Saturday, March 25, 2017

Natura Siberica ICEA Northern Soap Detox For Deep Facial Cleansing Review


There has been a fair share of unique cleansers lately and this cleanser is topping the chart. The soap is made of activated carbon (charcoal), which is a great absorbent, and of wild herbs and berry extracts. This product is best used on a weekly basis to really draw out all the impurities from your pores. To be honest, I haven't used soap for a long time and haven't been so excited for a soap until I saw this product. As you may already know, a lot of Natura Siberica's core ingredients are wild harvested for eco-sustainability.


You will find a generous tub of soap and a sponge in the packet. Prior to each use I would wet the sponge thoroughly.

I personally like to use this soap as a second cleanse. I would clean all my makeup off my face first just so the pot of soap doesn't get contaminated with traces of foundation.

Following application I like to gently massage my face with the sponge, leaving the product on for a few minutes then washing my face in lukewarm water.

The end result is impressive. I have always known about the magical properties of charcoal and to see it in beauty products is a dream come true. This is truly a deep cleansing soap, my face did not feel dry, my pores were cleansed and tightened. My face just looked clean and sebum-less!!! Haha it's so hard to explain, so I decided to make a short demo clip below!

VIDEO DEMO


Disclaimer: The product featured in this post was provided for editorial purpose.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Ultraceuticals Real Visible Results 90 Days Skincare Program - IMPRESSIVE BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS!


If you have skincare concerns and you are looking for something that is truly effective, you have to read this post.

I was invited by Ultraceuticals to start my RVR90 journey on 1st of December 2016 finishing on 24 February 2017. At that time, I have vaguely heard of Ultraceuticals, however the thought of having to use the same skincare products from one brand was daunting, it's something I haven't done consistently for years.

I attended an initial consultation and was prescribed with products to suit my skin concerns, which was uneven skin tone and pores. Throughout my journey I used Ultraceuticals' products every single day, however I must admit that I did alternate between different sunscreens and cleansers from time to time, however I was diligent with using the serums and lotion every day without fail.

During this time, I received 5 facials at Ultraceuticals' counter with Tracey Beeby, Ultraceuticals Global Education Ambassador.

I used the combination/oily skincare range, I always thought I had dry skin but really it's just dehydrated, I'm still oily on my nose and I was surprised how well the combination/oily skin range worked on me!



ULTRACEUTICALS ULTRA BALANCING GEL CLEANSER 200ml - $52

This cleanser is designed for oily skin. It will not strip away the natural moisture of your skin and is effective in removing impurities and makeup.

I found this cleanser to be good and did a decent job at removing my makeup, it also did not dry out my skin. The gel formula lathers up for a nice deep cleanse, it comes in a 200ml bottle so it will last you a long time. Overall, a good cleanser however fairly similar to other cleansers I have used. The big bottle is very attractive though, since half of my empties are made up of cleansers.

Note: I did use this alongside a foam cleanser to double cleanse.

ULTRA HYDRATING LOTION 75ml - $76

An ultra lightweight lotion, I never thought I'd like a lotion this much.

I used this every evening after my serum (or during the day if I'm not leaving the house), it has a non-oily and non-shiny finish. The lotion is easily and quickly absorbed, absolutely perfect for my makeup to sit on. This product smells great and applies well, I really have no complaints.

ULTRACEUTICALS ULTRA UV PROTECTIVE DAILY MOISTURISER SPF 30 - $74

A beautiful light weight yet non oily or greasy moisturiser/sunscreen, that dries matte. Used in the morning rain, hail or shine. Once I was able to see improvements to the texture of my skin, I started use this moisturiser with a light mineral powder only, some days I was confident enough to walk out of the house with just sunscreen.


ULTRACEUTICALS EVEN SKINTONE SERUM MILD - $99

Now we are getting into the meaty part of the skincare routine.

Let me just start off by saying that this serum is incredible. I used this serum on a daily basis each morning throughout my skincare routine. Containing moderate level of AHAs and BHAs, it's also recommended for sensitive skin. After using this product for a month, I was able to see a significant difference in my skin tone and reduction in pigmentation. I was surprised by how well the serum worked alone (as I did not start to use my night time serum until a month after my treatment). There is only one con, the scent, it smells a little bit like the witch hazel I used as a teen combined with alcohol. But if the product works, I really couldn't care less about the scent.


