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Review: A'kin Purely Revitalising Firming Night Creme

February 7, 2016, 3:03 am
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An undeniably enjoyable part of my cruelty free journey is venturing out and trying out different brands - the lure of the new! - and while the A'kin skincare brand has been around for some years I've only recently started dabbling more seriously in their range.

To share their story, A'kin is one of the natural skin and hair care brands from The Purist Company. Australian owned, The Purist Company has been focusing on creating natural and safe botanical products for the past 15 years and as a result all of their products are paraben free, sulphate free, toxin free, harsh chemical free, certified vegan and animal ingredient/testing free.  They are also a green company, avoiding excess packaging and using recyclable containers to avoid waste.

Bearing all of this in mind I was more than happy to take the opportunity to review some of the products in the A'kin skincare range, as not only am I committed to being cruelty free but I'm also looking for more natural, less toxic products to use on my skin. These are things that might seem so obvious, but only after years of me personally not thinking about it!

A'kin Purely Revitalising Firming Night Creme

A'kin Purely Revitalising Firming Night Creme is a newer product designed specifically for mature skin - that's me!!! Me with the drying out, sheet-printed face in the morning skin because my skin just doesn't bounce back like it used to. Alas the woes of aging...

A'kin describes this night creme as a "...luxurious anti-age night crème that will firm and lift to obtain smoother skin texture, visibly reduce lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity for a younger, youthful looking skin, naturally by combining powerful antioxidants, vitamins and Omega oils to create a night creme that will intensively hydrate and help stimulate your cell production while you sleep so you can wake up refreshed and revitalised looking your best, naturally."

The key ingredients are fragmented hyaluronic acid to stimulate collagen production, and Echium oil which is said to be a rich source of omega oil for reducing deep wrinkles and smoothing out the skin.


My impressions:
I've been using this night creme for a month so I have gone beyond the obvious first impressions but lets go through those anyway:  The first obvious thing as you can see in the pictures below is how lovely and thick textured the creme is - it doesn't budge out of the tub even when turned on its side!  Yet despite being so rich this rubs in and absorbs beautifully, even over facial treatment oils, so my skin simply looks and feels moisturised and not greasy in any way.  Ah yes, there is the barest essential oil scent but it isn't obtrusive in the slightest and fades away quickly - and I have to say that is a plus because my husband had issues with the scent of another natural night creme I'd recently used and half "threatened" to sleep in the spare room! No, I'm not kidding either!




And what do I really think after using A'kin Purely Revitalising Firming Night Creme for a month? They weren't kidding at all with their claims.  My skin looks soft and more refreshed in the morning and I have noticed the distinct reduction in those creases I can get on my face after my nightly 8 hours. They certainly iron themselves out faster too, so my skin appears to have more resilience and "bounce back" than it used to.  Okay, I'm hooked and highly recommend this product for women with mature skin.

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The RRP for 50ml is around $47AUD and I believe it's reasonably priced for a high quality product.
A'kin skincare is available from David Jones, Priceline, selected pharmacies and health food stores around Australia and online here.

Ingredients:
Water,Isostearyl Isostearate,Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter,Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil,Sorbitan Stearate,Cetearyl Nonanoate,Glycerin,Cetearyl Alcohol,Niacinamide,Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vitamin C Glucoside),Sucrose Cocoate,Behenyl Alcohol,Panthenol,Sodium Gluconate,Sodium Lactate,Arginine,Phenoxyethanol,Allantoin,Fragrance,Echium Plantagineum Seed Oil,Sodium Citrate,Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Juice,Ethylhexylglycerin,Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid,Piroctone Olamine,Xanthan Gum,Sodium Phytate,Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate,Citric Acid,Citronellol,Sodium Hyaluronate,Sorbitan Olivate,Salicylic acid,Geraniol#,Potassium sorbate,Linalool#,Sodium Benzoate,Citral#,Limonene#,*derived from botanical sources, # component of the essential oil fragrance. 

Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: Yes
Certified Organic: Yes


Until next time!


(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)
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Essence Happy Girls Are Pretty Collection: 05 Pretty You

February 9, 2016, 12:05 am
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I'm rushing to get this Essence nail swatch post up because the Happy Girls Are Pretty Collection has been out for a few weeks already and you know what that means.  As with most LE collections it's the quick or the dead...

Pretty You is a simply chic neutral beige and though I favour shades like these on my skin in the summer months, if you're a little less pale than me you can get away with this all year round.  I found the formula quite opaque and I'd recommend a single coat as the second coat actually went on a little too thick and uneven for me.  Honestly, I should have just quit while I was ahead because one coat was just fine!  Wear time was around 4 days without chips and I was suitably happy with that.  

I haven't worn Essence polish for a while but I still think they're a great quality product for their bargain price.  Now onto some pictures because it's the colour that you want to see rather than me putting you to sleep with my rambling again!

All pictures taken in indirect daylight:



Have you bought anything from the Happy Girls Are Pretty collection?

Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: To be confirmed
Certified Organic: No



Until next time!

(This product was purchased by me.) 
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Summer lippy selections! [Cruelty Free]

February 11, 2016, 1:59 am
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Quick - before the season's over here's my summer lip post!

Now, I haven't been following the S/S 2016 trends all that closely but for me personally this summer has been all about the extremes when it comes to lip colours.  I'm either choosing soft and sheer washes of colour or crazy bright lips - oh, okay there has been the occasional nude lip thrown in but not enough to warrant more than a passing mention! It's all about colour for me, so I've been favouring pinks, mauves and corals.

I'm really enjoying the bright lip, defined brow combination for an easy pulled together look whether it's been for work or an occasion, whereas a sheer lip with just a hint of colour has been the perfect pick-me-up for a 'rush out the door' situation  - you know, when the weather's just too hot or humid for me to bother with much more yet I don't want to be completely barefaced. 

So here's my little lippy wardrobe sharing my recent favourites. They're all unabashedly pretty, optimistic 'summer fun in the sun', and not too be taken too seriously shades - and all bunny friendly too of course!


Going in order from left to right (or gloss to matte) these are:
  • The Body Shop Flavoured Lip Gloss (Watermelon) - The flavour/scent reminds me more of honeydew melon actually but that's beside the point.  I like wearing this alone for that hint of watermelon pink colour with a lot of juicy shine.  Summer's just got to be the best time to wear a juicy gloss!  The handy tube makes it one of those pop in the pocket and go lip options, and this gloss is also a great moisturising formula. 
  • Essence Sheer & Shine Lipstick (11 All About Cupcake) - I look at the new Sheer & Shine range more as tinted balms than lipsticks and they're perfect for a low key lip. I've been enjoying two shades as they've got just the right depth of tone to add a bit of flush to my lips rather than washing them out. Don't be fooled by the vibrant looking lipstick bullet above because All About Cupcake is a very sheer and natural coral pink on the lips. 
  • Essence Sheer & Shine Lipstick (07 Sparkling Miracle) - The bullet looks like a deep blue toned mauve but again it swipes over the lips with a sheer wash of flattering pinky mauve and I like having the cooler alternative to All About Cupcake.  
  • Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick (Rosé) - This warm pink lipstick is a longtime favourite for spring/summer and I reach for it whenever I want a bright but warm pink lip.  It's just the right balance of playful yet grownup enough for me to get away with at the office too. 
  • Too Faced Melted Lipstick (Melted Fuchsia) - Melted Fuchsia is a knockout punch, vibrant blue toned pink but I love it.  It instantly brightens up my face and I really don't need to do much else to look like I've made an effort.  It's more of a playful weekend choice for sure - the slight candy scent adds to the fun - and deserves to be seen during the day!
  • Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick (Muse) - This is a bright coral but the most sophisticated choice of the bunch because of its matte finish.  I feel slightly retro in this lipstick and it's great paired with a groomed brow for a polished summer face.

Here are all the lippies swatched in the summer sun (of course!) in reverse order from above:
Muse, Melted Fuchsia, Rosé, Sparkling Miracle, All About Cupcake, Watermelon

I obviously like my corals and pinks!

What lip colours or finishes do you favour in summer?



(All products purchased by me.)
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FABY: Don't Disturb My Puppy

February 16, 2016, 2:37 am
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Hello again!

 Can we just take a moment to appreciate how ridiculously cute the name of today's nail polish is? Don't Disturb My Puppy is definitely cute but what does it have to do with the colour?  Well FABY have stretched it a little with their description of this pastel eggshell blue polish as "...Pastel baby blue, sweet like a new puppy".  Okay then, whatever you say - although I've personally yet to cast my eyes over a pastel blue puppy except for a cuddly toy! 

Application was as trouble free as I've come to expect with FABY polishes and two coats provided perfectly opaque coverage.  Wear time was average and this chipped on me after a few days, although I did some heavy duty cleaning the day I painted my nails and I wasn't protecting my manicure with gloves so that might explain it.   And the colour...well it's just as cute as the name as you can see in the pictures.

All pictures taken in indirect daylight:




Cruelty Free: Yes (PETA)
Vegan: No
Certified Organic: No


Until next time!


(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)
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Review: Nude by Nature Pressed Mineral Cover. The 'hard' facts...

February 17, 2016, 9:20 pm
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I received Nude by Nature's new pressed mineral cover foundation quite some months ago for review and I initially, unconditionally loved it and was set to write a rave review when things started to change...


I sat on my thoughts for a while and then after seeing someone else write their same experience on one of my Instagram posts I decided I should share mine -  you'll see that this isn't going to be a product bashing review but more of conflicted one because this pressed powder foundation is still good but it has one annoying drawback!

Let's start with the good shall we? 

