Compact Cosmetic Mirror with Lights Review

I just wanted to do a quick review on this Compact Mirror that I picked up on Ebay.  I am just so impressed and excited by this mirror, I had to share with you all!

Compact Cosmetic Mirror with 8 LED lights.  I bought this on a whim because it was only $4.34 with free delivery.  I wasn't expecting much for that kind of money but I was really surprised when my parcel arrived today from Hong Kong.

This is a very sturdy, 2-sided mirror with 8 super bright LED lights on one side.  Very well made and very strong, nothing loose or flimsy about it at all.  Good size, 10.5cm x 8cm, fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and the mirror is large enough to see your whole face.  The lights can be used as a lamp or if you are in the dark and can't find your car keys say works well as a torch.  Changeable battery but you need a small phillips head screwdriver to undo the screws.

The mirror is handy to sit on a shelf at eye level if a larger mirror isn't available when travelling, sits open nicely and won't fall over.  The lights are very bright and give a daylight effect which is great for applying makeup.

www.mayanka.com

Comes in a range of colours but you are sent one colour at random.   I was hoping for Pink but received White, that's OK, I'll just find some stickers to decorate it with.

This is a great mirror and I am going to go back and order a couple more now I know how good they are, one for the bag, one for the car and one for the house!

Lust Have It January 2013

LHI's effort for this month.

LOVE the box, it's fantastic.  Beautiful pattern and colour, love that it closes magnetically, can think of lots of things I might use this for.

I am hoping that next month's box will have a U on the spine so in the end LUST HAVE IT will be spelt out in a nice little collection of boxes.  If not maybe they will all be differently coloured like the bags.

LUSH COSMETICS - EMOTIONAL BRILLIANCE MAKEUP - RRP $24.95.  I received CONFIDENT Believe in Yourself, this is a gorgeous gorgeous Eggplant Purple, unfortunately too dark for my fair skin, I could never pull it off as a lipstick, eyeshadow or blush.  I am just going to admire the bottle from afar lol.......I am going to try this as a lip stain and then cover it in light lip gloss I think that might be wearable.  The only concern I have is that it doesn't seem to set and smudges everywhere!!  Sorry I couldn't get a good swatch of this, kept coming off brown on my camera and it is definitely NOT brown!

Also included was a card for a Free Emotional Brilliance colour reading in store and a free sample of make-up remover, unfortunately I live about 200km's away from my nearest Lush Store so I won't be able to partake of this offer.

lush.com.au

NUDE BY NATURE BB 5-IN-1 MIRACLE CREAM - 50ml, full-size RRP $19.95.  I received Medium.  I normally would purchase Fair but I can live with this, smells lovely, creamy hydrating texture, I will probably pick up a Fair and mix the two so I get the use out of this tube.  I generally use BB creams when I go for a walk first thing in the morning, covers the ghostly appearance of my pale skin as well as protection from the Sun.  I use quite a lot of BB cream as I work as an Athletics Coach, BB creams offer great coverage, sun protection and doesn't come off with perspiration, works best if you set with powder.

LUST HAVE IT KABUKI BRUSH - full-size RRP $19.95.  I don't know anyone who can't do without a Kabuki Brush, these brushes really are the best.  Lovely dense soft bristled brush, good one LHI!!

KLORANE SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER - samples 10ml, RRP $9.95.  Formulated with Pomegranate and Mango Butter for colour treated hair.  Great,  but the samples need to be bigger for longer haired ladies such as myself.  Two teaspoons of conditioner just doesn't do it when your hair is down to your waist.

AVENE CLEANANCE SKIN RANGE - sample size,  prices start at  RRP$24.95.  OK I am just about Avene -d OUT!!  I have so many unused tubes in my sample basket, I just don't like the stuff.  This is also not for my skin type, these products are for oily blemish prone skin, I am mature dry skin,  this is where LHI"S lack of profiling their customers lets them down.

OK so besides the totally wrong skin care from AVENE, I am not too unhappy with my box this month.  In fact after seeing what some other lovely LHI customers received I am quite relieved.

What did you get this month and what did you think, let me know comment below.