ULTRACEUTICALS ULTRA A SKIN PROTECTING SERUM (MILD) $110/$132
I used the "Mild" serum in my journey. This product was used during the evening for approximately a fortnight before I started to experience some peeling and dryness along one side of my jaw. I stopped using the serum for a few days and went back to see Tracy who had recommended for me to slowly ease into this serum by using it every alternate evening. Once my dryness subsided, I started using this serum again as Tracy had recommended and did not experience any further issues to my skin. If you look at my "Before" photo closely, you can see that my forehead was quite dehydrated with fine lines (mostly from a lot of sun when I was younger).

Ultra A really plumped this area out, you can see a definitely textural change in the before and after photo below. The unevenness of the area around my cheeks also improved significantly. The scent does take some time to get use to, but as I said with the Even Skintone serum, I would rather use an effective product that may not smell amazing than a product that smells like cookies and cream but does nothing for my skin.

THE FACIAL TREATMENT


In total, I received 5 facial treatments at Ultraceuticals, David Jones. Prior to each facial, my photos were taken on the device above to review the effectiveness of the Ultraceutical products that I have been using at home. Each treatment session went for approximately 60 minutes.


BEFORE AND AFTER RVR90

Left: Before || Right: After

Left: Before || Right: After
To this day, I am still in awe with the results, my mum was amazed and my friends noticed a difference. Every time someone tells me that my skin looked amazing, I told them it's Ultraceuticals. I was telling people left right and centre that they must get a consultation. I have never been able to walk out of the house without makeup and feel confident, I always felt that I had gigantic pores and a lot of blemishes on my face. However during my RVR90, I started using less base makeup. I was able to walk out of the house with sunscreen and feel confident. Cost effective foundations were no longer an issue for me, I felt that my skin was so good that it really didn't matter what type of foundation I was using. Following the cessation of my journey, I literally had a box of skincare waiting to be tested and to be honest, it was difficult because I kept sneaking Ultraceuticals back into my routine.

 SPECIAL DEAL

This is an incredible deal, you can now purchase a starter pack ($199) for either oily (left) or dry (right) skin types, each starter pack includes a full sized cleanser, sunscreen, evening moisturiser...AND you get to take home a serum tailored to your skin concerns. You can redeem facial treatments through your purchase. Find Stockists here.

I don't often purchase beauty products because I have so much, but I would hand over my wallet for Ultraceuticals because I can confidently say that IT WORKS!
The products featured were provided for editorial purpose.

Friday, March 17, 2017

EVENT: Antipodes Lipstick Launch ft My Pale Skin Blog @ The Butler, Potts Point


I recently attended a beautiful event at The Butler, where Antipodes launched three beautiful new lipstick shades with the stunning Em Ford. The event started off with an introduction to the new lipsticks alongside a delicious breakfast. We were introduced to Antipodes newest launches, three beautiful shades of Moisture-Boost Natural Lipsticks

Newest Shades:

Forest Berry Red  - A wild and warm based true red, with all the succulence of the forest's bright berries on which New Zealand songbirds feasts.

South Pacific Coral - For savvy street style or bare beach beauty!

Oriental Pay Plum - An exotic hue that can be worn from day to night.



ABOUT ANTIPODES LIPSTICKS:

  • Over a lifetime, women may ingest as many as 3kgs of lipstick into the body, either being absorbed through the skin or swallowed when eating or drinking. Antipodes lipsticks are formulated with an abundance of natural edible ingredients
  • Including pure plant oil ingredients, extracted from avocado pear, calendula flower, evening primrose seed and argan nut.
  • The lipsticks also contain beeswax, hydrating shea butter, jojoba oil and vitamin E.
  • The entire range is certified vegetarian by UK Vegetarian Society


We sat through a fantastic session with Em Ford from My Pale Skin Blog, if you haven't seen her video, you need to see it right now! I remember seeing her video for the first time some time back and I feel that in a way, it's relatable to each and every one of us regardless of gender or our attitude towards makeup. A very powerful video!

