How stunning are these from Inika Organic - @inikaorganic - just so sleek, elegant and luxurious. #ad
2 February 2024
PRODUCT REVIEW // INIKA ORGANIC DETOXIFYING CLAY MASK, RENEW AND RESTORE PEEL, ADAPTOGENIC CLEANSING OIL, HYDRATING TONING MIST AND BB CREAM - AUSTRALIAN NATURAL ORGANIC SKINCARE
How stunning are these from Inika Organic - @inikaorganic - just so sleek, elegant and luxurious. #ad
28 May 2019
PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA'S CHOICE 1% RETINOL BOOSTER, PORE REFINING TREATMENT 2% BHA, YOUTH-EXTENDING DAILY HYDRATING FLUID AND PERFECT CLEANSING OIL
One of those brands you always hear a lot about is Paula’s Choice… The brand is founded by the Paula Begoun, who is also the author of the early 90s book, Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me - a book I personally really loved at the time, as it was all about which beauty products were worth the hype and which ones weren’t...
16 November 2018
19 June 2017
PRODUCT REVIEW: NU SKIN NU COLOUR EYESHADOW, LIPSTICK, LIP PLUMPING BALM AND CLEANSING OIL
Today I am very excited to be able to share with you a new brand that has just come to my attention, Nu Skin. Nu skin is an American marketing company which has several product ranges under its banner, including skincare, body care, dietary supplements including weight management and nutrition, as well as makeup. I admit to have never heard of the brand before, but do like the company's philosophy to include "all of the good, none of the bad” into their products. I've been lucky to put a selection of product to the test..
Let's start with a selection of the makeup products. And what I really like here, is that these products are designed as makeup with anti-ageing skincare benefits, and hence they contain a range of natural botanical ingredients, including;
The Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in Mocha Brick is a gorgeous silver and white compact in a stunning containing five shimmery eye shadows. The compact has a large internal mirror, and comes with two double ended applicators, one with a large sponge applicator in one end for the base colour and a smaller more pointed one in the other for the detailing, and the other one the same, but with a larger base brush in one end and a finer pointed one in the other end. Normally I am not too fussed with the included applicators, preferring to use my own makeup brushes, but these are actually of quite good quality, which is a refreshing change.
The colours in the palette include a pastel pink, a pale gold, a medium brown, a taupe and a dark mocha shade. And these shades really are stunning, and the perfect combination of colours if you like me prefer nude and neutral shades, and they complement each other well, and can of course be used individually on their own, or in any combination, from anything from a simple daytime look to an intense and bolder look for nighttime.
The shades have a good pigmentation, and you can apply them both as a sheer was of colour, or build them up to be quite intense, especially the darker shades, and they last well throughout the day, even on my greasy eyelids, as they do not fade or settle into creases or lines.
Then there's the Nu Skin Nu Colour Lipsticks, which come in stunning shiny silver packaging, in a stunning design and a magnetic closure, which I also really love. I tried the shade Red Elegant, which is a classic red shade with a touch of sheen. It does goes on sheer, as the name suggest, however it is still quite pigmented so you can actually apply a couple of coats for a more intense and bold coverage, and I really like that you have both options, kind of giving you the best of both worlds. The lipstick are very creamy and feels lovely and moisturising on the lips, but consequently it does mean that wear is somewhat compromised, yet it still manages to stay put for 4+ hours, and even when they fade, you're left with a slight tint on the lips.
Then there's the Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Lip Plumping Balm, which promises to make your lips look fuller, while helping to make them feel moisturised and soft. The lip balm has a pale pastel pink shade in the tube, but it goes on to the lips almost clear with just the tiniest touch of sheen. After a few moments on the lips, the balm starts to feel cooling on my lip, as well as my lips have a slightly tingling sensation, which does at first feel a little odd, but nothing that really bothers me, and it does disappear quickly. Somehow this balm actually does seem to make my lips look slightly fuller, and because it absorbs into the lips without any greasiness, you can actually use it underneath your usual lipstick or lipgloss.
Finally, there's the Nu Skin Enriching Cleansing Oil, which is a cleansing oil that promises to remove all traces of makeup, including waterproof mascara, all while adding hydration to the skin. The . And this cleanser really is effective, just a small pump massaged into my face, and thereafter rinsed off with water is all it takes to quickly remove all traces of my makeup. And afterwards my skin is left feeling soft and smooth, and without irritating my sensitive eyes. I love that it comes in a pump bottle, making it easier to use too.
Overall I've really enjoyed putting these products to the test, as the are lovely to use, and of high quality too. I have in particular enjoyed the eye shadow palette and the lipstick, both of which I know I'll be reaching for often in the coming months, so certainly wouldn’t mind trying more of their makeup. But that said, I am also liking that Cleansing Oil too, making me want to try more of their skincare products too. The products are slightly pricey, considering they are available online only and you haven't got the ability to view before buying, but again the products are of high quality and the fact that they are made with anti-ageing ingredients included, does kind of help justify the higher price.
Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette - RRP: $65.55
Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Sheer Lipstick - RRP: $34.20
Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Lip Plumping Balm - RRP: $43.00
Nu Skin Nu Colour Enriching Cleansing Oil - RRP: $51.30 / 200ml
Available from Nu Skin
* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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Let's start with a selection of the makeup products. And what I really like here, is that these products are designed as makeup with anti-ageing skincare benefits, and hence they contain a range of natural botanical ingredients, including;
- Sepilift - to help prevent wrinkles by stimulating collagen fibres and breaking down free radicals
- Mulberry Root Extract to brighten and improve uneven skin tone
- Kahai Oil, - rich in Vitamins E, F and Retinol, to restore radiance and provide hydration
- Hyalurosmooth, a botanical alternative to hyaluronic acid, to smooth and fill fine lines and wrinkles with high moisturising properties that bind to the skin’s surface
The Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in Mocha Brick is a gorgeous silver and white compact in a stunning containing five shimmery eye shadows. The compact has a large internal mirror, and comes with two double ended applicators, one with a large sponge applicator in one end for the base colour and a smaller more pointed one in the other for the detailing, and the other one the same, but with a larger base brush in one end and a finer pointed one in the other end. Normally I am not too fussed with the included applicators, preferring to use my own makeup brushes, but these are actually of quite good quality, which is a refreshing change.
The colours in the palette include a pastel pink, a pale gold, a medium brown, a taupe and a dark mocha shade. And these shades really are stunning, and the perfect combination of colours if you like me prefer nude and neutral shades, and they complement each other well, and can of course be used individually on their own, or in any combination, from anything from a simple daytime look to an intense and bolder look for nighttime.
The shades have a good pigmentation, and you can apply them both as a sheer was of colour, or build them up to be quite intense, especially the darker shades, and they last well throughout the day, even on my greasy eyelids, as they do not fade or settle into creases or lines.
Then there's the Nu Skin Nu Colour Lipsticks, which come in stunning shiny silver packaging, in a stunning design and a magnetic closure, which I also really love. I tried the shade Red Elegant, which is a classic red shade with a touch of sheen. It does goes on sheer, as the name suggest, however it is still quite pigmented so you can actually apply a couple of coats for a more intense and bold coverage, and I really like that you have both options, kind of giving you the best of both worlds. The lipstick are very creamy and feels lovely and moisturising on the lips, but consequently it does mean that wear is somewhat compromised, yet it still manages to stay put for 4+ hours, and even when they fade, you're left with a slight tint on the lips.
Then there's the Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Lip Plumping Balm, which promises to make your lips look fuller, while helping to make them feel moisturised and soft. The lip balm has a pale pastel pink shade in the tube, but it goes on to the lips almost clear with just the tiniest touch of sheen. After a few moments on the lips, the balm starts to feel cooling on my lip, as well as my lips have a slightly tingling sensation, which does at first feel a little odd, but nothing that really bothers me, and it does disappear quickly. Somehow this balm actually does seem to make my lips look slightly fuller, and because it absorbs into the lips without any greasiness, you can actually use it underneath your usual lipstick or lipgloss.
Finally, there's the Nu Skin Enriching Cleansing Oil, which is a cleansing oil that promises to remove all traces of makeup, including waterproof mascara, all while adding hydration to the skin. The . And this cleanser really is effective, just a small pump massaged into my face, and thereafter rinsed off with water is all it takes to quickly remove all traces of my makeup. And afterwards my skin is left feeling soft and smooth, and without irritating my sensitive eyes. I love that it comes in a pump bottle, making it easier to use too.
Overall I've really enjoyed putting these products to the test, as the are lovely to use, and of high quality too. I have in particular enjoyed the eye shadow palette and the lipstick, both of which I know I'll be reaching for often in the coming months, so certainly wouldn’t mind trying more of their makeup. But that said, I am also liking that Cleansing Oil too, making me want to try more of their skincare products too. The products are slightly pricey, considering they are available online only and you haven't got the ability to view before buying, but again the products are of high quality and the fact that they are made with anti-ageing ingredients included, does kind of help justify the higher price.
Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine 5 Colour Eyeshadow Palette - RRP: $65.55
Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Sheer Lipstick - RRP: $34.20
Nu Skin Nu Colour LightShine Lip Plumping Balm - RRP: $43.00
Nu Skin Nu Colour Enriching Cleansing Oil - RRP: $51.30 / 200ml
Available from Nu Skin
* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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27 April 2017
PRODUCT REVIEW: BURTS BEES CLEANSING OIL, FACIAL WATER, HAND REPAIR CREAM, CUTICLE CREAM AND DARK SPOT CORRECTOR
If you regularly tune visit BLH, you'll know that one of those brands that I really love is Burt's Bees. Simply because their products are not only super efficient, and very budget friendly too, but they are also close to being 100% natural and of course free from all the chemical nasties, including parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS, and the only the only fragrance comes from the natural ingredients. I have put a handful of the Burt's Bees products to the test..
The Burt's Bee's Cleansing Oil is enriched with coconut that acts as a natural moisturiser to help keep the skin soft and smooth, as well as argan oil which is rich in antioxidants to nourish the skin. The cleanser gently removes my long-wearing makeup, and without irritating my skin. I admit to not using it on my eyes, where I prefer to use a specific eye makeup remover, but I do like that it can be used on the eyes too. And as for the rest of the makeup on my face, it gently removes absolutely everything - and without leaving my skin feeling sticky or tacky, something that I with my combination skin prone to breakouts always worry about when using cleansing oils. That said, I usually double cleanse my skin, as it helps keep breakout prone skin more blemish free, and have been using the Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil as the first cleanse to remove my makeup. The cleanser is also very gentle, so suitable for all skin types, including those that are dry. I really like this Cleansing Oil and can see myself repurchasing it again and again.
The Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Nourishing Facial Water with Clary Sage is a nutrient-infused drink for your skin to help it restore lost hydration and prepare the skin for moisturisation. It contains among others clary Sage, kiwi fruit water and willow bark extract, and .is used by soaking a cotton pad and smoothing it over the face morning and night after cleansing, and before moisturising. The Facial Water absorbs quickly into the skin and without leaving behind a greasy residue, and it not only helps improve the skin's texture and balance the skin skin’s pH level, it helps it look softer and smoother and fresher too. My skin is combination, so generally not lacking moisture, but coming into the colder months where my skin tends to become drier, it will be a welcome addition to my skincare regimen.
Now that the weather is getting colder, my hands are already starting to feel drier and it has been time to reach for more intensive skincare products, including the Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream. This intense cream contains among others shea butter, bees wax, cocoa butter and sesame and sunflower oil to help keep hands soft and moisturised. And thanks to the added essential botanical oils such as macadamia nut, rosehip, lavender, neroli and borage, it has a light lovely natural scent, which does linger for a while.
The cream is rich and creamy, yet it immediately absorbs into my skin without leaving the hands feeling greasy, so I can get on with things without leaving greasy fingerprints everywhere. And already after the first use, I can tell that it still so intense that it keeps any dryness at bay, but rather leaves my hands softer and smoother. A must try product!
Then there's the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is a longtime favourite of mine and I've actually lost count of how many of these cute little tins I've used up. The cuticle cream has the most amazing zesty lemon scent – my favourite scent, but it is also so effective at keeping your cuticles soft and hence your nails looking nicer. Yes, it is a little greasy, but I love massaging it into my nails at night when I sit on the couch watching TV as it makes such a huge difference for healthier nails. The small tin looks tiny, but it is so concentrated, that it will last you forever, and the small size is perfect for popping into your handbag too when you're on the go.
Finally, there's the Burt's Bees Brightening Dark Spot Corrector. This skin corrector promises to visibly diminish the apperance of dark spots, evening out the skin tone, and create a righter and more luminous complexion. This treatment contains among others aloe leaf juice, mallow leaf, peppermint and lemon and orange extract, as well as daisy extract, and it has a slightly odd scent coming from these natural ingredients. The treatment comes in a pump bottle and it is rather thin, so you do have to be cautious not to spill it. It is to be used morning and night, after cleansing, and prior to serum and moisturiser. The treatment is quite light too, and absorbs into the skin quickly without any greasiness, after using it for a few weeks my skin is definitely looking more even. Darker patches of pigmentation are still noticeable, but the smaller ones, including redness and marks from recent breakouts have faded. This is a great treatment, and I really like that it is so gentle that it is suitable for all skin types, and also my combination skin prone to breakouts. I also love that it is made from 99% natural ingredients and compared to other pigmentation treatments, very budget friendly too.
So there you go, a selection of products from Burt's Bees which I've been enjoying lately. Favourites will continue to be the Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and the Shea Butter Hand Repair along with the Cleansing Oil.
Have you tried any of these, or recommend other products from the brand.
Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil - RRP: $34.95 / 177ml
Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Nourishing Facial Water - $24.95 / 118ml
Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream - RRP: $29.95 / 90g
Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - RRP: $14.95 / 17g
Burt's Bees Brightening Dark Spot Corrector - RRP: $34.95 / 29.5ml
Available from Priceline, David Jones, RY, select pharmacies and Burt's Bees Online
* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Instagram |
The Burt's Bee's Cleansing Oil is enriched with coconut that acts as a natural moisturiser to help keep the skin soft and smooth, as well as argan oil which is rich in antioxidants to nourish the skin. The cleanser gently removes my long-wearing makeup, and without irritating my skin. I admit to not using it on my eyes, where I prefer to use a specific eye makeup remover, but I do like that it can be used on the eyes too. And as for the rest of the makeup on my face, it gently removes absolutely everything - and without leaving my skin feeling sticky or tacky, something that I with my combination skin prone to breakouts always worry about when using cleansing oils. That said, I usually double cleanse my skin, as it helps keep breakout prone skin more blemish free, and have been using the Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil as the first cleanse to remove my makeup. The cleanser is also very gentle, so suitable for all skin types, including those that are dry. I really like this Cleansing Oil and can see myself repurchasing it again and again.
The Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Nourishing Facial Water with Clary Sage is a nutrient-infused drink for your skin to help it restore lost hydration and prepare the skin for moisturisation. It contains among others clary Sage, kiwi fruit water and willow bark extract, and .is used by soaking a cotton pad and smoothing it over the face morning and night after cleansing, and before moisturising. The Facial Water absorbs quickly into the skin and without leaving behind a greasy residue, and it not only helps improve the skin's texture and balance the skin skin’s pH level, it helps it look softer and smoother and fresher too. My skin is combination, so generally not lacking moisture, but coming into the colder months where my skin tends to become drier, it will be a welcome addition to my skincare regimen.