Mirenesse Makeup Brushes Review

Recently I purchased some of the makeup brushes available from Mirenesse.

Powder - Blush -Foundation- Face Brushes
Smudge- Contour -Crease- Eyeliner- Eye Brushes
Cheek & Shadow Brush Duet with Caps

You can purchase these brushes individually or you can purchase in sets or as part of makeup kits.  I recommend that you purchase as part of a makeup kit because they are the best value.

Extremely well made professional looking brushes made with Taklon synthetic hair.  I have had no fall out from any of these brushes and they can be used with powder and creams.  Super soft bristles, picks up product effortlessly with even application and no streaks.  They are just the right size to hold and are easy to use.  Each brush is labelled with it's specific use but if you are like me who grabs the nearest brush they are interchangeable.

I actually like these better than my Sigma brushes.  Is that heresy??  I love my Sigma brushes honestly but I like these better.

Special mention are the Cheek & Shadow Brush Duets with Caps.  These are so handy to keep in your travelling makeup bag or even your handbag.  The caps keep the brushes clean and they don't come loose.  Both brushes are of a good size which makes them very usable, the blush brush is angled.  I own three sets of these and they would have to be my most used brushes.  You can also purchase a Powder & Concealer Duet but they are sold out at the moment so I don't have one to show you.

Mirenesse do have some other brushes available and some really good deals if you purchase as part of a set please go look here for more information.  Prices vary and the best deals are definitely when you purchase with makeup, after all the brushes are no good unless you have makeup to use them with, right?

Anyway I love my Mirenesse brushes I think you will too if you try them.

Please have a look at my blog on How to Clean your Brushes here.

I would love to hear from you please leave a comment below.

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Review

I finally got my hands on some Physicians Formula, Happy Booster Glow and Mood boosting powder and blushes and have very much enjoyed using them.

Natural                    Translucent                    Rose

They are super cute which is what mainly attracted me at first.  ALL those love hearts!

What has put me off purchasing them here in Australia is the price.  Almost half to two thirds more expensive than the US.

I ended up purchasing these from iHerb here, not only were they less than half price, their shipping is really competitive making it worthwhile to shop internationally.  First time customers use discount code TUW872 at checkout for $5-$10 off your first order.

Ok so what do they mean by Glow and Mood Boosting Powder?  This is what Physicians Formula have to say;

Infused with our Happy Boost Blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress. The sweet scent of Violet provides a feeling of joy each time you apply.

I can't say I feel happier but maybe you need to wear it for a while to enjoy the mood boosting benefits but the scent of Violets is nice if not exactly joyful.  Does make your bag smell really good though.

I love the Hot Pink packaging, the compact is sturdy, easy to open with a push of a button, the pan sits on top and there is a good sized mirror and brush in the hidden compartment below.

Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Powder - Translucent.  RRP $29.99 Aus, with iHerb VIP discount $11.94 aus.

Translucent

This is a super soft translucent powder which can be applied alone or over makeup to even out skin tone and add a healthy glow.  I use this as a highlighter.  The little pink heart can be used to add a pop of colour to your cheeks.  I really like this powder, there is enough pigment in there that it evens out your skin colour on bare skin, feels so soft and it isn't overly 'glowing'.  I chose translucent because I just wanted a powder that wasn't too pigmented to set my makeup and add a subtle glow.  You can also purchase this in Beige, Bronzer and Light Bronzer.

Natural

Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush - Natural.  RRP $21.95 Aus, with iHerb VIP discount $10.10.

Rose

Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush - Rose.  RRP $21.95 Aus, with iHerb VIP discount $10.10.

Not only do these blushes add a healthy bit of colour to your cheeks the different coloured hearts can be used to define and contour your face.

I have only just started using blushes because I have always had a healthy blush most my life but since I have been on Chemo my skin has become very pale and I look like 'death'.  People keep stopping me and asking me if I'm OK and I said to myself  "Mmmm I need some colour in my cheeks!"  So this is a whole new area for me and I have been experimenting with different colours and trying very hard not to come off looking like Bobo the Clown.