Nude by Nature says....
"The Pressed Mineral Cover (10g) is made of an antioxidant-rich, hydrating formula that illuminates the skin with a flawless coverage. Buildable from a medium to full coverage, it instantly minimises the appearance of pores and wrinkles. The powder foundation is composed of performing active natural ingredients, including the native Australian Kakadu Plum, known for its abundant Vitamin C content, and Cehami Extract, to which hydrates and nourishes the skin. The fragrance-free formula also contains Vitamin E, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter to help perfect your complexion.


KEY BENEFITS

Lightweight texture 
Buildable from a medium-to-full flawless coverage 
Semi-matte finish 
Perfectly evens-out the complexion 
Instantly minimizes appearance of pores and wrinkles 
Controls oil and shine 
Long-lasting, up to 8 hours"



My impressions:
Most mineral products are packaged in the potentially messy loose powder form but I like convenience and portability so I'm a fan of this pressed powder version in its slimline packaging. I always like a product that can pop into my makeup bag for easy touch ups!  The compact also comes housed in a matching fabric pouch, with a powder sponge that I admittedly never use as I prefer a brush for buffing in mineral foundation and I always carry a retractable kabuki brush anyway.

As I've mentioned in recent posts I'm becoming more interested in what I'm actually applying to my skin these days so the list of quality natural (and some native) ingredients like Kakadu Plum, Jojoba and Shea Butter that are actually going to do something good for my skin is a definite selling point for me.  

As for the coverage itself? It's easily built up by buffing into the skin, resulting in a natural looking finish that doesn't look made up or obviously powdery or cakey so I find that all of the uneven pigmentation and redness in my skin simply buffs away with this mineral cover.  It feels very light and not suffocating in the slightest and because of the moisturizing ingredients it makes my skin look surprisingly almost dewy which is not something most powder foundations do.  As for the 8 hour claims?  The cover lasts well throughout the day without breaking down or creasing around the nose so I'm not rushing off for a midday touch up. The only claim I find I disagree with is "...instantly minimizes appearance of pores" as I do find I still need a bit of help from a primer before applying to minimize any significant pores. 

There are five shades ranging from fair to dark - I've personally found it's best to go with a shade lighter than you think you need because these can add quite a bit of depth and warmth to your complexion and can oxidize slightly.  I'm an NC20 (in the old MAC language from my previous life) and currently using Light/Medium although I think Light would be a better shade match for me.

Obviously there's a lot I like about this pressed mineral foundation - to the point that I went and purchased a backup! So far so very good...




Now look below at what happened after I'd been using it for a while. This powder unfortunately formed a stubborn shiny hard pan on its surface making it difficult to pick up product, and that despite daily scraping with a spoolie brush the hard pan reformed again, and again and again...  You might ask:  does trying a scratchy, dense brush help?  Unfortunately no matter what brush I tried, nor how vigorously I swirled that brush into the pan that pesky hard pan would form yet again.


You're probably thinking that I gave up and threw this out but, no, I still loved how it looked on my skin once I could get some out of the pan and I was prepared to scratch up the surface every day if necessary until I finished the entire pan - which I did!

As I mentioned I do have that backup too that I'm currently using, and I'm watching it like a hawk to see how it fares.  If it's just as problematic with forming hard pan then I guess it's back to choosing loose mineral powders for now...

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Ingredients:
MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, LAUROYL LYSINE, KAOLIN, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, JOJOBA ESTERS, TAPIOCA STARCH, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, CERA ALBA (BEESWAX), CENTIPEDA CUNNINGHAMII (CEHAMI) EXTRACT, TERMINALIA FERDINANDIANA (KAKADU PLUM) SEED OIL, CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) SEED OIL, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, TOCOPHEROL, POTASSIUM SORBATE, MAY CONTAIN: +/- [C.I. 77007 (ULTRAMARINES), C.I. 77491 (IRON OXIDE), C.I. 77492 (IRON OXIDE), C.I. 77499 (IRON OXIDE), C.I. 77891 (TITANIUM DIOXIDE), C.I. 77947 (ZINC OXIDE)].

Cruelty Free: Yes (PETA)
Vegan: No (contains beeswax)
Certified Organic: No

Until next time!


(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)
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Barry M Aquarium Collection: Mediterranean

February 20, 2016, 10:37 pm
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I was quite excited to come across a Barry M stand in my nearest Big W store and I was immediately taken by some of the polishes!

Barry M is a budget cruelty free brand from the UK which has finally launched in Australia via the Big W chain.  From the social media images I'd seen I was most interested in their nail polish line and I wasn't disappointed when I came across it in person - especially their Aquarium Collection although I was very restrained and stopped at just one bottle because it was the most unique shade.

When I spotted the shade called Mediterranean I knew I didn't have anything quite like it in my collection but I couldn't decide whether it would look good or hideous on me - a rose/yellow "mirror" duo-chrome could be hard to pull off!  Fortunately the colour looked interesting in a good way once it was on my nails.  I can't be quite as glowing in my praise for the formula though as it was a little thick, making application a bit tricky so I ended up with visible brushstrokes and some pooling at the tips of the nails.  Still, who doesn't enjoy watching a sunset on their fingertips?

All pictures taken in indirect daylight



Have you tried Barry M cosmetics?  Do you have any product recommendations for me to try?


Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: Yes
Certified Organic: No


Until next time.


(This product was purchased by me.) 
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Natural doesn't always mean Cruelty Free...

March 1, 2016, 12:29 am
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I suppose I could have also titled this post "Learning from my mistakes" or the old "When you assume you make an ass out of u and me"...

Oh well, I said going Cruelty Free was a journey and because I still consider myself to be a newbie I shouldn't beat myself up too much over the fact I've had a couple of trip ups along the way! Doing my research is the primary thing that is going to keep me on that CF path and one thing I've discovered so far from my research is that:  Not all "natural" brands are created equal and therefore natural does not automatically mean Cruelty Free. 

I hope you don't consider this a name and shame post.  I'm just sharing one of the first lessons I've learnt and I'll limit myself to mentioning the non-CF yet natural brands that I still have in my collection and those I unwittingly bought after I switched to cruelty free because I assumed.  I've got to admit that what makes things a bit tricky is how brands can change their status at any time so to bring up yet another cliche, it's like being on shifting sands.

[Source]

Let's get down to the serious part: I have 5 natural, yet not necessarily Cruelty Free brands in my collection (and no, I'm not going to add to the animals' plight by throwing products away).

The first two brands are longstanding favourites. L'Occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn are brands which I have purchased from for years, have featured on this blog many times and I still have a lot of love for the quality of their products dammit! I knew that L'Occitane wasn't CF but Crabtree & Evelyn was a sad surprise for me and I think their status has changed only recently. I found that out with a bit of digging after I made my last purchase from them having assumed they were CF.

Australian brand Jurlique was another surprise to me personally because a natural, Australian brand means it's going to be Cruelty Free right? Well not according to their website as you can read below. Again I'd acted on my uninformed assumptions and bought some products from them in the latter part of last year before I checked the facts.

The last two natural non-CF brands in my collection are Fresh (makers of those amazing lip balms), and the Korean brand Innisfree which was a recent discovery for me, and I was led to believe to be CF but I'm now not so sure about their status. I read in a Singaporean magazine last year they were Cruelty Free so I bought quite a few products in the excitement of discovering a new ethical brand, however on closer investigation I don't feel confident as you'll see from my research later in this post.

In case you're interested in what the brands have to say on the subject, I have supplied detailed information sourced as directly as possible on these brands' stances on animal testing below so you can read and judge for yourself whether you agree with their reasoning.  I can see that some brands are at pains to state they are working towards developing alternatives and I support this, however I personally am not prepared to spend any more money on their products until they are 100% Cruelty Free.

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L'Occitane's position on animal testing as stated on their website (here):
"L’OCCITANE does not and has never tested its products, its active ingredients or its raw materials on animals at any point in the product development or manufacturing process. This principle applies similarly to our raw material suppliers.

L’OCCITANE is fundamentally committed to the abolition of animal testing of beauty products worldwide. In China, where our products are retailed, the local Chinese authorities request testing on some cosmetic products sold on the Chinese market, as they view it as the best way to safeguard their consumers’ safety. Our company does not conduct those tests; they are done by Chinese laboratories, approved by local authorities on a limited animal panel.

To move forward we decided to develop our relationship with the Chinese authorities to pledge the case for the end of animal testing for beauty products, through open dialogue. Since 2010 we have therefore engaged in a dialogue with the relevant authorities, as well as animal rights NGOs. Our goal has been to highlight alternatives techniques used in Europe where animal testing has been banned since 2004. This constructive dialogue has led to a series of advances in Chinese regulation including a decision to end this type of tests as of June 2014, on so-called ordinary cosmetics that are manufactured and packaged locally (shampoo, perfume etc.), as well as on imported hygiene products (soap, toothpaste etc.).This is a first step. L'OCCITANE will continue to work proactively for these alternatives to be implemented as soon as possible for all of our products.

We remain of the firm opinion that it is by working from inside China that we will be best placed to further influence Chinese regulation and put an end to animal testing. L'OCCITANE will continue to work proactively with the Chinese experts committee from National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological Products, for these alternatives tests to be implemented as soon as possible for all of our products." 


Crabtree & Evelyn:
The brand has not addressed the question of animal testing on their website however they have confirmed via correspondence to cruelty free blogger Cruelty-Free Kitty  early in 2015 they "...do not submit [their] products for animal testing by third parties anywhere in the world except where required by local law.” [Source]


Fresh's position on animal testing as stated on their website (here) :
"We do not test our products on animals nor do we permit others to do so except where it is required by law. We are deeply committed to the elimination of animal testing and we are playing a leading role in developing alternative methods through our support of the “Fund for Alternatives to Animal Testing” in the United States and the Opal Program in France. Additionally, we are one of only a few companies to have invested in creating our own internal department to test raw materials and ingredients to further ensure the quality of our products and the satisfaction of our customers, which is our foremost priority. We are hopeful that alternative testing methods will be adopted worldwide and we will see an end to animal testing."


