My Guide to IPL Skin Rejuvenation

I was generously invited to The Clinic for an IPL treatment, and I have been thrilled with the results. The procedure was done just prior to my finding out that I was pregnant with Addison, so I have held off sharing my experience as I was a little nervous that my pigmentation may worsen during the pregnancy, and my results may have been unduly affected. Though the procedure is considered very safe in itself, not a lot of research has been done on IPL treatments during pregnancy, and most practitioners will recommend that you hold off any cosmetics procedures until after your baby is born. Pregnancy can cause changes in the skin due to the effect of hormones, and my five pregnancies have certainly contributed to mine.  Sadly, the rest is due to sun damage. I have quite a few photographs of my skin before and after the procedure, and just a warning, I am completely makeup free and may scare young children. All of the photographs were taken in direct natural light, and because they were taken on different days, there is some subtle, natural variation in the lighting.

The Clinic is located in the suburb of Bondi Junction, Sydney and was founded by Kaye Scott and Lisa Sullivan-Smith in 1999. The non-surgical cosmetic clinic offers treatments such as Fraxel, Thermage, IPL, Pelleve, Chemical Peels and cosmetic injectables, and pride themselves on an experienced and professional nursing and medical team.

All of The Clinic's staff were warm, friendly and welcoming. I hadn't stepped foot into a cosmetic clinic in my life ( country bumpkin ) so it was a very new experience, and I was a little nervous to say the least! I needn't have worried. It was so lovely to meet Kaye and Lisa, both are so very warm and personable, and made me feel comfortable and cared for. 

Image courtesy of The Clinic.

Kaye Scott & Lisa Sullivan-Smith.
Image courtesy of The Clinic.

       Image courtesy of The Clinic.

Image courtesy of The Clinic.

 Image courtesy of The Clinic.

What is IPL?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light, which uses broad spectrum light waves to treat photo aged skin, pigmentation, brown spots, and redness due to broken capillaries. Pulses of light are transmitted into the sub-dermal layers of the skin using a handpiece which is placed against the skin. These pulses of light waves heat the area, breaking down the pigmentation ( melanin ) into small particles. These  particles will rise to the surface of the skin, and slough off naturally over the course of approximately one-two weeks. The heat generated from the light waves can have a positive effect on fine lines and wrinkles as it also stimulates collagen production. It is generally recommended to have a course of treatments, typically four, with each treatment being four weeks apart. I have only had the one treatment, and am currently saving my pennies to be able to complete the full course. There is no "down time" as such with this procedure, as the upper layers of skin are not affected, so have no fear, you will not end up looking like Samantha from Sex and the City after her "peel" !!

Here are my before photos. As mentioned previously, I have pigmentation from both sun damage and the hormonal effects of my pregnancies.

Before my IPL treatment.

Before my IPL treatment.

I was beautifully looked after by Deirdre, who explained the procedure in detail. My face was cleansed, and protective eyewear applied. Deirdre treated my whole face in sections, doing a total of two passes ( one pass over each area, and then repeated ).
No anaesthetic is required for the procedure. I would describe each flash of light as a quick sting, or as many people describe it, like a rubber band snapping against your face, which is pretty spot on. It is more annoying and uncomfortable rather than "painful". There were some areas of my face that were more sensitive than others, and Deirdre kindly warned me about this. Areas such as around the mouth, next to the nose and on the nose, and the temple area made my eyes water a little! Having now birthed five babies, my official benchmark for all things potentially painful, I can tell you it's really not too bad!
Following the procedure, my skin felt a little tender and warm. Some areas of my pigmentation had darkened immediately, which Deirdre explained was a sign that I was going to get a great result! She then applied a soothing balm and SPF to my skin.

Below are photographs of my skin 24 hours post IPL. You will notice the areas of pigmentation that have darkened, and my skin is slightly pink on the outer cheek and temples. I went off to work, after applying SPF and then my makeup as I would normally. The darkened areas were never raised or scabbed at all, each day I would look in the mirror and there would just be less of them!

24 hours post IPL.

24 hours post IPL.

The next two photographs were taken three days after my treatment.
You can see the amount of darkened areas have decreased.
Don't mind that naughty spot on my cheek ( how rude ).

Day 3 post IPL.

Dau 3 post IPL.

In the next two photographs I have placed the previous photographs together so that you can easily see the difference between 24 hours after, and then 3 days after the IPL.

LEFT - 24 hours post IPL  RIGHT - 3 days post IPL.

LEFT - 24 hours post IPL  RIGHT 3 days post IPL.

These four photos below show my before, 24 hours after, 3 days after,
and finally 4 weeks after my IPL.

