PRODUCT REVIEW: ZK'IN ORGANICS LINE SMOOTHING SERUM, CLARIFYING EXFOLIATOR, BRIGHTENING AND HYDRATING MASQUE

Today I'd like to introduce you to Zk'in Certified Organic Skincare. Zkin, which is pronounced 'skin', and the Z in the name represents the brands zero tolerance for anything less than the best. The products are not only certified organic, vegan and cruelty free, they are also free from parabens, sulphates, and petrochemicals, but rather contain powerful bioactive ingredients that have proven efficient. 

I've put a few products to the test including the Zk'in Clarifying Exfoliating, which is made from among others orange fruit extract, citrus peel oil, coffee seed powder and aloe leaf juice and it helps gently buff away dead skin cells and excess oil and sebum for a cleaner and brighter skin. The coffee helps to remove dead skin cells and impurities, while the caffeine n the coffee alleviates puffiness, while the aloe vera helps soothe and calm the skin.

I love how this exfoliator is 95% certified organic, and that it is so gentle on the skin. And when used a few times a week in the shower (the coffee can make it a little messy), is definitely helping my skin look so much softer and smoother, but also less greasy. I also love the gorgeous orange zesty coffee scent that spreads in my bathroom after each use. Another thing that I love is that the exfoliator is not containing microplastics, which is clogging up the waterways and endangering aquatic life - microplastics is on the list of ingredients to be banned in several countries around the world in the near future.

Then there's the Zk’in Brightening & Hydrating Masque, which would be any chocolate lovers dream, as thanks to containing cocoa, it has the most delish chocolate scent. The cocoa is high in antioxidants, which helps to brighten the skin. It also contains aloe vera to increase skin hydration, while brown seaweed extract to help preserve the skins breakdown of collagen, and help smooth wrinkles and improve elasticity, 

The mask is to be used once or twice a week, and left on for 10 minutes before removed. I am not sure that I've seen any significant brightening effect, but I love how gentle it is on my skin, and soft and smooth it makes it feel. After each use my skin simply looks like it has been given a lift as it is plumper and clearly deeply nourished, and hence also glowing and healthy.

Finally, the Zk'in Line Smoothing Serum is a very light gel based serum that is to be used on the delicate eye area, and/or facial expression lines such as forehead wrinkles, after cleansing the skin and prior to moisturiser. I admit that I initially thought that this was a serum for the whole face, and it wasn't until I read the description on the box that I realised that it was in fact an eye serum - so it really would be ideal if that was more clearly displayed on the box!

The serum contains an active ingredient called Gee from atuline® Expression, an extract of the Paracress plant of Madagascar, which has been clinically shown* to smooth the appearance of expression lines and wrinkles, a natural and safe alternative to injectables!

Anyway, as this is an eye serum, it is really an additional step in your skincare regime - I don't mind personally, as I am already using a serum on my face before moisturiser, but 'just' an eye cream, and as eye creams is one of the products I'm always willing to spend more on, I do like doing something extra for this area, as a younger looking eye area, makes such a difference to your whole look.

The light serum absorbs super quick, and without any greasiness, so you can move on and apply your eye cream on top, or you can of course leave it on its own - but again, with ageing skin, my eye area needs all the help it can get! It leaves the skin feeling silky soft and smooth. I haven't got a lot of deeper wrinkles, but the finer ones are starting to creep in, but I do have one larger expression line between my brows which is rather annoying.

I didn't expect to see massive results, but after using the serum for about a month, I am quite pleased to say that the fine lines around my eyes do appear to have softened a little, and the expression line slightly minimised in size and depth too. It is still early days, but for a serum to do that in a few weeks, is really impressive, so I will definitely continue to use it, and if results continue to show, also consider repurchasing.


So overall really enjoying these Zk'in products, they are gentle and don't contain any nasty ingredients, they are lovely to use, smell incredible, and I love seeing the positive effects they are having on my skin. 


Zk'in Line Smoothing Serum - RRP: $59.95 / 25ml
Zk'in Clarifying Exfoliator - RRP: $39.95 / 100ml
Zk'in Brightening & Hydrating Masque - RRP: $39.95 / 65ml

Available from Zk'in Organics Online and select stockists
* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |

ALTER ECO ORGANIC CHOCOLATE

Being pregnant, I’ve given up on quite a few things. Red wine, blue cheese and brie are just some of the things not recommended during pregnancy, and in addition I have completely cut out coffee, which is a really tough one for someone who is otherwise a coffee addict. One thing that I however haven’t cut out is treating myself to a nice piece of chocolate every night. And my newest addicting is the chocolate from ALTER ECO...