Em talked us through her worklife as a film-maker, how she started her beauty account to the day her video went viral. Em discussed her positive experience with Antipodes and continuous support. All this whilst nibbling on a yummy breakfast!

Photo Courtesy of Platinummcpr
Pssst there will be more new releases coming from Antipodes this year so stay tuned! In closing, is a photo of myself with the beautiful Em Ford! Ahhh photography these days are so good you can see my little food baby which I can't be bothered to edit, I really like this photo so I've decided to leave it as it is, because there is always a day/week where we over indulge a little, nothing a little bit of exercise and healthy eating can't fix ;)
Lily not Louise attended this event as a guest of Antipodes.

Monday, March 13, 2017

HydroSkin Care Travel Starter Pack Review


Every time I see an experienced skin consultant, I am always told that my skin is dehydrated, especially my forehead. My RVR90 journey ended and I was keen to try some different skincare, so I jumped onto HydroSkin Care.

HydroSkin Care is an Australian made and owned brand, an innovation developed by two friends and completed by extensive research/formulation.

Today I want to introduce to you HydroSkin Care's Travel/Starter pack RRP $99AUD.



HYDROSKIN CLEANSER 15ml

A gentle, soap free cleanser. I have been using Hydroskin with my foam cleanser as my double cleansing routine. I found this cleanser to be effective in removing makeup and general impurities from the surface of my skin. You may find this bottle to be small, but I have been using it for a few weeks now and I swear I haven't even got through 50% of the content. Definitely a good item to travel with.

HYDROSKIN MIST 30ml

For brighter and less pigmented skin with Vitamin B3, B5, Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid and Organic Vegetable Glycerine. This is the second step to HydroSkin Care's routine. I have been using this spray immediately after I cleanse my face. It locks in moisture and prevents my skin from drying out. The nozzle is quite aggressive in the sense that the spray comes out as droplets rather than mist. I personally prefer fine mists, however I really like the hydrating properties of this spray. It would be a full package if the spray was able to dispense finer mists.



HYDROSKIN [HA] SERUM 15ml

For increased collagen and wrinkle free skin, chop a block full of hyaluronic acid.

Hydroskin recommends for the serum to be applied after the application of the spray, before it dries. This is a new method for me and I found it to work rather well. My skin drinks up the two products very quickly and my skin feels super plump and well hydrated following application. Overall I am happy with the outcome following the use of both Hydroskin mist and serum.

HYDROSKIN MOISTURISER 15ml

To lock in hydration, boost collagen, fade age spots and defend the skin from free radicals. With Vitamin C, B3 and Hyaluronic acid as well as Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Avocado Oil and Sweet Almond oil.

I always read other people's reviews on products I am using and I have read some very positive reviews for this moisturiser. Unfortunately it's impossible for every single product to work well with my skin. This is a highly rich moisturiser and I found the texture to be quite thick and a little bit too heavy for my face. However, it works well as a neck cream - I've been experiencing lines on my neck so I have been using the entire system on my neck and it has been successful in alleviating the severity of the creases when used each evening.

I personally found this skincare routine to be more effective in the evening as it feels too heavy during the day and does not sit well with my makeup due to a lack of time available for the skincare to set in prior to makeup application.
Top to Bottom: Moisturiser, Serum, Cleanser
You can purchase HydroSkin Care products from https://hydroskincare.com.au/

Have you tried HydroSkin Care before?
Disclaimer: These products were provided for editorial purposes, all opinions are my own.


Friday, March 10, 2017

The Beauty Chef Hydration Inner Beauty Boost



If you have been following my blog for some time, you'd know that I had a lot of acne issues and used a variety of different products from skincare to medication and natural tablets to help with my break outs. Well.... since I started my new skincare journey and started adding The Beauty Chef Glow Advanced Beauty Powder  into my yoghurt, my break out pretty much stopped with the exception of hormonal pimples, the Powder is designed for glowy skin and gut health - I've always had issues with my gut, and I genuinely think The Beauty Chef had something to do with the wellbeing of my gut!

