BEST BUDGET BEAUTY BUYS - OCTOBER 2014

It has been a little while since I’ve done one of my Best Budget Beauty Buys posts, and I actually planned to do this feature monthly, and well now we already half way into the next month.... ups! Anyway, slight late, I thought it was about time to share some amazing products that I came across last month, that won’t send you broke...

anatomicals the seven deadly skins melon body scrub*

Love anatomicals. Their bright packaging and quirky texts on the bottles is such a refreshing change, and of course, then there’s the amazing scents.

And this melon body scrub doesn’t fail to impress either. It simply smells so fresh and divine. The scrub gently scrubs away any dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft, smooth and glowing, and leaving your bathroom smelling like a fruit orchard meanwhile. And as anatomicals puts it “If you're dissatisfied we'll eat our 100 hats. Sorry for our gluttony.”

RRP: $8.99 (200ml) – Available from Target and Priceline



Herbal Essences Naked Shampoo & Conditioner*

In a time where silicones, parabens and dyes are a big no-no, this shampoo and conditioner from Herbal Essences is a great choice. The shampoo contains white tea and mint extracts and leaves your hair clean without drying it out, and with a naturally silky shine, while the conditioner a stimulating herbal and mint infusion for hydrated and nourished, smooth hair that is light and not weighted down. The products are great for everyday use as they simply leaves your hair feeling and looking shiny and healthy, and with a gorgeous fresh fruity scent.
RRP: $6.99 each (300ml) – Available from Supermarkets and Priceline



Clear Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Damage and Colour Repair*

When my hair and scalp need some extra TLC, a good pick is this Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy Damage & Colour Repair Treatment Mask from Clear. It contains a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients that work to nourish the scalp and hair, leaving it look healthy and shiny and without being weighted down or feeling greasy.

And the best thing is that it is super quick to use, working in just three minutes. It comes in a cute lavender coloured tub and has a nice floral scent – and if using this every couple of days will give me glossy and healthy locks like some Miranda Kerr, than I’m all for it.

RRP: $9.99 - Available from Priceline, Supermarkets and select pharmacies



TRESemme Platinum Strength Leave-In Treatment*

This leave-in treatment claims to “visibly repairs up to 2 years of damage in just 5 uses”, and while am not so sure I can see that in my hair, the treatment instantly helps make my hair softer and more manageable. It leaves a protective layer on each hair, locking in moisture and protecting it from future damage, and consequently my otherwise dry ends look and feel so much healthier. And all without making it feel greasy or weighed down. It has a gentle floral scent that quickly fades once it has absorbed into the hair, and it comes in a convenient pump bottle.
RRP: $10.99 (125ml) – Available from Supermarkets, Priceline and select Pharmacies



essano Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser*

Even though I have combination skin prone to breakouts, it is important to use a gentle cleanser this Rosehip by essano Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser is perfect, easily removing all my makeup, although I do need an eye makeup remover to help with the waterproof mascara. I love that it is free from all chemical nasties including parabens, sulphates, phthalates, colours or petrochemicals, and it is also soap free to cleanse the face without drying out the skin or causing any irritations. It also contains active natural botanicals and certified organic rosehip oil that helps replenish the skin’s moisture barrier, repair the skin and help promote firmness.
RRP: $19.99 (140ml) – Available from Priceline and selected Woolworths


Quick Fix Facials Mask Exfoliating Scrub*

This is not just a exfoliating scrub, it is a multi-tasking mask, designed to both exfoliate the skin to help remove dead skin cells, while it also contains clay designed to draw out excess oil and impurities from the skin as well as it also contains pomegranate, goji berry, vitamin E and pink rose clay to renew and revive the skin.

You simply put a thin layer onto your skin, and leave for about 10 minutes to dry and absorb all the excess sebum, and then I like to dampen my hands gently massage and exfoliate my face, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. The mask is quite concentrated and the exfoliating beads are a little coarse, so this is not a mask to use on a daily basis, but for a weekly deep treatment it works a treat.

RRP: $8.95 (100ml) – Available from Woolworths



Dove Invisible Dry Anti-Perspirant Deodorant*

Don’t you just hate it when your deodorant leaves white marks on your clothes. It looks so horrible too, when you pull a top over your head and end up with the white marks on the outside of the top. The good news is that the new Dove Invisible Dry Anti White Marks Roll-on really keeps its promise and doesn’t leave these dreaded white marks. And add to that, it is free from alcohol and contains a quarter moisturising cream, so it keeps your underarms soft and hydrated, all while offering you anti-perspirant protection all day. And it has a gentle scent that won’t clash with your perfume either.

