PRODUCT REVIEW: MEDIK8 BLEMISH STARTER KIT WITH RETINOL 3TR, HYDR8 B5, BETA MOISTURISE AND CLEANSE

My skin has been really troubled lately. It always has been, but mostly I've got it under control, with the odd flare up here and there, and that's just what's it has been going through. What I have learnt over the years is to continuously use good skincare, and not just treat, but prevent breakouts from happening in the first place. And to help with that, Medik8 has recently launched a Blemish Starter Kit that contains the key products to help combat blemishes. 

The kit contains; 

• Medik8 Beta Cleanse - Exfoliating Foaming Cleanser, 40ml 
• Medik8 Beta Moisturise - Skin Balancing Mattifying Moisturiser, 5ml 
• Medik8 Hydr8 B5 - Skin Rehydration Serum, 15ml 
• Medik8 Retinol 3TR - Advanced Night Serum, 3ml 
• Presented in a cute little cosmetic bag 

The Medik8 Beta Cleanse - Exfoliating Cleanser is a deep anti-bacterial and exfoliating cleanser containing among others salicylic acid, niacinamide, tea tree oil and L-mandelic acid, with the purpose of giving the skin a deep clean by chemically sloughing away dead skin cells and excess dirt, sebum and impurities to leave the skin feeling cleaner deep down every pore, while not stripping it from essential oils or drying it out. The liquid comes out as a foam, and you simply massage it into the skin morning and night. I have used this cleanser previously, and I really like it as I can feel it makes a difference when I use it, and I generally use it not to remove my makeup, but rather as my second cleaner to make sure my skin is clean.


The Medik8 Beta Moisturise - Skin Balancing Mattifying Moisturiser - this is another favourite of mine, which I've used previously (you can check out my full review here). This moisturiser can be used morning and evening, and I love how it immediately mattifies the skin, thus making it perfect to use under makeup too, making it look nice for longer before looking shiny. The moisturiser has anti-inflammatory properties and also helps the skin regenerate and repair the cells for a healthier and cleaner skin. I really love this moisturiser, as unlike other blemish moisturisers it still gives my skin the hydration it needs, while helping to balance the skin and regulate the sebum production, treat and prevent breakouts, all wile being super gentle too.

The Medik8 Hydr8 B5 - Skin Rehydration Serum, is a serum that is to be used on the skin morning and evening after cleansing, either on its own, or prior to moisturising. The serum aims to help the skin retain moisture, and stimulate the skin to regenerate and heal, as well as it has an anti-inflammatory that helps assist in fighting blemish-associated infections by building up antibodies. The serum does take a moment to absorb into the skin, but once it has, it leaves the skin feeling soft and without any oily residue. And it didn't take long before I started noticing that my skin generally looking and feeling smoother and more supple and not to mention more luminous and healthy after using it.

The Medik8 Retinol 3TR - Advanced Night Serum is a 0.3% retinol treatment that is to be introduced gradually a few times a week until your skin is used to it. The serum is to be used at night prior to the Hydr8 B5, and it aims to help reduce the apperance of fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots (as well as any marks left behind after breakouts!), maintain collagen levels, improve skin texture and speed up the skin's natural peeling process of dead skin cells.

It is recommended to consult your GP prior to the use of retinol (vitamin A), if you are pregnant, lactating or taking prescription medication for acne - and as I am currently still breastfeeding, I decided that I did not want to use this serum at this point, but keep it until its safe for me to use - I'm consequently unable to speak of any results at this point.

However all in all I am really impressed with this kit and the products included, as already after a few days, of using the products, my skin is looking so much better, so if your skin is prone to breakouts, I highly recommend that you check out this Blemish Starter Kit from Medik8


Medik8 Blemish Starter Kit - RRP: $59
Available from Active Skin, Adore Beauty, Facial Co, RY, Medik8 Online and select other stockists.

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: AGENTO SKIN FACE SCRUB

My skin has always been trouble some, but one of those things that I know keep breakouts and excess grease and shine at bay, is regular exfoliation, and lately I've been enjoying the Agento Face Scrub. 

Often skincare products are absolutely loaded with ingredients, and most of them you have no idea what are. But Agento skin is different. It is a completely natural face scrub, that is made with natural ingredients, free from artificial fragrances, colourants, harsh solvents and detergents. And also free from those tiny, yet very nasty micro beads which wreck havoc with our marine life. 

