REPLAY SIGNATURE SECRET SCENT

I can't believe we are half way through may and almost half way through 2019! Where is the time going?! We have been extra busy with trying to sort out the apartment but I finally have some down time to play with products. Today I want to go through the launch of REPLAY fragrances in Australia. Replay is renown for their innovative fashion - jeans in particular.

Replay was established in 1978 and had expanded to areas such as fashion and jewellery. Replay had most recently created a collection of fragrances to complete their fashion and style portfolio.

This beautiful Signature Secret was created in collaboration with Mavive. A beautiful feminine fragrance with a luxurious finish. This bottle is a work of art on your vanity.

This fragrance is made up of fresh petitgrain and sweet pear with jasmine as it's heart notes. Bottom notes are sealed with white flowers, making this fragrance beautifully fresh, sophisticated and unique. 

I fell in love with Replay the moment I saw it. The bottle and floral artwork was exquisite. A lot of thought was put into this bottle. The perfume lasts for the first half of the day, I am not one to re-spray myself so whatever I leave with in the morning, is it. I have been using a lot of sprays that will only survive for the first hour, so I am pleased. If you are lookig for a longer lasting fragrance, try their Eau De Parfum. You can find more fragrances from Replay here.

PR Sample featured

STEP BY STEP MOTHER'S DAY DUMPLINGS WITH GRAMPIANS OLIVE CO

With Mother's Day just around the corner, Grampians Olive Co is being put to good use. I have made several delicious vegetarian recipes using Grampians Olive Co, you can check out my Hearty Bean Recipe  or my String Bean, Corn and Cashew receipe before scrolling down to check out this Mother's Day's deliciousness. 

Dumplings are actually ridiculously easy to make.
You can essentially use any filling you like, just make sure everything is finely chopped... veggies, meat, nuts...whatever tickles your fancy. Add some salt, pepper and a nice dose of Grampians Olive Oil, I went with their Signature Cold Pressed but you can opt for a flavoured Grampians Olive Oil.

We purchased the dumpling sheets from an Asian grocer, have a bowl of water on standby and utilise as glue.

Scoop a generous dollop of your filling mixure and place it in the centre of the sheet.

Dampen the top edge before folding the sheet

Dampen the corners then fold again!

Dampen the sides of the sheet (parts closest to your thumbs) Pull the tips together and press the dampened tips of the sheet on top of each other so they don't become unstuck... and you have your first dumpling!

 Here's a batch we prepared earlier :)

The options are endless, click here to go through the variety of Grampians Olive Oil available for you to chose from!

PR Samples featured

ARTISTRY STUDIO - PARISIAN AND NYC STYLE

We have spent the past month moving bit by bit and still have a few things to sort out... like the bed frame. While my partner seemed to have adapted well without internet, I found it difficult, as a result, I am happy to have it back! Due to the lack of bed frame, I am often at my parent's house! The plus side is, I get more room to play with make up. 

Today we are looking at Artistry Studio's incredible range that I have been using on a daily basis. 

2 in 1 Eyeshadow Sticks and 2 in 1 Lipstick 

These two in ones have a crayon (for either eyes or lips on one end) following by a powder on the other end. The lip powders are all metallic and act as a topper. While the powder aspect of the eyeshadow stick is a powder eyeshadow and I often use the crayon as a liner. The crayon can also be used as a shadow and the powder as a topper. The possibility is endless. The eye crayon is slightly waxy and doesn't make great defined liner but I love using on the lash line. The lip crayon is smooth and easy to apply.

CHEEK & LIP DUO $23 + TINTED LIP BALM

The cheek and lip duo comes in 2 stunning shades, mine is in Polaris Pink. The product is creamy and easy to blend. I like to draw a small circle on my cheeks, mixing the two colours together to give a beautiful flushed look. The tinted lip balm will give you a nice tint of colour alongside hydration, it can be worn under your lipstick or alone.

LIQUID LIPSTICK 

Saturated with colour, creating a wet and glossy look. The applicator is soft and fluffy and provides a nice application. The product is non-drying but does transfer. The colour is solid though. This is great if you are looking for a pop of colour. 