Jurlique's animal testing policy as stated on their website (here):
"At Jurlique, we have always believed passionately in providing our consumers with highly effective, potent skin care products, developed with respect for our environment and without the use of animal testing.

We adhere to the strict requirements of the European Cosmetics Directive (76/768 ECC) and the European Commission Regulation (1223/2009), which prohibits the commissioning and testing on animals, of products and ingredients, for the purpose of developing new cosmetic products. Our skin care products are tested on consenting human volunteers by means of a “Cumulative Irritation Test” which determines the irritation and/or sensitisation potential of a product after repeated application to the skin of human subjects.

We do not test our cosmetic and therapeutic products on animals as part of our product development process, or outsource this activity to any third parties, nor have we ever included animal testing in our product development process in the past. We work closely with our ingredient vendors to ensure they are aware of our company values and policies. We continue to adhere to the strict requirements of global cosmetic regulations regarding animal testing, with utmost respect for our customers and environment.

Additional Information Relating to Local Market Laws

In China, local laws and regulations require that all cosmetic products imported into China undergo animal testing to demonstrate consumer safety as part of the product registration process.

Finished product samples are required to be submitted to a third party laboratory in China for testing in order to generate a safety profile for the product. This is a mandatory legal requirement applicable to all cosmetic products imported into China.

Considerable research has been undertaken into non-animal testing alternatives and China's State Food and Drug Administration, or SFDA, has recently implemented a new registration process for certain cosmetics produced in China which means that animal testing will no longer be mandatory for these products. We are encouraged by this progress, and are eager to see China amend its laws to extend this to allow alternatives to animal testing for imported cosmetic products. We will work closely with our Chinese agent to ensure that the alternative testing methods are utilized for our products as soon as they are approved."


Innisfree: 
The brand has not addressed the question of animal testing on their website so the most direct confirmation of their position came from this post on Reddit:
"I am new to reddit so feel free to remove this post or tell me if I am doing something or posting something wrong. I am a big animal lover and I have recently chosen to become cruelty free as well as vegetarian. I also love Korean cosmetics however it has become clear to me that many brands test or participate in third party testing. I have come across the korean cruelty free list and Innisfree is on the non-tested checklist however it some products do contain animal products and they also sell in China which is not cruelty free. However I messaged their global page about animal testing and this was their first response.
"This is innisfreeworld.
Thank you for visiting innisfreeworld Facebook page. We ban animal testing. No any animal-based ingredient is used for innisfree product. Hope this answer was helpful.
Enjoy shopping with innisfreeworld. Thank you!"

Seemed a little suspicious so I dug a little further and noticed that a Youtuber from Hong Kong stated that Innisfree is available in China so I asked them about that and this is their response.
"This is innisfreeworld.
For your inquiry, only some products produced and sold by innisfree China corporation may need some animal testing due to a legal obligation. Our Chinese corporate body is separated from us so they produce and sell products by themselves in Mainland China. Therefore, all innisfree products are normally produced in Korea and don't use any animal-based ingredients. Several alternative methods have been used instead of animal testing, such as artificial human skin, the HET-CAM, or using eyes of slaughtered ox.
Therefore, you may not hesitate to try our product. Hope this answer was helpful.
We will be happy to assist you. Thank you. "

Concerned over the slaughtered ox eye thing so not to sure about that. But what I am really curious about is if the brand has a separate organization located in China and not sold to China would that make the company located in Korea cruelty free? Still pretty knew to being cruelty free and have only been a vegetarian for about 3 months so tell me anything you think I should know! I hope to try brands like Beyond as I know they are against animal testing. Koreadepart has a non-animal testing section but I don't know how accurate that is. Thanks again!
Edit: Just found out that China no longer required animal testing on regular cosmetics that are produced and sold in China as of 2014. Still not sure if I can buy from this company because it does not necessarily mean they are cruelty free but here is a link to an FAQ http://www.hsi.org/assets/pdfs/bcf_china_cosmetics.pdf"


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I'm not preaching, just explaining my position and it's up to you how you base your decisions.

Until next time.

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Sportsgirl Nail It! polish: Speckled Lilac

March 3, 2016, 3:27 am
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After my last rather wordy piece I wanted to lighten it up a bit around here with a pretty little nail polish post!

Now that I'm focusing on Cruelty Free products I've been digging through my nail polish collection on a mission and finding some hidden gems like this one from Australian fashion chain Sportsgirl.  I often go looking through Sportsgirl's bargain baskets for discounted polishes and that's how I ended up buying Speckled Lilac.  This polish melds the prettiest lilac creme with a rainbow mix of glitter which remind me of candy sprinkles, known fondly as "100s & 1000s".  This polish was very easy to apply and looked perfect in two coats.  Sadly, the fact that I found this in the bargain basket means it's discontinued. On the upside, Sportsgirl continue to roll out wonderful affordable Cruelty Free polishes so that will give me an excuse to visit their counter again!

All pictures taken in indirect daylight



And just in case you haven't seen 100s & 1000s...

That's enough eye candy for now!

Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: U/K
Certified Organic: No


Until next time.


(This product was purchased by me.) 
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Review : A'kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil

March 9, 2016, 1:44 am
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Rosehip oil is a popular (and sometimes necessary) addition to many a skincare regime because of its benefits including:  increasing the skin's moisture, reducing scarring and redness from conditions such as rosacea and acne, reducing pigmentation and reducing the signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.  I could go on but see http://www.rosehipoil-benefits.com/ if you want to read more about this wonder ingredient and its many uses!

In any case I personally had not taken this as seriously as I could have until recently when I started to take my own skincare routine more seriously in general - I'm at the age where I can no longer rely solely on good genes and I'm looking for all the non-invasive help I can find to keep my skin feeling supple and looking as radiant as I naturally can.  I don't have problematic skin but I also don't have young skin any more if you know what I mean, therefore I was happy to receive a bottle of Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil from A'kin.

A'kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil

Akin says:
A'kin's Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil has a high concentration of Vitamins A and E and Omegas 9, 3 and 6 essential fatty acids and a concentration of Omega essential fatty acids that is "no less than 80%."

"Not All Naturals Are Created Equal"
What makes this rosehip oil special is the way it is extracted from the rosehip seeds "using a supercritical [CO2] extraction method, which works without the stress of high temperatures, to guarantee the purest most potent oil is recovered".  In plain English this means the oils are extracted at low temperatures which preserves the purity of the fragile plant ingredients and produces a more effective product with a longer shelf life.  A'kin compares this to the advantages of cold pressing juices over regular juicing. 

A'kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil is suitable for all skin types and claims all of the skincare benefits I listed in the introduction:

"Helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 
Helping to increase skin suppleness and elasticity 
Improving the appearance of dull skin 
Improving uneven skin tone 
Hydrating skin"



My impressions:
I have been using the oil nightly and the dropper easily dispenses the exact tiny amount (3 drops) of golden liquid oil which is all I need to hydrate my entire face.  It immediately feels rich yet not too greasy for my normal/combination skin, and I enjoy the very delicate natural rosehip scent which fades away quickly.  The oil massages in quickly and absorbs well, leaving my skin feeling smoother and - positively silky! - and ready to apply my night creme immediately afterwards.

I deliberately didn't read anything about rosehip oil while using this product so I didn't know what to expect and wasn't looking for any particular changes, but after around 4 weeks of use I have noticed my skin texture has improved and softened slightly, and the hyper-pigmentation and redness on my cheeks is also less noticeable - I'm wearing lower coverage makeup as a result which was an unexpected bonus! Not surprisingly then, A'kin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil has now become an essential step in my nightly facial routine.

Using only 3 drops per application means this bottle will last quite a while which is fine as A'kin says the extraction process means an extended shelf (or bathroom cabinet) life.  


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Price:  RRP $19.95
 A'kin skincare is available from David Jones, Priceline, selected pharmacies and health food stores around Australia and online here.


Ingredients:
Rosa Canina Seed extract [CO2] (certified organic),Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract

Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: Yes
Certified Organic: Yes

Until next time!


(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

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Butter London: Disco Biscuit

March 10, 2016, 10:11 pm
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I haven't looked at Butter London polishes for a long time but I'm reacquainting myself because of their Cruelty Free status.

Disco Biscuit (which was the nickname for a tablet of Ecstasy according to Butter London's own dictionary!) is a bright fuchsia jelly with a lovely mix of blue micro-glitter which only enhances the squishy jelly-ness of it. This is such a pretty polish without being overly cute and I adored the colour. I was happy to get great coverage in only 2 coats but I did have to add several layers of top coat to smooth over the surface.  Micro-glitters can be surprisingly thirsty and swallow up the top coat!  Unfortunately this manicure didn't wear very long on me and started chipping after a day or so, although I'll admit to putting it through some pretty heavy housework the day I applied it. I should have just put my feet up and admired it instead...
  
Indirect daylight


Full sun


Butter London is 3 free and contains no formaldehyde, no toluene and no DBP.


Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: Yes
Certified Organic: No


Until next time!


(This product was purchased by me.) 
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Empties! February 2016

March 20, 2016, 11:39 pm
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I'm later than usual so here we go...

Skin care

La Clinica Anti Ageing Stem Cell Complex 3 Day Cream (50ml/1.76 fl.oz)* CF - This made my skin feel firmer immediately after applying and I liked the non-greasy matte finish which provided an excellent non-slip base for makeup.

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-Up Remover (150ml/5.0 fl.oz) CF - This is now one of my favourite removers as it's as soothing and refreshing as water but it shifts the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup. 

