Alpha-H Instant Facial | Review

I was honored to attend the launch of Alpha-H's new product,  Instant Facial  in Sydney recently. The evening was hosted by Michelle Doherty, the owner and founder of Alpha-H. There is something quite unique and special about hearing the owner of a brand talk about not only their products, but share their personal skincare story as well. It gives you a more holistic view of a brand to hear about it from its infancy, to the present day. Alpha-H is a successful, internationally acclaimed, award winning Australian skincare brand. I have been using Alpha-H products for about a year now, and I have been using chemical exfoliants as a part of my skincare routine for around 2 years.

Instant Facial is a product designed to slot in to your existing skincare routine. It could be described as a hydrating/exfoliating toner hybrid. Used after cleansing, and before your serum and moisturiser, it's glycolic acid goes to work exfoliating dead skin cells and encouraging the formation of collagen, whilst a blend of natural plant and herb extracts provide hydration, contain soothing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic benefits, and also temporarily smooth and refine the texture of the skin's surface. Sound a bit too good to be true?


Instant Facial  is described by Alpha-H as "Botanical Brilliance" in a bottle, so let's have a look at some of the ingredients...

Witch Hazel... the second ingredient listed, it is well known for its astringent properties, and often seen included in skincare products, or used on its own as a toner. Known to refine pores and hydrate the skin,  as well as provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. I can notice a subtle scent of witch hazel when I use Instant Facial.

Glycerin... a very common ingredient in many skincare products, it draws water from both the environment and the deeper layers of skin, pulling it  into the outer layers of skin. It is hydrating and protecting.

Glycolic Acid... one of the most common AHA's ( alpha hydroxy acid ) typically derived from sugar cane. As I mentioned above, glycolic acid is an exfoliator, removing the layer of dead skin cells from the surface, allowing the fresh new skin cells to be revealed. Its ability to dissolve dead skin cells aides in the clearing of blocked pores and blackheads, it can reduce fine lines, scarring and hyperpigmentation. It will also, importantly, allow your skin to be able to absorb more efficiently those lovely serums, oils and moisturisers that we rely on to nourish, protect and repair our skin.

Plankton Extract... known to be used in skincare products for it moisturising, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. I did come across a small amount of literature which did suggest that the majority of marine extracts ( Marine Algae ) are thought to be comedogenic. I have not noticed any increase in congestion or comedones forming on my skin, and I am of the belief that the glycolic acid present in the product would counteract any such effect, if it does indeed occur at all.

Chamomile Extract, Thyme Extract, Arnica Flower Extract, Aloe Leaf Juice...a nice cocktail of soothing, anti-inflammatory, and skin repairing ingredients. Arnica is also known for its healing properties, stimulating the formation of new tissue.

Cypress and Barley Extracts... Cypress is know for its hydrating and pore refining qualities, while Barley is anti-inflammatory, and is also known to be a source of zinc, which aids in healing and repairing the skin. Worth noting is that Cypress and Barley do appear towards to end of the ingredient list, which generally means they are in smaller quantities.

I actually saw results after only a couple of days of using Instant Facial, and my skin is quite accustomed to products containing glycolic acid. I think the beauty of this product, is that its effects are both immediate, and ongoing. We all want that fresh, bright smooth complexion, and often look to makeup, or expensive serums and moisturisers to achieve it. 

Both alcohol and oil free, Instant Facial does smooth, and reduce the appearance of my fine lines...and I do have fine lines yes!! It has also reduced the appearance of my enlarged pores. Now, if pores had their very own little muscles, they would be able to close and open. Unfortunately, they don't, it is not possible for pores to be 'closed' as such. However, I do find that my pores are "less noticeable". My skin looks more radiant, even toned, and just healthier. Fresh. Glowing.