I like these blushes very much.  The Natural blusher can double as a bronzer if your as pale as me and the Rose is just beautiful for a natural pink glow.  The shades are buildable so start slow until you reach your desired tone.  The pink came off very bright on me at first until I learnt to just dab the ends of my blush brush and swirl on my cheeks a little at a time.

Very happy with all three.

Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think of Physicians Formula Happy Booster Compacts.

Honey Bee Eye Shadow Palettes Review

I recently received my iHerb haul and two of the products I have been loving are these Honey Bee Eye Shadow Palettes.

THE COSMOPOLITAN and ROCK THE SMOKEY EYE

Each palette comes in a magnetically latched case and contains four shades and an eco-friendly bamboo dual end sponge/brush.

The shades are highly pigmented , they blend well and the colours are very usable for a variety of combinations.

Honey Bee Gardens are an all natural company who manufacture cosmetics and personal care products.  I love their mission statement;

 "Create pure, all-natural bath and body care products made from only the finest organic ingredients, offer them at a reasonable price, and treat every customer like a friend."

HBG is a US brand and you can purchase them here at iHerb or if you prefer to purchase within Australia you can purchase online HERE or at participating Health Shops.

Lets take a closer look at the palettes and what I think of them.

The Cosmopolitan - this is a gorgeous neutral palette and probably the one I will get the most use out of.  Shades from (l-r) Kashmir matte, Satin Sheets shimmer, PS Pink matte, Angelic shimmer.

Rock the Smokey Eye - everything you need to create a smokey eye you will find in this palette.  Shades from (l-r) Nirvana matte, Chrome shimmer, Falon shimmer, Chivalry shimmer.  I especially love the purple shade Chivalry, a little bit of purple warms up a smokey eye.

I like that there are matte shades with a little bit of shimmer thrown in but what I love most is there is NO sparkle!!  Both palettes are very blendable, there was no fall out and of course you don't have to stick to one palette.  My favourite combination is to take Chivalry and mixing it up with PS Pink and Satin Sheets.  I'm a pink and purple girl at heart.

The dual ended brush is quite good, it feels like taklon.   Picks up the eye shadow really well, and is long enough for ease of application but I felt that the actual brush could have been a little bigger for shadow application.

I have very sensitive eyes and have to be very careful what I put on them, I try to stick to all natural eye products.  Anyone with sensitive eyes knows how important it is to find eye shadow that won't leave you wanting to rub your eyes out!   I prefer matte shades or slightly shimmery and these palettes are just perfect for me.

I purchased my palettes from iHerb because they have the best prices. Can be found at these links, Cosmopolitan and Smokey Eye.  RRP $29.99, Discounted $24.99, VIP discount $21.99.

All new iHerb customers if you apply discount code TUW872 at checkout you will receive $5 - $10 off your first order.

bellabox January 2013

We Love Australia!

This month it's all about celebrating Australian Beauty Brands and this amazing place we call home!

YOU ME AND EVERYBODY COOL IT ALOE VERA GEL 100ml full-size RRP $8.95.  This is not something I would normally purchase as I don't need it.  I did try a little on the back of my hands and it was lovely and hydrating.  I have passed it on to my husband to use on his face after he shaves.

AURORA SPA ROSE AND ALOE BODY CLEANSER 50ml sample, RRP $28 275ml.  I love Aurora Spa, their products smell divine.  This is a generous travel size 50ml sample, I am going to enjoy trying this.  UPDATE:  This is low lathering, I applied with a sponge and found I was using twice as much to wash myself.  Smelt great while I was washing but fades pretty quickly, lovely botanical rose aroma.

AURORA SPA ULTRA RICH BODY CREAM 50ml sample, RRP $52 200ml.  Another great Aurora Spa product, I think it's pretty expensive for a body lotion, but it smells soooo good I just might treat myself. UPDATE:  Lovely and moisturising, this is a very rich cream,  has a lovely botanical aroma but fades pretty quickly.   I like that as it doesn't compete with any perfume you might want to wear during the day.  I still think its very expensive for 200ml of body moisutriser.