ABOUT THE BEAUTY CHEF HYDRATION INNER BEAUTY BOOST


  • A delicious, organic biofermented and coconut infused probiotic designed to support gut health and enhance skin radiance from the inside out.
  • To be taken as a daily shot of extra nutritional support. Hydration Inner Beauty Boost combines organic coconut water, aloe vera and lemon myrtle to combat dry, dull skin, ageing and fine lines as well as free radical damage.
  • When mixed with water, the formula is activated to help improve gut health, circulation and oxygenation of the blood to boost overallskin health.
  • Contains 6 billion digestive balancing probiotics per 15ml serve along with prebiotics, electrolytes, minerals, vitamins and plant nutrients.
  • No artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives.
  • Dairy sugar and gluten free.
  • Each bottle contains 33 x 15ml serves of concentrate to be mixed with 200ml of water.
Price: $39.95



MY VERDICT

  • The Beauty Chef Hydration encouraged me to start a great morning habit. I have always been told that digestion is boosted by drinking a cup of water on empty stomach every morning. Since the body has gone 6-8hours without a single drop of water, and is likely to be dehydrated. As a result, I have been putting a tablespoon of Hydration Inner Beauty Boost into my cup of water every single morning.
  • It makes my water taste yummy, there's a sweetness and coconut flavour, making the cup of water extremely easy to drink every morning. This is great for people who enjoy coconut favours, I actually look forward to this routine every morning.
  • It's difficult to tell whether the quality of my skin has improved from using this product only, however I can verify that ever since I have been using The Beauty Chef's products, my gut health has improved significantly, I've had irregular bowel movements for some time, since The Beauty Chef, my bowel movement is now more frequent and more or less regulated on a daily basis. This is getting a little bit detailed isn't it!

INGREDIENTS


Have you tried The Beauty Chef products?
Disclaimer: The product featured in this post was provided for editorial purpose, all opinions are my own.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Budget Makeup Look Tutorial ft Ulta3 and Essence


We all know that I am a bit of a sucker for high end products with spectacular packaging, but I need to be mindful of my budget and life long mortgage. Let's be practical here, I can't afford to spend $240 on 4 fresh mascaras per year, but I can afford to spend just under $24 on 4 new fresh budget mascaras annually. I personally feel that if the product is of quality, you won't be able to tell the difference between budget and high end makeup once it's on your face.

Today I want to introduce to you two excellent, quality yet affordable brands. Ulta3 and Essence. I can tell you now that Ulta3 blew my socks off, I am extremely impressed by the quality of the products I've tried thus far.

Top to Bottom: Ivory, Nude, Beige)


ULTA3 HD BLUR FOUNDATION $11.95

I currently have 3 of Ulta3's HD Blur foundations and able to alternate between the 3 based on seasons and how dark or light my skin becomes. There are 4 shades available in total (Beige, Ivory, Nude, Tan Beige).

This foundation contains light diffusing technology and blurs the appearance of imperfections. I find this foundation to be light weight, provides a sheer to light coverage that is buildable.

I've been using this on my good skin days where I need a bit of blur to cover up minor imperfections and of course to hide my pores! This foundation does a great job in hiding imperfections, however for the bigger and more visible imperfections, you may need some concealer.

I did not find this foundation oily or drying, it did not accentuate my dry areas either! The wear time was excellent, it stayed put all day. 


ULTA3 CONTOUR KIT $9.95

This contour kit is designed for all skin-tones.

The contour shade is matte and did not appear muddy on my face, it provided a nice and natural contour. Occasionally, I can use this contour as a bronzer to warm up my face. The blush is a subtle dusty rose shade with small shimmers while the highlighter contains more small sized shimmer for a beautiful glow. The powders are really well balanced, and surprisingly smooth/finely milled.

I was very impressed with this compact, a high quality product for such an affordable price!



ULTA3 MATTE LIPSTICKS $4.50

These lipsticks are infused with Vitamin E and nourishing oils, available in 3 shades: Siren, Posh and Babydoll.