Instant Facial is packaged in a spray bottle, however I prefer to spray it onto a cotton round and then apply to my face. I like to be precise with where I am putting glycolic acid. You can spray directly onto your face if you wish, however you will need to cover your eyes. Two sprays directly onto the cotton round is the perfect amount for my face, neck and decollatage. Through my own experience of using this product over the last 5-6 weeks, any more than that seems to be excessive, and leaves an almost tacky residue on my skin. Less is more for me.

I do feel the 'tingle' that comes with glycolic acid products. It almost feels 'prickly' to me. I feel it immediately on application, and it usually lasts 10-15 seconds before dissipating. It is normal to feel this to some degree. As I mentioned earlier, I have been using AHA and BHA exfoliants for the last two years. When I first started to incorporate exfoliating toners into my routine I started gently, using them 3 times a week at first to see how my skin would react. I then built up to every second day, and then finally to daily use. If you are just starting out with acid exfoliators,  don't feel like you need to rush into twice daily use immediately...it is ok to take your time, and approach them gently.  

It is recommended to use alone for an intensive treatment, if you wish. I believe that this allows the glycolic acid to work its magic without being hindered by other products being layered on top of the skin. It is important that exfoliating preparations have a low pH, in order for them to work efficiently. Healthy skin actually sits at a pH of 4.5-5.5, which is naturally acidic. Although it does contain hydrating and water holding ingredients, it does not provide enough hydration on its own for me, so on a daily basis I will continue on with my serum and moisturiser. I do like to wait about 2-3 minutes after application for it to absorb and settle on my skin.

To keep it all in the context of my skincare routine, I am using other products that I am very happy with, that I believe are also contributing to how I see my skin looking and feeling at the moment. Some of them are from Alpha-H, some of them are not. I think the cleansers, serums, and oils that I use, along with Instant Facial are improving the overall health of my skin, helping reduce the length and severity of breakouts, and giving me more of a glow. Because we all want a little bit of glow don't we?

Do let me know in the comments below if you have tried Instant Facial! Do you have a favourite exfoliating product? I would love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

This product was gifted to me by Alpha-H for review. This does not affect my thoughts or opinions shared about the product. I will indeed be spending my own money and repurchasing this product when I run out.

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Manicures of the Month #2

So another month has flown by, and I have been sorely neglecting my blog in the last 2 weeks due to life just being busy with work and four little children! It is so hard to find that balance between giving all you need to your family, and trying to savour a little time to follow your own passions and dreams...does anyone else feel this way? Do tell me I am not alone here?!

It's round 2 of Manicures of the Month today... these are some of the pictures I share on Instagram of my nails. I have recently aquired some new polishes from SoNailicious Boutique that I will be featuring  in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for those...they are spectacular!!

Anyway...on with today's post!

Essie's 'Bahama Mama' .... This type of "ox-blood" shade was all the rage with bloggers last year. This is two coats, nice formula, just didn't wow me for some reason?

Powder Perfect's 'Tristan' .... a quintessential mint green with the slightest hint of blue. Opaque in two coats...you know how I feel about Powder Perfect polishes! Always on point...and I believe Jacinta has just released a new collection...*tries to control self*

Mode Cosmetics 'Boysenberry'... you may be interested to know that this polish will set you back just under $3.00 AU... this beauty is almost opaque in one coat, I just prefer two coats as it adds to the depth of colour...so stunning. Highly recommend this shade!

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure 'Cafe au Lait' ... the search for a truly great nude polish can be difficult, and a lot of it comes down to finding one that suits your skintone. As you can see from the picture above, I am about a quarter of the way through this bottle, which says a lot considering how many nail polishes I have. This shade has a very fine silver shimmer running through it. Though difficult to see when on the nail, it gives the shade a beautiful glow, and that is what I think really brings this one to life. Lovely formula, and a brilliant wide curved brush. Probably my favourite mani this last month.

Revlon 'Super-Powered' ... part of the Spiderman 2 colour collection that Revlon released recently. This is a stunning sparkling blue with a very subtle purple/teal shift. Lovely smooth formula, two coats and you are done. Pretty! 