Sukin Micellar Cleansing Water (250ml/8.46 fl.oz) CF/Vegan - I liked this but didn't love it as it felt a bit astringent rather than refreshing on my skin.


NIVEA Vanilla & Macadamia Lip Butter (19ml)* - This used to be one of my favourite thick, emollient (and yummy) lip balms for overnight use but sadly I won't be able to buy any more until it's CF.

Hand and body care

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat (13.3ml/0.45 fl.oz) - Another ex-favourite off my list.  This did a great job of quickly sealing in my manicures but I'm switching back to China Glaze for now.

L'Occitane Karite Rose Shea Butter Hand Cream (30ml/1 oz) - I feel a bit guilty because this was a magazine freebie from earlier this year.  I still have a few more backups lurking around as I used to stockpile this stuff because it's so good *cries*.

Avon Foot Works Cracked Heel Relief Cream (100ml) - I haven't bought this in over a year but I still have 2 tubes left.  I mainly use it in the warmer months to keep my heels silky soft and prevent cracking. No repurchases after that though.


Crabtree & Evelyn Lily Gift Set (Bath & Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Body Cream, Fragranced Soap) - This was a set I received as a Christmas gift over a year ago and it's taken me so long to get through my backlog and use it (along with the soap not shown for obvious reasons).  The quality was typically good as C & E products are but the scent was a standard floral so I didn't hate it or love it. 


Sukin BioNatural Skin Oil (60ml/2.03 fl. oz)* CF/Vegan - This is a really nice body oil and so easy and quick for an after-shower moisturiser to replenish and restore youthful silkiness to the skin.  I can see myself buying more because it lasts ages and is very affordable too.

Rexona Clinical Protection Summer Strength Antiperspirant Deodorant (45ml/48 g)* - It worked very well as an antiperspirant but not so well as a deodorant. The search continues...

Hair care

Schwarzkopf Extra Care BB 11 in 1 Hair Beautifier (100ml)* - I actually really liked this as a detangler and softener for my hair as it did the trick without weighing down my fine hair at all and protected it from any hairdryer-induced frizzies.  Not a bad drugstore hair care product but this was the last of my non-CF hair products.

Cosmetics

I'm back counting my progressive tally in my 2016 Makeup Use Up:

5) L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara (Black)* - Some people don't like the flexible tapered brush but it was my friend once I got the hang of it and the volumising formula was great too for creating big lashes with minimal coats. Unfortunately not CF.

6) Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer (Light/Medium) - Don't be fooled by the sample sized tube because this primer took months to finish.  It was a great brightening base for eye makeup and anchored it in place but Benefit aren't CF so this won't be on my repurchase list. 

7) Face Of Australia Eye Pencil (Brown) - Face of Australia used to be CCF accredited but sadly are no longer and I can't be sure of their CF status.  The pencil?  It was reasonably creamy and smudgeproof but I have a lot of dark brown backups in my collection. 

Now I'm off to toss out all the trash!

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)
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FABY: Sunglasses and Bikini

March 25, 2016, 8:38 pm
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We're now well and truly into Autumn but a few weeks ago the weather still felt distinctly summery so I chose a manicure to go with those summer feels...

Sunglasses and Bikini is perfectly named and this blue cream lacquer from FABY reminds me of a cool, deep swimming pool.  Application was trouble-free and done in two coats.  Wear time was pretty good too with no chips appearing until day 4 and removal was nice and clean with no blue-green staining left behind on the nails or cuticles.  I must say that FABY nail lacquers have consistently impressed me and I find their quality comparable to other salon brands like OPI and Essie.

All pictures taken in indirect daylight:




Cruelty Free: Yes (PETA)
Vegan: No
Certified Organic: No


Until next time!


(This product was provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

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Introducing Mia Höytö skincare

March 30, 2016, 3:39 am
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Mia Höytö is a line of organic skincare products all the way from Finland that has finally made its way down here to skincare lovers in Australia. I'm therefore pretty excited to be introducing the brand to you as well as sharing mini reviews of some of the products!


To give you a little bit of info about the brand - as I like to do - Mia Höytö Cosmetics was the brainchild of the Mia Höytö, a young Finnish woman, "...whose enthusiasm for organic food grew into an interest in natural cosmetics care."

Mia is a beautician who had difficulties finding products to protect her own delicate skin against the harsh Northern climate so she went ahead and developed her own nurturing and organic skin care line, which was initially launched in 2012 and is Ecocert-Certified.

Mia Höytö has only just launched in Australia and is exclusively available at Natural Supply Co. The lovely ladies very kindly sent me a selection of these quite luxurious skincare products to try so let me tell you a little bit about them...


  • Kaunis Facial Cleansing Gel (30ml or 150ml full size) - The best thing about cleansers is the immediate feedback you get from them and the immediate gratification you get from a good cleanser. This is a great cleanser and my favourite product from the trio I tried here.  It's a clear gel that manages to be refreshing yet gentle at the same time while thoroughly cleansing my skin.  The gel works into a low foam which has this amazingly light and fresh scent - I don't know is it marine? green floral? - that really appeals to my nose.  Most importantly my skin feels clean and not the slightest bit dry or tight afterwards.  Fun fact:  Kaunis means beautiful in Finnish.
  • Lempeä Uni Intense Repair Skin Therapy Multivitamin Oil Serum (30ml full size)  - This serum is very light feeling and easily absorbed and I find a single pump dispenses enough product for one application.  Again it has an amazing delicately natural scent that disappears all too quickly for my liking but I thoroughly enjoy the added sensory stimulation as I rub it into my skin!  The serum is enriched with Vitamins A, B C and E to boost elasticity and brighten the skin, and while it's a little early for me to talk about longer term effects this does immediately make my skin feel a little plumped up and as soft as the proverbial baby's butt. I do love that so I will religiously continue to use it!
  • Unelma Intensive Moisturising Cream (15ml or 50ml full size) - This is a very rich textured cream formulated to rehydrate dry skin.  As my skin is a comfortable combination of normal to slightly oily at the moment I prefer to use it as a night cream and it's perfectly suitable for that too.  It's unscented and is undoubtedly rich as you'll see from the picture below yet it absorbs nicely over an application of serum and leaves no greasy feel on the skin. I just wake up with soft skin in the morning.

And here they are on the back of my hand so you can see the different textures:

Overall I have found these products agree very well with my combination, maturing skin and I appreciate how the range has a minimalist yet luxury look and feel about it too.  If you are looking for new luxury organic skincare to try I'd definitely recommend the Mia Höytö range, especially as some products are available in the handy travel sizes so you can sample before you make the commitment.


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Kaunis Facial Cleansing Gel Ingredients:
Aqua (water), Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water (cornflower water), Decyl Glucoside (sugar based cleanser), Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (aloevera leaf extract), glycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Parfum, Geraniol, Linalool, d-Limonene.

Lempeä Uni Intense Repair Skin Therapy Multivitamin Oil Serum Ingredients:
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Parfum, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol

Unelma Intensive Moisturising Cream Ingredients:
Aqua, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Persea Gratissima Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Cera Alba, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil, Ribes Nigrum Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Citral, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, d-Limonene.


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Australian readers can find the full range of Mia Höytö skincare at Natural Supply Co

Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: U/K
Certified Organic: Yes


(Products were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)
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Essence Happy Girls Are Pretty Collection: 06 On The Choco Side of Life

April 6, 2016, 4:55 am
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This is a rather nice polish with a rather weird name.

I apologize for taking so long to getting around to wearing On The Choco Side of Life because I know the shelves have been cleared of the Happy Girls Are Pretty Collection.  Oh well, in the off chance you see it somewhere or wanted to track it down - here it is.  Chocolate is a theme that's being embraced this season, with some brands even launching full lip collections and this polish sort of taps into that without being too full on chocolate per se.  I think it's more of a bronze and it leans into neutral territory but that's what I like about it.  I applied two coats here and sealed with top coat.

All pictures taken in indirect daylight:




Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: To be confirmed
Certified Organic: No



Until next time!

(This product was purchased by me.) 
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Empties! March 2016

April 8, 2016, 3:53 am
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Hey there! I'm getting rid of more empty stuff and sharing my thoughts as per usual...

Skin care

Jurlique Purely White Skin Brightening Cleanser (80g/2.8 oz) - I bought this tube Duty-Free on my way to Singapore last year because I'd forgotten to pack a cleanser so decided to splash out on a luxe one. This foaming cleanser did feel quite velvety and luxurious but I didn't notice any significant brightening effect and Jurlique is off my purchase list these days.

SODA & Co Lip Balm (Orange Splash)* CF - These little balm pots are so much fun and I liked the orange/cocoa scent of this one.  I have a cocoa pot to get through and I'll consider getting some more in future once I dwindle my backlog a bit.  The formula is lightweight and melts upon touch with the fingertips so it's like applying melted butter to the lips.

Hand and body care

Bath & BodyWorks Maui Shea & Vitamin E Shower Gel (88ml/3 fl.oz) - These B & BW products were another old vacation purchase tucked away for a rainy day which finally came as I work through my stash of non CF products.  The shower gel lasted quite a while as I didn't need to use much to get a healthy soft lather and I enjoyed the summery floral scent.

Bath & BodyWorks Maui Shea & Vitamin E Body Lotion (88ml/3 fl.oz) - This was a nice consistency for a body lotion as it was easy to rub in yet substantial enough to provide lasting moisture for my skin.


Avon Nail Experts Rose Cuticle Balm (11.5g/0.406 oz) - This cuticle balm has been long discontinued so I won't go on about it.  It did the trick and smelt like - guess what? - roses!

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Therapy (25g/0.9 oz) -  I enjoyed the summery marine scent of this rich hand cream.