Actually, Agento Face scrub is Australian made and owned, and it is designed to remove the layers of dead skin, and then remove oil and grease leaving your skin smooth and clean, and it is made with just four natural ingredients;

• Pumice - to exfoliate and skin cleanser. Being a volcanic stone it is all natural
• White Australian clay - for its natural cleansing and healing properties. The Clay draws out grease and dirt from the skin and leaves it feeling soft, and smooth as silk.
• Sea Salt - to cleanse pores deeply, balance oil production and thwart bacteria that can instigate breakouts and acne. Salt is a gentle natural exfoliate that sloughs off dead skin. It also has minerals to soften skin and restore hydration.
• Activated Carbon - absorbs dirt and oil and deeply cleanses the skin. Because activated charcoal removes toxins, it can help reduce the instances of acne and other skin impurities you might suffer from. It also works wonders for completely removing makeup

So there you go. Four simple ingredients, that you can actually understand. 

The scrub is powder based, and to apply to wet your face and hands, and then take a spoonful of the scrub (the pack comes with a spoon!), and mix it in your hands into a paste which you then massage into the damp face for about 3o seconds, then leave for about a minute before rinsing off.

Having to mix it up yourself can be a little messy (or perhaps its just me!), but I consequently do like to use it just before the shower, so I can rinse it off there.

The actual scrub is quite grainy, so I would suggest you'd only use it a few times a week, if not just one. And while it feels like a scrub on the skin, the clay contents also means that it doubles as a face mask drawing out any impurities. And always short of time, I do love how quick it is to use, not like one of those masks that you need to leave on for 15+ minutes, which I sadly never seem to have the time for. So that this is so super fast is just perfect for me.

And while it is so quick to use, the results are actually pretty good, as it really leaves my skin feeling so soft and refreshed after each use. And after using it twice a week for a few weeks, what I have particularly noticed is that a couple of areas where I've been struggling with breakouts lately, have cleared up significantly, as well as some scarring and marks from past acne have reduced in appearance too.

My only gripe is the packaging, as I do find the bag the scrub comes in a little tricky to use, which will only get worse as the product is emptying out, so I would have preferred if it had come in a little plastic jar instead.

But apart from that, this really is a great product. It is Aussie, made from natural ingredients that you can actually understand, and it is well priced too. Definitely worth trying.


Agenty Skin - RRP: $20 / 100g
Available from Agento

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: MARY KAY GLOWING FINISH ILLUMINATING STICKS

Today its all about some limited edition glow sticks, Mary Kay Glowing Finish Illuminating Sticks. These glow sticks are inspired by medals and come in three options, Gold, Bronze and Silver, and with their sheer colour give the skin a shimmering accent and radiance. 

The illuminating sticks come in a wind-up stick, that is easy to pop into the handbag, and they are easy to apply and blend. They can be used on any area you'd like to highlight, such as across the tops of cheeks or temples, on eyelids, shoulders or décolletage.

The thee different shades can be used for different things, so you can actually use them at the same time too, if you wish. T

The Bronze shade is the darkest of the three, and my favuorite, and it is a slightly dark orangey brown shade with golden shimmer, and this one can also be used as a blush, or to contour. The Silver is the palest shade and has a bit of a rose-gold tinge, and good for using on top of the cheek bones or as a highlighter anywhere you want sheen, while the Gold is a pale golden shade with golden fine glitter, and can be used where you’d like a more sun-kissed look. All three can also be used on the eyes, on their own or as a base. 

L-R: Bronze, Gold, Silver

The small sticks have a very lightweight creamy formula that is easy to apply and blend, without looking greasy on the skin - and you can simply swipe them on straight from the stick and blend with your fingers, or of course also apply with a brush.

I would have liked the silver stick to be more silver, and the bronze stick slightly darker, but overall, I really like these, and love the fact that they are so small and easy to use, and I also love that they come in three different colour options, so you can use it for so many things, as well as it means that there is something for every skin tone too.


Mary Kay Glowing Finish Illuminating Sticks
Available from Mary Kay

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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LIGHTS BY DREAMWORKS

Over the weekend I went to visit the new Lights By Dreamworks on the foreshore of Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula. 

The Lights By Dreamworks is an Australian-first exhibition with some of Dreamworks Animation’s best known characters in a large-scale lantern experience, which you can walk through and look at, as they are brought to live, something that will amuse people and kids at all ages. 

The Lights By Dreamworks is modeled on the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, and if features over 100 huge illuminated figures from the well known movies including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Madagascar, with displays featuring several scenes from each of the movies. 

In addition, there are also rides and activities for children (which are included in the ticket price), including

The Train Ride
Pirate Ship Ride
Tea Cups Ride
Lady Bugs Ride
Make your own lantern
Design your own Viking shield

We also loved that you get the chance to meet some of your favourite characters, such as Shrek, Puss in Boots, Alex the Lion or Kong Fu Panda who will circulate at the event, and we were so lucky to get our photos taken with Shrek and Kong Fu Panda. 

We really enjoyed the experience, as did our little boys, who were remembering parts of their favourite movies, and recognising the various characters, including their favourites such as Shrek, Pinocchio, the Gingerbread man, and so forth . And needless to say that they enjoyed the rides, as well as being crafty and creative as they were making lanterns and Viking Shields. 