Essie Van D' Go ( base ) and 'Set in Stones' glitter ... so this mani was admittedly a fail for me. The pretty turquoise stones you see are a nail decal from Nailene. After placing them towards the base of my nail, I then filled in the half moon with Set in Stones, which unfortunately was flowing with clear base and not much glitter for me that night!! Half of my decals are not centred properly, and I had flooded cuticles and not much glitter. There are many times when I think that I should have quit while I was ahead, and left it as a pretty, peachy pink mani... sometimes less is more with nails too!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask | Review

I think I have a bit of a soft spot for anything that hails from New Zealand. Pineapple Lumps come to mind...Rush Monroe's Ice Cream...rolling green hills...beautiful wineries...the list could go on!

My mum is a Kiwi, so really it is my family heritage which binds my heart to the Land of the Long White Cloud, ( all food jokes aside ). And proud of it I am!!

Antipodes are a New Zealand skincare brand, offering natural, organic skincare products with a conscious respect for our environment. Antipodes promote the use of sustainable resources in the manufacture and design of their packaging, in the choice of ingredients, and in the manufacture of their products.

 On a recent trip to the North Island, I found myself in a lovely little pharmacy in the city of Wellington. I had heard, and read great things about the Aura Manuka Mask, and knew from the ingredients that it would likely be a good skincare investment.

I say investment because this mask will set you back in the vicinity of $50 AU. Not cheap by any means, but for me personally, good quality skincare will always take priority over a beautifully packaged high end colour cosmetic.

As you can see in the photograph above, manuka honey is the second on the ingredient list in this mask. Manuka honey is produced from the Manuka Tree, which is native to New Zealand, and also some parts of Australia.

 All types of honey have antibacterial properties, whether taken internally or applied topically. Manuka honey is know to be the most "active" in terms of its anti-microbial action, making it an ideal skincare ingredient for problem/blemish prone skin. It is also known to be cleansing, anti-inflammatory, intensely hydrating and nourishing for the skin, and has been used for these same reasons by the Maori people of New Zealand for many generations. Also worth noting is the inclusion of Grapeseed extract, Carrot oil, and Pohutukawa extract. All powerful, protective antioxidants. Ticking any boxes?

The mask has a very subtle scent of vanilla, and I can also smell the distinctly herbal, sweet scent of the honey. It is pleasant and unobtrusive. The aluminium tube keeps the product protected from light, maintaining the efficiacy and stability of the antioxidants, and is very user friendly. The mask has the consistency of a thick, creamy ointment, and is best applied with clean fingers. I apply any product left on my fingers onto the backs of my hands.

While this mask will essentially 'dry' a little on the face, it never hardens or feels uncomfortable. I will often forget to keep an eye on the time...

After a few rounds with my flannel and nice warm water, my skin looks and feels calm and hydrated. Any redness or inflammation is markedly reduced. My skin feels clean and balanced, and has a lovely glow.

I try to make time at least twice a week to add a mask to my skincare routine, and I love that I can be treating any blemishes gently, whilst adding hydration to my skin. This mask can also be used as a spot treatment for blemishes. Unlike a clay based mask, you will not get bits of mask falling off your face as it dries (anyone else?) so spot treating is as simple as dabbing on an ointment. Nice.
 For me, blemishes will heal faster, without the dry and flaky skin (sorry..) and I find any redness is calmed and soothed.

I can safely say that I will always have a tube of this mask in my skincare wardrobe.

You can read all about Antipodes, find stockists, and peruse their product range on their website here

Antipodes is also available online in Australia at Adore Beauty , and more recently, instore and online at Priceline Pharmacy.

You can find Antipodes in the UK at both Beauty Bay and Feel Unique.

Have you tried any products from Antipodes? I would love to hear any recommendations you might have, and you know how much I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment below!


Thank so much for stopping by!



Blessings,



Lou xo

Disclaimer: As always, I make no guarantees regarding your own personal results with products. I am simply sharing my own experiences. Do always follow instructions as listed by the manufacturer.