ALTER ECO has just launched their new decadent Organic Sea Salt and Salted Caramel Truffles and new Dark Salted Burnt Caramel Bar, and let me tell you, they taste absolutely amazing!

The Dark Salted Burnt Caramel organic chocolate bar features dark Ecuadorian chocolate blended with a golden caramel of organic unrefined cane sugar, organic cream and heirloom butter, which gives a beautiful caramel crunch. Finally the chocolate bar has been sprinkled with sea salt.

The chocolate bar is made from 70% cocoa, giving it a nice rich slightly bitter taste. Dark chocolate is not normally known for being too sweet, which is why I guess I prefer dark chocolate. However, combined with the sweetness of the burnt caramel and the slightly salty taste, this combination is just to die for. With just 80g in the bar, it is smaller than most chocolate bars, however as the chocolate is so rich and intense, you only need a piece or two to satisfy your cravings.

The Dark Salted Brown Butter organic chocolate bar is also made from dark Ecuadorian chocolate and has due to the added butter naturally got a beautiful smooth buttery taste. It also has Celtic sea salt added, and it literally melts on your tongue.

Next we have the have the Sea Salt and the Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles. These individually wrapped chocolate balls have a shell of dark Ecuadorian chocolate and a centre made of nourishing coconut oil and speckled with prized Fleur de Sel de Guerande, a sea salt hand-harvested from ancient salt villages in France. The Salted Caramel truffle has the addition of buttery, caramel blended throughout the creamy filling.

And both of these truffles are nothing short of amazing. A chocolate lovers dream. I cannot even say which one I prefer, as they are both so delicious.

I have to say that overall I didn’t really think that sea salt and chocolate would be a good mix, but I am so surprised at how nice the combination is. I wish I’d come across these sooner! And again, they are so concentrated and rich, that personally, just one truffle is sufficient, although if I don’t put them away immediately, I find it difficult to resist a second..

 What I also love is that all the chocolates from ALTER ECO are made from the highest quality ingredients from around the world. The chocolates are Certified Organic, Fairtrade Certified, Carbon Neutral Certified, and not made with any genetically modified ingredients or gluten ingredients. The company also works towards creating minimal waste products aiming for a 100% compostable packaging as well as offsetting carbon emissions. What’s not to love? I know that I’ve certainly found some new favourites and will be sure to check out the rest of the range when I’m next in the supermarket or health food store – there’s among others a Dark Twist with added tangy fruit and also a Dark Almond that I’ve got my eyes on…YUM!!

You can find more information about ALTER ECO Chocolates on their website

The products are available for purchase from major natural food retailers and health food stores, independent supermarket and pharmacies and Coles.

The Chocolate Bars have an RRP each of $5.99 (80g), while the Chocolate Truffles have an RRP each of $9.99 (108g)

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


Ever heard of ALTER ECO Chocolates? What type of chocolate do you prefer? What do you reach for when you've got sweet cravings?

Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |

 

PRODUCT REVIEW: AUSGANICA LITSEA CUBEBA VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER + SPECIAL OFFER

Recently I discovered the Australian organic brand Ausganica, and today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the *Ausganica Litsea Cubeba Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner; 

What They Say:

Litsea Cubeba Volumizing Shampoo: Give fine, limp hair some volume with help from Ausganica volumizing shampoo. Made with botanical cleansers and pure botanical actives of horsetail, amla, and citrus essential oils, this synergistic blend of natural ingredients have been chosen to nourish fine hair without weighing it down. With botanicals delicately extracted to preserve their purest form, your hair can naturally shine.

Litsea Cubeba Volumizing Conditioner: Enhance bounce, body and shine with healing amla, hops, and papaya extracts, in combination with strengthening silica from horsetail for lifted, luxurious hair. Increases volume in limp, lifeless hair. Detangles and adds weightless bounce and volume. Contains revitalizing litsea cubeba, petitgrain, and rosemary oils. A healing herbal blend rich in nutrients to help keep hair strong and long lasting.


RRP: Shampoo: $16.95 (500ml), Conditioner: $17.95 (500ml) – Available from Ausganica and select stockists
 - But keep reading for your special discount offer, available for a limited time only..