RRP: $5.47 (100g) – Available from Supermarkets, Priceline, variety stores and pharmacies



People for Plants Eye Cream*

When I am in a hurry, I admit to skipping using certain products, but one thing I never ever forget, it an eye cream. I simply couldn’t live without it. My eyes are very sensitive, and easily water, so I love that this eye cream from People for Plants is fragrance-free eye, and I love too that it is made in Australia using no parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, silicones or phthalates – but rather it has been made using 91.4% certified organic ingredients. It contains Kakadu plum, calendula, and chamomile to brighten and revitalise the eye area, while hyaluronic acid locks in moisture and aloe vera hydrates the eye area. It comes in a small tube with a nozzle, making it easy to use without contamination, and it thick and creamy, although it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving it feeling greasy. And while I don’t think it has done much to the bags under my eyes, I love that it is so gentle and has a cooling effect, and that it works so perfectly under makeup too.

RRP: $19.95 (15ml) – Available from Priceline, David Jones and Select Pharmacies



Olay Fresh Effects Va-Va-Vivid Powered Contour Cleansing System*

I have to admit to owning a couple of the more expensive electrical cleansing brushes, but when I am going away, they are just to big and bulky, and that’s where I love this the Fresh Effects Va-Va-Vivid Powered Contour Cleansing System from Olay. Long term it naturally doesn’t offer the same results, or longevity for that matter, but for the low price, it is worth it, also if you don’t want to or cannot afford to splurge on an expensive brush.

The soft plastic bristles vibrate to help deep cleanse your skin, getting rid of any dirt, excess oil and sebum and makeup that’s clogging up your pores. Used with either the included Olay Shine, ShineGo Away Cleanser, it quickly leaves your skin feeling clean deep down every single pore, leaving it soft, glowing and healthy looking.
RRP: $16.99 – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

So there you go, a selection of great budget beauty buys that will cost you less than $20!

Tried any of these? Keen to? What’s your go to budget buys?

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THREE OF A KIND: BODY LOTIONS

I recently started a new series of posts, Three of a Kind, where I will be exploring thee different products which all have something in common, be it the type of product, or maybe the scent that is used. Today I’d like to share with you three incredible Body Lotions;

 

Anatomicals bye bye miss American dry cherry body lotion*
 

Who hasn’t fallen for the products from Anatomicals which have recently launched in Australia. The packaging is bright and funky and the wording on the packaging is fun and quirky. And then there’s the amazing smell of the products.

This paraben free cherry body lotion, as the name suggests, has a beautiful cherry scent that is sweet, yet without being too sweet or sickly overwhelming. it leaves the skin feeling wonderfully soft and hydrated, and what nice scent lingering for hours.

RRP: $8.95 (200ml) – Available from Target and Priceline

 

essano Rosehip Intensive Hydrating Body Lotion*

This body lotion is a true multi-tasker. It contains organic rosehip oil known to renew and repair the skin and promote skin elasticity, as well as it also contains aloe vera, and jojoba oil to nourish, to give the skin the most intense hydration, while keeping it so silky soft and smooth, even on the coldest of winter days. And it absorbs quickly into the skin without making the skin feel greasy or sticky, so it is perfect to use as a hand cream too. It has a gorgeous gentle scent that faintly lingers on the skin.

It comes in a huge 400ml pump bottle that makes it easy and fuss free to apply. And I love the fact that it is free from chemical nasties including parabens, sulphates, silicones, phthalates, PEGs, Petrochemicals, mineral oils and artificial colours and that it hasn’t been tested on animals.

RRP: $16.99 (400ml) – Available from Priceline and selected Woolworths

 

Nutrimetics Cultivate Geranium & Cedar Wood Hand and Body Lotion*

 

This luxurious hand and body lotion contains the finest natural extracts of Geranium Essential Oil, Macadamia Seed Oil, Cherry Blossom Extract, Elder Flower Extract, Oat Kernel Extract, Myrrh Extract, and it has a beautiful slightly woody and spicy scent that somewhat reminds me of Christmas – and because of the woody scent, in my opinion it is very unisex, so perfect for the man in your life to use too. They light lotion absorbs rapidly into the skin leaving it soft and deeply hydrated. Usually I don’t find that body lotions are moisturising enough for my hands, but this cream is an exception, and as it does leave the skin feeling greasy or sticky, it is in fact perfect for the hands too. It comes in a hand pump bottle that is easy to use, and it has a simple yet very modern label that makes it so stylish that it will look fantastic in any bathroom.

