Posts belonging to Category 'Organic'

Beauty Product Review: Kosmea Travel Collection, Certified Organic Rosehip Oil Skincare.

Growing up as a teenage girl, I was intrigued about skincare. I would try samples of brands that I thought would make my skin look as flawless as the models in Dolly magazine (which I later found out were heavily photoshopped) and after trying a few brands, I found Kosmea, on a shelf in a health food store (the vogue forums led me to try this brand) and according to the raves about this skincare line, it was –the– one to use.

♥ Rosehips in the wild!

Fast forward to today, and I continue to use the same skincare as I did then. Whether my skin gets dry in the summer months or sensitive in the winter months, it has always made my skin feel amazingly soft and clean, as well as helping to create the perfect base for makeup. Kosmea is one of the brands I keep going back to for many reasons.

The Clarifying Facial Wash is for all skin types and contains organic rose hip oil including Australian ingredients such as lily pilly and quandong extracts. It also contains macadamia oil, which makes my skin feel silky smooth and clean.

One of my all time favourite products is the Hydrating Rosewater Mist that I like to spritz on my face, I carry it in my handbag for times when I’m on the go. I’ve found it’s most effective after a long flight under air-conditioning vents when my skin becomes dry and thirsty. After spraying the pure rosewater contained in the bottle, my skin looks hydrated and feels soft. It also works as a wake-up call at the office, just keep it in the fridge for a refreshing lift!

Kosmea’s Rosehip Oil contains all the ingredients for healthy, gorgeous looking skin. Applying 2-3 drops morning and night on damp skin improves the overall smoothness and look of my skin after a few days. The rosehip oil is certified organic and uses the fruit, skin and seed of the wild rosehips. I have oily/combination skin, so the rosehip oil actually repairs my skin without feeling too oily at night!

After cleansing and exfoliating, I like to pop some moisturiser on my face. Kosmea has 2 moisturisers, one containing SPF 30+ for the day, both with (my favourite) green tea extract. I love the smell of the moisturisers and it is one of my ‘can’t live without’ products in the Kosmea range.

The word ‘Kosmea’ comes from the Ancient Greek meaning to harmonise and bring into balance. It couldn’t be more true, it always seems to balance out my skin and whatever the weather, my skin always looks great.

The travel collection is available from Echolife. Happy Skin comes from using the right products and within!

♥ No photoshopping here!

What do you think of Kosmea and Rosehip oil? Love to hear your thoughts!

Review by Kelly-Anne.

Be well,

xoxo

Healthy Perth Cafe Review: Yelo, Trigg.

I like the idea of health-conscious cafes, but I don’t like the ‘judgy’ vibes some of them have. You go there happy to slurp up vege soup and crunch raw things, but while you’re doing it you also want to be able to chat to your mate about how you stayed up all night and drank a buttload of red wine, without having to deal with the ‘you should really cut back on the booze and try to get more sleep’ glares from your fellow diners (yes, you can say all that in a facial expression).

The better cafes are ones that put an emphasis on healthy eating, and healthy product purchases, but acknowledge that lifestyle enjoyment comes in many forms. Yelo Café really hits the bullseye in this regard: at Yelo, vegan wraps and green juices sit alongside giant slabs of chocolate brownies and strong creamy coffees, and nobody gets their goat up about which combo you choose.

Formerly the Bennion Street Café, Yelo is right on Trigg Beach; its clientele are mostly local, and often hit Yelo post surf/power walk (there’s always a few doggehs out front!). That said, the surfers are mixed in with more urban yo-pros: it’s a real diverse clientele. Yelo’s ‘Clean Carparks’ fruit and veg juice is a healthy favourite, Yelo also do acai smoothies, and have a fridge full of coconut water (including fresh young coconut), fruit juices and organic sodas.

Their coffee is made from Fiori beans and Bannister Downs milk and served in a BioCup: it’s the best for miles around (there’s two coffee machines on the go so you get it quick, too).

Hydration choices aside, the best thing about Yelo is their wholesome, fresh, home-made menu of ‘snacks’. Favourites reel: the Vegan wrap, the gluten-free spinach and mushroom frittata, the oatbran muffins, the gluten-free macaroon slice and the bircher museli, but there’s also plenty of breakfast wraps, tuna patties, croissants, sandwiches and sweet treats on offer: many of which are vegan, or gluten free.

Take in the sprawling ocean views while you wait for your order: or be tempted by Yelo’s ‘provedore’ section, curated with wellness in mind: for sale are healthy cereal boxes, Yogi Bliss trail mixes, Serenade Organic Skincare, Abhi’s Bread, Ecoya soy candles, surf wax and plenty of other goodies.

Yelo is located at 331 West Coast Drive, Trigg.
Contact: 9447 9441 or email yelo@bigpond.com

Yelo on Urbanspoon

By Thousands Perth City Guide editor Danielle Marsland, who, in the words of Donovan, is just mad about Yelo.

Be well,

xoxo

Rosehip Oil Rewind: Another Look at an Old Favourite!

My love affair with rosehip oil has spanned many years now, an old faithful amber liquid that when pressed gently into my skin each night results in a glowy complexion like no other, and a far lower incidence of breakouts.

It’s been a while since I shared my adoration of the hips of roses on here, so allow me to chat a little about the three latest rosehip oil variants that are currently visiting my face on a regular basis!

KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr – Luxurious Rosehip Oil

Let’s just be up front here. Anything that Miranda Kerr uses, the majority of the female population want in on it. Her rosehip oil with noni juice combo is no different. This product, rich in skin nourishing Essential Fatty Acids (EFA), contains noni extract, organic rosehip, jasmine, rose and pomegranate oils. Yum. This is a fantastic blend and a nice little variation on the plain rosehip oil formula. Just close your eyes and pretend you’re married to Orlando Bloom whilst patting it into your skin… $44.95 for 15ml.