The event is only running for about a month, and we really enjoyed the experience, so we highly recommend that you check it out before it is too late.

The event is held at Rosebud, Mornington Peninsula from 25 march to 30 April 2017

For more information visit Dream Works Lights or go to Ticketmaster to purchase tickets

* Tickets to the event were kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: NATIO GLOW FACE AND EYE PALETTE AND LIP COLOURS - LOOK NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL DAY AND NIGHT COLOUR COLLECTION

PRODUCT REVIEW: PLATINUM BEAUTY MAKEUP BRUSHES

Not sure about you, but I'm not a huge fan of grocery shopping. It may have to do usually having two towey toddlers with me, I'm not sure. But you have to do what you have to do. But not, its just a little more fun to shop at Woolies, at least for those of us who are beauty addicts. You see, Platinum Beauty has launched a brand new Makeup Brush Collection which is available in Australia exclusively through Woolworths. 

These new makeup brushes have been designed by makeup artists, and look super sleek with gun-metal grey and silver shafts and their two-tone, white tipped super soft, precision cut, synthetic bristles. 

 

I put some of the new brushes to the test, including; 

 

• Blush Brush – a medium round tipped brush for adding colour and definition to cheek area with powder blushes
• Powder Brush - a large round tipped brush for setting makeup with powder, or for use with powder bronzers
• Contour Eye Brush - a tapered dense bristled wide eye shadow brush for powder or cream eye shadows to add impact and definition to the eye crease
• Eye Shadow Brush – a round full-shaped eye shadow brush for powder eye shadow to add all over eye shadow shading, highlighting and blending 

I really like these brushes. The gun-metal grey and silver shafts are so stunning and make the brushes look more luxe than their budget prices. And they are so soft and gorgeous to use on the skin, making applying and blending makeup fun and easy, so you can only love using them. I am yet give them a wash, which in many cases show the true quality of a makeup brush, in terms of any loss of bristles, but so far I am impressed, and doubt that this will cause an issue.

 

 

 

The range is still small but also includes a Base Blending Brush, Essential Collection with a case and three essential brushes, and Flawless & Precision Sponge Set - and I will definitely make sure to check them out when I next go shopping for groceries.
  

 

Platinum Beauty Blush Brush - RRP: $18.99 

Platinum Beauty Powder Brush - RRP:$19.99

Platinum Beauty Eye Shadow Brush - RRP: 9.99 

Platinum Beauty Contour Eye Brush - RRP: $9.99

  

Available exclusively from Woolworths

  

For more information or for online tips, tricks and tutorials, visit Platinum Beauty

  

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: CHIBEBE SNUGGLE POD - BABY AND TODDLER BEAN BAG

Today I am going to tell you about the coolest little bean bags for babies little toddlers called Chibebe Snuggle Pods..

The Chibebe's products are designed in-house from scratch in Australia (not very far from where I live!!), and are made with the cutest and most adorable covers made from the best quality you can imagine.

A bean bag for babies.. I'm sure you wonder, can that really be safe - but believe me it is. These bean bags are made to the highest of standards and meet the stringent USA and Australian Standards, so you can rest assured that your child will be safe.

One of the clever things about the Chibebe Snuggle Pods is that you can build your own, and have it look just the way you want it, by following these steps;

• Choose the seat design
• Choose the Seat type
• Choose the seat colour

The bean bag comes in a special, almost 'bean shape', which is designed to help the baby sit in a slightly elevated position and hence help prevent reflux. But it also helps flathead symptoms thanks to the soft seat. 

When you purchase a Snuggle Pod, it comes with the seat that has a harness for the baby, and hence why it is safe to use - but it also comes with a spare toddler seat (without the harness) for when the child is able to sit unassisted, and this is what my boys are using.

It also comes with an inner bag for the beans (it doesn’t automatically come with the beans, but you can order those separately by contacting Chibebe, or you can purchase those cheap in stores such as Kmart and BigW). That the beans are in an inner bag, means that can easily remove the cover when it gets dirty.

My boys are too old, but if you have a baby, you'll love that you can also add a pod rocker to make it work like a kind of rocking chair, as well as you can add a pod warmer, which is a little blanket zipped onto the pod.

These Snuggle Pods were initially intended to go upstairs in our boys bedroom - but they very quickly moved downstairs into our family room where the boys love to use them when they sit and watch TV, read books, or simply have their afternoon snacks. They think it is so cool having something that is theirs, and they are clearly comfortable too, as they keep going back to them during the day.

As a parent, I love that I know my boys are safe in these - the youngest is not yet 2 years old, and not big enough to climb onto the couch yet himself, and I always worry when he tries to get down - but when he is sitting in the Snuggle Pod, I know he can easily get in and out of it whenever he wants. As a bonus, I also love that these Snuggle Pods are kind to the house and do not scratch floors, walls and furniture as they are being moved around - and of course the fact that they look stylish at the same time.
I also love that this bean bag can grow with my boys, and they'll be able to use it many years to come, tough we may have to remove some of the beans to make it more comfortable for them as they get bigger.

