Current Quick and easy Morning Skincare Routine

Good Morning loves!

I'm on to my second coffee, because some mornings are just like that aren't they?

Following a recent, unfortunate reaction to a product, I have been trying to pare down my skincare routine a little. Over the last 3-4 weeks, I have introduced some new products into my routine, both morning and evening, which I have been thrilled with. Today, I'll focus on my morning routine. It is quick and fuss free, and is just ticking all the boxes for my oily/combo/acne prone/ageing skin at the moment.

You may have seen my recent post about my travel skincare choices, I still love and would recommend all of those products. Being the beauty nerd that I am, I do love trying new products, and when I find good ones, I have to share them with you!

Now...I am not a morning person. At all. 

There are many mornings, whilst trying to get myself and four children ready for school/preschool, that I am pressed for time. I can honestly say, that if I neglect my morning skincare, then it will certainly show over the next few days. My skin will look dull, dehydrated and congested. Keeping the products to a minimum, and using products that are gentle, hydrating and protective is key for me. This routine takes me no more than 4-5 minutes, sometimes less...and is always accompanied by a fresh coffee.

The Morning Line Up....and coffee of course!

RosehipPLUS Organic Daily Cream Cleanser 150ml  RRP $16.95 AUD.

The RosehipPLUS Organic Daily Cream Cleanser landed on my beauty desk towards the end of September, and is a new addition to the RosehipPLUS range, which includes their Hydrating Day Cream, Nourishing Night Cream and their beautiful organic, cold pressed Rosehip Oil, which I adore. Sometimes I have a feeling that I know I am going to love a product, and that is how I felt about this cleanser. 

If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will know that I prefer a non-foaming gel, or cream cleanser for my morning cleanse. If I wake up looking parched and dehydrated, I will often reach for a lightweight oil. I have no problem using oils or cream cleansers of a morning, they don't need to be restricted to evening/makeup removal at all.

The RosehipPLUS Organic Daily Cream Cleanser has a base of Aloe Vera Leaf juice, Coconut Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil and Rosehip Oil, along with soothing and anti-inflammatory herbal extracts. Its texture is thick and luscious. I apply it to my damp face, and massage it in for around 30 seconds, emulsify with a little water, and then rinse it off with lots of lovely warm water. Due to its high oil content, I also follow up with a warm flannel. I can't help myself... love a warm flannel on ma face!

My skin feels clean and comfortable, soft and glowing. This cleanser also makes light work of removing makeup, and I have double cleansed with this in the evening to test it out, and it does a stellar job. Put this one on your list. It is gentle, effective and affordable. Love.

Skin Doctors beetox - RRP $59.99 AUD.

I am currently on a mission to boost my skin's collagen production. There are a couple of products that I have employed to aide in my mission to plump up my skin, and help to make me appear a little less haggard and a little more fresh! Skin Doctors beetox is one of them. 

An issue I face as an oily/combo skin girl, is finding a product that will hydrate my skin during the day,without feeling to heavy, or causing my makeup to slide off my face 2 hours later. I also look for products that will provide anti-ageing benefits, and some formulas designed for more mature skins often assume that your skin is also dry skin, and are just way to emollient for me. One of the first things I noticed about beetox, apart from the fact that it smells lovely, was how lightweight it was. It feels more like a lotion than a cream on the skin, and feels just beautiful. It is hydrating and  refreshing, absorbs quickly, and provides a beautiful base for makeup application.

The anti-ageing aspect of beetox, is the inclusion of the compound melittin from Bee Venom. Skin Doctors state that when used cosmetically, bee venom "fools the skin into thinking it has been lightly stung, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin".

So, in a similar way to the Homedics Newa device that I have just reviewed, and topical exfoliating acids, and skin needling treatments.... the idea behind it is to create a mild wound healing response in the skin, giving the old collagen and elastin production a kick up the backside so to speak, and aide in cell renewal.

Skin Doctors beetox is designed as a skin treatment, that you then follow with a moisturiser and/or sun protection of a morning. I find it perfectly hydrating for me, and don't feel I need to add any further moisture to my skin. I do apply a CC cream with a high SPF in my next skincare step.
If you have drier skin, then you might like to layer a moisturiser over the top.  I also love that it contains manuka honey, an ingredient that I love in my skincare, which has natural antibacterial properties, and is also nourishing and healing for the skin.

