle though – it didn’t stand well in my shower.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.

Value for Money: This is great value for money with large quantity of product & the small amount needed for a total cleanse. I would definitely purchase this again.

Comments: The fragrance was great and the product left my face completely clean without feeling tight. My skin looked clearer within a matter of days, and my hormonal blemishes are fading fast.

Skin Type: Normal Skin

Value for Money: It’s a very generous size for $25.00, and I will be buying it again.

Comments: This is a beautiful gel cleanser that left my face really clean without that dry feeling I normally get with gel cleansers. It removed all my makeup. I even got my husband using it in the shower and he loves the feel of it on his face so I’ll definitely have to go out and buy an other one.

Skin Type: Combination Skin.

Value for Money: Yes I would buy this product for myself as it is no more expensive than other face washes available.

Comments: I found this gel absolutely lovely to use as I have combination skin it didn’t dry out the dry areas even more, and managed to leave my skin nice and evenly balanced.

Pros: Non drying gel formulation.

Cons: None

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Estee Lauder- Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Livia’s Summary: This is a very gentle eye make-up remover that is suitable for the sensitive skins, although unfortunately one of our panelists did experience a bit of stinging. The great thing about this eye make-up remover is that it is a non oily formulation, yet still removes all eye make-up without much effort. I tried it with long lasting lipstick too and it too just slid off my lips. I enjoyed using this product as did most of our panelists.

Description: This gentle, lightweight formula works quickly and gently to thoroughly remove powder eye-shadow and other eye make-up. Sweeps away without leaving any oily residue, so you can reapply eye make-up immediately after use. Oil-free formula won’t damage delicate skin. Perfect for all skin types. Suitable for contact lens wearers. Ophthalmologist-tested.

Apply in the morning to refresh and at night to remove make-up, surface grime and dirt.

Available: Myer, David Jones and selected Pharmacies

Price: $48.00 AUS 100ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Although I loved this product I would still find it out of my budget, nice for an occasional splurge though.

Comments: Really lovely product. I used it on normal mascara and it came off very easily. It also left the eye area feeling soft and did not irritate at all. I did not have a chance to try it on waterproof mascara.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: I might buy it as it is a trusted brand.

Comments: A very standard eye make-up remover. I used it to remove my eye-liner and it did it efficiently – so far so good.

Skin Type: Combination Skin.

Value for Money: I think $48 is too expensive for an eye make-up remover and would not purchase for myself.

Comments: I loved how this product was non-oily, leaving no residue and it performed well in removing all traces of my eye make-up, including cake eye-liner, which can be hard to remove with some other eye makeup removers. I experienced irritation/stinging to my eyes no matter how careful I was when using it, trying not to get it into my eyes.

Skin Type: Dry combination Skin
Value for Money: I wouldn’t buy this product, only for the fact that it’s a bit too pricey for my budget.

Comments: It definitely is gentle. I have sensitive eyes and it didn’t sting or irritate my eyes at all. It removed all my mascara easily.

Skin Type:Normal Skin.
Value for Money: ABSOLUTELLY!!

Comments: A lovely product to use, a tiny bit on a cotton pad removes all traces of eye liner, eye brow pencil, eye shadow, the lot. Fabulous.

Pros: Gentle cleanser, light fragrance.

Cons: None

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Linden Leaves- In Love Again Body Lotion

Livia’s Summary: The first thing I noticed about this moisturiser was the smell. You can definitely smell the neroli, vanilla and sandalwood as soon as you open the tube. The product moisturises the skin well, leaving it smooth and hydrated. It is a very nice range to have in your bathroom or as a gift.

Description: “an easily absorbed lotion formulated with sweet almond oil for pure skin hydration, ideal for daily use over whole body”. In love again fragrance is a sensual blend of neroli, vanilla and sandalwood to promote a feeling of bliss and contentment.

Available: Available from HolySheet! and selected stores nationwide.

Price: $14.95 AUS 200ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Normal Skin

Value for Money: Good value for the size of the product, but not what I need in a body lotion. I would consider buying it as a gift for someone though.