Siren (to the far right) is my absolute favourite shade, I keep it in my bag and it just makes me look 10000x more sophisticated even if I have a massive backpack on (which is how you'll find me after work most of the time!). The lipsticks are smooth, indeed moisturising and non drying. I was amazed, my initial reaction to a $4.50 lipstick was that it's gotta be drying, it must be lacking in some way or other. I was just amazed to find this ridiculously affordable lipstick to be as good or even better than some of my more expensive lipsticks.

Top to Bottom: Babydoll, Siren and Posh (Unfiltered/Unedited)


ESSENCE THE FLASE LASHES EXTREME VOLUME AND CURL + DRAMATIC VOLUME UNLIMITED $5.75

Mascaras are difficult with my straight lashes, I am able to curl them, but mascaras would weigh my lashes down. Unfortunately, this was the case with these Essence mascaras, following application, I noticed volume however the mascara was unable to maintain my curl.

Having said all that, both mascaras are great for everyday wear, it gives me natural looking lashes. When applied to my lower lashes I found that this mascara does not transfer easily, I did not find any smears or transfers.

I am now more mindful of throwing out mascaras at least every 6 months, it's do-able with the affordability of Essence mascaras!



VIDEO DEMO


Disclaimer: The products featured in this post were provided for editorial purpose, all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

EVENT: Synergie Skin Enviroshield Launch @ The Grounds of Alexandria

Even though I have been to quite a few events and launches now, every single time I feel so grateful to be a part of the beauty community and the opportunity to attend launches, get up close and personal with the brand and their founder(s). I recently attended a launch by Australian skincare brand, Synergie Skin.

Synergie Skin is based on "clean science", meaning their products are free from harmful and questionable chemicals. I have learned a LOT from blogging, brand launches and interacting with other bloggers, especially when it comes to brands that claims to be chemical-free because the water we drink and the air we breathe are all chemicals. Some chemicals are helpful and naturally occurring in our body. I feel that clean science opens a new chapter in beauty and Synergie Skin is a brand to keep an eye on.



Factors differentiating Syngerie Skin
  • 100% Australian made and owned
  • Cruelty free certificate (CCF Australia)
  • Terri Vinson, Owner and Formulator of Synergie Skin holds a degree in Science and two post-graduate diplomas in Chemistry and Biology.
  • Utilises vertical integration, there are 5 steps from Terri's formulation from dispatch to delivery.
All Synergie products are FREE from:
  • Parabens
  • SLS or other sodium sulfates
  • Phthalates
  • PEG’s
  • Propylene glycol
  • Artificial colours
  • Synthetic fragrances
  • Talc
  • Dimethicone

The hero product being launched at this event was Synergie's Enviroshield.

I have included a couple of slides explaining the difference between Chemical block, Mineral makeup/traditional sunscreen and Mineral UV filter (what is used in Synergie Skin products). Below is a slide about Infrared radiation, before this launch, I had no idea about the damage of Infrared from the sun and it's effects on our skin - it goes deeper than both UVA and UVB rays.

Synergie is providing a solution with Enviroshield, the ultimate protectant again both environmental pollutants AND infrared!

Slide courtesy of Synergie Skin


Slide courtesy of Synergie Skin

Slide courtesy of Synergie Skin

The Benefits of Enviroshield:

Essential daily spritz guarding against harmful effects of airborne pollutants and infrared (IR) damage

- Prevents penetration of heavy metals, hydrocarbons and fine particulate matter (smog)
- Prevents free radical damage
- Guards against premature ageing
- Deeply hydrates
- Sets mineral makeup for a dewy glow



Now that you know a little about Synergie Skin, it's time to feed your visual hunger :)
We were served bruschetta, fresh fruits, juice, yoghurt and pastries at the event. Nomnomnom.


Photo Courtesy of Synergie Skin

Closing this post off with a beautiful group shot of Amy (Synergie), Tashi (Teacupofmakeup), Mel (Aussiebeautytalk), Terri (Synergie) and I.

Did you know about the damage of Infrared UV?
Disclaimer: Lily not Louise attended this event as a guest of Synergie Skin

Featured Post

Skin do’s and don’ts this holiday season

So, the holiday season is upon us! However whilst you're out there enjoying the summer vibes, it's crucial not to let your skincare ...

Popular Posts