It sits in what I would call a medium price bracket, at $59.99 for 50mls of product. I will continue to use it, and keep you updated, but I am certainly finding it to be contributing to my skin looking brighter and feeling plumped and fresh. It is worth the money in my humble opinion.

Dr LeWinn's Eternal Youth Day & Night Eye Cream

Dr LeWinn's Eternal Youth Day & Night Eye Cream featured in my recent Travel Beauty Skincare post here. I continue to reach for it because it is quick and easy in the mornings, and does such a great job at smoothing fine lines, offering light hydration, and de-puffing. My eyes tend to have puffiness on both the upper and lower lids, and this eye cream makes a visible difference every time I use it. The cooling metal applicator also adds a lovely sensory experience to my mornings whilst I am calmly asking my children to brush their teeth, brush their hair, and to put their socks on a gazillion times...

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ SPF 50+  Shade Light RRP $58.00 AUD.

Whilst I have featured the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream on my Instagram on many occasions, I have not yet chatted about her here on my blog. Rather remiss of me, as this is the second tube I have purchased, and it has been a favourite of mine for almost 18 months now.

Following my Skin Doctors beetox treatment, I go straight in with this CC cream. There are several reason why I love it. It has beautiful coverage, I would say somewhere between medium and full coverage on me, as I have a lot of pigmentation. It blends beautifully, smooths over my large pores and fine lines, and has a lovely satin/glowy finish on the skin. It just makes my skin look better! 

It has a broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 50+ physical sunscreen, which is brilliant. There isn't much point in using good skincare, boosting cell renewal, and promoting new collagen if you are not going to protect all that lovely fresh skin. This CC cream also contains a plethora of anti-ageing ingredients, giving you added skincare benefits, along with it's great coverage and SPF protection. 

On a day to day basis, and for incidental sun exposure this is perfect. If I know I am going to be outside for long periods, I will apply a designated sunscreen, my current favourite is Alpha-H Protection Plus, and top it with the IT Cosmetics CC Airbrush Powder Foundation SPF 50+, another huge favourite of mine.

In the winter months, this CC cream lasts beautifully on my skin, though in the warmer months the longevity is somewhat less, as my skin naturally produces more oil, and the level of humidity rises. I have found that using the Skin Doctors beetox underneath it really helps it to wear well, an incidental, but highly pleasing discovery!
In terms of price for us Aussies, it is in line with a lot of higher end foundations, and can be purchased from our lovely Sephora Australia. As I have mentioned, I have purchased and re-purchased this CC cream, and would not hesitate to spend my money on it again. Highly recommend!! Love!!

Do tell me what products you love to use in the morning? I would encourage you to add in a simple morning skincare routine if you haven't already,  you will absolutely notice a difference in your skin...and don't forget your SPF!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

Disclaimer: RosehipPLUS cleanser and Skin Doctors beetox are PR samples. It Cosmetics CC cream purchased by me. All opinions, thoughts and experience shared are my own, and may be different to yours. Cheers xo.

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Homedics Newa | At-home skin rejuvenation | Review

When it comes to skincare gadgets, I must admit that I am very much a newby. Whilst many people swear by their Clarisonics, Microdermabrasion and Light Therapy devices, I'm still hanging out with my enormous stack of fresh flannels and a shelf full of oils, balms and serums. To be honest, gadgets frighten me a little, and I think this is in part due to having acneic skin for the better part of 25 years. There is always an underlying fear of something causing a reaction. A bad reaction, typically an outbreak of cystic acne, can take literally months for my skin to recover from, not to mention the emotional effects that accompany it. Of course, this can happen with any new skincare product, the development of food allergies, and certainly hormonal changes and fluctuations.

I was contacted some months ago and asked if I would review Homedics Newa, an at-home skin rejuvenation device. Newa is a non-invasive device that uses radio-frequency energy waves to deliver controlled heat to the lower layers of the skin, thus inducing a mild wound healing response. Part of this natural healing response is the formation of new collagen and elastin, which strengthens and plumps the skin from within, visibly reducing wrinkles and fines lines. Newa state that their 3DEEP technology acts on the the dermis, the lower layers of the skin, rather than the epidermis, the upper layers, tightening existing collagen fibres and stimulating your skin's own ability to produce new collagen.

" Newa, brought to you by Homedics, is powered by the same 3DEEP technology, proven effective by leading dermatologists and used in professional clinics both here in Australia and around the world. During treatment the 3DEEP technology penetrates controlled energy deep into the the skin tissue, stimulating the natural production of new, healthier collagen. The Newa treatment , which can be used on all skin colours and types, brings the power of medical aesthetic treatment to the home, previously only available to individuals at a physician or dermatologist clinic".