Comments: I found this product a little watery for my liking, but the fragrance was lovely and it absorbed very well into my skin.

Skin Type: Normal Combination.
Value for Money: I was so surprised at how cheap this product was. When I first tried it out I thought it would definitely be priced at over $30. However, it was so much cheaper. I love this product and would definitely buy it again.

Comments: This body lotion is fantastic. The texture is very creamy and absorbs easily into the skin. I tend to have dry skin on my legs and back and in the past would have to apply lotion throughout the day. However with this lotion, I only applied in the morning and then my body was hydrated the whole day long. There is a lovely scent to the lotion which makes your body smell yummy. My mother tried it and also loved it. 5/5.

Skin Type: Oily Skin.

Value for Money: Yes – a little goes a long way.

Comments: This product smells fantastic. I love the consistency, the colour, the packaging and the result on my skin. Definitely a good product!

Skin Type: Normal Dry Combination Skin
Value for Money: I think this product is value for money, as you only need a little. I would probably purchase as a gift.

Comments: I liked using this product, you can really smell the vanilla, but there was no ‘wow’ factor with this product. It does moisturise well, isn’t greasy and you only need a small amount.

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Yes, it is a decent sized tube and under $15.00

Comments: This lotion is lovely to use and not oily the slightest and it smells divine!!

Pros: Very moisturising, nice fragrance.

Cons: Formulation may be too light for some.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Linden Leaves- Hand and Nail Treatment

Livia’s Summary: This is a very nice light moisturiser for the hands. The smell I found to be quite strong and not pleasant but that is a very personal preference. Most of our panellists liked the smell. The cream moisturises the skin well without having to reapply constantly.

Description: Formulated with a blend of sage extract to stimulate circulation, mulberry extract to minimise sun spots and reduce inflammation, aloe vera to moisturise, soothe and minimise irritation, evening primrose oil to nourish and hydrate, shea butter with anti-oxidant properties to moisturise, soften and regenerate, sesame oil, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E, and a gentle sunscreen to protect the hands from sun damage.

Available: David Jones Elizabeth St and Bourke Street stores and selected stockists nationwide.

Price: $19.95 AUS 160ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Skin
Value for Money: I think this product is excellent value for money and would purchase for myself in the future.

Comments: I fell in love with this product from the moment I first applied it. Beautiful scent, herbal, but pleasantly so, like cucumbers and Aloe Vera. Wonderful texture, nice and creamy, not too thick or thin, absorbs well but not to the point where it disappears and you feel the need to constantly re-apply like a lot of other hand creams out there.
I’ve only really started taking care of my hands in the last year or so when I noticed one day how old they looked, and have definitely noticed an improvement with this hand cream. As well as applying throughout the day I always apply my hand cream last thing before going to sleep and with this hand cream I wake up with soft smooth visibly plumped out hands.
I even have been using on my feet before putting on my bed socks and they too are baby soft! I think it’s awesome that they have included a sunscreen to protect from damaging rays and the size of the tube is huge and should last for ages.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: I sure would buy this again.

Comments: This is a beautiful herbal hand and nail treatment with a light “herby” scent. It has had a fabulous result on my hands and around the cuticle area. With the Shea butter in it, it glides on beautifully and smells lovely. A great product.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.

Value for Money: Good value for money – very generous size.

Comments: Nice herbal aroma. Soft texture. Absorbs quickly without greasiness. It feels comfortable overall.

Skin Type: Fair and Oily Skin
Value for Money: Not a great product for me.

Comments: I personally didn’t find anything special about this cream, apart from making my hands s bit softer. It’s not a product I would buy, as I get the same effect from sorbolene creme.

Skin Type:Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I don’t think this product is good value for money and would not purchase it at this price.

Comments: At first I found the smell too much like shampoo and didn’t like it, I did however get used to it but my hands didn’t feel any softer or in better condition after using this product for 5 days regularly.

Pros: Generous size, good hand cream.

Cons: The fragrance may not be to everyone’s liking.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

SHE- Fruity Lip Tubes

Livia’s Summary: It is so nice to review a product that everyone loves not just me. The first thing I noticed about this gloss was the nice smell of it and also the pleasant taste. It really stays on the lips very well and gives the lips a wonderful sheer shine without a heavy sticky texture. I absolutely loved using it and so did all our panelists.