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Real Techniques: Modern Natural and Night Owl Make-up Kits

With a cult following on You Tube, a huge library of make-up tutorials and their own line of make-up brushes, it seems that the beautiful Pixiwoo sisters Sam and Nic can do no wrong.

I have, and love, many of their brushes. They are excellent quality, and really do help you to apply your make-up flawlessly. I purchase mine from the well known online store  iherb, which as it happens, is currently offering Real Techniques brushes at 20% off until the 21st May!

You're welcome!

I absolutely jumped at the chance to try their newly released make-up kits , so as soon as I received the email that they were available to purchase, it was on like Donky Kong!!

Thankfully, Real Techniques were offering worldwide shipping, and I opted for the express delivery option, (a very reasonable $12.01) which saw my order confirmed, shipped and delivered to Australia in seven days. Nice.

Do bear in mind it is an American company, and prices on the website are in US dollars. My total order, including shipping came to just over $69.00AU for the 2 palettes.

There are two kits available...Modern Natural, perfect for a more natural daytime look, and Night Owl, your smokey, evening appropriate shades.

Each palette contains three shimmer eyeshadows, one matte eyeshadow, one gel eyeliner, one cream highlight, one powder blush, and two lip glosses.

Do keep in mind my focus with this post is mainly on swatches, and initial impressions only. This is by no means a full review.

Real Techniques "Modern Natural" Make-up Kit.

The kits are housed in sturdy cardboard packaging embossed with the Real Techniques logo. Inside, the products are contained in a plastic tray. The lid has clear, pliable perspex lid which has a magnetic closure.

At first glance, the packaging is probably not particularly enticing, but it is functional. Fine by me.

Real Techniques "Modern Natural" Make-up Kit.

Swatches are in the order they appear in the palette.

Above: Shade
 Below: Direct natural light

To touch, all of the shades in this palette feel smooth and silky and have good colour pay-off. The blush initially felt a little powdery, but adheres to the skin well and is easy to blend...and such a pretty peachy pink satin/matte blush.

The cream highlight ( far right ), reminds me of The Balm's Mary-Loumanizer...very much. It feels soft, creamy and easy to blend. I am really looking forward to getting this on ma face! The gel liner is also soft and creamy, and a lovely warm chocolate brown.

I obviously can't comment on application, wear and longevity, however I am really looking forward to using this palette!

There are two shades of lipgloss in the Modern Natural palette. A shimmery gold with a fine glitter, and a very sheer pink/peach, which on the lips really looks like a clear gloss.

 They are very small tubes, and it is a little hard to get a decent amount of product out...I had to dip the applicator in several times to get enough gloss to cover my lips.

The gloss itself does feel nice on the lips, and even a sheer gloss compliments the overall theme of the palette nicely.

Real Techniques "Night Owl" Make-up Kit.

Real Techniques "Night Owl" Make-up Kit.

Swatches are in the order they appear in the palette.

Some of these deeper shades lost a little intensity on the skin, the purple/plum, and the blue shades definitely taking on a more muted tone... there is very little shimmer to the plum at all. The pale gold highlight on the far left is gorgeous.

To my eyes, the cream highlight is the same in both palettes ( do correct me if I am wrong ).

How gorgeous is this blush looking? Very silky and smooth, and such a gorgeous sheen. What I would call a lovely rosey pink.

The two glosses in the Night Owl palette pack a little more punch, as you can see above. The red is highly pigmented and beautiful.

L-R  The cream highlight, Night Owl Blush, and Modern Natural Blush.

Don't they look beautiful?

Two Pointed Eyeliner brushes were gifted with my order, I presume one per palette would be the standard. They remind me of the brush that comes with the Maybelline Gel liner pots, which I actually really like. Always happy to own another Real Techniques brush, and a free gift with purchase is always appreciated!


I will spend the next few weeks playing with these, and will try to upload a few looks at a later date. As I mentioned, this is not a full review, just me sharing my initial thoughts with you. So far, it is only the lip glosses that are a little disappointing for me, but to be honest, the shadows and the face products are the reason I purchased these kits.