Now that the weather is getting colder, my hands are already starting to feel drier and it has been time to reach for more intensive skincare products, including the Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream. This intense cream contains among others shea butter, bees wax, cocoa butter and sesame and sunflower oil to help keep hands soft and moisturised. And thanks to the added essential botanical oils such as macadamia nut, rosehip, lavender, neroli and borage, it has a light lovely natural scent, which does linger for a while.
The cream is rich and creamy, yet it immediately absorbs into my skin without leaving the hands feeling greasy, so I can get on with things without leaving greasy fingerprints everywhere. And already after the first use, I can tell that it still so intense that it keeps any dryness at bay, but rather leaves my hands softer and smoother. A must try product!
Then there's the Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream is a longtime favourite of mine and I've actually lost count of how many of these cute little tins I've used up. The cuticle cream has the most amazing zesty lemon scent – my favourite scent, but it is also so effective at keeping your cuticles soft and hence your nails looking nicer. Yes, it is a little greasy, but I love massaging it into my nails at night when I sit on the couch watching TV as it makes such a huge difference for healthier nails. The small tin looks tiny, but it is so concentrated, that it will last you forever, and the small size is perfect for popping into your handbag too when you're on the go.
Finally, there's the Burt's Bees Brightening Dark Spot Corrector. This skin corrector promises to visibly diminish the apperance of dark spots, evening out the skin tone, and create a righter and more luminous complexion. This treatment contains among others aloe leaf juice, mallow leaf, peppermint and lemon and orange extract, as well as daisy extract, and it has a slightly odd scent coming from these natural ingredients. The treatment comes in a pump bottle and it is rather thin, so you do have to be cautious not to spill it. It is to be used morning and night, after cleansing, and prior to serum and moisturiser. The treatment is quite light too, and absorbs into the skin quickly without any greasiness, after using it for a few weeks my skin is definitely looking more even. Darker patches of pigmentation are still noticeable, but the smaller ones, including redness and marks from recent breakouts have faded. This is a great treatment, and I really like that it is so gentle that it is suitable for all skin types, and also my combination skin prone to breakouts. I also love that it is made from 99% natural ingredients and compared to other pigmentation treatments, very budget friendly too.
So there you go, a selection of products from Burt's Bees which I've been enjoying lately. Favourites will continue to be the Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream and the Shea Butter Hand Repair along with the Cleansing Oil.
Have you tried any of these, or recommend other products from the brand.
Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil - RRP: $34.95 / 177ml
Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Nourishing Facial Water - $24.95 / 118ml
Burt's Bees Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream - RRP: $29.95 / 90g
Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream - RRP: $14.95 / 17g
Burt's Bees Brightening Dark Spot Corrector - RRP: $34.95 / 29.5ml
Available from Priceline, David Jones, RY, select pharmacies and Burt's Bees Online
* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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17 January 2017
PRODUCT REVIEW: COAST TO COAST
Today I'm going to talk about a brand that is completely new to me, Coast to Coast. I have heard about it many times, but yet to try, when the online beauty shopping site, RY, asked me to put some new products to the test..
Coast to Coast is an Australian brand of skincare products that are made from a combination of Australian organic ingredients, native botanicals, herb extracts and essential oils, which I really love, as well as the fact that the products do not contain any artificial colours or fragrances, no synthetic chemicals, and they have not been tested on animals.
I have combination skin prone to breakouts, and it too me a very long time to realise that I can still use oils on my face. I had the belief that my skin was surely greasy enough, and didn’t' need more oil to clog up the pores. Until I tried facial cleansing oils, and I was immediately hooked. This particular Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Cleansing Oil with Rosalina & Eucalyptus is a light cleansing oil designed to remove impurities from the skin along with long-lasting makeup. The Rosalina and Eucalyptus are antiseptic ingredients that help remove the excess sebum and dead skin cells for a cleaner and smoother skin, that is clean deep down every pore, to also prevent further breakouts. The oil has a very light formula, and comes with a pump so it is easy to dispense just the amount of oil needed. It is then massaged into the dry skin with the fingers with the fingertips, before you emulsify it with a little bit of water, before finally rinsing it off with warm water. And the result is a skin that is soft, smooth, and refined and left feeling refreshed, probably also thanks to the eucalyptus which not only has a slight cooling sensation on the skin, but also gives the oil a fresh natural scent. No dry feeling from the skin being stripped from all essential oils, and no greasiness left behind either. The skin is just feeling lovely.
When I feel my skin needs a little deeper clean, the Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Green Clay Mask with Lilly Pilly and Chamomile is perfect. This clay mask helps absorb and draw out all the excess oil from the skin and deep down all pores. It has been enriched with chamomile, lilly pilly and rosalina, which are astringents that help unclog pores, to reveal a cleaner and more glowing skin. When I use it, I like to first give my skin a gentle exfoliation, and hereafter, either give my face a quick face steam, or put a warm face washer on my face for a few moments to really open up the pores before applying the mask. The light green clay mask needs to be left on for about 10 minutes, before it is rinsed off with warm water. And the result is a clearer and brighter skin, that seems more refined while it is glowing with health. After using it regularly, I have noticed that my skin is appearing to be less greasy, and consequently that not only my makeup seems to stay put looking nice for longer, and that I seem to be getting less of those really nasty breakouts.