 TOP LEFT - Before IPL, TOP RIGHT - 24 hours post IPL
BOTTOM LEFT - 3 days post IPL, BOTTOM RIGHT - 4 weeks post IPL.

Hopefully you can see the improvement in my skin! I also had the pleasant side effect of my fine facial hair falling out, though this was only temporary and the little buggers did decide to grow back! During my pregnancy with Addison, I have had some return of pigmentation ( thank you pregnancy hormones! ), though I am diligent in daily application of a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen to protect my skin from any further sun damage.

Based on my positive experience, I have no hesitation in warmly recommending The Clinic if you are considering any non-surgical treatments. Honestly, I would rather spend my hard earned money on further IPL treatments than any notoriously expensive face cream. Surprisingly, some products these days cost as much as an IPL treatment, which is generally around the $400 mark. It's an investment, and certainly not something that is affordable for everybody. If it is within your price range, then I would absolutely recommend it if you are concerned with your pigmentation.

On your first visit to The Clinic your skin is assessed, your needs and wishes discussed, and then a treatment plan will be advised. They carry a variety of cosmeceutical skincare ranges including Cosmedix, Aspect, Skinmedica, and of course The Moisturiser, which was developed by Lisa and Kaye themselves! A beautiful lightweight moisturiser designed for all skin types which feeds your skin everything it needs for both morning and evening application, and is suitable for use during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. Some of the key ingredients include peptides for their anti-ageing effects of firming and assisting in the improvement of skin tone, Sea Buckthorn for its anti-inflammatory benefits, and plant stem cells to aide in strengthening collagen fibres. The Moisturiser retails for $80, and is packaged in an airless pump to maintain the freshness and efficacy of the ingredients. A beautiful moisturiser that sit perfectly on my skin prior to makeup application, and has enough hydration to plump and soothe my skin overnight when used in the evening. Highly recommend!




You can find The Clinic's website here.





I hope you have found some helpful information in this post! Please do leave any questions you may have below and I will do my best to answer them for you!

Have you ever considered non-surgical facial treatments? Do let me know if you have had IPL before and how you found the experience, I'd love to hear about it!




Thanks so much for stopping by!



Blessings,



Lou xo

Disclaimer; As with any procedure, skin treatment, or product, my experience and results may differ from yours. This is a documentation of my own personal experience, and it is recommended to speak to an experienced professional regarding your own needs and desired treatments, and potential side effects. The author is not liable for any decision made on your part.

Images provided by The Clinic for inclusion as requested by author. All other images belong solely to the author.

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Press Pause on Ageing with Alpha-H

Good Morning Loves!

I have enjoyed using Alpha-H skincare products for around three years. The proudly Australian brand, perhaps most well known for its cult classic Liquid Gold glycolic exfoliant, offers a large range of effective, results driven skincare products. I have reviewed a number of them in the past, and will leave some links below to previous posts for you.

Today I have a gentle, but effective duo of products to share with you to help you Press Pause on Ageing. The Gentle Daily Exfoliant and the Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+ have been part of my routine for the last two months.

I have used, and repurchased Protection Plus twice now. It is definitely a favourite of mine, however the Gentle Daily Exfoliant is new to me, and she has been happily living in my shower since the day she arrived. It is the combination of gentle effective exfoliation, and then protecting that lovely new skin with a broad spectrum SPF that helps you to Press Pause on ageing. As many skin specialists will tell you, the most effective way to slow the ageing of the skin is to protect it from the damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun.


If you'd like to find out a little more about these two products, please read on!

Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant.

Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant.

The Gentle Daily Exfoliant is quite unlike any other exfoliant I have used in the past, and believe me I have tried quite a few in my time! It contains a combination of fruit enzymes, which do a lovely job whisking away dead skin cells from the outer layer of skin, and very finely milled cleansing clays, including bentonite and kaolin. I use it in the evening following my oil cleanse, however you could certainly use it in the morning if you prefer. Once mixed with a few drops of water, the consistency is very light, and the product becomes quite thin. The silky, fine texture has no grip or pesky granules, in fact, you almost feel like you are massaging a very fine, diluted, watery clay mask on your face. It is quite different, and takes a bit of time to get used to. I will continue to massage for the full minute, to give the lovely ingredients time to do their job, and then rinse. I cannot tell you how velvety soft and smooth my skin feels. It feels clean and refreshed, without a hint of redness or irritation.
You may also mix the exfoliant with your cleanser of choice if you prefer. I have tried this with the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser with great results. As I mentioned earlier, this product has not left my bathroom. I happily recommend it if you are looking to add a very gentle, but effective daily exfoliant to your skincare routine.

Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+

Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily SPF 50+

I use the Protection Plus as my morning moisturiser, after cleansing and applying my morning serum. I have combination/oily skin that is acne prone, and many mainstream SPF's irritate my skin, are too greasy, and can cause my acne to flare up. I have never had any such issues with the Protection Plus. It is tinted, which makes blending into the skin seamless. It is hydrating without being heavy or greasy, and it dries down to a satin/matte finish that makes for an excellent base for makeup. It also contains antioxidants to further shield skin from environmental damage. I also make sure to apply it down my neck and onto my décolletage, and the back of my hands. I wait about five minutes after application to allow it to absorb fully prior to staring my makeup.
As I have already mentioned, I have repurchased Protection Plus a number of times, and will continue to do so. I cannot recommend it enough.



You can head to the Alpha-H website here for more information, and to locate stockists, of which there are many!!


Below are some of my previous posts featuring Alpha-H skincare. Just click on each link to take you straight to the post!



Triple Action Cleanser

Instant Facial

Berry Box Gift Set

Liquid Laser Cleansing Oil




Thanks so much for stopping by!



Blessings,



Lou xo

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are honest and my own. xx

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Davines Hair Care | NOU NOU | Review

Hello Loves!

I have a review for you today on the beautiful davines NOU NOU hair care range.

It is one of the many davines products that you can purchase from the Australian online beauty mecca

Recreate Yourself.

This beautiful gift set was sent to me for review, and I have my thoughts to share with you today!

davines is a family owned Italian hair care brand with long history of developing high quality, in salon hair care and colouring products. With a focus on sustainability, and inspired by their cultural heritage, davines is indeed an absolutely lovely brand. I have tried a couple of samples of their products in the past, and was really impressed.

davines NOU NOU range is a part of their Essential Haircare range, and is designed for bleached, highlighted, brittle hair types. Whilst I wouldn't class my hair as brittle, it has certainly seen its far share of bleach over the years! I have recently had a big change, and cut off my medium length hair in favour of a longish pixi cut. I am still getting used to it, but I am loving how quick and easy it is for me to style in the mornings when I am trying to get four children off to school whilst concurrently comforting a teething baby on my hip. I enjoy using good quality products on my hair, and am always up for switching up my products and trying something new, especially if they smell good!

davines NOU NOU Shampoo is just lovely. It quickly transforms into a dense, moisturising lather, and then rinses cleanly and easily. My hair and scalp feel clean and refreshed, without feeling stripped or squeaky! If you have highlighted/bleached hair you will know what I mean by this! davines describe the scent as " citrus, spicy and aromatic note " however it is quite subtle and not at all overpowering. I would describe the scent as slightly citrusy, clean and little powdery. It's lovely.

250ml RRP - $32.95 AUD.

davines NOU NOU conditioner is equally as lovely, and is packaged in a plastic pot with a flip top lid. It is surprising easy to use, just pop up the lid, scoop out the product and pop the lid back down. Nothing worse than trying to screw a lid back on a jar of product with wet hands whilst trying not to let said product plop on the shower floor! Do you feel me?! I digress... it is indeed a rich, thick luxurious conditioner which does a stellar job of hydrating and detangling my locks. I always try to take a little time to give my scalp a massage for a minute or two. It is an easy way to incorporate a little bit of self care, and whilst not a patch on having someone else do it, it is great for your scalp and can assist in helping you feel relaxed. Like the shampoo, the conditioner rinses very nicely, and leave my hair feeling soft and nourished. Love.

250ml RRP - $32.95 AUD.

davines NOU NOU Hair Mask is another winner in my book. My very first hair stylist ( whom I still miss very much due to her rudely moving interstate ) recommended to me to use a hair mask in place of a normal conditioner for those times when you feel your hair needs some extra nourishment. I will often do this for one week out of the month, particularly in summer when my hair feels the effects of lots of swimming and exposure to the sun. Like the conditioner, the hair mask hydrates and nourishes without weighing down my hair, and without making it look and feel greasy the next day like some products can have a tendency to do. It's a good one!

250ml RRP - $39.95 AUD.

I have also found that whilst using this range, my hair has become shiny again! If you have blonde/highlighted hair like me, you will know how difficult it is to get it to reflect light! It has also helped to maintain the 'brightness' of my blonde, meaning I have needed to reach for my purple toning shampoo a great deal less than I would normally.

As I mentioned earlier in the post, these products were sent to me as a trio gift set from Recreate Yourself. I have just checked on the site, and it would appear that the NOU NOU gift sets have sold out already, so I apologise for that most sincerely! The products I have mentioned are all available individually on the website, at prices which are quite comparable. 

Head over to the RY website here to check out their huge range of davines products, many of which are also available in travel sizes. RY Brickworks has also recently opened in sunny Southport, Queensland, so you lucky folk living nearby can pop in and potter around to your hearts content!