ARTISTRY EYESHADOW PALETTE 

I received a neutral palette with a lot of sparkly shades (La Palette City of Lights - Bottom) as well as a pastel colour with shimmer (La Palette Macarons - Top). I found the shadow pay off to be good, however there is quite a bit of shimmer. Wear time is approximately 4-5 hours without primer. There is a built in mirror with every palette and an applicator. 

ON THE GO FACE AND EYE PALETTE

I have been using this palette pretty much every day. It's all encompassing and so easy to use. Shade 1 is a beautiful base colour while shade 2 is a great al over lid colour. Shade 2 is quite a shimmery shade that you can wear alone or blended with other colours. Shade 3 is a beautiful matte dark brown colour that is great as a liner or a crease colour. Shade 4 is an all over the face powder. Shade 5 is a beautiful rosy blush and shade 6 is the most beautiful highlighter colour! I really love this palette, it's great for traveling.

Website:

https://www.amway.com.au/en/

PR Samples Featured 

AQUA PEEL + H2 TONING @ BELLA PELLE COSMETIC CLINIC, SYDNEY

My second time at Bella Pelle was as pleasant as my first, I had previously had my Picosure Treatment at Bella Pelle and was amazed by the results. My skin looked beautifully clear and my long term freckles were all zapped off. Crystal did an incredible job and explained the process to me really well.

I recently visited Crystal again and received an Aqua Peel and Toning/Cleansing Exfoliation Treatment. It was exciting because Crystal always invest in the best high quality expert machines and the best treatment products.

PURPOSE OF THE TREATMENT:

• Treat acne (Hydrabeauty gets rid of P. acne bacteria)
• Reduce Demodex Mites (these mites live in the skin by eating sebum, they are weak against acid. Hydrabeauty controls the propagation of these  parasites)
• Improve texture
• Exfoliate
• Sebum Removal
• White head
• Black head (Hydrabeauty treatment can remove particles blocking pores with ease)
• Moisturise

My skin (without makeup) was cleansed again by Crystal, following this the exfoliation begun, my blackheads, white heads, sebum and acne bacteria were sucked out using the little device (above). A different head is used for smaller areas area my nose.

The next step Crystal completed was H2Toning, Crystal used a normal skin mixture for my skin, this step calms my skin and will provide anti ageing benefits.

Crystal then applied JanMarini Hydration Mask onto my skin - this is the a premium mask! If you've had an intensive facial you may remember the powder your beauty therapist would mix with water - that's the cheap stuff!

Crystal always offers a full package in a treatment, as a result, the final step to this treatment is LED Heatlite Light therapy for skin rejuvenation. by stimulating collagen and boost blood flow.

LED Light Therapy

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS

No edit before and after photo

HOW MUCH IS IT?
$300 per session including LED Light Therapy
Receive a 10% discount when you purchase 10 sessions

WHERE IS BELLA PELLE?
The Trust Building
Level 8, Suite 805/155 King St
Sydney 2000

BOOK YOUR NEXT TREATMENT WITH CRYSTAL

info@bellapellecc.com.au
ph. +61 2 8054 8110
Instagram @bella_pelle_cosmetic_clinic

With Crystal from Bella Pelle Clinic

Lily not Louise was invited as a guest of Bella Pelle

#WETHEBATHERS LUSH COSMETICS 30TH BIRTHDAY

Lush turned 30 and I was lucky to be able to celebrate this special occasion with them! Lush is one of my favourite bath brands, they always try to be sustainable and eco friendly with their naked bars/bath bombs and recycling program. It's an incentive to be green. 

At this event, we had the opportunity to look through some of the newest releases as Lush opens their door in Japan - I know, how exciting!!!! We also had the opportunity to make our very own bath bombs. 

Here is something really special - we were able to select 4 bath bombs and a scarf to wrap the bath bombs. I have since washed the scarf and started wearing it. This is a another great step to sustainable packaging. I had a blast playing with the bath bombs and marvel at the beautiful colours.