RRP: $24 (300ml) – Available from Nutrimetics
 

So there you go, a great selection of body lotions that will not only look great in your bathroom, but will make your skin feel soft and moisturised, while not breaking the bank either.

*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Tried any of these body lotions? What is your go-to body lotion?
 

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THREE OF A KIND: GREEN BODY WASHES

Today I am starting a new series of posts on the blog, Three of a Kind, where I will be exploring thee different products which all have something in common, be it the type of product, or maybe the scent that is used. And I’ve got some great ones lined up, including products for all tastes and budgets. But let’s start with some body washes - nothing beats a nice hot shower in the morning, and especially when you use some favourite pampering products. Here’s a rundown on some great green body washes;

Anatomicals Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Cleanser*

 

This brand was recently – and finally launched in Australia, and if you haven’t already tried out the products, you really should – and they are really purse friendly too, with all products under $10. I recently tested the Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Cleanser (check out my full review here), and I absolutely love the fresh zesty lemon scent and the gorgeous lime green pump bottle that looks ever so funky in the bathroom. The shower gel leaves your skin clean and feeling soft, and I like that it has been formulated without parabens.

RRP: $8.99 (300ml) - Available from Target, Priceline and Chemist Warehouse.

 

Premium Spa Body Wash with Tangerine & Lime Zest*

Another favourite of mine is the Australian Made Premium Spa Body Wash with Tangerine & Lime Zest (check out my full review here). It is one of the zestiest body washes around, thanks to the tangerine and lemon oil and lime zest used, which makes it smell absolutely divine, and it is sure to give me a much needed wake-up call in the morning, after yet another poor night’s sleep due to a teething toddler. The body wash is not only formulated with certified organic aloe vera to help soothe and heal the skin and calendula extracts to help calm the skin, but it also doesn’t contain any chemical nasties including parabens, SLS or mineral oils. Unfortunately – for me – my husband has really taken a liking to this one, so it’s used up twice as fast, I’ve had to repurchase a new bottle, so it’s lucky that it comes at such a great price.

RRP: $9.95 (300ml) – Available from Priceline, Big W and selected pharmacies

ELEVEN Australia Wash Me All Over Hand & Body Wash*

 

If you’ve got a few extra dollars to spare, you cannot go past this two-in-one Hand and Body Wash from ELEVEN. ELEVEN has previously been known for their haircare products (check out my reviews of the Shampoo & Conditioner and the Miracle Treatment). The soap is not only PH balanced so it is very gentle, but it is also SLS free. It is infused with natural oils including papaya extract and almond oil to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, and orange, lavender and coconut oils to provide the skin with hydration and repair. And it has added jojoba oil which helps keep the skin soft and hydrated. The soap comes a simple yet modern pump bottle that is easy to use and which will look great in any bathroom, and it has a divine gentle refreshing scent making it perfect for the whole family. 

RRP $19.95 (500ml) - Available from ELEVEN Australia and select stockists

 

So there you have it, a three different green body washes, each gorgeous in its own right.

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

 

What do you think of these green body washes? Tried any of them? Keen on trying? What’s your preferred scent in body washes?

 

BRAND FOCUS: ANATOMICALS

I was so excited when I heard that the UK brand Anatomicals had finally arrived on Aussie soil, after having heard so many rave reviews about the products. Here are my thoughts on the *Anatomicals Peppermint and Lemon Hand Soap, Citrus Body Scrub and Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Cleanser;

 

 

What They Say:

Whatever you look like, whatever shape you’re in, we only want you for your body. We don’t want you for your money - our bodycare is only $8.99 and handcare is a steal at $7.99. In summary?  Well, we only want you for your body. Truth is, we’ve only wanted you for your body for quite a few years now. We’ll continue to only want you for your body many years hence. We’ll only want you for your body when most of it has gone south and dropped faster than underperforming tech stocks. In fact, we’ll still only want you for your body when the only other people who’ll want you for your body will be medical research facilities.

RRP:

Hand Soap: $7.99
Body Scrub: $8.99
Body Cleanser: $8.99

Available from Target, Priceline and Chemist Warehouse.

What I Say:

I instantly feel in love with these products from Anatomicals, even before trying them or smelling them –their brightly coloured packaging is just such a refreshing change, and they look amazing in the bathroom. Next is the quirky and cheeky witticisms and in some cases also illustrations on each of the products. I love!