What I Say:

I recently trialled the Lavender travel pack and the Rose Body Lotion from Ausganica, and as I have been enjoying using the products, I have been looking forward to putting this Litsea Cubeba Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner to the test as well.

As mentioned in my previous reviews, including the Lavender Travel Pack and the Rose Body Lotion, Ausganica is an Australian maker of certified organic skincare, haircare, and cosmetics. The story began in 1997 with group of aroma-therapists, organic farmers, and cosmeceutical experts who all shared the dream of healthy natural personal care.


Grown from one of the world’s largest certified organic farms, with nearly 500 acres, certified Grade A by OGA (Organic Growers Australia), and also certified by HACCP. The manufacturing is certified by both ACO (Australian Certified Organic), and the OFC (Organic Food Chain).

 

In order to achieve premium quality, Ausgarnica insists on only organic, natural and expressly allowed ingredients according to certified organic and eco/green standards. And they do not use synthetic fragrances, synthetic minerals, synthetic colours, sulphates, parabens and other harsh ingredients. And of course, the products are not tested on animals as well as animal-derived ingredients would never be used.


My first impression of the Litsea Cubeba Volumising Shampoo And Conditioner, is what an amazing zesty citrusy scent. Ok, I know that I do have a penchant for citrus products, but this is just so incredible, so I was in love before even testing out the products!


Actually, I had no idea what Litsea Cubeba, having never heard of it before – the image of the lemon on the label may have given away that it was a citrus product, but that was as much as I could gather from the label.


A little research revealed that Litsea Cubeba is an evergreen tree native to China, and the essential oil is extracted from fruits and sometimes leaves, and this oil has a lemon-like odour. You bet has it has!


The shampoo, which contains gentle botanical cleansers and pure botanical actives of horsetail, amla, and citrus essential oils, this synergistic blend of natural ingredients have been chosen to nourish fine hair without weighing it down. As soon as I apply the shampoo to my hair, the most gorgeous citrus scent spreads through my bathroom – it is like the perfect wakeup call in the morning!! And although I just wash my hair every second day, just one wash is more than sufficient to make my hair feel clean.

 
I follow by using a few pumps of the conditioner, which contains a healing blend of nutrients to help keep the hair strong. The ingredients include amla, hops, and papaya extracts as well as silica from horsetail to help give the hair strength and volume and shine, while it detangles the hair, as well as it includes litsea cubeba, petitgrain, and rosemary oils to revitalise.


After a few minutes I rinse it out, and it is quick and easy to do, and combining it is as easy as can be when your hair is overdue for a haircut!


As I usually do, I leave my hair to dry naturally, and once it has dried, it is so soft and shinier than it has for a long time, and it simply looks healthy. And it still has this gorgeous zesty citrus scent – me likey!

And as for adding volume to my hair, that is a tricky one, as so far, I am yet to find a volume product that actually has any major effect on my very long and thick hair. But I can say that often conditioners that are sufficiently efficient to make it easy to comb my hair and add moisture to the ends, often do weigh down my hair and make it look limp – but with this Litsea Cubeba Volumizing Conditioner it is not the case, and even my otherwise dry ends looks healthy.


The shampoo and conditioner both come in huge 500ml green pump bottles with an attractive pastel pink floral label, and as the bottes are so large, I find them very reasonably priced – well actually cheap, considering that the products are certified organic too, which usually does come with a higher price tag too.


And I love that they come with pumps, as it is so easy to use in the shower. The conditioner has a nice consistency, but the shampoo is a little runnier than most, and I do find that I need to hurry putting it into my hair before it runs out between my fingers, and hence wasting a lot of product, so I would ideally like the shampoo to be slightly thicker.


What I Like:

• The products smell amazing, and the zesty citrus scent remains in the hair
• The products come in huge easy to use pump bottles
• Well priced for such large products
• Certified organic and made in Australia

 

 What I Don’t Like:

• Shampoo is a little runny

 

 

All in all, I really like this shampoo and conditioner as the products make my hair feel lovely and soft to touch and look shiny and healthy. I love that the products are Australian made and certified organic so only the best ingredients are used – including pure essential oils which makes these products smell absolutely amazing. So if you are looking for some great organic products and like zesty citrus scents too, I highly recommend that you try these Litsea Cubeba Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner from Ausganica.