The Newa kit contains the lightweight, compact device, power supply, instructions, both written and provided on a DVD, and the Newa Activator Gel, which optimises the the delivery of heat beneath the skins surface, and also contains hydrating and plumping ingredients, which contribute to the initial plumping and firmness that is noticeable even after the first treatment. And yes, plumpness and firming were certainly noticeable after my first treatment.

I am currently in what Newa call the "Boosting Phase" of the treatment, where you are required to use the Newa once a day for at least 5 days in the week, for a period of 4 weeks. The face is divided into 6 treatment areas, and each particular area is treated for 4 mins. Newa has a built-in timer, and the device will vibrate and then stop when the 4 mins has lapsed.

In effect, you are looking at 24 minutes of treatment time, and a few minutes to set up and pack away, rinse your face and apply your skincare....it comes to around 30 minutes to complete the process for me. It is definitely something to factor into your day, you need to allocate the time for it and make a commitment. I have chosen to do my treatments in the evenings, as I generally have a little more time once my children are tucked up in bed.

Setting up for the treatment is quick and easy. Plug it in, apply your Activator gel in two thick stripes, completely covering the electrodes, as is described in the manufacturers instructions. There are two settings on the device, 1 and 2. Setting 1 is a little more gentle, setting 2 is a little stronger. I started on setting 2, and have continued on setting 2 throughout my boosting phase. On a clean, dry face I smooth the activator gel that I initially applied to the device, evenly over the first treatment area. Press the blue start button, and start moving the device in circular motions over the skin. I can start to feel the warmth coming from the device immediatley . It sometimes takes 10-20 seconds for the blue light to change to green and start flashing, which indicates to you that the device is now delivering energy into the skin, and has reached the optimal temperature. Newa describe the sensation as a "warm massage" and I would agree with that. It is not lukewarm... you can definitely feel the warmth. On the areas of skin around my orbital bone, it actually would feel quite hot at times. If it does start to feel a little too warm for your comfort, Newa recommend to increase the size of your circular motions on the skin for a short while, respectively, if you can feel less warmth, make your circular motions smaller. It is not unpleasant or uncomfortable for me, and I find it quite relaxing to do before bed.

Once I have completed the 4 min cycle, and the Newa buzzes and gives me a fright (nervous nelly I am!). I then apply another 2 strips of activator gel over the electrodes, and move on to the next section of my face,  repeating the process until all six sections have been treated.
It is undoubtably my preference to do my Newa treatments in my bathroom, in front of the mirror. I like to see exactly what I am doing, and I think when you are first starting your treatments it is the best place to do it. I have read some reviews of people that will do their treatments whilst watching TV, however, that's just not for me. If it works for you, go right ahead! Now that I am in my fourth week of treatment, I am very used to setting up and using Newa, and I find it very simple. I think you need the first week to get used to the device, and become familiar with the whole process.

Once all areas have been treated, I clean and pack away the device, rinse all the gel off my face, and continue on with my evening skincare products. I have only noticed a slight pinkness, or flush to the skin during treatment, and it typically has faded with 10-20 mins for me. My skin feels really lovely immediately following the treatment. It feels smooth and plump, and looks fresh and radiant. Not unlike how your skin might feel after a facial at a salon. On the few occasions that I have done my treatment in the morning, I have continued on applying my morning skincare and makeup straight away, with no residual redness or flush visible on my skin. In fact, my makeup applies beautifully, and I have often thought that a Newa treatment would be a lovely skin prep before a big event.

It is with some trepidation ( aka I'm completely terrified and having palpitations ),  that I publish photographs of my naked face on the internet, but I believe them to be most helpful with this type of review. All photographs were taken by me, not a stitch of makeup on, and no editing. Please try to look past my awful pigmentation, and let it be a good advertisement for using sunscreen every day! Part of my pigmentation is related to my four pregnancies, and the remainder is sun damage. You may be in your early 20's or 30's and reading this... let me tell you, the damage done by the sun emerges as time marches on. You may not see it now, but look in the mirror when you are 40, and you will, unless you start protecting your skin with a Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen now.

It terms of signs of ageing on my face, my areas of concern are around my eyes, smile lines (nasolabial folds), some loss of firmness in the lower section of my face and under my chin, and of course my forehead and frown lines (my worry lines). Newa is not designed to treat the forehead region,  only from the edge of the orbital bone, upper and lower cheeks down to the jaw and under the chin. 