NATIO PURE MINERAL SKIN PERFECTING BB CREAM SPF 15 5g sample, RRP $14.95 50g.  Natio have been around since I was a teenager and I really like their products,  their lip gloss is great.   I am a big fan of Korean BB Creams and I usually find that western BB creams are no more than a glorified tinted moisturiser.  I will update when I try this.  UPDATE;  I tried this today, lovely and creamy, pleasant botanical aroma, moisturising, easy to apply.  Wrong skin tone I am fair NOT medium, I can wear this but it is just a little dark for my liking.   FURTHER UPDATE.  I did purchase this in Fair and I love it.  Great coverage and last all day even in hot weather.  All you need do is set with some powder.

FACE OF AUSTRALIA COLOUR MAX EYE SHADOW PALETTE full-size RRP $10.95.  This is a 4 shadow palette called GOLDMINE, From top left,  Silver/grey sparkle, Matte Brown , Gold Shimmer and Darker Brown Sparkle.  I haven't opened this yet but when I do I will provide swatches. I love the colour selection.   I am really happy to see this in my BB box as I rarely receive eye shadows, mascaras etc......... and  I love eye shadow!

As long as I get at least one product I like in a box I am fairly happy and I was really happy to receive the eye shadow and the Aurora Spa products.  For some reason the second shipment later in the month seems to get the luxe products and I really wanted to try The Little Alchemist and Jurlique samples  but this was an OK box for me.

If you would like to try BB for yourself go here.

The End of Summer

My boys Summer Holidays end next week and then it is back to the usual routine of early starts, long drives, bus trips and massive amounts of homework!!  It really doesn't seem like we have had a summer break this year with all the fires, I for one will be glad when Summer is over.  We had 7 years of drought and then this time Christmas 2010 we were battling floods, this year it's Fire!

Our backyard, December 2012

                                                             

We have had such a fierce Summer this season, it seems like Australia is on fire!  45c days and high winds, it's like living in a furnace.  We live in the country and have been on High Fire Alert all season, we spent our Christmas Holidays mowing down all our paddocks to stop grass fires from spreading.   It is the first Summer in a few years we have had to have all our firefighting equipment out and ready to use in this very hot dry weather we have been experiencing.  There has been a constant hazy smell of burning eucalyptus around our home for days, the first sniff of smoke and we are all out on the verandah scanning the surrounding countryside looking for fire.  So far this year we have been lucky, only one grass fire in our area, back in the 80's the original house on our property was burnt down.  You can clear around your house and be as prepared as you can get but if that fire is out of control all you can do is leave and hope your house is still there when you get back.

Julian Smith/EPA

                                                                                    
I am sure most of you have seen on the news in your part of the world the terrible devastating bush fires we have been coping with this season, as bad as it is to see people lose their homes what hurts me most is to see the loss of animal life.  We have cattle and horses which we are keeping in a cleared paddock next to our house at the moment.   It contains a big dam and I just hope that if a fire comes through they will have enough sense to go to the water, if we can't get out that is where we go.

Dean Lewins/EPA

                                                                     
I'd like to send a big thank you out to all our firefighters working in hellish conditions. There is nothing more frightening than the noise and heat of a fire and these brave men and women stay and fight,  risking their own lives.  They do a brilliant job and deserve our gratitude.

Perfumies Review

I was lucky enough to receive as a GWP three Perfumies recently.

www.perfumies.com

For those of you that don't know,  Perfumies are a solid stick of fragrance that you can throw in your bag and take with you anywhere.  Won't break or spill and are airport friendly.

Made with natural products, coconut oil, beeswax and fragrance.  They are quite concentrated and the fragrance lasts a long time.  Works like a lip balm, you just twist the tube and dab a little on your pulse points.

Each stick is $7US or you can purchase great value gift packs and Perfumies.com do ship internationally at reasonable rates.  Rates to Australia Jan 13 were $7.50 or $12.50 priority regardless of how much you ordered.

The only issue I have with Perfumies is they tend to get too soft  in the hot aussie weather, so I just keep mine in a sealed bag in the fridge.  The rest of the year they are just fine and I can keep them in my handbag.

