RAVE: Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion

If you haven't already, please read my rave on Echolife Lavender Facial Mist/Echolife Lovefest to find out about my skin woes.

Previously my cleanser was Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser, and then it was The Body Shop Aloe Cleanser. Both good, Dermalogica better. However I decided I should branch out into something else.. So it was suggested I give Weleda Almond Soothing Cleansing Lotion a go.

This is a wonderful product. It is free from parabens, not tested on animals, organic, all natural and fragrance free. WIN. It is a creamy consistency, and it doesn't really have a smell. It's very neutral, which is lovely. It is so amazingly gentle on my skin, and does a fantastic job at getting the gunk out and also removing makeup! I always wonder if gentle stuff will remove my makeup, so normally I'll use a wipe first but this has impressed me. I use it every night, and some mornings if I have slept with makeup on (whoops) or if I just feel I need it.

My main concern has been with getting the redness on my cheeks down. I suffer from what is presumed to be rosacea on my cheeks, and the Echolife Lavender mist is amazing at calming it down, especially when paired with this cleanser.

 Before.

After

 I believe I have a new favourite cleanser. WOOOOO! 

Thanks to the amazing team at Echolife for solving my problem :)

You can pick this up from Echolife for $21.90

Note: this product was provided to me by Echolife. I am under no obligation to review this product. And despite what it looks like, I'm not getting paid to write this, I just really really love Echolife and this product!

Happy Birthday To Me...

It was my birthday nearly 2 weeks ago, and a few people asked to see what I got. Here's the actual stuff that I was given:

A VS Sassoon Wave Envy from my brother. I love it!!! Yes, I know I'm behind.
Natio Cleanser and moisturiser, 3 nailpolishes, some eyeshadow and eyeliner from my lovely friend Alissa.
A beautiful Adele Basheer journal from my friend Rachael
Weleda Almond Soothing Masque from the team at Echolife.

From my parents, they're paying for me to do a skid pan car control course (if you don't know what I'm talking about, click here for an explanation). From BFF and uncle I got some Pandora that's already on my bracelets.

I also received some money and promptly did a Priceline haul (feat. L'Oreal BB Cream, Face of Australia Lip Quench and some other stuff I can't remember ha ha).

The best bit of my birthday was receiving cards. I love cards, they mean so much to me - I would rather a card than a gift, because a card says "I'm thinking of you". I spent the day at home, and in the evening had my family and 2 closest friends over for dinner and cake. Oh, and the cake was amazing.

I should say cakeS. Choc mud cupcakes with white chocolate icing, made by a wonderful local cakemaker.

Thanks for all the tweets, emails, facebook posts and carrier pidgeons. I love you all. x

Bargain Beauty Buys

As a uni student I know how hard it is to keep yourself looking gorgeous AND survive. Beauty products can be expensive! So I've put together a few ideas for you...

The Body Shop Facial Brush ($4.95, www.thebodyshop.com.au)

Who needs a Clarisonic?! These babies do a great job for a fraction of the price. Simply pop your cleanser on it, then use gentle motions over your face (circular usually works best) and rinse. You'll see your makeup come off along with all the dirt and grime. Use it 3 times a week, or if you have sensitive skin only use it once a week as it is gently exfoliating as well.

Cactus Brush (variable, eg $22.95 from www.thebodyshop.com.au but also available at Priceline, chemists etc)

Who needs expensive body scrubs?! Dry brushing not only helps to exfoliate and regenerate your skin cells, it also helps to increase bloodflow and lessen the appearance of cellulite. Cool, right? Keep it in the bathroom for use before your shower. Take care of it and it'll last forever.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (variable, available at chemists and Priceline)

You don't need expensive salon brands to get your skin clean. This baby is a great cleanser, gets rid of all the dirt and will love even the most sensitive of skins. If you're oily, they also have an oily skin cleanser. Best thing is you can pick up 500mL for under $15.

What are YOUR beauty bargain buys?!

Review: Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Shampoo and Conditioner

Let's start here. I have mid-length THICK wavy hair. My GHD used to be my best friend. Until I discovered these babies!

Gosh, I'm in love. The packaging is awesome - I love that the shampoo is clear so I can see how much is left, there are fun games on the back including trivia and it is easily turned upside-down when running low. The shampoo smells amazing, and lathers up really well. It also gets my hair lovely and clean. The conditioner, again, smells wonderful and is a light lilac. It does such a good job at making my hair soft, but also allowing it's natural waves to behave and be more workable! Another thing, it doesn't weigh my hair down! Oh, where have you been all my life?!

I am in love. Unfortunately I have 2 more sets of shampoo/conditioner in the cupboard that I need to use, but when I do, these babies will be back in my shower for sure!