RY also stock some of my favourite beauty brands such as AlphaH, Bioderma, Becca, Bite beauty, Lanolips, Metta Skincare, OPI, DnA Elements, Lulu & Lipstick, Eco Tools and Real Techniques just to name a few!

Have you tried davines? Do you have a favourite haircare brand? Or do you prefer to spend you beauty dollars on skincare or makeup rather than your hair? Let me know in the comments below...I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings!

Lou xo

This is not a sponsored post. Thank you RY for providing the lovely davines.

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Natio | Four Makeup Palette Reviews and Swatches! | Limited Edition

Hello beauties!

Happy February! Where did January go?!

I hope you are all well!

I have some gorgeous NATIO products to share with you today. The Australian brand NATIO was one of the first makeup brands that I fell in love with many years ago... yes they have been around for a long time! They used to have a beautiful blush called "Apples" that I was completely obsessed with and used every day, along with their stick foundation and pressed eyeshadows.

As a brand they have come a long way in recent years, and are certainly embracing new technology in their skin care ranges and makeup lines. They have managed to do this whilst still keeping their prices very reasonable, and maintaining excellent quality, and were recently voted best Australian beauty brand in the 2016 Prix de marie claire Awards. I have used and loved many of their body care ranges, and I have noticed they have just released a new aromatherapy home fragrance range, which I am excited to explore!

Today, I have some colour cosmetics to share with you, and a few of these are limited edition, so if you like the look of anything you see then grab it quick!

Let's go!

NATIO Sunlit Mineral Bronzer & Radiant Mineral Blush RRP $19.95 AUD.

NATIO Radiant Mineral Blush.

NATIO Sunlit Mineral Bronzer & Radiant Mineral Blush,
swatched in natural light.

Both the Sunlit Mineral Bronzer and Radiant Mineral Blush have been re-released due to consumer demand. Both contain five varying shades, giving you control over depth and tone of colour applied. Both are soft and creamy, and apply beautifully to the skin, giving you a gorgeous natural glow. I have swirled all of the shades together for the swatches above. You can see the blush has a rosy/peach tone to it when all five shades are mixed, but keep your brush to the left side of the palette and your blush will take on a more rosy/mauve tone. Both compacts are enriched with vitamin E and rosehip oil,  along with oil absorbing kaolin clay. In my personal experience, the fine texture also means that these powders will not accentuate uneven texture or enlarged pores. I have enjoyed applying the bronzer with a large face brush to warm up my complexion in the areas where the sun would normally hit the face, and I like to apply my blush right on the apples of my cheeks to give a youthful flush of colour. Love. 

NATIO Natural Shades Eyeshadow Palette - Rosebud RRP $19.95 AUD.

I adore the tones of the eyeshadows in the Rosebud palette. They remind me of the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette in many ways. It contains four matte shades, and eleven shimmer/metallic shades. The matte shades do feel a little dry and powdery to touch, though they perform really nicely on the eyes with the aid of a primer. With the exception of one shade which lacks pigment, the shimmer shades are stunning. Soft, creamy, blendable and gorgeous. The palette contains a good variety of highlight, mid-tone, and deeper shades, meaning you can choose one gorgeous shade for an easy one shadow look, or build up intensity in the outer V and crease with the deeper shades for a dramatic smokey look. It is a completely lovely eyeshadow palette that I would warmly recommend to either the beginner, or makeup collector/lover. 

I have swatches of all three rows of the palette below for you. The photographs are all taken in natural light.

NATIO Natural Shades Eyeshadow Palette - Rosebud RRP $19.95 AUD.

NATIO Rosebud Palette - 1st Row.

NATIO Rosebud Palette - 2nd Row.

NATIO Rosebud Palette - 3rd Row.

NATIO 32 colours inspired by nature palette - RRP $49.95 AUD.

The 32 Colours Inspired by Nature palette was released just prior to Christmas 2016.

 24 eyeshadows, a contour palette and a blush palette with four shades each, and a variety of brushes makes this palette great value for money. The eyeshadows are of a similar quality to the Rosebud palette, with a good variety of matte and shimmer shades ranging from soft highlight shades, to lovely mid-toned and deeper colours. The pigmentation is generally very good, and the powders are soft and blend nicely on the skin.

The packaging is sturdy, made from good quality cardboard, and included is a brilliant full size mirror. The mirror itself, whilst excellent, is also heavy, and does not sit up on its own, so you will just need to lean it against something while doing your makeup. Not a deal breaker by any means, but just something to note.