In a few short months I will be 41 years old.

I have, without a doubt, had noticeable improvements in my skin since starting my Newa treatments. I hope that you will be able to see the improvement that I have seen, in the photographs below. I have tried, wherever possible, to keep my facial expressions similar in each of the photos, and to take my photos in similar lighting. There is no trickery here...

Prior to commencing treament.
(oh dear...they say a large forehead is a sign of intelligence?)

Prior to commencing treatment
( someone pour me a wine!)

Pior to commencing treatment.
( should have put my brows on...)

Left - Prior to commencing trial
Right - 3 weeks into boosting phase with Newa.

Hopefully you can see the improvement in the skin around my eyes, the side of my mouth, and a general improvement in skin tone and texture. I feel that my skin looks refreshed and plump.

Left - Prior to commencing trial
Right - Week 2 Newa boosting phase, taken immediately after treatment.

I added this photograph on the right to show you my skin immediately following a treatment session. It has a slight pink flush only. You might also be able to see that skin around the side of my mouth and the apple of my cheek is looking generally firmer and more plump than the photo on the left.

Left - Week 1 Newa boosting phase.
Right - Week 3 Newa boosting phase and feeling fresh.

Left Week 2 Newa Boosting Phase
Right - Week 3 Newa Boosting Phase

Left Prior to Treatment
Right - Week 3 Newa Boosting Phase

I can certainly see a big difference in this photograph above. The upper cheek, lower cheek and jawline look firmer, my skin looks plump, and the fine lines around my mouth and under my eyes are noticeably reduced. I'm very pleasantly surprised after just three weeks!

Following the 4 week boosting phase, it is recommended that you continue your treatments twice a week in order to see the best results, and that the skin will continue to gradually improve for up to six months following the treatment. 

I shall be posting updates over the coming weeks and months! My next post will be in 2-3 weeks time, and I shall measure Newa's claims against my results for the initial boosting period. Perhaps their biggest claim is a reduction in wrinkles by up to 45% after 12 weeks.

Newa retails for $499 AUD. It is an investment in both time and money, and I am hoping to do my very best to help you decide if it might be something for you. I always find it challenging trying to decide how to spend my money... let's face it, there are pots of moisturiser on the market that are asking you to pay the same price as Newa, if not more. I think it is also important to be mindful that it is very unlikely that one single product, or one single device will ever completely and magically transform ageing skin on its own. It takes a village loves!! 

It is worth mentioning that I have changed a few things about my skincare routine over the last 2 months ( prior to starting the trial ) I have reduced my use of exfoliating acids ( I think I was overworking my skin ), simplified my skincare routine a little, and have very slowly been introducing a mild retinol serum over the last few months. I have maintained this routine throughout the trial without any changes.

For more information visit the Homedics website here.

Newa is available in leading retailers including Myer, Shaver Shop and Harvey Norman.

I hope this has been helpful! Do look out for my next post, hopefully I will have some more great results to share! Please leave a comment, or any questions below, and please don't be mean about my skin...I am only human you know.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

Disclaimer: I cannot compare the cost or effectiveness of Newa against in-salon procedures, as I have never had an in-salon treatment of this kind. These posts and reviews are not sponsored by the company, nor do I have any affiliation with any companies mentioned. As with any type of skincare device or product, individual results may vary, and my results may well be different to yours. Read/watch all literature and information provided with the device for your own safety. Newa was kindly provided by the company Kids Business for the purpose of trial and review. 

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Travel Beauty | Part One | Skincare

Hello Beauties!

I hope you are well! I am battling the flu, and thought I would blog this morning to try and distract myself from how rotten I feel!

I am transporting myself back to the beautiful Toberua Island in Fiji today, and taking you through my travel skincare picks that came along with me on my week long holiday in August of this year.

This post will be part one of a little Travel Beauty series I have put together. I hope you enjoy them!

Typically, when travelling, the products I choose to take with me are tried, tested and loved, and form a regular part of my skincare routine at home. Though tempting to pack little sample sachets, I choose not to, simply because I have quite reactive skin, and the last thing I want to deal with when away on holidays is a skincare reaction. My advice, stick to what your skins knows and likes, and leave trying new products to when you are at home.

Some of these products you may have seen featured on my blog previously, and I will link to more in-depth reviews along the way.

If you are interested to see which products made the edit... then please read on!