Have you taken the plunge and purchased either of these? Are you holding off until you read some reviews? I know that some people do not like having both cream and powder products together in the same palette...does it bother you?

Do let me know in the comments below!!


Thanks so much for stopping by! I really appreciate everyone who takes the time to visit my blog, so thank you from the bottom of my heart!


Blessings,


Lou xo

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Manicures of the Month #1

I really enjoy doing my own manicures. Typically, you will find me at my computer in the evening, when all the wee 'roses are tucked up in bed. I will no doubt be devouring the latest offerings from my favourite beauty gurus on You Tube...and painting my nails. 

Those lovely little bottles of every shade and finish imaginable hit me at my girly core. I have been attempting some very basic nail art ( please be gentle ) but also love a clean, classic cream finish. The options are endless, and the opportunity for creativity is always knocking on my door...

I thought I would put together a little offering of some current mani's that have tickled my fancy over the last month or so...I hope you enjoy! I regularly post pics of my nails on instagram, so come and say hello because I LOVE chatting beauty, and am always keen to find others who share my passion!!

OPI Russian Navy. Not a great deal to say. It is stunning, and one of my all time favourites. I will always have a bottle of this in my collection. It has so much depth and dimension, and has a sophistication that beats a straight black mani any day...in my humble opinion.

Powder Perfect. An Australian Independent brand that I have recently discovered and have fallen in love with. I have used the shade "Aquitaine" for the base, and the glitter gradient is "Fallen Chandelier". Beautiful hand mixed formulas that apply like a dream. You can find their website here
You're welcome...

A little Maybelline love with this mani, using Take It Off, In Your Flesh and Tan Lines from their Stripped Nude collection. I really enjoy the Colorshow line of polishes. They are affordable, and have a nice colour range, though we would love to see a larger range of shades Down Under Maybelline! 

Just sayin...

More Powder Perfect. This is gorgeous, slightly muted purple is called "Salut D'Amor". My accent nail is L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche in the shade "Sequin Explosion"....and my word, it is packed with small multicoloured glitter and boy does she sparkle!

I see a theme emerging...Powder Perfect...again! This beauty is from the Euphoria Collection, and is called "Elation". The photo does not do her justice. It is one of those glitters that shimmers in both the shade and the light. A true beauty.

A little ambitious for The Beauty Vine perhaps , but thought I would share my first attempt using tape. I used 2 coats of Orly Rage ( another must have ) for my base coat. Allowed it to dry completely. Placed my tape in position, and then applied one coat of Dance Legend no.357. I did one nail at a time, removing the tape immediately following the coat of polish.Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Dance Legend is a Russian brand, and it is beautiful. I felt quite fancy. I purchased this shade from SoNailicious Boutique 

You will also find the beautiful midi rings I am wearing in most of these photos from there as well. And you simply must check out the So Nailicious Blog...always beautiful, always inspiring.

You're welcome!



Do let me know in the comments below what your favourite nail polish brands and shades are! I would love to hear from you!


Thanks so much for stopping by!


Blessings,


Lou xo

Disclaimer: All polishes were purchased by me. I have no affiliation with the brands mentioned in this post. I just love them. Cheers.

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Black Chicken Remedies Organic Skincare | Review

I have recently discovered a lovely skincare brand, Black Chicken Remedies, and wanted to share my thoughts with you today. It is a rather unusual name, so I thought I would share this story from the brand below. It gives you an idea of the vision behind the products...

The Legend of the Black Chicken

It is said that Black Chicken is an ancient crone, renowned for her healing power and ability to transform her appearance at will.

For centuries they came, with their problems and ailments, to sit at her feet. Only those with good hearts were admitted. Those who had forgotten to how to trust sought her door in vain.

So the story goes...

They came for comfort, for salves, for oils and herbs, for creams and cures.

They told their stories and for each she had a little magic to spare.

Black Chicken knows, they said, one to another, and so their children learned, and their children's children.