NATIO is all about promoting natural beauty. They take inspiration from the colours in our beautiful Australian environment, and their mantra " love being you " has always resonated with me. Whether you choose to do a full glam makeup look on a daily basis, or just subtly enhance your features with a handful of products, it's about using and enjoying makeup creatively in a way that YOU enjoy. I don't contour my face on a daily basis, however some days I feel like experimenting! Blush is a must-have for me on a daily basis, I feel like I've forgotten my knickers if I'm not wearing blush...much like lipstick, it instantly brightens my face, and makes me look a little more awake than I feel! The point is, trends will come and trends will go. They always do. I have seen many in the 30 odd years that I have been experimenting and enjoying makeup. Just don't forget to "love being you", and have fun!

See...it's even written on the palette to remind you xx

The tools included are not too bad, and with the exception of only one will do the job well. The 'Blender' brush is not so great... it is cut straight across and feels a little scratchy to be honest. I use a bigger, tapered fluffy brush for blending my eyeshadows. All in all the brushes are not too bad, considering that the brushes included with most palettes usually leave a lot to be desired.

The contouring powders are lovely. The two deeper shades a very pigmented so just use a light hand. I find the peach shade to be less of a contour, and more of a brightening setting powder, or even a blush if you have a very fair skin tone. The highlight shade is very pretty...I have swatched it quite heavily here, it does not look this stark and obvious on the skin at all, but blends nicely to catch the light perfectly.

Now the blush palette...well...I am SO loving this! Knocked my socks off. 

The rosy brown shade on the left is perfect for placing towards the back of the cheek, almost like a 'relaxed' way to contour and add shape and dimension to your face. The middle two shades are completely stunning, have a matte finish and give the most beautiful youthful flush to your cheeks...just tap your brush gently into these, they pack a punch, but do blend out easily. The dusty mauve shimmer on the far right is completely dreamy, and makes either a beautiful blush topper to the other three shades, or a gorgeous glowy blush on its own.

The quality of these blushes reminds me of many high-end blushes that I own. Pop these into NARS packaging and I wouldn't blink.

I have only swatched a couple of the eye shadows from the palette. The shades in the top two rows are very similar to the Rosebud palette. These shades above are an assortment from the bottom two rows, where the colours are a little warmer in tone. Lovely.

If you see this palette in Priceline Pharmacy, Myer or David Jones I would not hesitate to recommend that you pick it up. It would make the perfect gift, either to a loved one, or just for you to enjoy.

You can also head over to the NATIO website here to see their lovely range of products.

Phew! Are you still here? If you are, then thank you! 

I appreciate each and everyone of you that visits my blog! I have some exciting changes coming... so stay tuned. Lots more content coming your way this year. If you have any requests for reviews or 'how too's' please leave me a comment below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings!

Lou xo

Disclaimer; Products are PR samples provided for consideration. All opinions are my own, as always. Thank you Natio! And please bring back "Apples" blush! Lou xo

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Beauty Gift Guide | The Natural Supply Co.

Hello!

I have some lovely Christmas gift ideas for you today from one of my favourite Australian online destinations, Natural Supply Co.

 Natural Supply Co launched in 2014 when three savvy women came together with the intention to make available quality, cruelty free, luxury natural products for body, bath and home. Catherine Brooks, Celeste Robertson and Sarah Scott are the women behind Natural Supply Co, and they share a passion for natural, cruelty free products from carefully selected brands that they themselves use and love.

I have discovered many new favourite products over the last two years, and though I am not what is commonly known as a  "Green" blogger, I am respectful of, and fascinated by the not only the beautiful products, but the artisans who create them.

I sometimes day-dream that I am one of those magical creators, spending the day in my kitchen whipping up a deliciously fragrant body butter, or blending a beautiful body oil...and when I'm not dreaming about that, I am dreaming about having my own online store... 

I digress!!

I have four gift ideas for you today which I purchased a couple of weeks ago. They are all beautiful, and come highly recommended by moi. Oh... and Catherine, Celeste and Sarah!

Babe Scrub BE RAD Organic Body Wash 500ml RRP $38.00AUD.

Not only is Australian brand Babe Scrub's BE RAD Organic body wash a beautiful product, it looks damn fine in your bathroom too. The low foaming, aloe and glycerin based gel feels lovely on the skin, whilst the aroma of lavender, mandarin and grapefruit is refreshing and uplifting. The scent is not at all sickly or overpowering, it is well balanced and delightful. I typically enjoy a lighter, fresher body wash for the warmer months, and this one is ticking all the boxes for me. It cleanses gently and rinses away easily, leaving your skin clean but not tight or uncomfortable. And I ask you...who doesn't want to Wake Up, Kick Arse, Be Rad and Repeat? *sassy finger snaps*.