Overall I've really enjoyed putting these products from Coast to Coast to the test, and I will be sad the day they come to an end. They are lovely to use, have lovely and gentle natural scents, and simply just feel lovely on the skin. If you're looking for some natural Australian products, then I highly recommend that you check these out!
Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Cleansing Oil with Rosalina & Eucalyptus - RRP: $39.95 / 150ml
Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Green Clay Mask with Lilly Pilly and Chamomile - RRP: $24.95 / 50ml
Available from RY
* Some products may have been kindly provided for editorial consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy, and reviews are 100% honest and based on personal opinion and experience. Note that The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter is not a professional or expert, so please do not substitute these opinions as professional advice. Also note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means you pay no extra, but I get a small commission fee if you click through and buy something. And if so, thank you much for your supporting the running costs of my blog. xx
Remember that in between my blog posts you can always keep up with me on Twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin or Instagram
Coast to Coast is an Australian brand of skincare products that are made from a combination of Australian organic ingredients, native botanicals, herb extracts and essential oils, which I really love, as well as the fact that the products do not contain any artificial colours or fragrances, no synthetic chemicals, and they have not been tested on animals.
I have combination skin prone to breakouts, and it too me a very long time to realise that I can still use oils on my face. I had the belief that my skin was surely greasy enough, and didn’t' need more oil to clog up the pores. Until I tried facial cleansing oils, and I was immediately hooked. This particular Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Cleansing Oil with Rosalina & Eucalyptus is a light cleansing oil designed to remove impurities from the skin along with long-lasting makeup. The Rosalina and Eucalyptus are antiseptic ingredients that help remove the excess sebum and dead skin cells for a cleaner and smoother skin, that is clean deep down every pore, to also prevent further breakouts. The oil has a very light formula, and comes with a pump so it is easy to dispense just the amount of oil needed. It is then massaged into the dry skin with the fingers with the fingertips, before you emulsify it with a little bit of water, before finally rinsing it off with warm water. And the result is a skin that is soft, smooth, and refined and left feeling refreshed, probably also thanks to the eucalyptus which not only has a slight cooling sensation on the skin, but also gives the oil a fresh natural scent. No dry feeling from the skin being stripped from all essential oils, and no greasiness left behind either. The skin is just feeling lovely.
When I feel my skin needs a little deeper clean, the Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Green Clay Mask with Lilly Pilly and Chamomile is perfect. This clay mask helps absorb and draw out all the excess oil from the skin and deep down all pores. It has been enriched with chamomile, lilly pilly and rosalina, which are astringents that help unclog pores, to reveal a cleaner and more glowing skin. When I use it, I like to first give my skin a gentle exfoliation, and hereafter, either give my face a quick face steam, or put a warm face washer on my face for a few moments to really open up the pores before applying the mask. The light green clay mask needs to be left on for about 10 minutes, before it is rinsed off with warm water. And the result is a clearer and brighter skin, that seems more refined while it is glowing with health. After using it regularly, I have noticed that my skin is appearing to be less greasy, and consequently that not only my makeup seems to stay put looking nice for longer, and that I seem to be getting less of those really nasty breakouts.
Overall I've really enjoyed putting these products from Coast to Coast to the test, and I will be sad the day they come to an end. They are lovely to use, have lovely and gentle natural scents, and simply just feel lovely on the skin. If you're looking for some natural Australian products, then I highly recommend that you check these out!
Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Cleansing Oil with Rosalina & Eucalyptus - RRP: $39.95 / 150ml
Coast to Coast Pore Purifying Green Clay Mask with Lilly Pilly and Chamomile - RRP: $24.95 / 50ml
Available from RY
* Some products may have been kindly provided for editorial consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy, and reviews are 100% honest and based on personal opinion and experience. Note that The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter is not a professional or expert, so please do not substitute these opinions as professional advice. Also note, this post may contain affiliate links, which means you pay no extra, but I get a small commission fee if you click through and buy something. And if so, thank you much for your supporting the running costs of my blog. xx
Remember that in between my blog posts you can always keep up with me on Twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin or Instagram
23 October 2016
PRODUCT REVIEW: BURT'S BEES CLEANSING OIL
I am always looking for an efficient cleanser to remove my makeup, so today I'm going to put the Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil to the test..
The Cleansing oil is enriched with coconut that acts as a natural moisturiser to help keep the skin soft and smooth, as well as argan oil which is rich in antioxidants to nourish the skin.
The cleanser is used on dry ands and massaged into the dry face, and once you've massaged it in to dissolve the makeup, you can add a little water to emulsify before rinsing off. As promised it quickly and easily a 'normal' eye makeup remover, but gently removes my long-wearing makeup, and without irritating my skin. I admit to not using it on my eyes, where I prefer to use a specific eye makeup remover, but I do like that it can be used on the eyes too. And as for the rest of the makeup on my face, it gently removes absolutely everything - and without leaving my skin feeling sticky or tacky, something that I with my combination skin prone to breakouts always worry about when using cleansing oils.
But the cleansing oil leaves my skin feeling very clean, soft and smooth, and in fact so hydrated that you could be tempted to skip applying moisturiser afterwards.