So if you have a little one and want to give them their own little chair in either their own room or to use somewhere else in the house, you really should check out these Snuggle Pods. Personally I just wish that I'd come across then when my boys were babies, as they would without a doubt have loved lying in it - and if you get already when you've got a baby, it just makes it even more value being able to be able to continue using it as the child grows.


Chibebe Snuggle Pod - RRP: 99
Chibebe Pod Rocker - RRP: $39
Chibebe Pod Warmer - RRP: $49

Available from Chibebe and select stockists

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: BELLABOX MARCH 2017

Today I'm very excited to share with you my very first Bellabox. I have, needless to say, tried heaps of other beauty subscriptions over the years, but never Bella Box, though I've always been intrigued and so tempted, so when I was offered the opportunity for a colab, I naturally couldn't resist finding out what all the hype was about.

Now, I am sure you're probably already familiar with Bella Box, but in case you're not - it is a monthly subscription box, where you get 5+ samples delivered each month, with a value guaranteed to exceed the cost of the box! Perfect if you want to try out new products, and keep up with the latest and greatest, without having to fork out big money for full sized products, you may essentially not like, or that you perhaps would never have come across otherwise.

Well, enough of the babbling, let's get onto what was in this months goodies, which came in a little turquoise box with white dots. The box is rather sturdy, and would be great to use for other little knickknacks, but as I've often said before about beauty boxes, I don’t care much for the outer, its what's inside that counts! And here it is..

The theme of the items all go under 'Raw Beauty', and is all about body and skincare to treat the skin without any nasties.


Sukin Hydrating Facial Masque - 50ml (RRP: $15.95 / 100ml)

I love Sukin products. They are efficient, and super gentle and so affordable too. And this moisturising mask will be a perfect mask as we head into winter and the skin will need some more moisture. It contains among others mango seed butter, avocado oil and olive fruit extract, which all sounds pretty good to me, so I can't wait to try it out.


Colour By TBN Nail Polish x 2 - Full Size (RRP: $2.95 / 15ml)

I have tried a couple of these nail polishes before, and considering their low price, they are really good. I got a gorgeous metallic turquoise shade, which I haven't got in my collection, along with a clear shade, which never goes astray. So all happy days from me.


La Mav Gradual Tanning Moisturiser - 10ml (RRP: $39.95 / 200ml)

I am not the biggest user of self tanners, mainly because I don't like smell of them as they develop - but this one claims to not have the 'fake tan smell' so it may just be the products I've been looking for, so cannot wait to put it to the test and see if it stacks up.


Aime New Leaf Deep Pore Exfoliating Polish - 25ml (RRP: $8.99 / 100ml)

The first brand out of the lot that I haven't heard of or tried before, which I like, as for me, discovering new brands is one of the key attributes of a beauty subscription box. This cleanser claims to work deep down every pore, so it sounds like it will be the perfect product for my combination blemish prone skin.


Lily Anne Beauty Clean Purifying Cleanser - 10ml (RRP: $44.00 / 100ml)

Another brand that is new to me, yay. This cleanser is from an Australian brand, (yay again), and it is a deep cleansing and purifying cleanser, so again perfect for my skin type. I also love that the purchase of Lily Anne products help support empower women out of poverty, which is such a great cause.


Swisse Rose Hip Facial Moisturiser - 10ml (RRP: $9.95 / 125ml)

I have naturally heard of Swisse but only ever tried their vitamins, not their skincare, so it is kind of a new brand to me as well. This moisturiser is for normal skin, but claims to be non-greasy so it may just be great for my skin anyway. It includes rose water and smells so beautiful.


Palmer's Raw Shea Body Lotion - 5ml sachet - Bonus Sample

This is a bonus sample, so cannot really complain about it, but I would naturally have loved a larger size as the sachet hardly contains enough cream to cover my full body. That said, I do look forward to trying this 'cleaner' version and the intense moisture of this sounds like it will be the perfect moisturiser as we head towards winter.


So there you go, the contents of the March '17 Bellabox. Personally I am quite impressed with both the variety and amount of samples contained in this box. I would have loved the inclusion of a few more 'luxe' items as I am more likely to purchase full sized products of cheaper brands, knowing there is a risk I may not like them, the expense is not so high. But that said, a lot of my beauty staples are budget brands, so it is always great being exposed to some new ones.

My fave items in the box is without a doubt the Sukin mask, followed by the Lily Anne cleanser - and I'm surprising myself here, but although I am not a regular self-tanner, I am actually looking forward to testing this on from La Mav.