Alpha-H Liquid Laser Cleansing Oil was my cleanser of choice to take with me, and I used this morning and night. It is a thick gel consistency, that melts into a soothing luxurious oil when massaged into the skin. I always use cleansing oils starting off with dry hands, and massage them into a dry face. This is a cleansing oil to take your time with... it is just beautiful, and ideal for facial massage. The Liquid Laser Cleansing Oil will emulsify into a milky liquid with a little warm water, and can then be rinsed off easily without leaving any residue. I still like to follow up with a warm flannel to finish off, but that is just my preference. This cleanser is a huge favourite of mine. It's primary scent is due to the inclusion of Lavender oil, which is calming, relaxing and nurturing. It is also said to brighten dull, lacklustre skins with the inclusion of White Mulberry and Hibiscus extracts, while Ferulic acid provides antioxidant protection. Put it on your list. Love.

I followed up my morning cleanse with Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily SPF50+ which not only provides excellent physical, broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, but is non-greasy, doesn't irritate my oily/combo/acne prone skin, is tinted to offset any white cast, and provides an excellent base for your makeup, should you wish to use any. I have read some reviews online, and noticed that some people found it to be greasy, I do not agree with this at all. It is quite thick, but certainly, in my opinion, not the slightest bit greasy. This is a small, trial size tube, which I had in my cupboard from an Alpha-H set that I had purchased from Adore Beauty last year. I have already finished a 50ml full size of the Protection Plus, which comes in a handy pump bottle. It is a well know fact that protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun is the most important anti-ageing step in your skincare routine. Take it from me... don't forget to use it every day!

Paula's Choice Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner was packed in my bag, as I was experiencing a mild breakout before we left ( sodding hormones ). This is a 2% salicylic acid toner that I always have in my skincare cupboard. While I use a variety of acids on my skin ( not all at once! ) I find that Salicylic acid is the best for any issues with congestion that I might have. Salicylic acid is a fat soluble Beta-Hydroxy Acid, meaning that it is able to penetrate into, and exfoliate deep within the pore itself, as well as the surface of the skin. This is why it is often recommended for problem/acne prone skin. Salicylic acid also has an anti-inflammatory benefits, which will aide in soothing and calming the redness associated with breakouts. This toner also contains well known hydrating and anti-ageing ingredients, making it ideal for skins like mine that need both the exfoliating action as well as anti-ageing benefits.

If my skin ever feels bumpy, or rough, or I'm noticing more blackheads/whiteheads, this is what I reach for. A few drops of this liquid toner onto a cotton pad, and a quick sweep over the face, it can be used either in the morning or the evening. I'm not too prescriptive with it, I just pull in out and add it to routine as I feel I need it. I purchase my Paula's Choice from the Australian website.

Go-To Exfoliating Swipeys pretty much come with me wherever I go... well... not to shops, or the hairdressers, or the school drop off...but you get my point. I have reviewed these in more detail here, and have talked about them ad-nauseum, but to give you the short story, they are single use face pads soaked in a glorious concoction of lactic acid and nourishing oils that will have you waking up the next morning with glowing chops. I use these 2-3 times a week, after cleansing and prior to application of my chosen serum/oils/moisturiser. I have recommended these to many of my friends, who are now also equally obsessed with them as I am. I promise I won't tell Zoe if you haven't tried them yet... but I recommend a swift click onto the Go-To website here to purchase... just sayin...

These two hydrating powerhouses are must-haves in my humble opinion. Both Go-To Face Hero and Dr LeWinn's Miracle Radiance Renewal Serum were safely packed in my skincare bag. Again, Go-To Face Hero has featured on my blog previously here, and I adore it. This is the second bottle I have purchased, and it contains the most beautiful blend of skin-loving oils which hydrate, plump and calm irritation unlike any other oil blend I have tried. Yep. It's that good.

Dr LeWinn's Miracle Radiance serum is a more like a serum/oil blend. It contains Sea Buckthorn, Tamanu and Rosehip Oils, which incidentally are also present in the Dr LeWinn's Four Fusion Cleansing Oil, that I also love and adore. It is very lightweight, whilst still giving a good kick of hydration. I would alternate this with the Go-To Face hero as my evening moisturiser, and on occasion reached for this in the mornings when I felt my skin was looking a little lacklustre ( perhaps due to consumption of cocktails, but I can't be certain... ) I believe this has been the recipient of a number of Beauty Heaven awards in the past as well. Look out for the Dr LeWinn's gift with purchase packs that they will offer at various times throughout the year from either Priceline Pharmacy or online at Adore Beauty Official. I first tried this serum in one of those gift packs, and I was so impressed I went on to purchase the full size. Love.