Description: Fruity Gloss Lip Tubes each offer a delectable transparent gloss with a touch of colour for ultimate summer glamour. SHE’s Fruity Gloss Lip Tubes are enriched with Shea Butter and Vitamin E to work moisture magic while the only thing you have to work at is looking as luscious as your lips. All scented with the sweetest smell of summer raspberries. Available in 8 shades.

Available: www.sheaustralia.com.au 

Price: $15.95 AUS 15ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Fair and Oily Skin

Value for Money: Great value for money.

Comments: A little definitely goes a long way with this gloss and it also has the best staying power, without that heavy sticky feeling. The colour gave my lips just the hint of colour which made them look very natural but shiny. A really good value for money product.

Skin Type: Normal Combination.
Value for Money: I loved this product. I could not believe how cheap this product was. I have purchased expensive lip glosses in the past; however I will not be doing that again. This is my favourite lip gloss and I will be buying the other colours too.

Comments: Fantastic product and definitely value for money. I have come across a lot of glosses that are sticky, but this was definitely not the case. The gloss had a great texture on the lips and added a lovely glossy shine. Smells great too! The tube is great – the top of the tube is designed so that the gloss can be easily applied to your lips. Keeps my lips moist and glossy for hours. 5/5.

Skin Type: Oily Skin.

Value for Money: Yes, very good product.

Comments: I loved the smell and taste of this product. The shimmer on my lips was perfect, and it wasn’t too sticky. It dried out my lips a little bit though.

Skin Type: Combination Skin
Value for Money: Great value for money and would definitely purchase it for myself in the future.

Comments: Gorgeous colour! I was sent Bindi, a hint of peachy pink with fine sexy shimmer, not big ugly chunks of glitter. Nice raspberry flavour and scent, long lasting and extremely moisturising. My lips were nice and soft even after it had worn off. Very comparable to high end brands of glosses such as Lancome Juicy Tubes, applies maybe a touch stickier, but at a third of the price with such beautiful results and a super generous sized tube I can handle that!

Skin Type:Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Wow, loved it! Large size at a great price. I will be buying the various shades of this product.

Comments: This gloss felt great on my lips and lasted for ages; even after the gloss faded the lip balm sensation remained. It was not sticky at all, just a great texture and a subtle smell. I have been wearing it constantly, even when I’m at home alone. Absolutely love it, I’m hooked. Two thumbs up for sure.

Pros: Nice smell and taste, not sticky.

Cons: None

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Renew Skincare- Moisturising Cream

Livia’s Summary: Another great moisturiser that is so generously priced. It is a light, fluffy formulation that is very hydrating without being heavy on the skin. It glides on very smoothly and leaves the skin feeling like silk. As all our panellists agreed only a small amount is needed of this cream and even when applied over the top of the Rose Hip Oil, it still absorbs into the skin without any oiliness. A fabulous product loved by all!

Description: With rosewater as its base, this light cream, suitable for all skin types, nourishes skin without leaving a greasy residue. Enriched with the essential fatty acids and antioxidants naturally found in organic rose hip oil and mixed with nourishing Shea and Cocoa Butter and Jojoba, Sesame and Apricot Kernel Oil. Green tea extract will help protect against the signs of premature ageing.

Apply twice daily, morning and night. For extra hydration, wear over the top of Certified 100% Organic Rose Hip Oil. Combined, makes an intensive night renewal treatment .

Available: www.renewskincare.com

Price: $24.95 AUS 100ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: It is definitely good value for money. A big container of cream for a very good price.

Comments: This moisturising cream had a beautiful, gentle fragrance. It has a very soft and fluffy texture and applied over the Rose Hip Oil, it just glided on. I also found that you didn’t need to use much of it either. After applying the cream to your face, you can just continue with your normal makeup regime. Once putting your makeup on, your face will appear much fresher and brighter. I loved this cream very much.

Skin Type: Normal Combination.
Value for Money: Good value as a little goes a long way. I would purchase this for myself.