Hair care 

Moroccanoil Clarify Clarifying Shampoo (250ml/8.5 fl.oz) CF - Damn I love this shampoo! Not just because it deep cleanses buildup from my hair but because the scent is AMAZING! Have Moroccanoil thought to bring out a fragrance because if they haven't they need to! I will definitely buy this again.

Cosmetics

My progressive tally in my 2016 Makeup Use Up is increasing oh so slowly:

8) Max Factor Masterpiece Glamour Extensions 3-in-1 Volumising Mascara (Black)* - Damn I wish this was a CF product because this has been my favourite mascara in recent times. It volumized and defined my lashes and the reverse cone-shaped brush was perfect for getting right down to the base of the lashes for separation and creating a fan-like effect. Sad. So sad.

9) Tom Ford Concealing Pen (02 Light Medium) - This was so expensive for such a meh product.  Would not repurchase even if I could. 

10) Rimmel Colour Show Off Lipstick (110 Pink Gossip) - This bright pink matte lippy is now discontinued.

I'm done and dusted for another month!

(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

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Kester Black: Sugarplum

April 11, 2016, 12:51 am
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I'm really starting to embrace the autumn colour palette now so cue the purple polish.

Sugarplum is from Melbourne-based brand Kester Black who specialize in 5-free, vegan nail polishes in fashion-forward shades so they are right up my alley these days!  Sugarplum is a bright warm-toned purple that reminds me of a berry that fruits on the Lilly Pilly tree (now go Google that if you're interested). Being a warm shade of purple this doesn't drain the life out of my hands so it was very flattering to wear, and the application itself was easy - smooth, no flooding etc. The polish wore well for around 5 days before it started to look a little ragged at the edges. I think that's all you need to know!

All pictures taken in indirect daylight:




Cruelty Free: Yes (Leaping Bunny certified)
Vegan: Yes
Certified Organic: No



Until next time!

(This product was purchased by me.) 
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Natio Bloom Eyeshadow Palette (swatches and review)

June 15, 2016, 5:44 am
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Well, hello yet again!

 I'm back from my unannounced blogging holiday and *hangs head* this post was sitting in rough draft form for 2 long months. I was toying with what to do but as I'd promised it on Instagram all that time ago I decided to honour that promise so I've finished it and here it is...

My eye shadow palettes have been multiplying like mushrooms in my collection lately - let's face it, isn't every brand bringing out new palettes? Anyway, I wasn't planning on buying any more leading up to my recent trip to Japan.  Yes, I went there again but that's not what this post is about.  This post is about my palette addiction apparently.  Regardless of my good intentions of restraint when I saw the new limited edition Bloom palette from Australian brand Natio's Naturally You collection I got a little irrationally excited, especially because I had enough loyalty points saved up at my local drugstore to score it for free...


Had I bought it, it would have cost me all of $19.95 which is still extremely affordable for a 12-pan palette of eye shadows...and the Bloom palette is full of dusty rose shades that remind me of a palette - which shall remain nameless - which is just a little more expensive, if you know what I'm talking about? Yes I'm winking at Urban Decay right now! So I was easily able to justify this little "gift" to myself without too much agonizing at all.

Okay, so for a 20 dollar-ish palette this is a very pretty and sturdily packaged affair, in a clear but quite weighty plastic case that lets you see all the shades at a glance.  The double-ended applicator included in the palette is something that I'd only use in case of an emergency and there's no mirror - but it's just under $20 so I'd forgive those little things because it's ultimately all about the shadow itself for me.

Onto the swatches in a little bit where you'll see that the pigmentation varies according to the depth of the shades.  The lighter shades are the sheerest on the skin but the intensity of pigment builds up as the shades get to the deeper, plummier end of the palette.  I found there to be a good mix of mattes and shimmers throughout, with a single sparkly shade - a light pink which turned out to be my least favourite.  I tried using it as an eye shadow topper but it resulted in quite a bit of sparkly fallout on the tops of my cheeks.

Other than that one pesky shade, overall I've been enjoying this palette.  The shimmery shades have just enough shimmer to impart a bit of glow to the lids but aren't OTT crazy so they're all daytime appropriate.  The shadows all blend out well, compliment each other, and the range is broad enough to do everything from a pink pastel lid to a deep plum smokey eye.  Wear time is pretty good too as they last all day on my eyes without fading.

The shadows are swatched on the back of my hand:












Anyway I apologise for the extreme lateness of this review but if you're interested I have seen the Natio Bloom palette on sale for $14.96 at the Myer website here. Yes, you can still snap this up if you're quick!


Ingredients:
Talc, Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Dimethicone, 2-Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Phenoxyethanol / Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride, Tin Oxide. May contain: CI 77019, CI 77891, CI 77266, CI 77499, CI 77491, CI 77492.

Cruelty Free: Yes 
Vegan: Yes
Certified Organic: Yes



Until next time!


(This product was purchased by me)
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Cruelty-Free Empties | Quarter 1 2017

April 10, 2017, 12:35 am
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Long time no blog...THE BLOG IS BACK!!!

Because I knew I'd be back here eventually I've been diligently collecting all of my empty Cruelty-Free products since January to share my thoughts with you.  The plan is to do these empties posts quarterly rather than monthly - partly because they can get a bit repetitive, and partly because I'm not planning to post more than once per week at this stage.  I didn't like the idea of 1 in every 4 posts being devoted to my trash.

The overwhelming majority of these products were my own purchases so - as always - you can be assured of my honest opinion.  Of course I'll indicate where products have been sent by PR and, yes, my honest opinion still holds there too.  In this post you'll notice a lot of products are from The Body Shop, mostly courtesy of an advent calendar I've been working my way through.  Also, if it seems some categories are underrepresented (like moisturiser!) it's because I have some old non-CF products I'm using while they're still good and they obviously won't be mentioned here.

SKIN CARE

Natio Cucumber & Aloe Micellar Cleansing Water (200ml/6.7 fl.oz)
I bought a bottle of this last year and liked it enough to snap up two more bottles at the Natio warehouse sale. It's very gentle, has minimal scent, and is very effective at cleansing with no residual stickiness.

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Wipes (10 wipes)
I don't generally use wipes any more but I bought these for travel.  They did the job of removing makeup well enough although they were quite small - also the cucumber scent was quite strong and I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked that or not.


The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Make-up Remover (150ml/5.0 fl.oz)
This is my favourite eye makeup remover and a repurchase.  It feels as gentle and refreshing as water but it really gets to work on breaking down waterproof makeup.

Face of Australia Gentle Make-up Remover (125ml/4.23 fl.oz)
This was another repurchase I'd picked up on sale.  This is also effective on dealing with waterproof mascara although it did leave some greasy residue behind.


The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream (15ml/0.5 oz)
This cream was rich enough to feel as though it was doing something for my skin, without feeling greasy at all.  It is quite heavily perfumed though and my husband - tactful guy that he is, usually - mentioned that my face smelt like hand cream!

Trilogy Rosehip Vital Moisturising Cream (20ml/.67 fl.oz)
I used this little sample tube as my night cream and it lasted weeks! Again, a nicely rich but non-greasy formula that sinks in to the skin and wouldn't be too heavy for daytime use.  This cream had a pleasant orange flower scent, which thankfully was not overpowering at all.

HAND & BODY CARE

Natio Spa One Minute Miracle Body Polish (400g/14.1 fl.oz) 
This was an uplifting lemony scented, super scrubby salt scrub that made body exfoliation a breeze.  This scrub also contains soybean and sesame oil so it's a multitasking scrub and body moisturizer in one. I loved it and can see a repurchase in future.

Uni Organics Lift Me Up Invigorating Body Wash (500ml/16.98 fl.oz)*
This pump bottle lasted me months and months because I only needed 3 or 4 pumps to get a good lather going in my shower puff.  The blackberry extract made for a soft fruity scent and the moisturizing formula cleansed my skin without drying it out.

Natio Wellness Hand Wash (240ml/8.1 fl.oz)
I received this in a wellbeing subscription box and I have purchased it before so I know it quite well.  This hand wash is gentle on my chronically dry skin so I don't have to rush for the hand cream afterwards.  The only issue is the runny formula can get a little messy, dribbling down the front of the bottle and onto the bathroom vanity.


The Body Shop British Rose Petal-Soft Hand Cream (30ml/1.0 fl.oz)
Okay so I really didn't like this. I did enjoy the fresh, rather crisp rose scent - the scent is a great youthful, modern interpretation of rose - but the hand cream seemed to evaporate from my skin rather than absorb and offered minimal moisture. It was no surprise for me to see alcohol in the ingredient listing then!

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Shimmer Lotion (60ml/2.0 fl.oz)
This was one of the surprises in my advent calendar. It was insanely sparkly and I'm well past the clubbing phase so I only wore it, you know, around the house...

The Body Shop Frosted Plum Body Butter (50ml/1.6 oz)
Thankfully this was shimmer-free so I didn't mind slathering the sweet scented butter on my body for some more heavy duty moisture.


The Body Shop Fijian Water Lotus Shower Gel (60ml/2.0 fl.oz)
This shower gel had a rather clean and subtle marine scent and I really enjoy simple, clean crisp scents especially in the shower. I just looked up the website and the full Fijian Water Lotus range is still available - I might be considering a full-size purchase in the future.

The Body Shop Fuji Green Tea Body Scrub (50ml/1.75 oz)
Sorry but this was another disappointment. Totally ineffective as a body scrub. There were nowhere near enough scrubby particles, suspended in a thick slippery gel.  I didn't get the point of this product because it didn't seem to do anything.


Norsca Clear Passion Flower 24hr Anti-Perspirant Deodorant (150g/245ml)
This was okay but not as long wearing as it claims to be.  Norsca did have a roll-on version which I'd prefer but I can't find it anymore so I've switched to...