There are many fragrances to choose from, too many to list.   Go have a look HERE they have an easy to use website with great descriptions for each fragrance.  The only problem your going to have is limiting yourself to just one or two.  I want them ALL!!

The three Perfumies I received are;

AFTERGLOW - a blend of sandalwood, amber, musk and vanilla.  My favourite so far.

RENDEZ-VOUS - top notes of Ylang Ylang, Rose Petals and French Jasmine.  Base notes of Vetiver and Sandalwood.  This has a more earthy woody fragrance about it.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER - feminine floral blend that unfortunately is no longer available.

I have really enjoyed these fragrances and I would compare them all favourably in scent and staying power to other more expensive perfumes I own.   If the rest of the range is as good as the three I have tried so far, I would definitely say they are a great alternative for the budget conscious.

When the weather cools I will be putting in an order for more, I have my eye on one of the gifts sets but I just can't make up my mind which one they all sound so good.

Go have a look HERE and let me know which one you would buy.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Review

I am the mother of four sons.  Three of whom are still teenagers.  They have had the usual ups and downs with acne but none more so than son number 4.

He started puberty early at 11 (he is now 13), which was really hard on him as he was still in primary school.  He also started getting really bad cystic acne all over his face and back.  Some days he would come home from school in tears from the teasing of the other kids, it was heartbreaking to see him so unhappy.

We tried every kind of acne treatment available and nothing worked.  I didn't want him taking prescription medications to control his acne as I thought he was too young.

Then we tried the Neutrogena Acne Stress Control range.

Neutrogena on their website claim:

Neutrogena^® Oil-Free Acne Stress Control^® is designed to help you fight acne where it starts, while actively reducing the irritation and redness associated with breakouts. Acne Stress Control is so advanced, it treats acne even before it emerges.


My son's skin cleared up within weeks.  He went from a face covered in red cystic acne to smooth clear skin with the occasional pimple and that is usually because he slacks off on his routine but it's enough to remind him to get back on it!!

I know that he will grow out of acne one day but it is enough that this treatment controls it now.

What we did learn was that for long term prevention you need to apply twice daily. We also learnt that it wasn't enough just to use one product you needed to wash, tone, moisturise and treat for best results.  This is the routine that worked for us;


STEP 1.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Cream Wash

www.neutrogena.com

Twice daily use a pearl sized amount, massage into wet skin and rinse.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub

www.neutrogena.com

Exfoliate once a week to remove dead skin cells and unblock pores.

STEP 2.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple Action Toner

www.neutrogena.com

After cleansing, dampen a cotton ball and swipe over entire face.  Eliminates oil, prevents clogging and reduces red irritation.

STEP 3.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Acne Treatment

www.neutrogena.com

Soothes and hydrates the skin while fighting acne.

STEP 4 - Optional.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Night Cleansing Pads

www.neutrogena.com

Can be used instead of regular cleanser or as my son uses, just before bed as an overnight acne treatment.

You have to use these products regularly twice a day but they do work if you persist.

All my sons have normal/dry skin and even though Neutrogena is strong enough to deal with their acne it doesn't dry out their skin,   they all use this routine and are mostly acne free.

Mirenesse VIP Beauty Box

Today I received my Mirenesse VIP bi-monthly FREE beauty box.

                                              www.matillysthisnthat.blogspot.com.au

For those that don't know this is how it works.  For $25 per month you receive a VIP membership which entitles you to a FREE beauty box every two months, a $25 monthly voucher off a $65 purchase, free shipping, up to 80% discount every day and special VIP only offers.  I think that if you really like to use Mirenesse that this a terrific membership.

This is my second month as a VIP so this was my first FREE beauty box.

I received three items, all full-size and what I liked best of all was the 'letter' which introduces and explains each product.

This month's box was titled;

SIMPLY FLAWLESS - 3 Magic Steps for a Nude Glow

Take on 2013 with a new confidence & a new look!  Be fabulous, confident & comfortable in your own skin all year round with your Simply Flawless Skin Perfecting Kit.

Sounds good!!  So what did I receive?