As it is so gentle and moisturising on the skin, it is obviously perfect for those with normal to dry skin types, although I still feel that it is great for my combination skin, although, I also admit that I prefer to double cleanse as I feel that doing so helps keep my breakout prone skin, more blemish free - and experience from other cleansing oils when I've used those on their own, and not double cleansed, my skin has very quickly become congested - however, this Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil definitely serves as a great first cleanse.
It is very concentrated and its thin formula means it spreads easily over the face, so you only need one small pump to cleanse your face, and when doing a tissue test afterwards I can see how efficient it is, as there is no makeup left behind on the skin at all.
I also love that it is made from 100% natural ingredients, which means it also doesn't contain any chemical nasties including parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS, and the only the only fragrance comes from the natural ingredients. So all in all a great cleanser that does what it says.
Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil - RRP: $34.95 / 177ml
Available from Priceline, David Jones, RY, select pharmacies and Burt's Bees Online
* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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The Cleansing oil is enriched with coconut that acts as a natural moisturiser to help keep the skin soft and smooth, as well as argan oil which is rich in antioxidants to nourish the skin.
The cleanser is used on dry ands and massaged into the dry face, and once you've massaged it in to dissolve the makeup, you can add a little water to emulsify before rinsing off. As promised it quickly and easily a 'normal' eye makeup remover, but gently removes my long-wearing makeup, and without irritating my skin. I admit to not using it on my eyes, where I prefer to use a specific eye makeup remover, but I do like that it can be used on the eyes too. And as for the rest of the makeup on my face, it gently removes absolutely everything - and without leaving my skin feeling sticky or tacky, something that I with my combination skin prone to breakouts always worry about when using cleansing oils.
But the cleansing oil leaves my skin feeling very clean, soft and smooth, and in fact so hydrated that you could be tempted to skip applying moisturiser afterwards.
As it is so gentle and moisturising on the skin, it is obviously perfect for those with normal to dry skin types, although I still feel that it is great for my combination skin, although, I also admit that I prefer to double cleanse as I feel that doing so helps keep my breakout prone skin, more blemish free - and experience from other cleansing oils when I've used those on their own, and not double cleansed, my skin has very quickly become congested - however, this Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil definitely serves as a great first cleanse.
It is very concentrated and its thin formula means it spreads easily over the face, so you only need one small pump to cleanse your face, and when doing a tissue test afterwards I can see how efficient it is, as there is no makeup left behind on the skin at all.
I also love that it is made from 100% natural ingredients, which means it also doesn't contain any chemical nasties including parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS, and the only the only fragrance comes from the natural ingredients. So all in all a great cleanser that does what it says.
Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil - RRP: $34.95 / 177ml
Available from Priceline, David Jones, RY, select pharmacies and Burt's Bees Online
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23 March 2016
PRODUCT REVIEW: L'OCCITANE EN PROVENCE SHEA BUTTER CLEANSING OIL
Today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the newly
launched L’Occitane en Provence Shea Butter Cleansing Oil;
* Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
What They Say:
Discover a new way to cleanser your skin with shea oil. This
silky texture, enriched with shea oil, leaves skin perfectly cleansed and
fresh, with no oily residue. Without disrupting the skin’s moisture balance, it
helps to remove all impurities and makeup – even waterproof.
RRP: $35 (200ml) – Available from L’Occitane
What I Say:
With combination skin prone to breakouts I have not always
thought that cleansing oils were ideal for my skin. How very wrong I was. And
during winter, my skin does tend to become a little drier, so even I need to
step up the moisture levels. The new cleansing oil from L’Occitane contains 5%
shea oil that helps keep your skin soft and hydrated while removing all makeup.
The cleansing oil does naturally feel oily on the skin at first, but once
rinsed off it doesn’t leave behind any oily residue at all, nor does it dry out
the skin and leave it feeling tight.
To use, I pump a couple of pumps of the oil into my hand and
massage it onto my face to loosen up makeup, dirt and grime, before adding a
little water to emulsify and make it turn milky, massaging for a further minute
or so before finally rinsing my face. And my skin is left incredibly soft and
smooth, and every last bit of makeup removed, even my otherwise longwearing
waterproof mascara, and that without any rubbing or pulling at the sensitive
eye area. And all with just one cleanse – although I always like to double
cleanse, following with a ‘treatment’ cleanser.
The cleansing oil has a nice consistency that is neither too
thick or too runny, and it has a lovely and powdery shea butter fragrance, that
is so soft and delicate that you can only love it.
The L’Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Oil comes in a tall
see-through pump bottle that is easy to use. As well as the shea butter, it
also contains sunflower seed oil, baobab seed oil and vitamin E, to help care
for the skin.