But let’s start from the start….

The Anatomicals Peppermint and Lemon Hand Soap comes in a gorgeous green square bottle with yellow pump, and aside from the name, it also has the text ‘Silly twits ignore their mitts’.

 

 

And on the back of the bottle the text ‘You wouldn’t leave the toilet before washing your hands, would you? You wouldn’t take out the rotting garbage, then neglect to wash your hands, would you? You wouldn’t treat someone’s gaping wound without first and after washing your hands, would you? You wouldn’t change a baby’s soiled nappy and fail to wash your hands, would you? You wouldn’t prepare food and forget to wash your hands, would you? Oh, you would? Then, you wouldn’t mind if we decline you dinner invitation, would you? Sorry, we’re washing our hands that night? We only want you for your body’ Hahahaha – how cool – and so very true is that!!

 

 

The creamy soap, as the name suggests, has a quite strong pepperminty scent, although, unfortunately, I cannot detect the lemon (my favourite scent) – but as the peppermint is so nice, I don’t mind. And being one of those to wash my hands a lot during the day, due to changing nappies!! – it is such a nice refreshing scent, and different to the floral scents that usually found in hand soaps. The soap froths up easily and leaves the hands feeling soft and without being dried out. I like, it makes it such a joy to wash my hands, even for the 30^th time in a day!!

The Citrus Body Scrub comes in a cute lolly pink tube with a yellow flip lid, and as well as the name, it has the text ‘The buff stuff’ on the front.

 

 

On the back of the bottle it has the following writing ‘If you had enuff of your skin being all ruff and your epidermis is as tuff as a Scotsman called McDuff (when it really should be as soft and as smooth as a delicate cream puff), then this is no salesman guff or marketing fluff, you, my dear, need the buff stuff’. And it also has a cute picture like this..

 

 

And this stuff smells aaaaaahmazing. Yeah, I know, as I may have mentioned once or twice (ok, maybe a few more times!), I love citrus scents – and this one is so lovely and zesty, and just so refreshing. Perfect to give that old body a jump start in the mornings, when a strong cup of caffeine just wont do it. And it has just the right amount of pumice scrubbers in it without being too rough, and it leaves the skin feeling almost as soft as a baby’s bottom (OK, maybe not quite), but it is so soft and smooth,. And once rinsed off, my skin smells divine. Oh man, I love this stuff!

Finally, the Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Cleanser, also bears the text ‘Shower to the people’.

 

 

It has the following writing on the back ‘the battle against authoritarianism leaves hardly any time for getting fresh and fragrant. However, radicals have to cleanse themselves sometimes. Not of their romantic views of idealism and utopianism, but of the sweat and grime that goes hand in hand with protesting and fighting to overthrow maniacal depots (who shower in their Italian marble palaces of steam) and oppressive right-wing military juntas. Which is why this socialist gel is endorsed by the membership of the WRP (washer’s Revolutionary Party). We only want you for your body.

 

 

 

This body cleanser comes in a square bottle like the hand soap, and has a gorgeous lime green colour, and again, with the trademark yellow pump, which makes it easy and fuss free to use in the shower. And as the name suggests, it is another zesty lemon scent, that I’ve fallen in love with instantly, and as I use it, it fills my shower and bathroom with such a lovely refreshing scent. It leaves my skin feeling so lovely, - the only problem is that my husband has also taken a liking to it, so unfortunately I won’t get to keep this one to myself!

All the Anatomicals products are paraben free which is a great bonus, and on the back of each product it also says that ‘Is it a bottle? Is it a tin can? Is it a cardboard box? No, it’s Recycleman. And if you don’t recycle all our packaging, he’ll track you down and recycle you’. Haha, I love that, what a great way of trying to encourage that the packaging is recycled.

 

There are 15 products available in the Anatomicals product range, which include two body scrubs, four body cleansers, three body lotions, three hand soaps, and three hand creams – all with mouth-watering ingredients and scents. And priced at just $7.99 and $8.99 they are so budget friendly too, that I will definitely have to try out the rest of the products in the range – and get backups of the Citrus Body Scrub and the Grapefruit and Lemongrass Body Cleanser for when I run out, as these two products have made it straight to my Holy Grail list!

And I know that there are more products available in the UK including lipbalms, haircare, and face masks, so I really hope that these will become available to us Aussies in the not too distant future to!

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

 

Ever heard of Anatomicals? Tried any of their products, or keen on trying? What scent is your favourite? Can you keep your beauty products away from your other half?