Bellabox - RRP: $17.95 ($15.00+ $2.95 P&H) on a subscription plan, billed monthly, but you can cancel anytime.
Available from Bellabox

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: RIMMEL LONDON SCANDALEYES RELOADED MASCARA, SCANDALEYES BOLD EYELINER AND BROW THIS WAY

Today I am excited to share with you some newly launched products from Rimmel London. In my opinion, Rimmel had some killer product launches lately, including their gorgeous matte lipstick range! And today's run-down is no exception.

First up is the Rimmel London Waterprof Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara, which is a waterproof version of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara launched last year. This mascara claims to be a breakthrough, that can create a new dimension of intense volume without clumping, and that you can layer it up to 11 times without it looking clumpy!

My one issue with the mascara is that it is very 'wet,' so the first couple of times that used it, I found that it simply put too much mascara on my lashes, causing issues - but after wiping it down, I now really like it.

Like the 'original' it has a oversized soft bristle brush, which I really like, as it is super easy to use, easily coating both inner and outer lashes.

The mascara does a great job giving my lashes both length and volume with just one coat, and adding a few more it does give create long lashes with lots of volume with a slight curl too.

My sensitive eyes water very easily, so I do love that it is waterproof, - but it does naturally require a good makeup remover to remove it at night, but I generally use one for waterproof makeup anyway, so no biggie for me.

It comes in a stand-out bright purple slightly bulky plastic tube with orange writing, but containing 12mls of mascara, it is also larger than most mascara, which are usually around the 8ml!

Last year, Rimmel launched the Brow This Way eye brow range, and now, the Styling Gel has been improved with argan oil added to the formula to help condition and soften the brows, while improving the appearance of the brows at the same time.

The Brow This Way has a mascara style brush that is easy to comb through the brows, and the tapered brush, helps ensure the perfect shape, both taming and tinting the brows at the same time, giving them a very natural yet polished look. The actual gel is light, and stays put all day without smudging or fading, as well as it keeps the brows neatly in place too. I was always a fan of the original version, so no complaints from me with the new improvements.

Finally, there's the Rimmel Scandaleyes Bold Liquid Liner. This eyeliner is different to most other liquid eye liners as it has a very unique ball-tip applicator. It does take a little bit of getting used to, but again, mainly because it is so different, but once you got the hang of it, it is actually quite easy.

This eyeliner can draw an intense black line, or you can be inspired by the runway and make on-trend dots along the lower or upper lash line - and all with a nice glossy finish. I also love that it is waterproof, and doesn’t fade or budge throughout the day.


Overall I really love these new products from Rimmel, and are definitely worth trying.


Rimmel London Waterproof Scandaleyes Reloaded Mascara - RRP: $17.95
Rimmel London Waterproof Scandaleyes Bold Eyeliner - RRP: $12.95
Rimmel London Brow This Way Styling Gel with Argan Oil - RRP: $12.95

Available from Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Target, Kmart, Big W and selected pharmacies, Coles and Woolworths.

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRODUCT REVIEW: KAREN MURRELL NATURAL LIP LINERS

You may recall that I recently raved about some lipsticks from the brand Karen Murrell - but if you missed the feature, you can check it out here. The exciting news is that Karen Murrell has now launched some incredible natural Lip Liners to match the best of the brand's natural lipsticks.

In short, the Karen Murrell lipsticks are incredible. The lipsticks are made without any nasties, but using naturally derived ingredients only, including pigments enhanced with naturally derived titanium dioxide and iron oxides, with the brand philosophy that 'Nothing nasty touches my lips'.

Back onto the newly lunched lipliners - they are made from natural and nourishing ingredients including jojoba seed oil, candelilla, carnauba wax and Vitamin E, so they care for your lips and moisturise them as you use them. This means that these lipliners are also free from all nasties, and contain no coal tar, tricolsan, parabens, mineral oils or petrolium origin waxes or oils.

And they can be used either on their own, as a base or to define the lips prior to lipstick, helping to extend the wear of the lipstick and keep it in place, or they can be used on their own, all over the lips for a gorgeous matte finish, though personally I also love using them on their own too, with a slick of clear gloss on top.

The lip liners are so soft and smooth and apply and blend so easily, and they are so long wearing. I also love that they come with a nifty brush in one end to help make blending even easier.

There are five different shades of lip liners available, to match the most popular lipsticks from the range: 

• Cordovan Natural - a peachy-brown nude 
• Violet Mousse - a natural shade of peachy nude
• Coral Dawn - a brighter red-orange shade
• Camellia Morning - a dusty cerise pink 
• True Love - a signature red shade

I admit that I am not usually using a lip liner, which I really don't know why, as I love the result and look when I do, I think it mainly comes down to time restraints. That said, these lip liners have made me make an effort, both used in combination with lipstick, and certainly also on their own, which I've been really enjoying thanks to the gorgeous matte finish and the long wear.

The range of shades is gorgeous, and does cover the broad spectrum of shades, and individually each shade is very gorgeous. That said, always one for a good red lip, my favourite is naturally the shades True Love and Coral Dawn.

These lip lines really do complete and complement the incredible lipstick range, and I really recommend that you check both out, you wont be disappointed. I know I'll be reaching for both these and the lipsticks continuously from now on!


Karen Murrell Natural Lip Liners - RRP: $25 each
Available from Karen Murrell Online and select stockists in 21 countries around the world

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: SPLASHLINGS - AN OCEAN FULL OF FRIENDS

If you've got little kids, you've no doubt heard of Splashlings, the cute line of mermaids and ocean friends for kids to collect. 

The Splashlings launched in the US last year and have since turned out to be one of the biggest kids collectibles, and getting millions on millions of views on Youtube, and they have now hit Australia too. 

Example of the Splashlings Mermaid 12 Pack

The range features heaps of different mermaids, ocean friends, gems, shells and treasures, and they are seriously cute. Ok, I admit that they are probably a little more for the girls, perhaps because there are a lot of purple and pink mermaids, but them again, my little boy is loving all types of animals as well as fish (not least thanks to being a huge Octonauts fan), so he has been excited about playing with them, and they quickly became a part of his usual pretend underwater Octonauts play scene - making it even more fun. And he was very excited about all the different varieties, and not least the surprise packages and what was hiding inside the shells. 

The Splashlings come in various pack sizes

The mermaids and the little fish are all so bright and colourful, and have the sweetest and most adorable faces, that it is near impossible to say which one is cuter. And there are so many different ones to collect, 100s, literally - and knowing it will be impossible to track which one your kid has got, each set comes with a convenient collector guide that lists all the options available, so they can be crossed off - and that in itself is a fun game that my boy was really into, finding them one after one and spotting them on the little sheet, in true 'Where's Wally" style. 

Example of the Splashlings Mermaid 6 Pack

As well as different play sets, there are also various different packs of the Splashlings available, including;

• Foil Packs - includes two hidden Splashlings and one collector guide
• Collector's Shell - includes 1 large shell, 2 hidden Splashlings and one collector guide
• Mermaid 12 Pack - includes 1 mermaid, 7 Splashlings, 2 hidden Splashlings, 2 shells and 1 collector guide
• Mermaid 6 pack - includes 1 mermaid, 4 Splashlings, 1 shell and 1 collector guide

Examples of the Splashlings Foil Packs

 The Splashlings are recommended for kids aged 5+, simply because some of the Splashlings are so tiny that they are a choking hazard for little ones, so I do have to make sure that our 22 month old is not around when our 'big' boy is playing with these. 

Examples of the Splashlings Collector Shell

The Splashlings Collectors Guide

So all in all, these really are the most adorable toys for kids, and they'll keep them entertained for hours, thanks to the endless additions.


Splashlings Foil Bag - RRP: $2.99
Splashlings - Collector's Shell - RRP: $3.99
Splashlings Mermaid 6 Pack - RRP: $7.99
Splashlings Mermaid 12 Pack - RRP: $12.99
Available from Toys r Us, Kmart, Big W, Target, and select other retailers


* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy. 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ROHR REMEDY DESERT LIME BODY MOISTURIER

Lately I've been enjoying using products that are more natural, so when the Rohr Remedy Australian Bush Medicines Desert Lime Body Moisturiser landed on my desk, I was naturally excited.

Firstly, I had never before heard of Rohr Remedy, but a little research quickly showed that the products, made in New Zealand by Australian natural ingredients are completely free from all the nasties, including parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, aluminium and silicones.
The products are instead made using ancient knowledge from the indigenous Australian people mixed with proven pharmaceutical formulas for effective skin care products, using only wild harvested Australian native ingredients rich in essential vitamins, and minerals, antioxidants, antibacterials and folates. All sounds pretty awesome to me!

The Rohr Remedy Australian Bush Medicines Desert Lime Body Moisturiser comes in a gorgeous dusty pale pink box with minimal writing, which I really love - but once I pull out the Body Moisturiser, I am even more impressed. I love understated simplicity, and this bottle has just that! It is a simple black plastic bottle with a black pump, and it has very limited writing on it, just the name and logo on the front, and very limited details on the back, all in white. Looks absolutely perfect in my monochrome bathroom!

But as they say, don't judge a book by its cover… so what's the actual moisturiser like. Well, it is made with dessert lime extract to assist the skin repair and revitalise itself with the high level of antioxidants including vitamin C from the Kakadu plum. it also contains Giant Kelp to help the skin retain hydration and softness. 

If you regularly tune into BLH, you'll know that I absolutely love citrus scented products, and this one is no exception, it as the most gorgeous and refreshing fruity scent from the dessert lime and the also added mandarin oil, and I love that this scent continues to linger on my skin.