Naturlea – Be Gorgeous Organic Rosehip Oil

I love this one for a few reasons. First up, the size is awesome for the price! 50ml of rosehip oil will last you a lonnnng time if you use it sparingly, and you only really need 2-3 drops if you’re applying it to your face. Don’t forget that your face needs to be wet when you put the oil on! This helps it spread out more easily and ensures your skin wont feel super oily.

The other great feature, is that this has a tiny bit of rose oil included in it, so your face will smell beautiful afterwards and the rose oil also has beneficial properties. An excellent value for money choice at $32 for 50ml! 🙂

Bloom Organic Rosehip Oil

This one is currently occupying most-reached-for status. Mostly because it’s in the easiest spot on the bench, and I really like serums/oils that come with glass droppers as it makes it really, really, really easy to get the exact amount of product onto your face or hands. The other two are in pump bottles, which is good for using over a larger area, but I find that nothing beats the glass dropper for precision rosehip oil application!

$25 for 15ml.

Have you tried Rosehip Oil before? Do any of these brands take your fancy? Lets chat!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

Organic Skincare Review: Phyt’s, Organic Luxury for the Skin.

There is something about the French – an attitude and a way of life that is so undeniably natural and effortless, a certain je ne sais quoi if you like.

Les femmes française (French women) have a lot to teach us Aussie lasses about their approach to beauty. The time I have spent in France and with French friends made me realize how little time they spend grooming. This is not to say they don’t put any effort in, they just don’t sweat the small stuff. Most let their hair air dry, wear little make up and generally engage in a healthy abandon we sometimes lack.

French women are adored all over the world for their elegant, chic and simplistic style and their coveted beauty, so it’s no wonder that the French produce some of the finest quality skincare and makeup brands in the world.

PHYT’S Naturo-Esthetique is one of these fine brands, specializing in certified organic skincare. The PHYT’S team have a passion for ecological sustainability and produce pure, chemical free therapeutic products that are not tested on animals. All PHYT’S products are certified by COSMEBIO – the Professional Association for Natural, Ecological and Organic Cosmetics. With products like this at their fingertips, its no wonder the French sport such unblemished, radiant complexions.

I was lucky enough to try out a few goodies from this gorgeous range of products and would highly recommend the following…

Activ’Peel Gentle Exfoliating Scrub – $38

I have un petit obsession with face scrubs. There is something about actually feeling the impurities lift from my face and feeling my skin refined and pores clear that rates highly with me when it comes to exfoliating. I’ve tried most exfoliants out there, but I absolutely loved this one! The smell (lemon oil, aloe vera, grapefruit oil, pansy oil and geranium oil), the texture and the refreshing feel afterwards: a glorious trio that make up the latest addition to my skincare regime.

Naturoderm Antiseptic – $31
I didn’t use this product as frequently as I used the others, mainly because it is for specific problems. When I did use it however, I found it was particularly effective on pimples – the St. Johns Wort ingredient helped to curb any of the bacteria spreading, while the sage and rose geranium helped to dry out and heal the spot. I am prone to breakouts and this antiseptic was great at stopping pimples in their tracks!

Shampooing Traitant – $36

This shampoo provided my hair with the exact amount of nourishment it was craving! After resolving to grow my balayage out (see, I am SO French!), I was on the hunt for some natural products to strengthen and restore my hair from it’s frazzled, dry and split end glory. The Phyt’s shampoo did just that, and my hair is now so much healthier and boasts a lovely natural shine. Infused with bitter orange and blackcurrant, it smells divine. I even had a couple of people tell me my hair smelt nice, which isn’t as weird as it sounds. And, it can be used daily…winner!

In Western Australia, only the residents of Bunbury have the luxury of receiving Phyt’s at Amanda’s Beauty, so head to the Phyt’s website to order online.

Review by Lucy, french skincare lovin’ lass.

Be well,

xoxo

KORA Organics Event: Miranda Kerr, Therese Kerr and Some Incredible Quinoa Curry!

A couple of weeks ago, Renee from RENZ Pilates and I went along to a KORA Organics event held in South Perth. Renee writes for the KORA blog, and I of course have a keen interest in any beauty, health or wellness happenings around town! The table setting that greeted us at the event, skincare goodies and Noni juice!

Noni shot, coconut water, regular water, organic champers!

Wise words from Miranda, this was a big theme of the evening.

The event started with us all toasting with a shot of Noni juice with Therese (Miranda’s mum)… it packs a strong antioxidant punch, but you can just tell it’s doing good things!

A big part of the evening was learning and testing out all the products from the range, as well as conducting our own facial. Here’s Ren with one of the yummy KORA masks.

Along with the drinks, skincare sampling and wise words from Therese Kerr, we were also fed. Dinner was an absolutely incredible quinoa and coconut curry, this picture really doesn’t do it justice – it was superb – and created by Miranda’s own chef Kate McAloon! I could have gladly eaten this meal 5 times a week, it was that good.

To top off the curry, we had a very special healthy dessert created for us! With oats, walnuts, raspberries, yoghurt and mint. This was also delish, and Kate created one with just milk specially for me as they weren’t sure if the yoghurt had gelatin in it (not vegetarian). So sweet of her!

Miranda’s Mum on the right, if you couldn’t guess!

I would completely recommend the KORA events to anyone who is interested in Miranda Kerr or organic skincare, you can find out more info on upcoming events on the KORA blog!

Would you liked to have gone? Let us know below!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo