Smells Like Teen Spirit

By Elise | Published: March 8, 2010

I’m talking about Nirvana. Not the band, silly, but the Shower Gel of course. Last week, a lovely beauty PR sent me a gorgeous parcel containing a range of Antipodes products to trial; I was in absolute skincare heaven. I spent a ridiculous amount of time that evening opening up each box and pasting the nature-inspired gels, oils and creams on my hand, judging the textures and the smells and generally absorbing the bliss that is Antipodes! I will be reviewing more product from this this cult NZ brand in due course.

 

What really stood out as a star product was the Nirvana Body Wash. I am definately more of a shower gel than a soap kinda girl, so this was ideal- the gel is really rich in texture, so works up into a perfect lather. The result is shower-fresh, moisturized, super clean skin. This is further enhanced by an invigorating fragrance, which is made-up of gorgeous natural wild blackcurrant, spearmint leaf and cardamon.

rrp: $36.00, available from KIT Cosmetics and online:  www.antipodesnature.com

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Autumn Beauty Box!

By Elise | Published: March 8, 2010

Pink Dot’s fabulous sister site, Beauty & Lace (www.beautyandlace.com.au),  is currently compiling goodies for the Autumn release of their cult Beauty Boxes. If you are a beauty-a-holic that loves trialling new products, then this box is right up your street! Each box contains a selection of samples and products from brands who want you to try their goods.

For further details,  follow the link below:

http://beautyandlace.com.au/thebox.php

Boxes are available to Australian residents only and are priced at $29.95

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The Burt’s & The Bees!

By Elise | Published: March 7, 2010

 

Now everyone needs to know about the Burt’s and the Bees! Burt’s Bees that is!  I was originally going to do a post on the very best cosmetic products focussing on the benefits of having anti-oxidant pomegranates in the ingredients list . Then, a little parcel arrived from Burt’s Bees, which made me want to shout about the full range of their pommy goodness!

Truth be told, I’ve been aware of Burt’s Bees products for a long time but I’ve never properly paid the brand the attention that it is due. I was sent 4 products containing an element of pomegranate: the Naturally Ageless Skin Firming Night Creme, Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum, Pomegranate & Soy Shampoo and Pomegranate & Soy conditioner. I was surprised to learn that more than half of Burt’s Bees products are 100 per cent natural, with the entire product portfolio averaging 99 per cent natural. And that’s just for starters…

So here is a run down of products one by one:

Naturally Ageless Intensive Repairing Serum, rrp: $44.95

 

A luxurious oil formula which helps target the lines around your eyes, mouth and forehead- probaby better suited to older skin types, but I would definately recommend it to anyone wanting to inject some moisture into their visage!  It slides on to the skin perfectly and has a gorgeous scent courtesy of the 100% natural ingredients (pomegranate, evening primrose, bulgrarian rose to list a few!). Dab a pea-sized amount around the areas in need of revival.

 

Naturally Ageless Skin Firming Night Creme, rrp:$49.95

 

The Skin Firming Night Creme offers a lush, sweet-smelling formula, containing antioxidant-rich pomegranate and white birch bark that helps to stimulate collagen production. The cream is very rich so I suggest using a small amount and then working around your face and neck. A wonder-worker while you sleep.

Soy & Pomegranate Shampoo, rrp: $19.95

 

Soy & Pomegranate Conditioner, rrp: $19.95

 

The Soy and Pomegranate shampoo and conditioner are a really great combo for leaving your hair in fantastic condition. I haven’t swapped my shampoo and conditioner in a while so it was a nice surprise to use product  that I felt made a noticeable difference to the shine and volume of my hair. I did also get a nice comment on how good my hair smelt…a mixture of coconut oils, pomegranate and honey: yum.

The Burt’s Bees range is available from David Jones and selected chemists/retail outlets: www.burtsbees.com.au

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Confessions of a Concealaholic

By Elise | Published: March 3, 2010

 

 

Benefit have surpassed themselves  with their latest  ‘kit’ offering, which brings together a palette of their greatest products in a mini survival-esque box. When this arrived at my office last week the girls all squealed with delight when they saw  it! Slide off the peachy sleeve and you open up the concealaholic kit like a fairytale book, with pretty products lined up inside, a cute framed mirror and the promise of a happy ending! You litterally can’t wait to pick up the brushes and begin playing. 

So here’s a run down of what’s included:

Benefit Lemon Aid is a yellow cream that’s ideal for concealing upper lids and creates a smooth base for applying shadows.

Benefit Boi-ing is a miracle concealer! It has a dream texture and hides the most tired eyes (comes in two shades).

Benefit Eye Bright is a pink cream formula that brightens the area around your peepers.

Benefit Erase Paste is a super-pigmented concealer for hard-core cover-ups! Great for an emergency spot break-out!

And finally Benefit That Gal is a fabulous face primer for waking up fatigued skin.

In addition to this, there are two dual sided brushes that deserve a mention: they are labelled with what they are intended for so that you don’t have to worry about dipping in lemon aid with your boi-ing covered brush. Clever, So clever!

 

RRP: $68.00 *available 18th April 2010 from KIT stores nationally

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Batiste for Brunettes

By Elise | Published: March 2, 2010

Not wishing to discriminate against the fair haired, but I wanted to share my excitement about a new edition to the Batiste family of dry shampers!  Having just erased my summer highlights with a warm shade of chocolate brown, I was keen to trial a new version of one of my fave hair products, which works exclusively for darker hair. I am a regular user of the Tropical Batiste Dry Shampoo ($9.95): it is fantastic for refreshing your locks between washes and I’m a sucker for the coconut/vanilla/banana yummy scent. I’m amazed everytime at how it magically takes away any grease to extend the life of a blowdry for another 24 hours,whilst still leaving it soft and supple.  I do find however, that you have to sometimes work a bit harder brushing it out after you’ve sprayed, as it does leave a powdery residue, which runs the risk of a nanna grey-hair nightmare!

 

 So, the new coloured dry shampoos (which come available in Exotic Dark Black and Brilliant Brunette at $12.95) are pure genius and work even more impressively as a hair life-saver. I’ve switched over already.

 

Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo (for darker hair shades) and Tropical Dry Shampoo are available from selected pharmacies and Priceline.

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Wonderland

By Elise | Published: February 28, 2010

OPI has come over all fun and whimsical with the release of a limited edition set of Alice in Wonderland inspired nail lacquer, to coincide with the film launch. There are four nail colours in the collection including Absolutely Alice (a bright, sparkly blue ), Off With Her Red (a bold tomatoe red), Mad As a Hatter (a multi-coloured confetti of glitter) and Thanks So Muchness (a berry red with a hint of shimmer).

If you only buy one of these shades then I would personally recommend the Mad As A Hatter polish. I haven’t worn glitter nail paint since I was a teenager and it instantly charmed my affections. Two-coats is enough and I can also see it working well as a top coat over other shades of nail colour.

 Mad As A Hatter

OPI Alice in Wonderland Collection polishes are priced at $19.95 each and are available from leading beauty salons and David Jones stores Australia wide

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Topshop does Beauty!

By Elise | Published: February 27, 2010

 

Topshop is about to ‘top’ the shopping experience for the fashion conscious, by launching it’s very own make-up range.  There will be 17 core products in the line for eyes, lips and nails, and just like the clothing collections, the range will be updated regularly four times a year. This will also include a  ‘limited-edition capsule collection’, which will take  inspiration from the key trends in the Topshop fashion lines. On-trend beauty products at affordable prices: my online shopping excursions are set to get a little more dangerous!

Topshop beauty will be hitting selected UK stores around March 2010 and will be available online to international shoppers at: www.topshop.com

Picture credit: www.style.com

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Rainbow Bright

By Elise | Published: February 25, 2010

 I have long been a fan of the hair half dyed ‘do and absolutely love the pastel streaked hair that has recently been showcased on the fashion runways. Even more gorgeous, was Vogue Australia’s take on the look (March issue),  in which Abbey Lee Kershaw channels a number of clever colour washes.  Possibly one of the coolest fashion/beauty shoots i’ve seen in a long while.

  The look is strong, but so perfect for those who dare to try something new and playful, and of course right on trend. If you are a hair-colour commitment-phobe, then the best thing about this look is that you don’t have to go permanent .  Abbey Lee’s dip-dyed look was achieved using M.A.C’s brightest pigment powders ($39.00 each), brushed straight onto her tips and then blended in.

 If applying eyehadow powders to the tips of your tresses seems a bit too make-up-artiste-extraordinaire, you may fancy something a little less kooky… Smart Colour Temporary Colour Sprays ($12.95) offer an easy to use alternative. They are available in a number of different colour ways  including : Carmine Pink, Electric Blue, Emerald Green, Intense Red and Passion Purple and allow you to create spontaneous hair looks which you can shampoo out!

 M.A.C pigments available from www.maccosmetics.com.au and Smart Colour Temporary Spray stockists: www.datelinecity.com

Picture credit: www.vogue.com.au

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Goddess Glow

By Elise | Published: February 23, 2010

 I’ve always been envious of that gorgeous golden shimmer that some celebs radiate (as above!). This is a look that I believe is quite tough to imitate, as the objective is to achieve a natural looking shimmer, rather than looking like a sparkly Oompa-Loompa.

In the past I’ve shied away from using bronzing/shimmer lotions, and at most, will powder a little of my Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick over my cheekbones and décolletage. The main problem I’ve found with bronzing lotions is it’s hard to find one that gels nicely to the skin, maintains its hold, and doesn’t rub off on clothing.

So, I was so excited to find a product that gives you the most subtle, natural looking shimmer, whilst being both water and transfer resistant. Vani-T’s Bronzed Goddess delivers the promise: which is an instant sun-kissed complexion! The spray-on application is easy to use and distributes subtle iridescent elements; perfect for highlighting a tan without looking like the shiny tin-man.

 

Oh, and I also discovered some other reasons why Vani-T products are rather heavenly…

 All of Vani-T’s products contain: All natural and organic ingredients, no petro-chemicals, no parabens, no artificial preservatives, no artificial colours or fragrance and are high in vitamins, active ingredients, luscious natural oils and pure botanicals.

 $45.50, available from www.vani-t.com

Picture Credit: www.allure.com

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Red Hot

By Elise | Published: February 23, 2010

Soooo pretty!

Kate Bosworth knows how to get it spot-on. Perfectly toussled hair, soft flushed cheeks and a bright red lip: So chic and oh so simple!

Picture Credit: www.glamour.com

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