The actual moisturiser has a nice consistency, but it is rich, so does take a few moments to absorb into the skin, but it is worth the wait, as it does leave the skin feeling soft and so smooth, and clearly intensely nourished, as there is never any need to reapply during the day. As it is so rich and moisturising, I have also found myself using it as a hand cream, in particularly at night before going to bed.

This is such a lovely moisturiser, both inside and out, and I can definitely see myself purchasing it again, as well as I'm keen to explore more products from the Rohr Remedy range.


Rohr Remedy Australian Bush Medicines Desert Lime Body Moisturiser - RRP: $32 / 250ml
Available from Rohr Remedy, and select stockists

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: SMITH AND CULT NAIL LACQUERS

Like any other girl, I absolutely love nail polishes, and while I'm fairly conservative with the clothes I wear, and the makeup I apply, when it comes to nail polish, I'm happy to experiment. But nail polish is not just nail polish - yeah, there are a lot great brands out there, but honestly, a lot of them are much the same, with only shades differing marginally. But not so with Smith & Cult Lacquers, as these not only look uber luxe, they really are premium…

The Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquers are indeed of a very high quality - and you don't even have to try them on your nails before you just know - that unique heavy short round glass bottle with the hammered gold top, is simply stunning and screams luxury. I don't normally keep my nail polishes out on display, but with these, I feel very tempted to!

And getting back to those hammered lids, they actually sit extremely well in the hand, with the indentation perfect for where you'd hold the lid with your thumb, very clever!!

Now onto the actual formula, - and I really love that they are a non-toxic formula, free from all the chemical nasties including Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene and Camphor, all of which don't exactly have the best of rumoured effects on your health!

The polishes are very pigmented, though two coats are necessary for the perfect look of the pale one, but surprisingly, just a single coat of Lovers Creep gives a very nice finish that you can get away with on its own, while of course, an additional coat never hurts. The brush and the handle both seem a little shorter than in most other nail polishes that usually come in taller bottles, but I actually really liked that, and not being a pro at applying nail polish, I actually found that I have more 'control' over this shorter brush, which in turn helped me get a more professional look. And the polish really does apply streak-free finish and with a high gloss. They also wear very well, - to really test the nail polish, I tried them without base or top coat, to get a true feeling for the polishes, and it wasn't until day 5 that it started chipping at the edges, which I think is a really good result.

I tried the shades 'Subnormal' which is a pale grey pink, which is just perfect any monochrome lover with its simple and understated shade, that still manages to make a massive impact. And then there's the shade 'Bitter Buddhist', a very pale dusty green shade, which is equally stunning, and also perfect for the winter wardrobe. After a spring and summer filled with brights, these muted dusty pale shades are such a refreshing change. However, there are heaps of other shades in the range, 35 in total, so there's sure to be the perfect shade for everyone!

I'm really enjoying these Smith & Cult nail polishes, with everything from the luxurious packaging to the quality of the polishes, so I certainly wouldn't mind adding a few more to my collection, and I highly recommend you try them out too!

Smith & Cult Nailed Lacquer - RRP: $28 / 14ml
Available from select salons, call 1300 725 122 to enquire about locations

* Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


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PRETTY IN PINK FROM CINCH FACE CHEAT AND SATURDAY SKIN BALANCING ACT SKIN-SMOOTHING LOTION

Which girl doesn't love products in pretty packaging, and especially when they're pink. Today it's all about a couple of these, that I've been enjoying lately…

Let's start with Cinch Face Cheat which is so far the only product available from the brand. And it claims to be the ultimate multi-tasker, promising to add moisturise and hydration to the skin for 72 hours, add hydration without being heavy, refine the pores, give the skin glow, act as a makeup primer, to set your makeup, and have anti-ageing benefits thanks to being enriched with kakadu plum extract which is very high in vitamin C, to help reduce wrinkles. Phew, that's a lot.

The spray itself dispenses as a really fine mist – two or three spritzes is all it takes, but make sure to give it a good shake first, so it doesn’t leave larger drops on your face. The spray has a pleasant smell, not overly gorgeous, but not hideous either, so you can certainly live with it.

As the spray has so many uses, it can be difficult to decide where to use it in your routine, so I've been using it for different things at different times of the day. But what I have particularly loved is using it as a primer, as it really does give the skin a gorgeous luminous glow, and makes applying foundation afterwards so much easier, and it does help my makeup stay put and looking nice for longer too.

With my combination skin, I don't feel it works so well as a finishing spray on top of 'normal' foundation, unless it is a matte version, but I have been using it to set my foundation when I've been using a powder foundation, which it works really great for, or if you feel like freshening up your skin on hot days, it's the perfect pick-me-up. It also works beautifully on its own, on naked skin if you feel your skin is a little dull. 