Mitchum Women Advanced Control 48hr Shower Fresh Roll on (50ml)
Now this keeps sweat and odour effectively at bay through anything - and I am a sweaty Betty! I'm using my backup right now.

HAIR CARE

Alchemy Ylang Ylang Shampoo and Macadamia & Wheat Protein Conditioner 
(500ml/16.9 fl.oz each)
I bought these in a pack at Costco and used them together so I'll review them as one unit. As these products are rich in botanical ingredients with no artificial fragrance they have a pleasantly unisex natural herbal scent.  Although having said that, I had them all to myself so these big bottles took months to finish - and they take a lot of room in my compact shower! These were gentle enough to use every day and I noticed how the shampoo cleansed my hair without leaving it feeling stripped and the conditioner did its thing without leaving my fine hair weighed down.


Essano Argan Oil of Morocco Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner 
(300ml/10.14 fl.oz each)
Essano products all seem to smell like heaven and that's a large part of the reason I rushed out to buy these after trying out some samples. The sulphate-free formula shampoo felt creamy and rich when lathering my hair and left it feeling clean without being stripped or overly tangled.  The conditioner made my hair feel silky, and left it smelling amazing!


Aesop Classic Conditioner (50ml travel size)
This was a very thick conditioner which was a challenge to squeeze out of the little bottle although somehow it felt quite light on my hair.  It has a very strong herbal oil scent which I liked but might not be to everyone's taste. I'm happy to use complimentary bottles from hotel bathrooms but I don't love this enough to make a purchase.

FRAGRANCE

The Body Shop Italian Summer Fig EDT (10ml/0.33 fl.oz)
I have the full size bottle of this Mediterranean (as my mind imagines it because I've never been there) scent.  It starts off quite sharply green but mellows out and warms up nicely after a while.  Notes are: "...sparkling, refreshing shades of green notes and vine leaves, combined with honey fruit figs. The heart adds floral flavors of rose spiced with saffron while the base calms down the floral-fruity union with warm, woody notes of oak and amber".


COSMETICS

Stila Lip Glaze (Guava)
I liked this but didn't get hyped up over it.  The nude-pink shade is flattering and lovely over a nude lipstick but I wore through the tube in record time.

NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Setting Powder - Pressed
Again this was like rather than love, because of the packaging.  The powder does a great job of setting makeup without adding any colour or any powderiness (you know what I mean?) but it was hell to get out of the waffle-backed pan towards the end. I may try the loose version sometime in the future when I get through my powder backlog.

ModelCo Fat Lash Volumising Mascara (Black)
This mascara was certainly inky black and effectively volumising too. The brush has a scary ball-tip but once I got used to it, it worked well for separating and getting into the inner corner lashes.

Face of Australia Colour Max Blush (Outback Nutmeg)
For an inexpensive blush this warm peach was a favourite and low-fuss enough for everyday wear.  Medium pigmentation meant I could gradually build it up without fear of too obvious blush.

Bite Beauty Luminous Créme Lipstick (Rosé)
This creamy formula has been superseded by Amuse Bouche so just know that I did enjoy wearing this lipstick and have previously reviewed it glowingly on the blog.

Bareminerals bareSkin Perfecting Veil (Light to Medium)
This mineral powder did a nice natural looking job of setting my makeup, adding a hint of extra coverage.  It did need a little touch up in the middle of the day but I forgave that because I loved the look on the skin.


So that is 3 months' of empties for you!  I look forward to posting here again soon.
Please leave me a comment so we can have a little chat.


(Products marked * were provided for my consideration.  All comments and opinions are my own.)

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My Cruelty-Free Experience So Far

April 17, 2017, 11:48 pm
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I’ve been a cruelty-free (CF) beauty consumer for almost 2 years now – I honestly can’t believe how quickly that’s gone by.  It’s high time I revisit my thoughts on what it’s been like and whether the approach I adopted has worked for me.

You know, I can’t say going CF has been overly difficult or expensive for me, especially as I decided initially not to declutter anything from my collection.  From the time I made the decision to go CF, before I considered culling anything I switched the direction of my spending and because of shifting sands of the beauty industry when it comes to who is and isn't CF at any given time it turned out doing that alone wasn’t a bad idea.  

After finding out who is and isn't CF (my favourite sites are Cruelty-Free Kitty and Logical Harmony) my biggest challenge has been keeping up with the changes in CF status:  Non-CF brands that I previously loved and purchased from became cruelty-free (Stila, and Marc Jacobs are two recent examples that come to mind) and one favourite CF drugstore brand, Burts Bees, actually lost their CF status only to recently regain it. My head was almost spinning over that one.  I would have been especially disappointed to part with products from such brands only to find them on the list again! 

 I’m definitely not judging those who decide to declutter their collections of non CF products as part of the switch and I can see why they do.  Decluttering non-CF products from your collection may be symbolic – cutting the old ties maybe? -  and doing it on social media delivers a strong message to your audience. Until the laws on animal testing change universally it’s a personal decision to go CF and I think it should work for the individual.  

My gentle way of easing in to transitioning my collection has been using those non-CF products up largely outside of the social media space (except for popping up as empties in my Instagram “Makeup Use-up” challenge), and even giving myself permission to enjoy them, then moving on to CF options. Over time as those older non-CF products no longer interest me or expire they’re moved out of my collection. Recently I've become better at parting with things and because it felt like the right thing to do I donated a whole bagful of unused(!) products to a charity. 

For that reason I don’t judge people for being too rigidly CF or not CF enough. If we are all somewhere along the path that is all that matters to me.  As Tashina from Logical Harmony recently tweeted:  "Instead of being upset if someone doesn't fit your standard of cruelty-free, support that they are on their own cruelty-free journey."

The parent company issue is one that continues to divide the community too.  Some consumers decide to avoid brands that are owned by a non-CF parent company (all power to you because a full boycott will hurt!) and some like me choose to support these CF brands in the hope the parent company recognises - if not being moved by the ethical argument alone - that CF is where the dollars are to be made.  In support of the latter approach, I see that Logical Harmony is also encouraging consumers to support newly CF brands like Smashbox where the parent company is not CF.  See the article here.  Again, I'm not judging.  Do what is best for you.

Do I get pangs for the brands that are off the list?  I’m human and after years of spending my money on certain luxury brands I still get a bit wistful when I see pretty new things but I no longer follow those brands on social media and I tell myself that if and when they see the light I’ll support them again. Having said that there are enough luxury CF brands out there to satisfy any cravings for the finer things (like Charlotte Tilbury, Chantecaille or By Terry for some really chic luxe products) and I haven’t really scratched the surface with those.

Anyway my stream of thought is exhausted. What are your thoughts? If you have made the switch to CF, what’s made it easier for you?

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Dusty Pink Blush Favourites | Cruelty-Free

April 26, 2017, 3:04 am
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Since becoming a beauty blogger all those years ago (6 years ago if you check...) one of the biggest changes to my makeup routine was the addition of blush - yes I was one of those people who loved makeup but didn't wear blush. I've seen the light since, especially since I became more serious about perfecting my base with higher coverage products and then having the need to bring the life and colour back to my artificially perfect but nonetheless pale skin!  

There are a few shades of blush that I gravitate towards more often, and as the weather moves through autumn and into winter, dusty pink tones feel more appropriate than the warmer corals I love in spring and summer. I don't think there are too many posts out there talking about dusty pink blush so hopefully this will be interesting for other paler skinned types like me!

There are four cruelty-free options I have on rotation and I reach for all of these blushes quite regularly because they are so fuss-free, natural looking and they consistently last all day without fading. They also pair well with the cooler nude, plums and berry red lip colours I like to wear as the cold weather closes in.


Clockwise from left these are:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush (Mood Exposure)
It may look subdued in the pan but don't be fooled. This luxe blush is marbled with ambient lighting powder in Mood Light so the soft plum provides a luminous rose glow on my cheeks. The other plus: these Hourglass blushes are so finely milled that a little goes a long way. I barely need to touch my blush brush into the pan - my favourite brush to use is the Real Techniques blush brush because it is so soft - and it picks up enough colour to liven my cheeks.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Exposed)
This famous matte shade is described by Tarte as a nude pink and when you compare my swatches below you can see it's ever so slightly warmer and more nude than Mood Exposure.  It's that perfect neutral shade that works with everything so I get why it's such a go-to. It's the blush I wear when I don't know what blush to wear or when I don't want to think about what blush to wear. I've just convinced myself this is the only blush I need to pack for my next trip, whenever and wherever that is...

Illamasqua Powder Blusher (Naked Rose)
Illamasqua calls Naked Rose a neutral beige pink and yes it's pretty subdued when I consider it on its own but in this dusty lineup it practically pops as a cool pink and to be honest I wear this shade from autumn through to spring!  This blush is another matte and looks beautiful on paler skin giving a hint of pink flush. I love pairing it with cooler neutral eye shadow looks.

Natio Blusher (Rosewood)
This blush from Australian brand Natio is almost a dupe for Tarte Exposed, perhaps just leaning a hint more toward peach territory - this is probably more of a dusty peach if there is such a shade. In any case it wears as a neutral, very natural looking blush on me. Rosewood is another quite pigmented powder blush so a light tap of the brush into the pan picks up enough to dust onto my cheeks. The colour seems to meld with my skin somehow too so it looks like my own healthy cheeks rather than makeup sitting atop them.

And now for some heavy swatches on my arm...

 L -R:
 Mood Exposure, Exposed, Naked Rose, Rosewood

To think I never cared about blush! I've certainly made up for it now and I have a drawer full - well, maybe half full...

What blush shades do you wear in the cooler months?