*Lily not Louise attended as a guest of Lush Australia

EYEXRA - LIGHT FILTERING EYE WEAR + 15% OFF DISCOUNT CODE

When I started working for my current company, I started to experience a huge amount of headaches being almost screen bound 5 days per week. I went to the Optometrist who had recommended a very very low dose of prescription + tint. Ever since I have been wearing my glasses, my headaches have more or less eased. But glasses don't come cheap, I was able to get a raw deal for $99 until I was told the lens tint to add some light filters will be an additional $120. I ended up paying over $200 for a very average metal frame.

This is why I want to talk about EXYRA today.

WHY YOU WOULD WEAR LIGHT FILTERING EYE WEAR

Artificial light (including LEDs, fluorescent bulb and incandescent bulb) can disrupt sleeping patterns. The blue light comprises of wavelengths that range from 400nm-500nm that can be found in your phone, your laptop and energy efficient light. Nowadays, we seem to be subjected to blue light from dawn to dusk as we become more technology bound and working in offices.

"According to a study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the hypothalamus area of the brain is responsible for regulating sleep patterns and creating the sedative hormone, melatonin. When artificial blue light is received by the retina during times usually associated with rest, the body's natural circadian rhythm becomes confused and unable to distinguish between night and day. In conducted trials, the study found that exposure to blue light supressed melatonin production by almost 85% and instead boosted alpha brainwaves associated with alertness and concentration."

WHY EXYRA?

A lot of companies use a lens coating to reflect harmful blue light. However EXYRA's lens technology is made using a photochromic dye that is used to absorbs and blocks the blue light from entering the retina. EXYRA's lenses are scratch-resistant and offers UVA/UVB protection. The frames are made using durable acetate allowing the glasses to feel lightweight and unobtrusive when worn.

EXYRA glasses are assembled in Brisbane, they provide prescription (single vision lenses only) and non prescription styles. Their stylish blue light glasses retails for $98 (keep an eye out for sales too!).

The style I picked is YARRA/ Honey Tortoise. I've only had 1 pair of prescription glasses in my life, and it's a metal frame. I have only worn it at work when using the computer for almost 2 years. As a result, a slightly thicker frame took a little bit of time to get use to. After a period of wear, it was comfortable and I started to wear it at home when I am on the laptop or using my phone for an extended period of time. When I had my prescription glasses made up it cost me a lot of money for a heavily discounted frame. I am glad that there are  alternative options such as EXYRA to provide quality glasses for less.

If you are interested to check out EXYRA's range head to their website.

DISCOUNT:

15% off storewide for orders over $70, use "lilynotlouise" when checking out.

PR sample provided

AROMATHERAPY ASSOCIATES x THE ESSENCE OF ART EXHIBITION

Aromatherapy has been a pretty important part of my life. It keeps me grounded, relaxed and manage the lower my stress level when life events become a little bit unbearable. I recently attended The Essence of Art Exhibition in collaboration with Aromatherapy Associates. Where unique scents were paired with a beautiful piece of art work.

If you have been following my blog for a while you will know that Aromatherapy has become a big part of my life since last year. It was incorporated into my yoga practice and now my life. 

I went around the venue and admired each piece, the art work were so expressive and colourful. I had a smell of the little oil sample with cream encapsulated within the little glass holder while admiring each art work. It was an visual sensory experience that I have not experienced before. 

There was a section within the exhibition to give guests an opportunity to purchase some of their favourite scents and have their bottle engraved. From deluxe sample sizes to full size bottles, the options were endless. 

I spent a good 15 minutes smelling the scents and narrowing down my favourites. I am always looking for relaxing scents or scents to assist with stress. I was over the moon when I got to take home my very own personalised bottle. My pick was De-Stress Mind; a beautiful blend of calming frankincense, trouble banishing petitgrain and soothing Moroccan camomile. The ultimate relaxation!

Related posts: 

Aromatherapy Associate Support Breathe Essence

4 Reasons Why I Love Aromatherapy 

Lily not Louise attended this event as a guest of Aromatherapy Associates