Comments:This cream is light weight and doesn’t leave your hands greasy or sticky. It’s cool to apply and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated all day.

Skin Type: Extremely Sensitive, Dry Skin.

Value for Money: Very good value for a big size that will last a long time.

Comments: This is a beautiful moisturiser. Smooth to apply and feels like silk on my skin. It absorbs almost immediately and doesn’t leave any oily residue behind. I enjoyed using this cream.

Skin Type: Dry combination Skin
Value for Money: I would buy this product with the whole range. Very cheap for a moisturiser.

Comments: It was a lovely finish when applied over the Rose hip oil; it wasn’t greasy and smelt absolutely lovely. My skin felt smooth and soft in the morning. I have enjoyed using the whole range.

Skin Type:Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Brilliant value for a brilliant product, I can’t say enough about it.

Comments: I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this cream. It feels like whipped cream. It is so light and fluffy and moisturises my skin beautifully. It soaks in to my skin straight away. I can’t wait to put it on again this evening.

Pros: Light, smooth formulation, very hydrating.

Cons: None

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Renew Skincare- Certified 100% Organic Rose Hip Oil

Livia’s Summary: I fell in love with this oil the first time I used it. I initially thought that I might be a bit biased as I generally love oils on my face but after getting the reviews back from everyone I see I’m not the only one who thought it was a great product. The oil is absorbed by the skin immediately and there is no residue left. The product comes with a dropper so it’s not a messy application. This is a product that you will just have to try for yourself.

Description: This is an all natural skin healing gift from Mother Nature. It contains no less than 80% essential fatty acids, skin healing vitamin E, beta carotene and the powerful anti-ageing antioxidant, lycopene. This powerful and unique oil feeds your skin vital nutrients to promote healthy skin, assist skin renewal and repair and can treat problem conditions. A perfect treatment oil to clear problem skin conditions before the big day. Rose hip oil has been proven to be an effective treatment to help.
” Scars (up to 20 years old)
” Wrinkles
” Sunburn
” Acne scaring
” Sun Spots
” Dry skin
” Uneven skin tone
” Eczema
” Dermatitis
” Radiation burns
” Liver spots
” Pigmentation – age spots
” Dry scalp

Available: www.renewskincare.com

Price: $15.95 AUS 15ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: Yes, I think the product is good value for money.

Comments: I applied this oil after using the Renew Foaming Cleanser and it went on very smoothly. After massaging it into my face, it wasn’t greasy at all. I loved the dropper that you use to get the oil (no waste). The product doesn’t really have much of a smell to it, but I loved it and it made my face feel fresh. It’s definitely worth the time applying this oil. Who doesn’t want to put natural ingredients on their face to make them look better.

Skin Type: Normal Combination.
Value for Money: I was surprised when I saw the price as I thought it would be a lot more expensive. Great value for money.

Comments:The biggest difference I noticed was how quickly my skin tone became even. My face looks shiny and fresh. I use less concealer every day.

Skin Type: Extremely Sensitive, Dry Skin.

Value for Money: To get such a fantastic product for under $20.00, it truly is great value.

Comments: I was amazed when I started using the oil. It soaks in to my skin straight away and instantly brightens my complexion. My skin has never looked better. It is soft and supple. I will most definitely keep using this oil.

Skin Type: Dry combination Skin
Value for Money: I would buy this product again.

Comments:I have good use for this product as my second child has given me pigmentation spots on my face; they are very dark so only time will tell for me if this product can help. However, it felt beautiful to apply and my skin just absorbed it very quickly, it didn’t leave the skin oily. I loved this product.

Skin Type:Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Very good value for what you get.

Comments: When I first started to use the oil, I have to admit that I didn’t see much difference in my skin as I don’t have many wrinkles, but I kept using it as it felt nice on my skin. It was only after about a week that I started to notice that the laughter lines around my eyes have considerably smoothed out. Also my skin seems brighter and firmer. So my advice is, keep using the product and you will notice a difference, you just need to be patient.