A holiday just isn't a holiday without a tube of Lanolips. I rather grand statement yes, but I have a rather ridiculous collection of these luscious lip balms... it's a little embarrassing. I love them. Needless to say, Banana Balm enjoyed her time in Fiji immensely! Slathered on every evening, her light fluffy texture soothed and plumped my lips whilst happening to smell delicious to boot. One of the tinted Lanolips with SPF was my pick for the mornings, and she will feature in the next post! I am waiting anxiously for the new Pear one to appear in my local Priceline... I also use these all natural lip balms on my children, and you will find them randomly dotted around my house on any given day! Love!

I have been incredibly impressed with the Eternal Youth Day & Night Eye Cream from Dr LeWinn's. I have been using this for the last couple of months, and if you are like me and suffer from the dreaded puffy-morning-eyes-syndrome, then you absolutely need to try this! One of the most effective eye treatments I have tried to date, it has a neat, metal tip applicator through which you squeeze out a little of the serum, and proceed to smooth it all around the eye area with the cooling applicator. It firms the skin, de-puffs like a boss, and smooths fine lines whilst providing refreshingly light hydration. It also makes for an excellent base for concealer. Safe to say I cannot stop reaching for it, so naturally it had to come to Fiji with me! Put it on your list!

Well that's a wrap loves... I hope you enjoyed seeing what was in my travel skincare bag! Even if it was a rather large amount! A girl has to have choices you know!

Have you tried any of these products? Do you see any of your favourites here?

Do leave a comment or question below if you would like to!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

Disclaimer: All products were purchased with my own money, except for the Dr LeWinn's Eternal Youth Eye Cream, which was a PR sample. All opinions shared are my own regardless. This post is not sponsored. There are no affiliate links present. Cheers xo

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Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy and Calming Relief | Product Review

Hello there Beauties!

It is good to be back on my blog after a short hiatus! I managed to make it through a busy school holiday period alive, as did my four children! Hooray!

I have a review for you today of some products by the brand PHYSIOGEL. You may have noticed this brand appearing on the shelves of your local Priceline pharmacy over the last few months, and you may have initially glanced at it and then kept on walking. If you are like me, and suffer from very dry skin and frequent bouts of excema, especially in the cooler months, then you might want to turn around and walk back to that display and take a closer look!

According to PHYSIOGEL, dry, sensitive skin has met its match!

Hypoallergenic, fragrance, preservative and colour free, I have enjoyed these products to gently protect not only on my own skin, but my children's as well. If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you will know that I am quite fragrance driven when it comes to beauty products, particularly bath and body washes and lotions. Whilst I find fragrance to be an important sensorial aspect of daily self care, I do find that during the winter months, my skin will improve quite dramatically with the introduction of products designed for more sensitive and reactive skins.

You will see on the packaging of PHYSIOGEL a reference to a trademark term  'BioMimic Technology'. In my understanding, and from a little of my own research, this is due to the formulas containing ingredients that will promote and restore the natural barrier functions of the skin. Physiogel products contains lipids, which are a type of "good fat" that are already naturally present in our skin. 

Because they are already naturally occurring in our skin, Lipids are often described as physiologic moisturisers. These physiologic moisturisers  are able to aide in repairing the skins natural barrier and calm inflammation. An example of a non-physiologic moisturiser would be petrolatum, or mineral oil. Whilst products containing petrolatum  provide an effective barrier to moisture loss, they will simply sit on top of the skin, treating the symptoms, but not really improving the skins ability to protect and repair itself. 

Interesting isn't it?? I though so!

Righto, enough rambling then Lou!

Please do read on if you would like to hear my thoughts on these products! ( finally... ).

PHYSIOGEL Daily Moisture Therapy Body Wash,  Calming Relief Lotion and Cream.

PHYSIOGEL Daily Moisture Body Wash   RRP $9.99 AUD.

The Daily Moisture Therapy range includes two creams and a lotion to nourish and repair dry and sensitive skin, along with a gentle, soap free body wash which is designed to cleanse, soften and hydrate. I have been trailing the body wash, and it's safe to say that my tube is officially empty. I had to pull some air into the tube in order to take a decent photograph! It has a beautiful, creamy, velvety texture that cleanses gently without stripping the skin of its natural oils. The formula contains good for skin ingredients, and includes Trygylcerides (fatty acids), Glycerin, and Shea Butter just to name a few.