DNA Elements Raspberry Antioxidant Body Oil 100ml $24.95AUD.

Another beautiful Australian brand, DnA Elements, have made this body oil exclusively for Natural Supply Co. The Raspberry Antioxidant Body Oil is a new favourite of mine, and is a product that has been on my wishlist for some time. There is a good reason this gorgeous oil has five star reviews on the NSC website. It is just beautiful. Don't be put off by thought of using a body oil in summer. I use them all year round, and this one is so delightfully lightweight and quick to melt into your skin... I promise you'll be a convert. 

" Nourish your body with this antioxidant rich body oil containing a base of sunflower, grapeseed and macadamia oils to soften, tone and rehydrate your skin. The signature ingredient raspberry seed oil is packed with vitamins A & E and essential fatty acids to help repair and condition your skin leaving it deeply nourished and luminous".

Not only is the texture glorious, the scent is too. Orange, lime, bergamot and juniper essential oils give it a sweet, citrusy, yet slightly earthy scent that is just divine. You may just have to gift yourself a bottle along with your loved one. Allow me to enable you...

Lanolips for Perfect Hands Trio 3 x 25ml $19.95AUD.

I am a little embarrassed by my Lanolips lip balm collection. I think I currently have five ( obsessed yes ) and I have either Lemonade or Banana on my lips most evenings, and Rhubarb in my handbag. Lanolips hand creams are equally lovely. Nourishing, protective, and healing, you need at least one these in your home. I have the  Rose hand cream permanently in my nappy bag. This gift set is brilliant value, and is ideal for breaking up into three separate gifts if you wish. Lanolips hand creams are 98.5% natural, and do not contain parabens, petrolatum, mineral oil, sulfates or artificial fragrances. I have not tried the lemon hand cream as yet...it might be a case of Merry Christmas to Lou, from Lou.

INIKA Naturally Delicious Lip Glaze Duo $34.00AUD.

The new to me, Australian mineral makeup brand INIKA have a lovely duo of their organic Lip Glazes especially for Christmas. Organic vegetable and seed oils, and carnauba wax make up the moisturising base, which is also contains organic vanilla oil, giving it a lovely soft, subtle fragrance.

The shade Lychee is a pale pink cream nude with no shimmer. It is quite pigmented, very pretty and looks to be quite a bit paler in real life, as opposed to the picture on the back of the packaging in which it appears more mauve/plum. Something to note.

Watermelon is a juicy, summer red with a subtle shimmer. Very pretty, and my favourite out of the two shades. The formula can be sheered out a little easier than the more white based creamy Lychee. You can also mix the two shades together, which gives you a third shade option! They feel very comfortable and nourishing on the lips, have a lovely shine, and certainly have enough colour pay off to wear on their own. I am eyeing off the 'Berry' shade...

Do head on over to Natural Supply Co here. I'm sure that you will enjoy browsing all of their lovely products as much as I do!

I can also warmly recommend the Yard Lip Bloss, a gorgeous gloss/balm hybrid that I ADORE which come in several different shades/flavours, and The Shore Soap Company Mermaid Kisses range...I have the solid perfume, and the lotion. Smells AMAZING! Think sweet, little bit citrusy, with the warmth of amber and musk...So Good!

HAPPY SHOPPING! 

Please leave any questions or comments for me below! Wishing you a safe and Happy Christmas!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. No affiliate links are present. Products purchased by me. Cheers xo

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Replederm Age Redefine Trio | Review

Hello Beauties!

I hope you are well?

I have had the pleasure of testing out a new Australian skin care range from the Decode Life Group over the last 5 weeks, and I would like to share my thoughts with you today.

The range is called replederm, and consists of three core products known as the Age Redefine Trio.

replederm was launched in November 2015, just over a year ago, and was founded and developed by Tania Tan of Decode Life, an experienced community and compound pharmacist based in Victoria.

"Decode Life, founded in March 2015 by Tania Tan, began with a passion to assist busy and active middle aged women towards a vibrant, radiant and natural looking skin by incorporating the holistic approaches of age-old wisdom, modern research, and an open mind".

From this passion, the simple but potent, artisan replederm skin care range came about, designed to restore and nuture healthy skin. 

I have been testing these products for 5 weeks now, using the transforming serum morning and night, and the dark spot corrector and anti-ageing creme in the evening.

Just to include a little background for you, I am 41 years old and have several skin concerns ( how long have you got? ha ha! ), including pigmentation from both previous sun damage and five pregnancies, fine lines and some deeper wrinkles, I am acne prone, and my skin type is combination/oily/dehydrated! Phew!

If you would like to hear my thoughts on the replederm Age Redefine Trio, then please read on!!

replederm Age Redefine Trio.