Pros: Brightens and smooths the skin

Cons: None

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Renew Skincare- Foaming Facial Cleanser

Livia’s Summary: This gel cleanser was indeed very pleasant to use. It has a faint fragrance of all the beautiful essential oils that are in the product and due to the ingredients; it is not drying on the skin at all. It cleanses well although it is not recommended to be used around the eyes.

Description: Specially formulated to be mild and non-drying, this low foaming gel cleanser will leave any skin type fresh and clean. Enriched with organic rose hip oil and finished with a blend of marigold for its antibacterial properties, witch hazel to tone, cucumber to soften, linden to calm and green tea and sage for their antioxidant properties.

Apply in the morning to refresh and at night to remove makeup, surface grime and dirt.

Available: www.renewskincare.com

Price: $15.95 AUS 150ml

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Dry Combination, Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: This is very good value for money for a cleanser and make-up remover.

Comments: This cleanser had a nice mild fragrance to it. It certainly made my skin feel fresh and clean. It removed all my make-up well. Unfortunately, with this cleanser you can’t use it to remove your eye makeup. Other than that, I enjoyed using this product very much.

Skin Type: Normal Combination.
Value for Money: As a make-up remover and cleanser in one, this is great value for money.
Comments:I only had to use the size of a pea each night to clean my whole face. My skin is cleaner and softer than ever. The cleanser didn’t leave my face dry at all. It’s a smooth gel with no real fragrance.

Skin Type: Extremely Sensitive, Dry Skin.

Value for Money: Very good value for a very good Product.

Comments: I enjoyed the fragrance of this cleanser. It is very pleasant. It cleanses the face very well and leaves it very refreshed, not dry at all.

Skin Type: Dry combination Skin
Value for Money: Love this cleanser; I would buy it again for sure.

Comments: I loved the gel feel, the smell and the smoothness when I was cleansing. My face felt smooth and clean after washing. I wish is did the eye area though. Another positive, it doesn’t have some of those nasty chemicals other face products have!

Skin Type:Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Great value, I will be buying it again for sure.

Comments: A lovely gel cleanser that is not drying, but still removes all my make-up in one go. It left my skin feeling nice and fresh. Great to know that there are no nasties in the product too.

Pros: Gentle cleanser, light fragrance.

Cons: None

Tried this product? Leave your review below.

Summer Smarts

By: Livia Mercer

Living through the hot summer months requires more planning than just deciding on the brand of the sunscreen you will use. Not only do most of us have to switch to a lighter moisturiser but we also have to rethink most of our other cosmetics too. In the hot summer sun, anything that can smudge or run, will do so. Therefore the trick is achieving a smooth flawless look with the least amount of products. This is where tinted moisturisers come handy.

Look for one that has a high sun protection factor such as Megan Gale Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+ $28.95 or Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation SPF30+ $50.00. Cream blushes are also fantastic to use in the hot summer months either over the top of your foundation or over bare skin. Try Bobby Brown Cream Blush Stick $58.00.

You must nor forget the lips as this area is so delicate and can get easily damaged. A fantastic product to use during summer is Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect Lip Moisture Cream $42.00. This cream not only moisturises the delicate lip area but also plumps the lips and has sunscreens in the formulation. Follow by a sheer lip gloss such as She Gloss Pots $13.95. If you are after a lipstick with sunscreen try Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint SPF15 $34.00. This will again moisturise as well as protect your lips. Or if you are after a more solid colour on your lips try Lancome Le Rouge Absolu SPF15+ $45.00.

Of course no outfit is complete without a fragrance. But the alcohol in most fragrances can cause sun sensitivities on the skin, resulting in those unsightly brown blotches on the skin. Thankfully, a few companies are thinking ahead and have developed some fantastic fragrances for summer. On such company is Clinique, who have re-created the classic Aromatics Elixir Fragrance. The Aromatics Elixir Velvet Sheer 30ml, $95.00

This is a luxurious liquid perfume gel that just glides on to the skin. It comes in a pour bottle with a glass stopper so you simply dab it onto your skin and rub it in with your fingers. The perfume is in the chypre family, meaning it has a more herbal, earthy smell rather than a sweet or fruity scent. This version is also lighter than the original fragrance. Because the gel is absorbed into the skin the scent will last on your skin all day, saving you reapplication at the beach.