Typically, cooler weather will see me desperate to get some sort of moisturiser onto my skin straight after my shower, however when using this body wash, my skin always felt just comfortable and clean. My 8 year old son was also a keen supporter, always asking to use " the one in the blue tube please mum" in the shower! Like me, he suffers from dry, excema prone skin, and using this, in combination with the Calming Lotion has seen his skin improve immeasurably over the winter months. 

PHYSIOGEL Calming Relief Lotion 400ml RRP $28.99 AUD.

Described as a lightweight, fast absorbing lotion to soothe dry, irritated skin, PHYSIOGEL Calming Relief Lotion does exactly that. Whilst it does not claim to moisturise your skin for some unlikely amount of hours, once I have applied this following my shower, I find my skin to be calmed, and feeling soft and moisturised all day. All day. My skin just looks healthier. 

Like the body wash, it contains Shea Butter, Glycerins, and those lovely lipids to lock in moisture. It does have a very subtle scent, what I would describe as a "pharmaceutical" scent ( hopefully that makes sense? ) however it disappears after a minute or so, and is then really not detectable. Again, I have used this with great success on all four of my children's skin, with noticeable results. This large 400ml bottle has lasted us a long time, and whilst a little more expensive than your typical supermarket or pharmacy body lotion, I would not hesitate to warmly recommend it if you too have dry, sensitive, or irritated skin. It's a good one, and worth the investment in my humble opinion. 

Physiogel Calming Relief Cream 100ml $12.49 AUD.

PHYSIOGEL Calming Relief Cream is the thicker, more emollient sister to the Calming Relief Lotion. Also containing those lovely lipids, she has an added kick of nourishing Olive and vegetable oils to further protect and moisturise the skin. I have used this on particularly dry patches of skin, or areas of excema, and have enjoyed using it as an intensive, nightly hand and foot cream. It is thick, rich and protective. A  fantastic product to have handy in the bathroom cabinet!

You can find out more about PHYSIOGEL on their Australian website here.

For My International beauties, head here.

You can find PHYSIOGEL products at your local Priceline Pharmacy!

Have you tried any PHYSIOGEL products? Do you suffer from dry, sensitive skin? Please leave a comment or question below, or any products that you enjoy using on your dry skin!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

DISCLAIMER; Products were kindly gifted to me for trial and review, with no obligation to feature them here on my blog. They're good, so they made the cut. Cheers xo

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Eye Of Horus Cosmetics | Review | Rave!

I am sure there are many of you out there who, like me, struggle with oily eyelids. 

Now, whilst this is not a topic of great importance in the grand scheme of things and life in general, there really is nothing worse than having your carefully applied eye makeup smeared over your eyelid/ browbone/ under eye area/ elbows/ knee caps by lunchtime or even earlier.... ok, I may be exaggerating slightly, but you get the drift. There are many products on the market that claim to be long-wearing, and many of them tend to leave us oily-eyelid-girls a little perplexed... because they're really not.

Enter Australian brand Eye Of Horus. I have been so thrilled with my experience with this Byron Bay based brand, I simply had to share my thoughts on a range of their products that I have had the pleasure to trial over the last couple of months.

" Eye of Horus illuminating essential range of cosmetics are based on formulas of the ancient Egyptians, the originators of beauty and mystique... Awaken the goddess within..."

If you would like to hear Goddess Lou's thoughts on these lovely products, then please read on! 

Eye Of Horus Goddess Pencils RRP $30.00 AUD.

Beautifully pigmented, smooth and easy to apply, the Goddess Pencils are one of the very few products that tick all the boxes for me. They apply beautifully, and allow a little bit of time to smudge them out if you so desire. The colours are rich and vibrant, and are available in 10 shades, with both matte and metallic finishes. I will rarely apply eyeliner to my lower lash line these days, because it just ends up migrating into the fine lines under my eyes, however these pencils will stay put for me for around 8-10 hours without smudging. I have also found them to perform beautifully on the lower and upper waterline. Liners in this area will tend to gather in my tear duct within an hour or two, however not these ones. I will do my usual double cleanse in the evenings, starting with a cleansing oil, and have no issue with removal at all. I adore these.