You can pick them up for around $7 at all good supermarkets, chemists etc ;)

Let's talk health and diet

This post comes from reading on another blog (who I won't link to because honestly, there's thousands of them) yet again that sugar is the enemy. Oh, and so is soy, dairy, meat, cereal, fruit, vegetables, the computer you're sitting at..... Ok so I'm exaggerating with some things here.

The point is, we are being bombarded with "scientific" facts lately about how something else is the enemy now (Every single one lacks reference to peer reviewed journals). Recently sugar has been getting a workout again on various TV shows, blogs, books etc, and the full fat movement is in motion. I'm not here to tell you what's good and what's bad - you know why? Because I am not a health professional. I have no right to tell you what you can or cannot eat. I'm looking at you, lawyer who wrote that book.

You know who you should be going to for health advice? Your family GP. I'm referring here to the person you have seen for many years and knows you well, knows your body and your history. This is of course in a perfect world, I know that in some areas this person may have moved on, or never existed in the first place because you just see the first doctor with an appointment available. Try to find one that you trust, and that will take the time to discuss these things with you. Your GP is not someone you should fear. I have seen mine for the last 15 years (lucky, I know), and he has never steered me wrong.

I recently went to my GP to discuss my health & how to drop those nasty extra kilos. He gave me a lot of info and told me where to go for more info and support (I'm not posting it here because everyone is different). Why? Because he knows about this stuff. He knows me, and what's going to work for me.

So, next time you look for health advice, see your GP, not Google. Please.

Rave: Echolife Lavender Calming Facial Mist

Recently I decided it's time my skin got a regular routine. I was using Dermalogica for cleanser, and whatever was kicking around for moisturiser. Then I started clearing out products and my skin went haywire again.

Enter Sabine from Echolife - I sent a request out on twitter for a recommendation for a good cleanser for my sensitive/sometimes dry skin. She kindly spent some time asking questions and looking at my awful iPhone pic of my rosacea (not diagnosed but we believe that's what it is), and then kindly sent me a few things to try.

First, let's talk packaging, because I'm amazed. The box arrived, I opened it and discovered the items were packed using packing peanuts. Groan. I hate these things, they're bad for the environment and a pain. HOWEVER, I am greeted with a note telling me the peanuts are biodegradable (HOW FREAKING AWESOME IS THAT!), the box can be reused up to 5 times before it needs to be fully recycled, and the paper the note is written on has been lined on the back so you can use it as notepaper! (Which I did, I'm a big list writer). So far, massive high fives to Echolife for practicing what they preach.

Now, onto the product in question:

This is used as a toner, and is so wonderful. It smells really lovely, not overly lavendery, and sprays on and feels so light as it soaks in. I use it morning and night after cleansing, and sometimes even after I exercise to ease the redness.

I have noticed after using this in conjunction with my new cleanser (review to come) my skin is noticeably less red. After I use this is stops feeling "ouchy" and tight, and feels so refreshed. I really highly recommend this to any sensitive skin beauty, as it is so pure - no nasty chemicals or anything. And lasts FOREVER, I use it liberally and still I feel I've maybe used 1/10th of the bottle in 2 weeks. I am so in love with this product it's not even funny.

You can pick it up from Echolife for $19.90 (which you should, because it's amazing.)



Note: I was sent this item from Echolife. I am under no obligation to review this product.

March Empties

My favourite time of the month. EMPTIES TIME!

I've mentioned before of my love of empties. Such a good feeling. I think I love hauling, and therefore I love finishing product because it means I can buy more. LOL.

Anyway, onto the empties. Apologies in advance for the shocking lighting here. I didn't realise until after. 

The Body Shop Aloe Cleanser and Toner - did the job. Won't repurchase.

The Body Shop Body Butter Duo in Macadamia - this is awesome - lotion on one side, butter on the other. Genius! I have another now in Sweet Pea

Sodashi Rosewater spray - meh.

The Body Shop Love Etc Body Lotion mini - this is discontinued.

Herbal Essences Drama Clean shampoo - love. Already repurchased.

Pantene Aqua Light Conditioner - meh.

Pantene Colour Protect Shampoo - did protect my colour. Thats about it.

Mitchum Deodorant - HG

Santum Body Soothe lotion - this was a lovely smell. It's expensive so no repurchasing.

Thalgo Body Lotion of some description - ditto above

Burts Bees Cuticle Creme - LOVE LOVE LOVE already have another on on the go

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear - WAY too greasy for me. And I have dry skin.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Eye Reviver Duo - very refreshing. But that's about it.

The Body Shop All-In-One Face Base - HG prod. Love love love.

Priceline Calming Facial Wipes - already have another pack.

And that's it for another month. How excitement :)