If your taste runs toward the soft floral fragrances, try my favourite product for the season: Narciso Rodriguez For Her Hair Mist 30ml $78.00.
These clever people have come up with a very nice unique A fragrance for your hair. Yes, this beautiful perfume is designed to be sprayed into your hair. Her hair mist works to refine and polish the hair with a weightless yet effective control and provides hair with a lustrous, silky aspect enhancing the hair’s natural beauty for several hours.This not only infuses the delicate scent of the perfume but will also shine your hair. And as an added bonus every time you move your head, you and all around you will get a whiff of your perfume. I can’t tell you how many compliments I have received when wearing this Hair Mist.

Cool yourself down this summer with a A’kin Instant Revival Aloe & Orange Blossom Summer Mist. This beautiful summer mist can be worn alone or blended with your favourite fragrance and can be stored in the refrigerator for an extra chilling effect.
Available from David Jones, selected health food stores and pharmacies. 125ml $19.95

So armed with all these helpful tips you can confidently face the hot summer months ahead.

Earthly Fusion- Hydrating Moisturiser

Livia’s Summary: An other excellent product from the Earthly Fusion Range. This moisturiser was loved by all our panelists. The pump bottle is definitely a bonus as it keeps the product pure. A small amount goes a long way and I found that one pump was enough for my face, neck and décolletage. I loved the faint herbal smell of the cream. Definitely one to try.

Description: A natural moisturiser that promotes elasticity and firms the top layer of your skin. For a smoother, natural and hydrated skin use morning on its own or under make-up. For best results use after cleansing and toning.

Directions: gently massage a small amount onto face and neck using your finger tips. Vegan friendly No animal testing Australian made & owned.

*For external use only

Ingredients: 100% purified water, vegetable emulsifier, shea butter, certified organic rosehip, pure calendula, flaxseed, grape seed, and carrot seed oils. green tea extract, benzoin (plant) tincture, aloe vera gel, vegetable glycerine, lavender and frankincense, tea tree oil, vitamins E, C, rosemary antioxidant, silica and citricidal (natural preservative).

Available:

Price: $39.95 (50 ml)

Overall Rating

Skin Type: Combination Skin.
Value for Money: Great value for money. This product is fantastic and comparable to other expensive moisturisers (if not better). I would definitely purchase it again.

Comments: I loved this product. It is very moisturising. Makes my skin feel smooth and soft. It was especially great after being in the sun all day as it cools the skin. Keeps my skin hydrated all day. The texture is great, a lovely creamy formula and there is a lovely scent to the cream. 5 Stars

Skin Type: Extremely Sensitive, Dry Skin

Value for Money:This whole range is excellent value for money, I will be purchasing this again for sure!

Comments: The moisturiser is light yet very hydrating. I love the soft herbal smell and it has definitely been added to my must have moisturisers. I love the fact that it is all natural as I do react to so many products. With this moisturiser I not only didn’t have a reaction but it also calmed my skin down.

Skin Type: Normal Skin.
Value for Money: Yes it is good value for a quality product.

Comments: I enjoyed using this moisturiser very much. It is especially great that it comes in a pump bottle so you don’t have to get your fingers in the pot. It feels amazing on my skin, nice and light and makes my skin feel very soft and moisturised without feeling greasy.

Skin Type: Dry Combination Dehydrated Skin.
Value for Money: I generally prefer heavier moisturisers for myself but it is good value.

Comments: I found that this moisturiser was very light and absorbed into my skin very quickly. I loved the fact that it hydrated me well and it made my skin quite smooth too. I loved the gentle herbal smell of it.

Skin Type:Dry Combination Skin.
Value for Money: I believe it is good value especially for a 50ml size, it will last well.

Comments: This is a very nice summer moisturiser for me. It soaked into my skin straight away so it will be very good during the hot summer months. I enjoyed the scent too.

Pros: Light creamy formulation, and it comes in a hygienic pump bottle.

Cons: None.

Tried this product? Leave your review below.