PRODUCT REVIEW: FRANK BODY LAUNCHES HAIR DUO WITH STIMULATING SCALP SCRUB AND GO LONGER HAIR MASK

Lately I’ve been talking a lot about Frank Body, the incredible Aussie brand that has become known world-wide for its amazing cruelty free natural products, and not to mention cheeky marketing. 

PRODUCT REVIEW - XMAS GIFT IDEAS FROM COLLINS DEBDEN, FOR DIGNITY, YSL BEAUTY, EFM, AND HTZ HAIR

Less than a week until Christmas, and if you're still stuck for some great ideas, here's a few more for you...

PRODUCT REVIEW: CLINIQUE PEP-START EXFOLIATING CLEANSER, TAKE THE DAY OFF CLEANSING BALM AND LIQUID FACIAL SOAP

Product Review: Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals Blue Plasma

Years of sun exposure, and a recent pregnancy on top has wreaked havoc with my skin. I simply have way more pigmentation than I like. So I am forever in a search for efficient products that can help minimise the pigmentation. Here are my thoughts on the *Perricone MD Blue Plasma;

 

What They Say:

A unique, non-acidic daily peel designed to deliver all the benefits of a traditional peel without redness or irritation. This cutting edge liquid treatment works with Bio-specific Peeling to attack only dead skin cells, Micro-extraction to lift surface debris, unclogging and purifying the skin of build-up and finally Hydro-fusion to rebalance skin's hydration with enriched water. No rinsing needed. Apply and follow with your daily skincare regimen.

RRP: $130 (59ml) – Available from Mecca Cosmetica

Perricone MD Blue Plasma works to exfoliate only the dead surface skin, lifting debris and purifying the skin, and rebalance the skins hydration levels with enriched water. In doing so, it doesn’t damage the skin, as it is not harsh or abrasive, it doesn’t dry out the skin, it doesn’t cause any sensitivity, and best of all, there is no down-time.

 

It promises to give the skin a luxurious luminosity, radiance and glow, with an unparalleled softness and smoothness, giving the skin suppleness with clarity and the brightness of youthful skin.

The Blue Plasma contains among others hyaluronic acid and aloe to help hydrate the skin, hydrolyzed roe (fish eggs!) and urea, to help peel away the dead skin cells on the surface level to help gently speed up the shedding of skin. It also contains L-carnitine, an amino acid, to help unclog and purify congested skin, magnolia bark extract to sooth irritations, and copper gluconate to promote skin cell healing.

 

Having combination skin prone to breakouts, I rely on a good exfoliator to keep my skin clear, I simply have to it regularly or my skin will start getting congested and quickly breakout. Even worse during the summer when the temperatures soar. But fining an exfoliator that is gentle enough for frequent use can be a bit tricky. Enter the Perricone MD Blue Plasma..

As the name suggests, the Blue Plasma really is blue. Clear blue liquid in a frosted glass jar. It looks a little scary to be honest, but I had no need to worry.

After I cleanse my skin at night, but before applying moisturiser, I apply the Blue Plasma. It is very light, and I just need to use 2 to 3 drops to cover my full face. You have to work it into the skin quickly, as it absorbs so quickly, and straight after you can hardly feel you’ve applied it. I then follow with my normal night cream. And unlike any other chemical peeling products that I’ve used, this one doesn’t sting on the face. And it is so gentle that it doesn’t irritate my skin either.

 

Already after the first use I can tell the difference. I simply wake up to soft and smooth skin, and after having used the Blue Plasma for over a month, I am so pleased to say that my scarring from past acne has reduced in both size and appearance, and my skin in general just feels less greasy, especially in the t-zone, and I have less clogged pores, and consequently I have also had less breakouts during that month. And when I do get a breakout, the Blue Plasma seems to help them heal up a lot faster than normal. My pigmentation also seems to have minimised slightly in appearance and size, in particularly one larger and darker spot on my forehead that has been annoying me. My skin is simply brighter and more glowing.

The Blue Plasma comes in a frosted glass bottle with a pipette style applicator, which makes it easy to get just the amount of product you need without wasting any. And well, at the $130 you wouldn’t want to either. The bottle is nice and modern, but obviously care needs to be taken so you don’t drop it on the bathroom floor.

At $130 for 59ml, this is a little expensive, but as you only use 2-3 drops each night, the bottle will seriously last you a long time. After a month’s use I have not even used a third of the bottle, so my estimate is that it will last a good 3-4 months. And with the results I have experienced after a month, I feel it is worth its price tag – also considering one peel a salon will set you back at least the same amount of money for a one off experience.

On the negative, it does have a slightly odd smell – and I say smell, as I am not overly fond of it, as it kind of smells like fish (which comes from the ingredient hydrolyzed roe, which is fish eggs!!), but at least this smell disappears within a few minutes.

 

What I Like:

• My skin is less greasy, congested and has less breakouts
• It is softer, smoother, more even and brighter
• Clears up skin and prevents breakouts
• It is very concentrated
• It doesn’t cause any irritations and works while you sleep
• Is free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances

What I Don’t Like:

• It is a little expensive
• It has a fishy smell, which however quickly fades

Overall, this is an amazing product. It may be expensive and have an odd smell, but it is seriously making my skin so soft and smooth, and it is more even than it has been for years. And as someone who has always struggled with breakouts, it has been so effective at clearing up my skin, preventing breakouts and reducing the appearance of acne scarring. IT really is a facial in a bottle, and for a time-poor new mom with no time to go to the salon, this is fantastic, and for that reason I would definitely purchase this again.

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


What do you think of the Perricone MD Blue Plasma? Have you ever had a peel? Do you use at-home peels?

Event: An Evening with Vogue and Mecca Cosmetica at the Langham, Melbourne

A few weeks ago, on October the 16th, I spent an evening with Vogue at The Langham, Melbourne, where Vogue Australia’s esteemed Beauty Editor Sigourney Cantelo presented Mecca Cosmetica’s Spring/Summer range with Head of Artistry, Tony Baumann. Together, they presented how to wear the standout looks for the season as well as their tips and tricks for the season.

 

This included four key trends for the Spring/Summer 2013, and how to achieve these:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Polished, 3D Skin. Radiant & Contoured.

2. The Statement Lip. Bold Confident Colour.

3. Contoured Eyes. Soft Elongated & Elegant.

4. Foiled Eyes. Modern Metallics.

I also learnt a few new makeup tips from Tony and Sigourney:

1. Lip liner should be applied after the lipstick to 'tidy up' the lipstick application from the bullet

2. To set makeup, loose powder should be used. Pressed powder on the other hand is only for touching up during the day

3. When applying makeup for special occasions, only use a serum , followed by primer and foundation – which means skipping your usual moisturiser as it will make your makeup stay put for longer

4. Tony also recommended using a moisturising mask the night before an event, and you will wake with glowing skin on the day of the event, as well as it will further eliminate the need to use a moisturiser before applying your makeup.

The event also saw the attendees indulging in some gorgeous canapés and delicious deserts, and of course champagne too..

 

 

And of course not to forget, the event was held at the beautiful Langham, in the beautifully decorated Alto room located on Langham's 25th floor with amazing views over Melbourne...

I am so excited to be going back there on Friday when I’ll be indulging in more of the divine deserts at the Vogue High Tea…

*Images Own, PR and Vogue Australia


What do you think of these beauty tips? Are you going to try any of them this season? Have you ever been to the Langham in Melbourne?