Overall this is a really lovely cleansing oil, and I love
how quick it is to use and how easily it removes all my makeup, so if you like
cleansing oils, I highly recommend that you check out this new Shea Butter one
from L’Occitane, even if you’ve got dry skin, you won’t be disappointed. * Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
1 September 2015
PRODUCT REVIEW: SHU UEMURA BLANC:CHROMA BRIGHTENING & POLISHING GENTLE CLEANSING OIL
Apart from my trusted eyelash curler, I’ve never actually tried any of the products from Shu Uemura. Not even the cleansing oils which have claimed cult status around the world. Until now when I was offered to trial the Shu Uemura Blanc:Chroma Brightening & Polishing Gentle Cleansing Oil that comes in a limited edition2015 artist collaboration with the bottle designed by Paris based accessory and jewelry designer Yaz Bukey. Here are my thoughts;
What They Say:
Moving beyond stubborn makeup removal, blanc:chroma brightening & polishing gentle cleansing oil is the first volcanic clay cleansing oil that works to gently exfoliate and polish away accumulated melano-stains* for brighter, transparent and smoother skin
RRP: $98 (450ml) – Available from Shu Uemura Counters
What I Say:
The design on the collection is based on Yazbukey's imagination, when once upon a time Yaz Bukey and her friends all fell head over heels for the same man! The witty designer shares her tale of feminine intrigue that co-stars a cast of lovable, competitive, and unsettlingly beautiful characters. Yaz Bukey herself playfully performs each character as the campaign model. Her girlfriends are a colourful complimentary clique: British lawyer Lola is a well off blue blood; actress Betty exudes positive California vibes and lives life to the fullest; the worldly Tina is fashion editor of a magazine, creative and daring as they come on one unforgettable night in Paris these girls’ lives will take a dramatic turn. can you predict who will cross the finish line to Mr Shu Shu first?
The cleansing oils are available in 4 limited edition designs, including POREfinish, Anti/Oxi, ultime8 and blanc:chroma.
I tried the blanc:chroma, which is a cleanser designed to make your skin brighter, smoother and more transparent, by polishing away the dead cells containing melanin on the skin surface that cause uneven and dull skin tone.
The cleansing has a beautiful light and fresh scent that you can only love. In spite of it being a cleansing oil, it is surprisingly light. The actual oil is quite concentrated and I find that I only need two pumps to cleanse my face. I start by massaging the oil into my face, to loosen and break down any makeup, and follow by adding a little bit of water to emulsify the oil into a milky cleanser. I then massage my face for a little longer before rinsing thoroughly with water.
Of course you can follow with a second cleanse of the skin with the oil, but personally I prefer to use either a ‘treatment’ cleanser or alternatively a basic cleanser along with my Clairsonic or Foreo Luna as the second cleanse to cleanse deep down every pore.
And the cleanser is so efficient, easily removing even the longest wearing stubborn and waterproof makeup, and in just one go. Of course you can also use it in the mornings when you wake up to get rid of the excess sebum produced during the night, but personally I prefer to use just a basic cleanser in the shower, and find that is more than sufficient too.
I love that the oil cleanser is so easy to use and leaves my skin feeling so clean, but without any greasy residue as you could expect from an oil cleanser, but rather it leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth. And I love that it is very gentle too, so even when used to remove eye makeup, it does this easily and without stinging in my sensitive eyes.
I am yet to see my skin looking clearer or brighter as a result of using the cleanser, but in all honesty, years of build up of pigmentation, also isn’t going to fade that quickly,
The bottle doesn’t come cheap at $98, but it is also a huge bottle that will seriously last you forever, especially if you as me only use two small pumps every night to remove makeup, and as I really enjoy using this cleanser, plus the cute bottle looks amazing in the bathroom too, I find it is well worth the money if you can afford it.
*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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What They Say:
Moving beyond stubborn makeup removal, blanc:chroma brightening & polishing gentle cleansing oil is the first volcanic clay cleansing oil that works to gently exfoliate and polish away accumulated melano-stains* for brighter, transparent and smoother skin
RRP: $98 (450ml) – Available from Shu Uemura Counters
What I Say:
The design on the collection is based on Yazbukey's imagination, when once upon a time Yaz Bukey and her friends all fell head over heels for the same man! The witty designer shares her tale of feminine intrigue that co-stars a cast of lovable, competitive, and unsettlingly beautiful characters. Yaz Bukey herself playfully performs each character as the campaign model. Her girlfriends are a colourful complimentary clique: British lawyer Lola is a well off blue blood; actress Betty exudes positive California vibes and lives life to the fullest; the worldly Tina is fashion editor of a magazine, creative and daring as they come on one unforgettable night in Paris these girls’ lives will take a dramatic turn. can you predict who will cross the finish line to Mr Shu Shu first?
The cleansing oils are available in 4 limited edition designs, including POREfinish, Anti/Oxi, ultime8 and blanc:chroma.
I tried the blanc:chroma, which is a cleanser designed to make your skin brighter, smoother and more transparent, by polishing away the dead cells containing melanin on the skin surface that cause uneven and dull skin tone.
The cleansing has a beautiful light and fresh scent that you can only love. In spite of it being a cleansing oil, it is surprisingly light. The actual oil is quite concentrated and I find that I only need two pumps to cleanse my face. I start by massaging the oil into my face, to loosen and break down any makeup, and follow by adding a little bit of water to emulsify the oil into a milky cleanser. I then massage my face for a little longer before rinsing thoroughly with water.
Of course you can follow with a second cleanse of the skin with the oil, but personally I prefer to use either a ‘treatment’ cleanser or alternatively a basic cleanser along with my Clairsonic or Foreo Luna as the second cleanse to cleanse deep down every pore.
And the cleanser is so efficient, easily removing even the longest wearing stubborn and waterproof makeup, and in just one go. Of course you can also use it in the mornings when you wake up to get rid of the excess sebum produced during the night, but personally I prefer to use just a basic cleanser in the shower, and find that is more than sufficient too.