(All products purchased by me)
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Natural Supply Co Haul | First Impressions

May 2, 2017, 12:12 am
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Who doesn't love the occasional bit of online shopping? I hadn't done any significant shopping in a while but I recently made a few purchases at Natural Supply Co.  Taking advantage of a discount code sale and free standard shipping over $99 I bought quite a few things that I knew I'd get into using straight away.  I'm being a bit more selective in my choices these days but all of these products are things I use on a regular basis so there's no impulse shopping or buyer's guilt happening here.

While I use these kinds of products I've not tried most of the brands before so I'd like to share my first impressions with you.  Being first impressions I'll try to keep my thoughts short and sweet!


GROWN ALCHEMIST PURIFYING BODY EXFOLIANT (5.7 oz/170ml)

They say:
"Grown Alchemist Purifying Body Exfoliant with Pearl, Peppermint and Ylang Ylang is a revitalising body exfoliant formulated with a sensuous, nutrient and antioxidant rich blend of botanical and pearl bioactive ingredients designed to gently remove dead skin cells, leaving the skin noticeably softened, smooth, deeply cleansed and feeling refreshed."

My thoughts:
I like shower products in squeeze tubes as it makes it easy to get just the right amount without the mess so this was a thumbs up before I even tried it.  I do enjoy the subtle peppermint and ylang ylang scent which made for a refreshing combination and the scrubby particles are effective at doing their job, leaving my skin feeling smooth afterward.


LASH FOOD INSTANT EYE MAKEUP REMOVER (100ml/3.4fl.oz)

They say:
"LashFood Conditioning Instant Eye Makeup Remover is a conditioning dual-phase formula that moisturises lashes and instantly removes even the toughest makeup formulas.

LashFood Conditioning Instant Eye Makeup Remover was uniquely formulated to minimise lash loss and breakage when removing mascara and eye makeup. The dual-phase formula activates when shaken and instantly removes even the most stubborn waterproof formulas. Its gentle yet effective ingredients will leave skin feeling soft and lashes hydrated."

My thoughts:
I always use dual-phase removers so clearly I'm a fan of these.  The Lash Food remover is one of the more gentle formulas I've tried - it doesn't sting or burn (like another luxe brand I've been using lately), doesn't feel overly greasy and it easily removed my waterproof mascara in one application without any tugging or panda eyes afterward.


ONLY GOOD NATURAL HAND WASH - NOURISH (300ml)

They say:
"Only Good Natural Hand Wash in Nourish helps to gently cleanse and condition your hands as it nourishes skin with clever natural moisturisers coconut and shea butter."

My thoughts:
A bit of a backstory:  I have dry, sensitive skin on my hands so I've had to become fussy about what I use to wash them, and make sure I always carry hand cream to keep them from drying out and cracking.  I've found that switching to gentle, more natural formulas has made all the difference and I'm no longer plagued with winter eczema, so you can understand why I've become rather fussy about what I wash my hands with!

I've only been using the Nourish hand wash formula for a few days but I can tell that it agrees with my skin.  The wash has a delicate coconut scent, works up into a creamy lather and leaves my hands feeling clean but not stripped of moisture.  The 300ml bottle is just the right size to fit nicely on the edge of the bathroom basin too and the packaging is a practical plastic but attractive enough to look at home in any bathroom.


LA MAV ORGANIC BIO-ACTIVE PRIMER (50ml.1.7fl.oz)

They say:
"Suitable for all skin types, the new La Mav Organic Bio-Active Primer locks moisture into the skin whilst creating the perfect hydrated base for your foundation application. 

La Mav Organic Bio-Active Primer evens skin tone while creating an even base to aid foundation longevity. It firms and plumps skin, while soothing and nourishing."

My thoughts:
I wasn't sure if I'd like this because I have an oily T-zone but so far I'm truly loving it.  I was worried that a hydrating primer = shiny skin but this primer effectively mattified my skin once I applied it.  It's definitely different to any primer I've tried as the white lotion initially feels tacky on the skin before it dries.  Because it's not my usual silicone-based choice, my makeup seems to "grip" or adhere to my skin better over the primer for more opaque but still smooth coverage and it lasts all day without the need to powder at midday. It's still very early days - and I need to try this under a range of foundations - but this is the product I've been most seriously impressed with. Now I'm curious to try other products in the La Mav range!


PHR  PROFESSIONAL DETOX SHAMPOO (375ml)

They say:
"The PHR Professional Detox Shampoo combats dull and lifeless hair by removing built-up dirt caused by styling products, chlorine, salt water and other daily impurities.

With a combination of soothing Chamomile and Nettle Extracts, this rejuvenating shampoo brings back bounce and shine to the hair. Using natural wheat proteins this product hydrates even the most dry and brittle hair."

My thoughts:
This shampoo is quite a runny formula but it builds up a generously creamy lather and the scent is very subtle to the point that I can't really describe it.  It cleaned all the product buildup from a hair salon appointment the day before and didn't leave my hair feeling stripped or in a matted, overly tangled mess.


BON LUX VOTIVE CANDLE - SWEET SMOKE

They say:
"BON LUX Sweet Smoke combines the mysterious smokey scent of a beehive, and the crackle of a forest fire. This candle blends notes of honey and beeswax with woodsmoke and spice."

My thoughts:
I've picked the perfect winter's night candle scent for the family room and this medium sized candle effectively projects its scent into our high ceiling space. I enjoy how different this scent is as it conjures up memories of an open fire but with a slightly sweet, spicy twist.


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All of these products were purchased by me and are available at Natural Supply Co.

Natural Supply Co provide free standard shipping for all orders over $99 and express and international shipping are also available.  

Until next time!

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Planning On Panning? Tips For Using Up Your Makeup

May 10, 2017, 2:39 am
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 So you’re thinking of doing a project pan or something similar to get the satisfaction of actually using up some of your makeup…


If you have a normal – now sometimes called a ‘minimalist’ – makeup collection you won’t need to read this post because you’re probably going to use a product up before you replace it. However if you’re a makeup collector/blogger/vlogger/hoarder/lover like me then you’re less likely to have that satisfaction without applying some kind of focus and restraint.  

Not long ago I was approached by one of my social media friends to share some info on project pans and the like - I’m not an expert but I do like to give myself a focus or target at the start of each year to use up some of my beloved products and as a result I’ve done project pans, beauty ‘diets’, and makeup use-up challenges all with reasonable success.  Through trial and error I've figured out what works, or not, for me so if you’re interested in getting through some makeup here are my suggestions:

  • Before you begin you might want to set yourself a SMART goal of what you hope to achieve in your project pan.  In case you haven’t heard the term, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Rather than having a vague idea you can be a little more organised in how you approach it – last year I set the challenge of 50 makeup empties in 12 months (I'd managed to finish 44 the previous year so I was reasonably confident) and I managed to get there right at the end of the year!  Go ahead and Google SMART if you want to learn more about the technique.
  • Go through your collection and look for products  that you have a reasonable expectation to finish (half-worn lipsticks, panned powders, lip glosses etc).  It certainly helped me choosing everyday products that are on high rotation and sticking with those.
  • Choose to use what you love and enjoy.  It’s so much easier to keep grabbing for a lipstick that you know is truly flattering. And that means don't keep those expensive products for 'best’ – they expire too (how unfair!) and it’s disappointing when an expensive lipstick goes bad just because you didn’t allow yourself to use it.
  • On the other hand it’s always more of a struggle trying to force yourself to finish up a product you don’t like just to be rid of it - if something really isn’t working for you, decide whether to finally remove it from your collection – give it away if it’s hygienic to do so, or toss it in the garbage if it can’t be passed on to someone else.
  • Try a ‘one out one in’ approach to get through products more quickly – I have one pressed powder that I use daily and won’t open another until it’s done.  Other things I can keep to a minimum I do too (e.g. I only have 2 concealers, and 3 mascaras - waterproof, everyday, and volumizing – open at the moment)
  • Create a list of what you want to use and check the empties off the list as you go – I found this very satisfying because I actually like ticking off to-do lists.  You can create your list in whatever format you wish - it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or high tech. To be honest my list has been handwritten on a notepad! You can add to your list at any stage too if you can see there are additional products you love using and think you can finish.
  • Put the products you’ve selected to use in an everyday makeup basket or drawer for easy access and so you don’t have to think about it.
  • Give yourself an occasional break from your panning mission e.g. every weekend, one weekend a month, one week every few months depending on your needs to allow yourself the freedom to use whatever you like.
  • You might want to take step back from beauty spending and think about going on a low-buy - if not a no-buy - so you can focus on enjoying what you have already. Doing this makes me grateful for what I have and as a bonus my spending habits have changed as a result.
  • Finally, if you’re on social media share your progress for that extra support from your audience – they will encourage you as you go and keep you accountable too! They're your virtual support group! I personally love seeing used makeup on social media more than pristine pans and lipstick bullets – it shows genuine love for what the person owns - so I'm more likely to comment on those posts.
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If you're about to embark on your own mission I hope some of these ideas help you too - When I look at them now I don't think they're anything more than commonsense really but it did take me a while to get there myself.

I wish you the best of luck!

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Bite Beauty | Sweet Cream Amuse Bouche Lipstick

May 20, 2017, 12:07 am
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Ever since Bite Beauty reformulated and relaunched their lipsticks in the Amuse Bouche formulation last year I was keen to try one for myself.  Being a big fan of the original Luminous Crème formula I was disappointed at first to hear it was discontinued, then wondered how they were going to top it.

Revisiting my thoughts on the Luminous Crème lippy in a 2013 post I loved it because of the glide-on application, moisture-rich comfortable creaminess and the antioxidant ingredient resveratrol, the free-radical fighter found in red wine. I was raving like a crazed fan-girl in the original post so I won't link it directly but you can find it if you click on Bite Beauty in my blog labels. Also, as the original formula has been discontinued it's more of historical (and hysterical!) reference. 