The Liquid Define Liner does not disappoint either. It also applies beautifully, the flexible felt-tip is easy to work with, and the formula is very pigmented. It does tend to dry very quickly, which can be an issue if you make a little mistake, I find I have to use an eye makeup remover to correct any wobbles. Again, the longevity is unlike any other liquid liner that I have tried. Even my pedestrian attempts at a little winged liner will still be intact at the end of the day. The shade Babylon Brown is a rich deep, dark brown. The swatch in the photograph further below is one pass only. Love.

Eye of Horus Dual Brow Perfect  RRP $28.00 AUD.

Eye of Horus Dual Brow Perfect - Tinted Gel.

Another absolute stand out product for me is the Dual Brow Perfect. A double ended brow product with a slightly triangular, wedge shaped, twist-up pencil nib on one end, and a lightly tinted brow gel on the other. Genius. The pencil itself is quite firm and waxy, which I love. I generally err on the side of natural with my brows, and steer away from the strong, blocked brow, as I feel it is just not flattering on my ageing face. I find the firmer, waxier pencils much easier to be able to apply in gentle, small strokes to mimic the brow hairs, however if you prefer a stronger, more defined brow this product will deliver that too! The brow gel is only very lightly tinted, very lightweight, the brush is nice and small, and holds just the right amount of gel to brush through both of my brows. It holds my brows in place all day without feeling like I have superglued them to my face. I have the shade Dynasty (brown), and it works surprisingly well for me. The tone of the pencil leans cool, which is always a good thing. I am planning to purchase the Blonde shade ( Dusk ), so I can do some side by side comparison photographs of the shades for you. This is definitely one of my favourite brow products. Love.

Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara - Babylon Brown RRP $34.95 AUD.

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this mascara. It has been a daily go-to mascara for me, so much so that I have completely exhausted it, and need to purchase another. The wand is silicone, with both short and long bristles that grab the lashes and separate them perfectly. It is one of those mascaras that you apply and immediately wonder at how many lashes you actually have. One coat with give you length and separation, perfect for daytime. The second coat will build volume. It holds the curl, and does not smudge. At all. I have even started using it on my lower lashes, and it stays there all day. Unlike some long-wearing formulas, this one breaks up when you cleanse a little bit like a tubular mascara. Removal is painless. The shade Babylon Brown is a deep, dark, rich brown. Eye of Horus state that the formula contains waxes and organic Moringa oil to condition lashes and enhance lash growth. I have honestly not really noticed any lash growth since using it, however I feel like I am not losing as many lashes as I might normally. Two thumbs up from The Beauty Vine. If I had more thumbs, I'd put them up too...

Eye Of Horus - Swatches - Left-Right
Babylon Brown Liquid Define Liner,  Dual Brow Perfect - Pencil side, shade Dynasty.
Smokey Black Goddess Pencil, Teal Malachite Goddess Pencil, Bronze Amulet Goddess Pencil.

You can find Eye of Horus here.

They offer free shipping for orders over $50 Australia wide, and also offer International Shipping! You can find a list of stockists on their website.

Eye of Horus do not test on animals, are paraben free, and vegan friendly.

While their prices are probably mid-range, the quality and performance will not disappoint. Considering the purchase of a  L'Oreal mascara in Australia won't give you much change out of $30,  Eye of Horus gives you an affordable, cruelty free alternative to the some of the mainstream brands, and in fact, out performs a few of them in my humble opinion.

Have you tried any Eye of Horus products? Please leave a comment or question below, I always love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

Disclaimer: These products were kindly gifted to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored. No affiliate links are present. I'm off to order myself a mascara....

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The Beauty Vine On Fiji-Time

Bula Beauty Friends!

Long time no blog! Where have I been you ask?

I have been relaxing at the beautiful Toberua Island Resort in Fiji with a group of our friends for our combined 40th birthdays.

Yes...it was pretty hard to take!

We had an absolutely amazing time, the staff at the resort were all such beautiful, gentle, friendly people, they really made it such a special time.

The view from our villa...

The sun setting over the Island ( the restaurant to the left )

Me looking wistfully out to sea...

Whilst things have been a little quiet here on the blog, I have lots of great content on the way, including some posts on my travel beauty favourites, and also a rare fashion post which was a little more difficult than I anticipated!

I hope you are all well, and I look forward to chatting beauty with you again very soon!

If you have any requests for blog posts, please feel free to leave them in the comments section! I want you to feel like this is a place for you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xx

All photographs taken by me, please do not share them without express permission from me. Cheers x

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