I love that the oil cleanser is so easy to use and leaves my skin feeling so clean, but without any greasy residue as you could expect from an oil cleanser, but rather it leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth. And I love that it is very gentle too, so even when used to remove eye makeup, it does this easily and without stinging in my sensitive eyes.
I am yet to see my skin looking clearer or brighter as a result of using the cleanser, but in all honesty, years of build up of pigmentation, also isn’t going to fade that quickly,
The bottle doesn’t come cheap at $98, but it is also a huge bottle that will seriously last you forever, especially if you as me only use two small pumps every night to remove makeup, and as I really enjoy using this cleanser, plus the cute bottle looks amazing in the bathroom too, I find it is well worth the money if you can afford it.
*Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
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19 August 2013
Product Review: NEW Clarins Total Cleansing Oil
Having always had a skin prone to breakouts, I know the importance of
making sure that I always remove my makeup completely, so finding the right
cleanser has always been a quest for me. Lately cleansing oils have been
launched by numerous brands, and here are my thoughts on the yet to be launched *Clarins Total
Cleansing Oil;
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"Introducing the first cleanser from Clarins to effectively eliminate all resistant micro-residues linked to the use of new generation cosmetic products: Long hold make-up, high performance UV screens and residue of pollution. A cocooning formula rich in essential fatty acids, it reinforces the hydrolipidic film, to provide skin with comfort, softness and resistance."
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All in all, at $38 for 150ml it is not cheap, but as you use so little each time, it truly is going to last you a long time. And I am really impressed that this Cleansing Oil can remove all my makeup so quickly and easily, without the need to rub or tear at my eye area, and without the need to double-cleanse (which I must admit that I would usually do anyway, using a specific treatment cleanser) – it is so much easier than using a normal gel cleanser, and it still allows me to splash water in my face afterwards, which I really prefer (and hence why I am not the biggest fan of cream cleansers!), and it leaves my skin feeling so amazingly soft and smooth afterwards.
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What They Say:
"Introducing the first cleanser from Clarins to effectively eliminate all resistant micro-residues linked to the use of new generation cosmetic products: Long hold make-up, high performance UV screens and residue of pollution. A cocooning formula rich in essential fatty acids, it reinforces the hydrolipidic film, to provide skin with comfort, softness and resistance."
RRP: $38 (150ml) – Available 26 August 2013 from Clarins Counters.
What I Say:
Having combination skin I’ve always thought that using cleansing oils
would be a bit counterproductive making my skin even greasier, but it turns out
that oil is such an effective way of cutting through the dirt and grease.
The Clarins Total Cleansing Oil contains certified organic perilla and olive oil and claims to eliminate even the toughest of makeup and
sunscreens, while being gentle and caring for the skin. , the formula is
perfectly distributed over the skin coating all resistant micro-residues on
application, even those lodged in pores.
The instructions say to pump 2-3 pumps of oil and apply it
to the face and neck, and then massage in delicately with circular motions to
lift off make-up and impurities. Add just a few drops of water to emulsify it
into a creamy lotion and rinse off.
Using two pumps are
more than enough to cover my face, actually 1 ½ pump is enough! And after
massaging the oil into my skin for about a minute before emulsifying with water
and then massaging again for a minute or so I rinse it off. And I find that it
has completely removed all my makeup, including long-wearing foundation (which
is usually very stubborn), and my waterproof mascara. My skin is left without a
trace of makeup (wiping with cotton ball soaked with toner afterwards proves
this!). And my face is left feeling so soft and hydrated thanks to the olive
oil and perilla oil which are both rich in essential fatty acids preserving the skin’s
natural oils, yet it does not leave
behind any oily residue
either.
I am not
sure if it is ideal to be using the Cleansing Oil to remove eye makeup, but
regardless I did so, and in spite of having very sensitive eyes that easily get
irritated and water, the cleanser did not irritate my eyes at all, - so to me
it really proved how gentle this cleanser really is.
The cleanser has a
very slight but natural scent, and comes in a round see-through bottle
with a pump, which has a removable plastic
clamp, to stop you accidentally pushing the pump and wasting the oil. I don’t
put the clamp back on, but it is a great addition, so you can take the oil with
you when you go on holidays and not risk it spilling all over the other items
in your toilet bag.
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All in all, at $38 for 150ml it is not cheap, but as you use so little each time, it truly is going to last you a long time. And I am really impressed that this Cleansing Oil can remove all my makeup so quickly and easily, without the need to rub or tear at my eye area, and without the need to double-cleanse (which I must admit that I would usually do anyway, using a specific treatment cleanser) – it is so much easier than using a normal gel cleanser, and it still allows me to splash water in my face afterwards, which I really prefer (and hence why I am not the biggest fan of cream cleansers!), and it leaves my skin feeling so amazingly soft and smooth afterwards.
This cleanser would
be suitable for all skin types, from oily to sensitive, so if you’re looking a
cleansing oil, I highly recommend you try it. I have honestly found a new
favourite, I’ll be buying this again.
*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and has
been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.
Keen to try this
Clarins Cleansing Oil when it hits the shelves in a few weeks? Do you use
cleansing oils? Which one is your favourite? And do you use any Clarins
products?
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