                                         www.matillysthisnthat.blogspot.com.au


1. THE ILLUSIONIST - Magic Touch BB Foundation - Vienna 40g - RRP $49.50 - VIP $39.60.

 

www.mirenesse.com

This foundation very much reminds me of Korean BB creams which I absolutely love they are far superior to the western ones.  Gel like consistency which goes on smoothly to provide light to medium coverage and will last all day.  I have this in Vanilla which is a shade lighter and I love it so I know I will like this one too, both shades are suitable for light-medium skintones.  Sponge applicator which is removable for those of us that prefer to apply with our fingers, there is also a mirror on the lid which comes in very handy I have found (you can just see it there).

2.  HIGH DEFINITION POWER - Touch on Concealer - Golden Cream 8g - RRP $29.50 - VIP $23.60.

Conceals and hydrates while minimising lines and concealing shadows and blemishes.  This is quite a bright concealer which would work well as a highlighter and would definitely brighten your under eye area.  Comes in two shades Ivory Pink and Golden Cream.  Great tube applicator just squeeze a little on your finger and pat into the skin where needed.

Golden cream is a light yellow based concealer which is good for brightening your complexion and reducing the appearance of dark circles.


LUXURIOUS & LUSTROUS - Viva Eternal Gloss - Show Girl 8g - RRP $29.95 - VIP $23.96.

This is a neutral pink shade infused with opalescent glitter.  Can't say I am a big fan of glitter but I love Mirenesse Lip Gloss formulas.  They always glide on easy, non sticky, moisturising and long lasting.  Nice fruity sweet flavour and the first time I have used a glitter lip gloss where the glitter didn't feel gritty on my lips.

Overall I am very happy with my first VIP Beauty Box.

www.mirenesse.com  - Ship internationally

Love to hear what you think, please leave a comment below.

The importance of Facial Masks for mature skin

In my last blog I talked about the importance of exfoliating mature skin here.

This goes in hand in hand with applying a good facial mask straight after.

Why?

Because at no other time will your skin more readily absorb effectively what you put on it, a facial mask is like a vitamin pill for your skin.

Facial masks can de-toxify, absorb excess oil, shrink pores,  increase circulation, replenish nutrients, hydrate and overall tighten and tone your skin.  There are masks for every type of skin and concern you may have.

The best time I find for applying a mask is when I am doing a conditioning hair treatment and my hair is up off my face.

Firstly I exfoliate removing that dead layer of skin cells, a good exfoliate cream or sponge with cleanser works well.  This is beneficial as it allows the mask to be more deeply absorbed into your skin.

 I apply a facial mask and just relax for 15 minutes.

Another important step for me is to apply a hydrating eye cream along with my mask.  Face masks are NOT suitable for the fragile eye area, ONLY  use eye specific products.

Any eye cream you have will do but one I like to use on my mini spa days is;

REVIVA Eye Gelee -  this is a cooling gel which contains Aloe, Cucumber, Collagen and Elastin which helps combat puffiness whilst hydrating.  Available from iHerb.com.

www.iherb.com

Once you have finished relaxing, jump in the shower and rinse the whole lot off.  Take the opportunity whilst in the shower to exfoliate with a body scrub or loofah.

Don't forget to tone your skin with a splash of cold water to close up all those pores and continue your usual skin care routine.

Some face masks that I am loving...............

ANDALOU Naturals Avo Cocoa Skin Skin Food Mask - This appeals to the Chocolate Addict in me.  Apply to your face,  lay back, breath deeply and float away to Chocolate Heaven.  Cocoa and Avocado anti-oxidant rich, repairs, protects and moisturises.

www.iherb.com

This is available from www.iherb.com, for a discount off your first order apply this code at checkout; TUW872.  iHerb do ship internationally with very reasonable rates.

DERMALOGICA  Age Smart Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque - Vitamin rich masque, this one really is a vitamin pill for the skin.

www.dermalogica.com

Leaves your skin hydrated and absolutely glowing.