Black Chicken knows.

I discovered the Australian brand Black Chicken Remedies a little over 2 months ago. I had seen Caroline Hirons recommend the "Cleanse My Face" Purifying Cleansing Oil on instagram, and was immediately intrigued. 

Off to their website I went, and became increasingly impressed, and interested in all of the information presented,  the detailed discussion of the ingredients of the products, and their benefits.

My initial purchase was made that same evening, and within 2 days my order had arrived. The travel skin care and starter pack ( $34.95AU ), and the Cleanse My Face Purifying Oil Cleanser 100ml.

As soon as I opened my package, I could smell the signature Black Chicken Remedies blend of essential oils. I knew we were going to get along just fine...

The Travel skin care kit and starter pack contains:


Cleanse My Face Purifying Oil Cleanser - 5ml
Love Your Face Serum - 5ml
Love Your Body Oil - 5ml
Balm of Ages All Purpose Remedy -15g
Axilla Deodorant Paste - 15g


Packaged in a small black mesh carry bag, all of the oils are in beautiful quality bottles with dropper dispensers, ideal for re-use. The balm and paste are in screw top jars.

 This is a wonderful way to try some of the Black Chicken Remedies products, and I believe great value for money. You will be able to sample the products, feel the beautiful textures, inhale the balancing and calming aromas of the oils, and most importantly see how they perform for your skin.

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I have oily/combination skin that is acne prone. My issues with acne stem from having Polycystic Ovary Sydrome.  I have only recently learned, that I need to stop treating my skin like I did when I was younger.  It is hard not to get angry and frustrated at your skin when you feel like you are always having to deal with breakouts. Whether it's congestion and blackheads, multiple pimples, or those horrible painful lesions that lurk under your skin, acne can have a huge effect on your self esteem. I've been there, I understand, and I still struggle with it.

So, instead of punishing my skin by loading on layers of topical drying treatments, I am taking a gentler approach, and have seen some great improvements in my skin over the last 12 months.

The products I have tried recently from Black Chicken Remedies have been wonderful. They are balancing, hydrating and calming. I have noticed a decrease in inflammation, and a general improvement in texture and tone. I also feel like my skin is producing less oil, and if I do experience any breakouts they are significantly less severe and heal very quickly.

I absolutely adore the natural fragrance of these products. Fragrance is a very personal thing. We are all different when it comes to our likes and dislikes. I appreciate that some people do not like fragrance in their skincare products, or can be sensitive to them, particularly for the face. The essential oils in these products are as medicinal for your skin as the base oils, they are not there just to make them smell good, even though they do that very well!

I have always been interested in aromatherapy, and love burning essential oils at home. As someone who suffers from anxiety, I find the scent of these products almost immediately calming. It is difficult to describe, but to me it is warm, earthy, subtly floral, with a hint of sweetness. It makes me feel comforted and at ease. 

This is an absolutely beautiful oil cleanser. The photograph above clearly lists all ingredients. I use two pumps ( yay, a pump! ) for my evening cleanse, massage it in all over my face, including over my eyes. It has a beautiful silky, velvety texture.  I spend a minute or two massaging and inhaling the gorgeous aroma, then remove with a warm flannel. It removes all of my makeup with ease.

I normally follow an oil or balm cleanser with a non foaming gel cleanser, however if I feel that my skin is a little dehydrated, I will double cleanse with this. On occasion, I will apply the second layer of oil, and leave it on my skin as a hydrating mask while I wash my body/hair...more breathing, and then go in again several times with my warm flannel to remove, rinsing it well in between.

Click Here to go to the blog on the website detailing the benefits of the oils you will find in many of the Black Chicken Remedies products...

Love Your Face Serum has been described by the creator, Chey, as the "No-tox Botox" for your face. This very lightweight oil absorbs into my skin almost immediately, and gives you the most beautiful glow. It gives your skin a lovely boost of hydration, and can be used alone, or under your moisturiser morning and night. After trying this serum, I have repurchased the full 30ml size, which you see in the above photographs.