 

   

If the Lemon scent not for quite for you – then there’s a large selection of other shampoos and conditioners available from Ausganica, including Rose Geranium and Lavender.

 

  

SPECIAL OFFER

 

And the good news is that right now you can get 20% off your purchase from the entire Ausganic range, simply by entering LIFESTYLE at the checkout at Ausganica. But hurry, this offer is available for a limited time only..

 

 

 

 

   

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

 

 

Ever heard of Ausganica? Do you use organic products? What scent is your favourite?

 

  

Product Review: Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Day Cream and Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream

Today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the *Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Day Cream and Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream;

What They Say:

"Wild Rose Smoothing Day Cream is a rich moisturiser for normal and combination skin that counteracts fine lines, dryness and dull skin. Cold-pressed wild rose seed oil, rich in essential fatty acids, has a strengthening effect on the skin's protective barrier and provides extra nourishment."

"Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream is a rich night cream that helps the skin to recover and strengthen its natural functions during the natural regeneration phase during the night. Skin is left feeling softer, smoother and looking more even."

RRP:

Wild Rose Smoothing Day Cream (30ml): $34.95

Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream (30ml): $34.95

But if you during April or May purchase a Wild Rose Smoothing Day Cream you will receive a Wild RoseSmoothing Night Cream free! – Available from Aveda Online or from select retailers

 

 

What I Say:

I recently tried out the Weleda Baby Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash and Baby Oil for my little boy and was quite impressed with the quality of the products, so I was very excited to be trialling these Weleda Wild Rose products as well.

Whenever I start new skincare products, and in particularly creams, I am always concerned as my combination skin is and always has been very prone to breakouts. This is sometimes hard, as at the same time my skin is mature needing more intense products.

 

The Weleda Rose products are specifically intended both normal and dry/mature skin types, so I did worry that the products would be too concentrated for my skin.

The Weleda Rose Smoothing Day Cream promises to help soften first lines and preserve elasticity and vitality, and it is suitable for use under makeup and can be used as both day and night cream. Unfortunately it doesn’t contain any SPF, which is why it is also suitable as a night cream.

The cream is quite light, and yet very concentrated, so it only takes a little. But in spite of the light cream, it does take a little while for it to absorb into the skin, but once it has, it leaves the skin feeling soft and very moisturised, and with a nice sheen. And as promised, it does work perfectly under my makeup, without making it slide off my face due to too much moisture.

The Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream is only slightly thicker in consistency, yet it instantly feels so much more moisturising on the skin. Again, this cream also takes a few minutes to absorb into the skin, but that is probably also because my skin is not dry, so it may be struggling to absorb the intense moisture. But once absorbed, it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth, and lines seem to be plumped out, clearly enjoying the moisture.

Although we’re quickly heading towards winter and I spend increasingly more time indoors with the heater going, and my skin is always getting drier in this part of the year, and I feel I need to step up my skincare and use more nourishing products. However, unfortunately this night cream is a little too intense for my skin, as I wake in the morning with skin that is feeling quite greasy, so consequently I stopped using it out of fear that it would make my skin congested and eventually breakout.

Both creams come in small metallic tubes in the cutest girly pink, and it has the most gorgeous natural scent of roses, which even after the creams have absorbed into the skin, lingers for quite a while, but as it is such a natural scent, I quite like this. The tubes look exactly the same apart from obviously one saying night cream and having a moon symbol and the other saying day cream and having a sun symbol – this is a nice, however, being blind as a bat without wearing my glasses, I do find it a little difficult to tell the two tubes apart, so I would have preferred if they had for instance been different shades of pink to make that a little easier.

The creams are certified organic, and I love that they are made without synthetic preservatives, fragrances and colourants and that they are free from mineral oil derivatives.

What I Like:

• Super cute girly pink tubes
• Both creams are light, yet vey moisturising
• Leaves skin feeling very soft, thoroughly moisturised and with a nice sheen         
• Products are certified organic
• Made without synthetic preservatives, fragrances and colourants and that they are free from mineral oil derivatives

What I Don’t Like:

• Day cream doesn’t contain SPF
• The creams do take a little while to absorb into the skin
• Without my glasses it is difficult to distinguish between the two tubes

Overall these are really lovely creams, and I love how they feel on the skin and not to mention the lovely scent of roses. Both creams are very hydrating, and unfortunately the night cream is a little too intense for my combination skin, but that really cannot be seen as a negative as the products are intended for dry skin types – so if you have dry skin, and need super hydrating creams as we head towards winter, then I highly recommend that you try these out! As I still really enjoyed using these products I will definitely check out the rest of Weleda’s large product range for some products more suitable for my skin type.