MIRENESSE Endless Youth Ocean Milk Mousse Mask - Now this is a fairly new mask that I have started to use, I must admit I have never used anything like it before.  I have added it here because it is worthy of a mention for those busy times when we don't have time to relax but our skin could do with a quick boost.

www.mirenesse.com

This is a five minute mask which you apply to a clean dry face ( I like to use this in the morning before I apply my makeup for a quick boost).  It's the strangest mask and I have never experienced anything like it in my life.  Once you apply it to your face it starts to fizz and bubble, it feels really ticklish.  The idea is based on Oxygen therapy which "gives life back" to dull, damaged skin.  Also contains rare red algae which cleanses, tightens and hydrates.  I was very sceptical when I first tried this mask but it DOES work, after I rinsed my face I noticed my skin looked brighter, hydrated and felt smoother.   Definitely a good mask when you want a pick me up but don't have the time for a full on mask treatment.

Okay the last one I want to mention is a totally natural product which I have been using for years, it's cheap and available all year round.

AVOCADO - can be used on its own or mashed up with honey, egg whites, banana, natural yoghurt, oats etc..... can be used for all skin types but is especially good for mature dry skin and hair.

Avocado contains monounsaturated oil and is rich in vitamins and minerals so whether you eat it or slather it on your skin it's doing you good.  Leaves your skin feeling moisturised and oh so soft.

I thoroughly recommend that your exfoliate and face mask at least once a week.  It's not only good for your skin but if you take the time to pamper yourself and relax it's good for your mental wellbeing too.  As a mother of four sons sometimes you just need a little time out.

Please don't forget to comment, I would love to hear what works for you.

The Importance of Exfoliating Mature Skin

All skin types can benefit from exfoliation but more so as we get older.

As we mature our metabolic cell renewal process slows down, dead skin cells build up leading to dull, lifeless, sagging  skin.  Just to give you an idea, young skin regenerates approx. every 14 days, mature skin approx. every 30-40 days.

Regular exfoliation tricks your skin into renewing cells more often, which leads to smoother, brighter, firmer skin with less wrinkles.

There are two ways you can exfoliate, chemical exfoliators which help dissolve dead skin cells and manual exfoliators which removes the top layer.

I find a mixture of both yields the best results.

Chemical exfoliators which include ingredients such as Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Fruit Enzymes and Retinols etc.....can be found in any number of skincare products which can be incorporated into your daily routine.   They gently boost the skins natural ability to replace old skin cells at a faster rate.

Manual Exfoliators include facial and body scrubs, micro-cloths, sponges, loofahs etc...anything that you can physically use to slough off the old surface layer of skin.   DON'T use buffing grains with sharp broken edges like crushed nut shell, sand or pumice stone as they can tear and damage your skin.

I think your skin tells you when it needs manual exfoliation.  It starts to look dull, feels rough, you may notice flaky skin around your nose.  With my dry skin I find I only need to exfoliate once a fortnight, your skin needs may be different depending on your skin type.

Next are some products which have worked well for me and I now include in my routine.  I think everyone is different and skin care needs change over time but this is working for me so far.

As part of my daily skincare routine, I like to use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream during the day and ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum at night.  Both these products contain Retinol a pure form of Vitamin A which helps stimulate collagen production, forms a protective barrier and reduces irritation.

www.neutrogenacom.au

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream contains Retinol, Vitamins B5, C & E.  SPF 15 for UV protection.  This is a great daily moisturiser,  a pea sized amount covers your whole face and neck, super moisturising, absorbs well and is a great base for foundation.

www.rocskincare.com

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum can be used morning and night before moisturiser.  Contains Retinol, Magnesium, Zinc and Copper.  I am on my third bottle of this serum, I have noticed a big improvement in my skin's appearance.


Once a fortnight I like to manually exfoliate my face, two products that I am really enjoying at the moment are Dr LeWinn's Facial Polishing Gel and Kosmea Daily Facial Exfoliant.  I like to swap them around depending on my skin's needs.

www.drlewinns.com.au

Dr LeWinn's Facial Polishing Gel contains Jojoba wax micro-spheres, naturally polishes your skin without any harmful abrasive action.  I like to use this when I feel my skin needs more exfoliation, my skin looks brighter and feels smoother after using this gel.

www.kosmea.com.au

Kosmea's daily facial exfoliant is very gentle, contains crushed Chamomile leaves and ground Rose Hips to gently exfoliate, you can also use this as a soothing facial mask.  Contains Ground Rice flour and Kaolin Clay to help absorb impurities.