For my skin, I find it enough on its own. I use 2, sometimes 3 drops, and apply to my face in the evenings. I then spend a minute pressing it into my skin with my hands, whilst...you guessed it...breathing.

This serum is just beautiful. Perfectly hydrating. Fine lines are plumped up and definitely less noticeable! If your skin is normal to dry, or clinically dry, this serum would layer very nicely under your moisturiser. If you use and love oils on your face, then you will love this! If you don't use oils, then this one may well convert you!

I am currently scraping the edges of the first little pot of this gorgeous balm that came in my travel/starter kit. As you can see, I have repurchased the big daddy in the 75g tin. It has become by go-to balm for my cuticles and hands. I absolutely adore it. It is the most hydrating balm I have tried to date, and my cuticles have never been in better condition. It melts into your skin like butter, and smells divine ( of course ). A little goes a long way, my smaller sized tin has lasted me 2 months of daily use ( and multiple times during the day! )

I also use this on any dry patches of skin on my body, particularly elbows and feet, and as a sufferer of winter excema, this will indeed get a lot of use in the coming months as the weather here in Australia cools down.

It is also brilliant for mozzie bites! My children now come to me asking for the "special cream" and it works a treat at soothing itching and inflammation.

I have not tried this as a balm cleanser, as the first ingredient is shea butter, and I am a little wary because I have found shea to be a little too heavy for my skin in the past. As we head into winter, and my skin naturally produces less oil, I will give it a go and report back!!

" An intriguing scent combining the pure essential oils of sandalwood, geranium, patchouli, lavender, carrot, ylang ylang, and nutmeg in a blend of avocado, rosehip, hazelnut and coconut oil. 100% natural ingredients"

A beautiful all over body oil. Non-greasy and nourishing, I use this as a weekly treat for my skin after my shower in the evenings. On occasion I put whatever is left on my hands through the ends of my hair.

PJ's on...cup of tea...into bed...glorious.

I have been pleasantly surprised at how well this natural deodorant works. It is certainly a little different to get used to using a paste, but it is nice to know, as with all of the products in this range, that there are natural alternatives out there that work. And they work in a way that is going with your body, and not against it.


I am delighted to be able to share with you some thoughts from Chey, the creator of Black Chicken Remedies. I asked her if she would mind sharing a little of her story, her vision, and what led her to creating her own skincare line.

 I loved reading this, and I hope you do too...



"About 17 years ago while working in banking I discovered aromatherapy and was amazed by the potency of essential oils for healing. My new passion occupied my every thought. I read everything I could about oils and their properties and experimented day and night with the support of enthusiastic friends and family. My knowledge and experience grew day by day. I remember the day in Aromatherapy class about 15 years ago when I learned that some essential oils we put on our body, within 20 minutes they can be detected in the liver, this started me thinking what ingredients were in the beauty products we use every day? When I learned just how toxic many of these products were I knew in my heart I could create truly authentic products that heal rather than harm".

"My vision is to create products using the power of mother nature to bring the body back into equilibrium. The knowledge of the ancient medicine men and women has been lost today with people wanting a quick fix for everything and putting harsh chemicals on their body to stop something from happening. I believe everything is happening for a reason. For example - We sweat for a reason so if we just apply toxic chemicals in antiperspirant to our bodies we will stop sweating but I believe its dangerous and thats supported by loads of research. We need to listen to our bodies and approach it with love and attention. When was the last time anyone applied moisturiser with awareness? Hopefully the products I create make people stop for a moment and be present."

Black Chicken Remedies have a current Mother's Day Promotion with some great specials and gift with purchase. Click Here to check them out.


Don't forget to sign up for their newsletter, you will receive an email with a discount coupon code after you do for your first purchase! Black Chicken Remedies ship worldwide, and have a list of online and in-store stockists on their website.