The transforming serum is a beautifully lightweight, refreshing serum that has slipped easily into both my morning and evening skin care routines. My skin drinks it up, and it immediately feels hydrated, soothed and comfortable. Absorption is rapid, with no residual tackiness.

One of this serum's star ingredients is honey. One of my favourite skin care ingredients, it is known for its natural anti-bacterial properties, and is very healing and soothing for the skin. I can detect the subtle scent of honey on application...it is lovely.

The serum also contains vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection, the moisture binding "magnet" hyaluronic acid, and marine collagen, which is believed to assist in the stimulation of collagen synthesis. With age comes wisdom, and concurrently, a great deal less collagen!! Collagen and Elastin are the building blocks of the skin, and as we age there is a natural decline in production. Give me all the collagen I say!

replederm transforming serum also contains soothing aloe, hydrating macadamia and jojoba oils along with extracts of kakadu plum, known to contain a very high concentration of vitamin C.

I have no doubt that this serum would likely suit most skin types. It has been an absolute pleasure to use, and is just lovely! 

replederm dark spot corrector.

The dark spot corrector is a treatment cream which targets blemishes and pigmentation. I have been using it in the evenings, applying it after the serum, and before the anti-ageing creme.

One of the main ingredients is Niacinamide, otherwise known as vitamin B3. I am quite familiar with good old Niacinamide, and tend to look for it in my skin care products as I find it to give me noticeably brighter skin with improvement in both texture and clarity.

Pracaxi oil is another main ingredient, and one that I was not familiar with. After a little bit of research, I discovered some rather interesting facts! Pracaxi oil is native to the Amazon and contains high levels of behenic acid, which is believed to be beneficial in reducing skin discolouration. Interestingly, behenic acid can be useful in reducing stretch marks, and is also used in shampoos and conditioners as it is known to make your hair soft and shiny!

Amazonian locals use Pracaxi oil as an all-purpose natural remedy to accelerate healing of skin damage from small cuts and abrasions, insect and snake bites. It is also anti-bacterial, soothing and healing. Due to its ability to aid in cell renewal, it has more recently become an ingredient of benefit in skin care formulations.

The dark spot corrector has quite a thick texture, however it smoothes easily over the skin. It has no discernible fragrance. It contains plenty of nourishing oils, and also contains Shea Butter. I was a little worried initially that it may be too heavy for my acneaic skin, which will often react and break out in cystic acne when I use products containing shea, however I am pleased to report that have not had any issues whatsoever!

Though I don't have any photographs to share, I have certainly noticed an overall improvement in  skin clarity, I feel that my skin tone is more even, and some areas of pigmentation are looking noticeably lighter. It is recommended to be used morning and night for 8 weeks to see full results, so I will indeed update you with any further improvements!

The texture of the anti-ageing creme is soft, pillowy and luxurious. Sensorially it is a pleasure to apply, not only because of the lovely texture, but also due to the inclusion of some lovely essential oils of Frankincense, Ylang Ylang, Rose Geranium and Sandalwood. It absorbs quickly and easily, leaving a satin matte finish...not at all greasy or shiny.

The hydration and moisture protective elements are taken care of thanks to its base of glycerin, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, macadamia oil and shea butter ( again, no issues with acne break outs at all ). 

Again, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are present, along with the anti-ageing heroes vitamin A and peptides to boost collagen and elastin production.

The anti-ageing creme is recommended primarily for dry, combination, and mature skin types, however my combo/oily/dehydrated skin likes it very much indeed! I have found all three of the products to layer nicely too. When I wake up in the morning my skin looks and feels hydrated without looking or feeling greasy. It looks plump and fresh. I have also noticed a happy coincidence of less pimples/acne, and generally much clearer skin for the last few weeks! 

I am happy to report that the replederm literature recommends the use of adequate sunscreen during the day to protect your skin! It has been said many times before, but the best anti-ageing product you can use on your skin is a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen every day!

Do head over to the Decode Life website here, where you can read all about Tania's story, and purchase some of these lovely products if you wish to try them for yourself!

replederm is eco-friendly, cruelty free, not tested on animals, and made in Australia.

I can happily report that replederm products are currently 30% off until 29th December 2016!

transforming serum - RRP $89.90 now $62.90AUD.

dark spot corrector - RRP $79.90 now $55.90AUD.

anti-ageing creme - RRP $89.90 now $62.90AUD.

OR

The Age Redefine Trio is normally $219.90, down to $153.90AUD.

You can also purchase a trial pack ( I LOVE it when companies offer trial packs!! ) which gives you enough of each of the three products for one weeks use, for $4.95! I'd recommend grabbing 2 trial packs...two weeks supply will give you a good idea if your skin likes them, and will cost you less than $10.00!! Shipping is currently only available in Australia, with hopes to extend to International in the future.