The spray is really reasonably priced, and I do love the fact that it has so many functions and skin care properties included too.


Then there's the Saturday Skin Balancing Act Skin-Smoothing Lotion, which is another fabulous multi-tasker helping to fight the signs of ageing. The lotion contains among others magnolia vine extracts to help soothe and restore the skin's oil and water balance, adding moisture and hydration while smoothing and refining the skin's texture and improving elasticity. It also contains citrus oils to help brighten the skin as well as shea butter to create a supple finish and luminious glow.

The lotion is quite light and while the bottle comes with a pump, so you need to pump it into your hands, and before applying it to you face with tapping circular motions.

The brand says "we live for Saturdays, for sleeping in, staying up… and they believe your skin should feel as good as you do when you wake up refreshed; happy, healthy and bright…. Saturday Skin is a weekend in a bottle!!". And in spite of the pretty pastel pink bottle, but don't be fooled and think we're talking teen-age products here - as we're not - as these products are in actual fact developed with scientists at an internationally respected wellness centre, Chaum, in Seoul, Korea, using a signature patented ingredient called Cha-7 es Complex which is engineered through fermentation technology from 7 recombinant peptides that are powerful in combatting skin ageing, helping to regenerate the skin, increasing collagen and elasticity, while reducing melanin production.

The lotion comes in a huge 120ml bottle which will last you forever - and I love that it is free from parabens, sulfates, artificial colours and fragrances.

This daily moisturier is very lightweight and it absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves it so soft and smooth, ready for makeup, or to hit the bed. And it has the most divine floral scent too. After just a few uses, I can see that my skin is enjoying this lotion, as it makes it feel soft and smooth, and clearly glowing and radiant. Everything about this lotion is gorgeous, from the packaging, the beautiful scent, to the quick apparent results, so this is already a favourite too, and I'm keen to explore more of the product range. 


Cinch Face Cheat Moisturiser - RRP: $39.95 / 100ml
Available from Priceline and Cinch Skin
Saturday Skin Balancing Act Skin-Smoothing Lotion - RRP: $59.95 / 120ml
Available from Myer

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: PARLUX ADVANCE LIGHT IONIC AND CERAMIC HAIR DRYER

I have very long and thick hair, and once upon a time, pre-kids, I always used to hair dry my hair before going to work in the mornings - but today, now that I am home with two toddler boys, I often do not have the time to spend forever drying my hair, so I often leave it to dry naturally, which has clearly benefitted the state of my hair, though I personally do prefer the look and feel of it when its been hair dried.

However, using the right tools, will not only help cut down the time it takes to dry your hair, it will also help protect your hair during styling. And lately, I've been enjoying the new Parlux Advance Light Ceramic and Ionic Hair Dryer, which now comes in some cool new colours including fluorescent orange and vibrant green, which are seriously stunning, and such a refreshing change from your usual black hair stylers. I tried the fluorescent orange, or 'council-worker orange' as someone referred it as - and it is seriously such a fun and bright shade.

The Parlux Advance Light Ionic and Ceramic Hair Dryer is very powerful with its massive 2200W, and hence helps speed up drying time, but it also have heaps more professional features, including;

 

• Extremely lightweight, weighing just 460g
• Ionic and ceramic technology, for healthier and static free hair
• 2200 watts
• 83 cubic metres/hours airflow reducing drying time while preserving the integrity of hair
• 220 - 240 Volt
• K-Advance Motor giving it a longer life span of 2500 hours
• 4 temperatures/2 speeds: ideal for all hair types and textures
• Instant cold shot button
• 2 concentrator nozzles (the first for setting hair and the second for fast drying)
• Anti-heating front body
• 2 year warranty

Parlux is also known as the hair dryer used by the professionals in hair salons around the world, and now I understand why, as this Italian made hair dryer, really is incredible. It not only looks amazing, but its design means that it is easy to hold, even for a small female hand, plus it is also so light and easy to hold, and it makes drying and styling my long hair so much easier, thanks to its power and speed. And the fact that it dries the hair so much faster, also means that my hair is exposed to the heat for a shorter period of time, so I am not only saving time, it is also better for the hair. In addition, the ceramic and ionic technology helps infuse the hair with ions and consequently moisture, to ensure it stays silky smooth and free from frizz.

  

Compared to other hair dryers that I've used in the past, the Parlux is also a lot quieter, which is fantastic when I want to dry my hair when my two little boys are napping. I have previously heard of Parlux, but know I really understand all the hype, as it is seriously the best hair dryer that I've ever used. And if the neon-orange colour is not quite for you, don't fret, as Parlux has heaps of other cool colours, including among others white, grey, black, green, pink, purple and red.

 

  

Parlux Advance Light Ionic and Ceramic Hair Dryer - RRP $259.95  

Available from I-Glamour

 

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

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