Much of what I have learnt over the last 12-18 months I credit to Caroline Hirons. If you have not visited her blog, you can find it Here , pop it in your bookmarks, or follow her on Bloglovin. It is a wonderfully written, humorous, honest, invaluable resource.

If you have made it to the end of this post I am so grateful, and I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave any questions or comments below, I would love to hear from you!


Blessings,



Lou xo

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Too Faced Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette: Review and Swatches

A recent release from Too Faced Cosmetics, the Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Palette has been causing quite a stir among the beauty community of late. It's beautiful neutral theme, enticing scent and clever yet functional packaging seem to be ticking a lot of beauty lover's boxes!

I purchased mine from Tarazz around a month ago, and am thoroughly enjoying it. It is now available to purchase in-store and online in Australia from Mecca Cosmetica, and Kit Cosmetics.

In all honesty, it didn't take a great deal of contemplation as to whether I would purchase this palette. As soon as I saw some reviews and tutorials on You Tube, and read some blogger reviews, I knew that I would love it.

Yes...it smells delightful.

Too Faced state that the shadows are made with 100% natural cocoa powder, enriched with 16 antioxidants...honestly, I really don't have an opinion either way regarding the efficacy or stability of said antioxidants in my eyeshadow. I prefer to rely on good quality serums and eye creams for that. If they do happen to have a sprinkling then all well and good. It was the beautiful shades and variety of finishes that drew me in...

Perhaps worth a mention is that I am yet to own an Urban Decay Naked palette...I know...I'm a little bit more than late on that bandwagon. I know that a lot of people may wonder whether or not to purchase this if they already have the Naked palettes, particularly Naked 1 and Naked 2. I'm afraid I can't really help you with that one, however, I do know of quite a few beauty lovers who have taken the plunge with this palette, and I am yet to hear of anyone being disappointed.

Swatches below are photographed in indirect, natural light.

TOP ROW
L-R Gilded Ganache, White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Black Forrest Truffle, Triple Fudge.

MIDDLE ROW
L-R Salted Caramel, Marzipan, Semi-Sweet, Strawberry Bon Bon, Candied Violet, Amaretto.

BOTTOM ROW
L-R Hazelnut, Creme Brulee, Haute Chocolate, Cherry Cordial, Champagne Truffle.

BOTTOM ROW
Order as above, photographed in direct sunlight.

Almost all of the shadows in this palette are soft, easy to blend and have good colour pay off. Triple Fudge is a little sheer, however this allows you to build up the colour to your desired depth, rather handy for a beginner like me who is still finding her feet when it comes to adding depth to the crease or outer corner of the eye.

Both Milk Chocolate and Salted Caramel are beautiful mid-toned crease/blending out shades. Both matte, but creamy and so easy to blend. Love.

Strawberry Bon Bon, and Candied Violet are a little less than impressive to swatch. Strawberry Bon Bon is quite powdery, and Candied Violet doesn't pack the punch of intense pigment that I was hoping for. Patting this on over a cream base seems to help, though on its own it tends to blend out into more of a grey tone on my eyes.

Marzipan and Creme Brulee have been my most reached for lid shades... just beautiful. Amaretto is absolutely stunning as a one shadow wonder, as are both Hazelnut and Haute Chocolate.

The palette has two larger sized highlighting shades, White Chocolate (matte) and Champagne Truffle (shimmer). I find myself reaching for White Chocolate as my brow bone highlight, it is the perfect shade of pale cream. Champagne Truffle is very reflective, and is lovely in the inner corner, or tapped onto the centre of the lid to catch the light and brighten any eye look.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this palette. I am really enjoying it, and the gorgeous scent of cocoa just adds to the experience of experimenting with the different shades and creating your own looks.

Another benefit of owning a popular palette like the Too Faced Chocolate Bar, is the amount of tutorials you can find on You Tube. You will never be short of inspiration, and I always learn something new...because that's what it's all about after all!!


Have you taken the plunge and purchased this palette? What are your favourite shade combinations? I would love to hear from you in the comments below!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Blessings,

Lou xo

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