So, the new Amuse Bouche lipsticks promise "bold, creamy lip color" and are "..made with 12 edible oils and triple milled pigments...", to provide, "...saturated lip color with weightless coverage".

Now, the shade I chose in Sephora called Sweet Cream, reminded me a lot of my old Bite lipstick, Rosé, in the shade at least as this warm coral pink looks very similar in the bullet... 

Sweet Cream:

Rosé (this bullet is all finished now):

...but there are some differences I've noticed in swatching and wear.  The new formula has slightly more drag on application, is less glossy and is definitely heavier in pigment.  It's less of a cream and more of a satin so it looks less luscious on the lips - slightly more ageing on me than the previously creamier, sheerer formula - but it stays put better than its predecessor and there is absolutely no bleeding.  

The colour stayed true on my lips from breakfast to lunch and only a minor reapplication was needed after lunch so it would be a good choice for those who don't want to worry about touching up their lipstick throughout the day and prefer a bullet over a liquid lip colour. Also being a bullet lipstick it faded evenly rather than flaking off or drying the life out of my lips and my lips felt comfortable all day.



Arm swatch:

And a selfie after a few hours of wear. There's slight fading but no bleeding:

So do I love this as much as the original? I feel there's a slight trade-off between that moisturizing feeling and longevity of wear but I do prefer a longer wearing, pigmented lipstick for work wear and Amuse Bouche ticks off those requirements for me.  Yes, this lipstick aficionado grudgingly admits this is a better lipstick.  And yes, resveratrol is still one of the ingredients too.

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  Ingredients:
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil**, Glyceryl Rosinate*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter**, Triisostearyl Citrate*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil**, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil*, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil**, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Cera (Wax)*, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil*, Flavor (Aroma), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax*, Acacia Decurrens Flower Wax*, Polyglyceryin-3*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract**, Silk Powder*, Pearl Powder*, Glyceryl Oleate*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables*, Trans-Resveratrol*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil**, Almond (Prunus Dulcis) Oil**, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil**, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil**, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil**, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil**, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil**, Siraitia Grosvenorii (Monk Fruit) Extract*. +/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)*, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499)*, Carmine (Ci 75470)*, Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 40 Lake (Ci 16035), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 27 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742)*.


(This product was purchased by me)
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My Lazy 'No Makeup' Makeup Routine | Cruelty Free

May 29, 2017, 11:46 pm
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Now that I'm on a break from working life my attitude to makeup has changed.  I have the freedom to experiment more without worrying about looking work appropriate - Great! - but I also have freedom to wear very little, or no makeup if I want to.  

Who am I kidding? No makeup?! I've been a makeup junkie since my teens so no makeup isn't going to be a thing I choose very often but 'no makeup'makeup on the other hand is something that I do like.  My skin isn't perfect, as I do have some uneven pigmentation, hereditary under eye circles, visible pores and fine lines, but considering my age it isn't horrible so there are days I just want to look like a fresher version of me.  


Everyone has their own interpretation of low-key makeup and mine has changed over the years so I'm sharing what I've fallen into doing recently.  I was in one of those moods where I was completely over wearing a full face of foundation and was inspired to use minimal products to perfect while still allowing my own skin to show through.  If you're interested in my routine then read on...

After moisturizing I use a teensy squeeze of Om SHE Aromatherapy Pure Magic Primer (at just under 15AUD this is a much more affordable Cruelty Free dupe for Benefit's Porefessional) and rub it into my T-zone to blur my pores on and around my nose.  Then in place of foundation I let a good concealer like NARS Creamy Concealer in Vanilla go to work, just applying it to where it's really needed:  under the eyes, a little down my red nose and spot concealing any other redness or blotches and then I blend, blend, blend it in so I can't tell where the concealed bits end and my natural skin begins. To further even out my skin and take down the shine I lightly brush a tinted pressed powder all over my face and under the eyes to set the concealer (lately I've been using Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder in Natural).  Finally, I don't want to use blush but I do want to bring some subtle dimension back to my face so lately I've been using Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder as a subtle glowy contour (unfortunately I'm really that pale at the moment) and also apply just a touch on the tip of my nose for a subtle glow, to take away that freshly powdered look.

Eyes and lips are even more simple. I just apply a wash of beige shadow over the lids and up to the brow bone to brighten up the eye to look fresher and more awake.  The shade I've been using, Essence The Velvets (03 Smooth Caramel) appears to have been recently discontinued - why do this to me when I was about to shout out that this creamy matte shadow is a favourite? - but any good matte beige shadow should do and I finish off my eyes with a natural looking non-clumping mascara.  I've finally tried Physician's Formula Organic Wear Jumbo Lash Mascara (Ultra Black) which is a good one if you hate clumpy lashes. Now I have heard some say this mascara can be prone to smudging - I've got oily lids and normal/combo skin and have had no issues personally -  so I'm putting it out there just to be fair.

I am obsessed with lip products so I'll always wear something because I like the feel of hydrated lips and I need a little hint of youthful colour somewhere on my face. On low-key lazy days I'll either swipe on a tinted balm or sheer lippy like Essence Sheer & Shine.  The shades Glamour Queen (as pictured) or BFF are current picks.

The whole routine takes around 5 minutes so it's as lazy as I like it to be.  What's your lazy day makeup routine?  Do you go for the 'no makeup' look or do you prefer to go with a punch of colour like a bright lip?


(All products purchased by me)
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A Winter Lipstick Wardrobe | Cruelty-Free

June 24, 2017, 10:49 pm
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Yay for another lipstick post if you're a lipstick lover like me!

This one was inspired by an article I found on the interwebs when I was looking for 2017 winter lipstick trends and it resulted in one of those fun 'shop my stash' sessions. The article published in Makeup Tutorials (here) lists some 13 lipstick shades and while I didn't pull together a collection of 13, I did come up with 6 shades that I think will meet most of my winter needs when I need to go out and face the world.  I must admit I came away with a few lipstick cravings too but I'll talk about those at the end of the post.

So - I've created my little lipstick capsule wardrobe for the winter - which was surprisingly enjoyable and got me out of my current makeup rut - and being the oversharer that I am I had to show you what I came up with! Can you tell I'm in a bit of a playful mood today?

My winter lipstick wardrobe is organised into 3 categories comprising muted shades, reds and brights.  This might sound impressive but it wasn't intentional!  Funnily enough and also quite accidentally I've also ended up with an even mix of traditional lipstick bullets, lipstick crayons, and liquid lippies, comprising some mattes and some creamy, glossier lipstick formulas. Without trying I really did cover the bases in this capsule...




My picks are listed in the same order as shown above, progressing from muted shades on the left through to the reds and brights:

Too Face Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick (Melted Chihuahua)
These liquid lipsticks have been available for a long time now so the social media novelty has well and truly worn off but I still have a soft spot for a matte lipstick that doesn't dry the life out of my lips. That's beside the point though because this is all about the colour and Melted Chihuahua is a flattering muted shade and just the kind of variation of nude lip that I like to wear in winter as it doesn't erase my lips or wash me out. The official description is dusty rose but it wears more like a brown nude on me and seems to work with warm or cool eye makeup.

Antipodes Moisture Boost Natural Lipstick (Remarkably Red)
The actual lipstick shade doesn't live up to the name but is instead a muted rose red. It has a very cool undertone and it almost looks plum on my lips so I pair this with a cool neutral eye makeup look.  The lipstick formula itself is quite creamy and comfortable to wear.

NARS* Velvet Matte Lip Pencil (Cruella)
Now, this is a true classic RED and it's matte. The end.

Nudestix Intense Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil (Raven)
This matte red is deeper and cooler in tone than Cruella and wears like a deep wine on my lips - unfortunately the swatch below doesn't do it justice.  Raven makes for another classic statement winter lip but I also feel that deep matte red lips are a must in my lipstick wardrobe all year round for an evening option as they add that drama that I like.

Urban Decay Cream Lipstick (Bang)
Moving on to the brights I also love wearing a bright red-orange throughout the year but it's more unexpected and fun during a dreary grey winter's day.  Bang (perfectly named) is a juicy shade in a creamy finish so not only does it look amazing but the creamy formula feels amazing on the lips too. Speaking of the formula, this is one of those one-swipe beauties of a lipstick so I could be tempted to look at the collection again in future...if only I could justify it of course!

Chi Chi Creamy Matte Liquid Lipstick (Drama Queen)
This almost fuchsia shade of bright purple is the most 'fun' bright in my lipstick wardrobe and while I have to summon up the courage to wear it, I enjoy it when I do.  This liquid lippy has a grape scent/taste and is creamy rather than flat matte as it does not dry down completely.  It does stain the lips significantly but the stain is a bright berry, reminiscent of the stain MAC Rebel leaves, which is fine with me as Rebel was my all-time favourite MAC lippy.

L-R:
Melted Chihuahua, Remarkably Red, Cruella*, Raven, Bang, Drama Queen

So, if you are in a lipstick rut and looking to be re-inspired I recommend this exercise.  It certainly has me feeling a renewed appreciation for what I have - I'm reassured I have enough options to comfortably keep up with the lipstick trends this season

And as for what I don't have in my collection?  Isn't it always the way for us makeup enthusiasts/junkies! I was looking for the perfect oxblood and toffee lipstick shades which I don't seem to have...but...I don't know...I think I'll stop here before I justify another lipstick purchase...

Do you follow lipstick trends or do you have your own signature look?

*EDIT - Unfortunately, shortly after publishing this post I became aware that NARS is no longer a Cruelty-Free brand.*

(All products purchased by me)
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