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

 

Have you ever tried any of the products from Weleda? Do you use organic products? What’s your favourite scent?
 

Product Review: Ausganica Rose Body Lotion + Giveaway

Today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the *Ausganica Rose Body Lotion;

What they Say:

"Luxuriously infused with rose and organic botanicals, softens for silky skin; brightens & enhances firmness. Beautifies and diminishes visible skin flaws. The powerful hydrating botanicals in Ausganica Body Lotion helps to stimulate and improve skin elasticity; skin appears firmer and younger. Delightful rose aroma".

RRP: $16.95(250ml) - Available from Ausganica and select retailers

What I Say:

You may recall my recent review of the Ausganica Lavender Travel pack – if not you really should check it out, as you’ve also got a chance to win a pack for yourself, but hurry, this giveaway ends tomorrow!

Ausganica is an Australian maker of certified organic skincare, haircare, and cosmetics. The story began in 1997 with group of aroma-therapists, organic farmers, and cosmeceutical experts who all shared the dream of healthy natural personal care.

Grown from one of the world’s largest certified organic farms, with nearly 500 acres, certified Grade A by OGA (Organic Growers Australia), and also certified by HACCP. The manufacturing is certified by both ACO (Australian Certified Organic), and the OFC (Organic Food Chain).

In order to achieve premium quality, Ausganica insists on only organic, natural and expressly allowed ingredients according to certified organic and eco/green standards. We don’t use synthetic fragrances, synthetic minerals, synthetic colours, sulphates, parabens and other harsh ingredients.. And we never do any animal testing, or use animal-tested source ingredients, or animal-derived ingredients – and that is just music to my ears!

 

 

Ausganica’s signature Rose line uses premium active and luxury Rose oils to gives a sheer delight to your senses, beauty, and wellness. The products present the very best that nature and advanced organic health science can offer. And this really shows – this Rose Body Lotion smells absolutely divine – I won’t deny that citrus scented products are my favourites, but this is just the most beautiful rose scent, and as natural as smelling a freshly picked rose. Amazing.

The Body Lotion is very light in formula, but containing among others shea butter, cocoa butter and aloe vera leaf juice, it is consequently extremely nourishing. The Body Lotion is very concentrate so you only need to use a little, and it absorbs instantly into the skin without leaving the skin feeling greasy – in actual fact, it leaves the skin feeling so incredibly soft and silky smooth, even my otherwise dry legs, a feeling that lasts all day without the need to reapply. And that gorgeous rose sent also lingers on the skin all day, which I really like, especially seeing this is such a natural scent and not one made up from countless artificial and chemical ingredients – the only negative is that it could clash a little with your perfume, especially if it is a light one – but you could just get around that by skipping the perfume those days you’re using this Body Lotion, and instead enjoy the lovely rose scent.

The Body Lotion comes in a brown tinted plastic bottle with a flip lid, which is easy to use, although when you get to the end, due to the design of the bottle I can imagine that can be a little tricky to stand it upside down to be able to use up all the cream.  

What I Like:

• Very light body lotion, yet very moisturising
• Provides long-lasting moisture to my skin
• Quickly absorbs into the skin without leaving my skin feel sticky
• Gorgeous natural rose scent that lingers on the skin
• Certified Organic
• Made without the use of synthetic fragrances, synthetic minerals, synthetic colours, sulphates, parabens and other harsh ingredients.
• Reasonably priced for an organic product

What I Don’t Like:

• The bottle could be designed a little better so it easier can stand on its head/lid so you can completely empty the bottle

Overall, this such a lovely Body Lotion – it not only smells divine, but on top it feels so good to use a product that you know is free from chemical nasties – so if you love Rose scented products, then I highly recommend that you check out both this Rose Body Lotion from Ausganica, but also the rest of the Rose range.

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

 

And just to remind you again – don’t forget to enter my International giveaway where you can win one of then Lavender Travel Packs from Ausganica – you can enter here.

Have you ever heard of Ausganica? Do you use organic products? What’s your favourite scent?