Do let me know in the comments below if you have any questions! I have really enjoyed using the replederm Age Redefine Trio, and would not hesitate to recommend it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

Disclaimer: Products were kindly provided for my consideration. My experiences and results are my own. Products that work well for me may not give you the same results, and vice versa. This post is not sponsored. Do head instructions/advice on all skin care products and patch test prior to use! Cheers! xo

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Metta Skincare Must-haves!

Good Evening Beauties!

After quite a long hiatus, I am back on the blog! If you don't follow me on social media, I had a baby girl in August, and have taken some time to settle in and just enjoy her. Her name is Addison, and she is my fifth bubba! She is three months old now and is an absolute delight!

I was sent these two beautiful products from the Australian brand Metta Skincare toward the end of my pregnancy, and they have taken up residence on my bedside table ever since. Handmade with gorgeous nourishing ingredients, the Body Butter and Hand Balm have not only moisturised and cared for my skin, they have also been instrumental in helping me to relax and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

If you would like to know a little bit more about these two lovely products, then please read on!

Handmade in Melbourne, Australia, using certified organic ingredients, it is obvious that much thought, love and care has gone into these formulations. The Body Butter is available in two scents... Vanilla, and Lavender. I was sent the lavender Body Butter, and I adore it. It contains only six ingredients, Shea Butter, Grapeseed Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, and Lavender essential oil. Its whipped, fluffy texture is a delight to apply...it melts luxuriously into the skin, and a little definitely goes a long way. 

Now, being a butter, it is quite rich and protective, which is why I like to apply it after my evening shower. You have time to really massage it into the skin, whilst enjoying the gorgeous aroma. Having said that, it does absorb really nicely, and does not leave your skin feeling sticky or tacky. For me, there is just the right amount of lavender oil. It is bright and refreshing, not overly pungent or too floral, and lavender oil has a long history of being known to assist in feelings of relaxation and reducing stress. 

Butters, in my humble opinion, are not meant to be "light" or rapidly absorbed...they are designed to nourish and protect and feed the skin. Apply it mindfully, with intention, giving yourself some time to breathe and fill up your tank. I am now close to halfway through this rather large jar which contains a hefty 135gm product. Although I love it, I kind of want to try the Vanilla one too! It's on my list! Oils and balms are my jam...I simply have to try them all!

The beautiful Hand Balm is equally loved. It lends itself perfectly to the bedside table, and has been religiously applied to my cuticles, hands and feet for many months. Pregnancy puts a lot of pressure on your feet, and mine would ache terribly, particularly in the third trimester. A good massage with some of this balm would provide me with relief, and also helped to prevent my skin from cracking around my heels ( bit gross, sorry ). It is surprising how much tension is carried in our hands, if you have ever had a hand massage you would know what I mean...it feels so good! I also apply a good blob of balm to each cuticle and massage it into the skin and nail bed. If you are short on time, take a tiny bit of balm, rub it between your hands and then place them close to your face, inhaling the gorgeous aroma. I will often do this during the day if I am feeling a little stretched trying to meet the needs of my family! 

The Hand Balm has also been used numerous times on my children. It soothes and takes the itch out of mozzy bites, and gets rubbed into any part of them that feels a bit sore! If they are having trouble settling of an evening I'll massage a little onto the back of their necks and shoulders. It really is a great all-purpose balm to have in your cupboard.

This luscious balm contains Olive Fruit Oil, Shea Butter, Beeswax, Calendula Flowers and Lavender essential oil, and all ingredients are certified organic. Its' fragrance is just as lovely as the Body Butter.



You can find out more about Metta on their website here, including stockists. The Metta range also
includes a Lip Balm, Face Balm and a Body Oil...and yeah I pretty much want them too!


If you fancy heading to the online market Good Spender here, you will find the Metta Hand Balm for $24.00 AUD, and the Body Butter for $34.00 AUD. I think these are amazing prices for such beautiful products that will certainly last you a long time! They would also make a beautiful Christmas gift for someone special, and that includes you! You can also read about how Metta chooses to use a portion of its profit for a very good cause. Good Spender is a great place to shop online consciously, especially with Christmas so close now!




Have you tried any of Metta's products? Do you have a favourite body butter or balm that you think I should try? Do let me know in the comments below!






Thanks so much for stopping by!



Blessings,



Lou xo

Disclaimer; Products were sent for consideration/review. This is not a sponsored post. I am not affiliated with any brands or business mentioned in the above post. Always patch test products before use, and check with your doctor before using products containing essential oils during pregnancy.  Cheers xo.

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