I like to use a Loofah once a week on my body.  Growing up, Mum always had one in the bathroom, reaches all those hard to get to places on your back.  Follow with a good all over body lotion.  One I reach for all the time is Urban Rituelle Mango Milk Body Balm, smells of Summer, just divine.

www.urbanrituelle.com.au

I have always looked after my skin and now in my 40's I appreciate anything that helps me retain healthier younger looking skin.

Please don't forget to comment, I would love to hear what works for you.

Everything Orange

For the past few months I have been attracted to items that are Orange.

I don't know why but I just love the look and smell of orange citrus in my cosmetics, hair and skincare products.

If it smells of oranges, looks orange or has orange on the label I want it.

It's really weird, I know.  It isn't even close to be being my favourite colour.

Here are some Orange products I have been loving so far..............

MUA- Makeup Academy - I Want U -  Nail Polish

www.muastore.co.uk

I have it on my toes right now!!

CLINIQUE - Chubby Stick - Oversized Orange - Lip Balm

www.clinique.com.au

Looks quite bright but applies sheer. it's more peach toned with a slight glossy frosting.

BENEFIT - Cha Cha Cha Tint - Cheek and Lip Stain

www.benefitcosmetics.com

 

Now straight out the bottle this looks orange but it dries to a beautiful peachy/coral hue, looks great on summer skin and lips.

LIME CRIME - 6th Element - Orange Liquid Eyeliner

www.limecrimemakeup.com

Now this is Fanta Orange and I am not bold enough to wear a complete orange look on my eyes but orange enhances the blue in my eyes so I am not adverse to wearing a little of this close to my lashes.

MIRENESSE - Power Lift Micro Dynamic Foam Cleanser - contains Organic Orange Oil

www.mirenesse.com

This Facial cleanser smells divine, just like oranges.  Does a great job of cleansing your skin without drying it out too.

NOW SOLUTIONS - Hyaluronic Acid Moisturiser - AM Fine Line Smoothing & Repair - Mature Skin

www.iherb.com

Now Solutions have a range of skincare for mature skin and they ALL have this wonderful Orange Citrus aroma.  Super moisturising and they work really well on dry mature skin.  I purchase mine from www.iherb.com and my gift to you,  if you use the following code: TUW872 at the checkout,  you will receive a discount with your first purchase and they do ship internationally.

ANDALOU NATURALS - Moisture Rich Styling Cream -Sweet Orange and Argan

www.iherb.com

This is a lovely leave in hair conditioner that leaves your hair smelling divine, you only need a little to moisturise and smooth your hair.   I also purchased this from iHerb.

AUBREY - Creme de la Shave -Orange Shave Cream

www.iherb.com

This a a beautiful moisturising natural shaving cream for you legs.  My husband also uses this for his face as he is sensitive to shaving soap.  A little goes a long way, lubricates and softens hairs for a close shave.  This is also an iHerb purchase, in fact I can go a little bit mad shopping there as they have so many orange products.

PURE FIJI - Nourishing Exotic Oil - Orange Blossom

www.purefiji.com

This oil can be used as a hair treatment, massage oil, moisturiser and my favourite is to apply it after shaving my legs.  Leaves your skin smooth, supple and smelling oh so good.

URBAN RITUELLE - Cocoa Butter Vegetable Soap - Mango

www.urbanrituelle.com

I know it's not technically Orange but look at that colour!

MAURA AND WIRTZ - Acqua Colonia - Cologne - Blood Orange and Basil

www.4711.com

I know Basil right?   But it just works, refreshing splash on a hot day, I love this fragrance.

So there you go that is some of my favourite Orange goodies that I am loving at the moment.

Please don't forget to leave a comment, I would love to hear what some of your favourites are.

One of my favourite artists also loved to use Orange in his paintings, I just love the vivid colours.

Still Life With Basket and Six Oranges 1888 ~ Vincent Van Gogh


There is no blue without yellow and without orange ~ Vincent Van Gogh