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Clarins, huh? I’ll admit to considering their counter far too stylish for my grubby mitts and therefore haven’t tried much (any) of their stuff. So given the opportunity to review one of their products (and wonder of wonders, actually having some input as to which one might be best for my skin), I went for the oily/combination skin treatment, and thus received a rather lovely 30ml dropper bottle of Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil on my doorstep.

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What I’ve found is key to the application is patting it into your face and not rubbing it – I’ve had bad experiences with products before because I’ve smoodged it into my face without thinking and the friction has caused inflammation 🙁

The jury was still out for me in terms of using oil to combat oily skin, so I was hoping this might be the product that would swing it around for me. Certainly there’s a whole internet full of positive experiences with this product, and MANY people who were adamant that this was a vital summertime treatment.

A lot of people also suggested that misting your face with rosewater or something similar before and after the oil helped it sink in, and I would happily agree with this idea. I spritzed my face with the Echolife Rosewater Mist and it made the oil spread further and sink in faster.

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So in the morning the scent was completely gone, I wasn’t shiny anymore and my skin was soft. Like, freakishly soft. The blackheads on my nose had shrunken and I had nowhere near the amount of pressure lines on my face that I usually have after peeling the CPAP machine off my face. And this was all the benefits of one night.

Having used for a little while, I don’t experience continual quality jumps like I did that first night, but it’s kept me on a similar level. I most notice it on my forehead, which is plagued by frown lines and has smoothed out a lot. Definitely going to continue to use this – as completely strange as putting oil onto my oily mug feels!

Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil is $49 for 30ml, and available at Adore Beauty.

What do you think? Have you tried and loved any Clarins prods before? Got an oily mug too? Lets talk, comment below.

Review by Suzanne: has an incurable allergy to exercise and can only be cured with cake. And blogging.

Be well,

xoxo

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I’m going to admit to indulging in a little bit of a beauty faux-pas. I am not a big fan of moisturizer. Now, now, ladies, don’t clutch at your pearls. Before the grand inquisition of all things cosmetic come after me – with their bottles of lotions and potions ready for some heavy duty restoration, no doubt – let me explain my aversion to moisturisation. My skin is so oily you could save money on petrol with a daily supply of my sebum production. My hair is much the same, but it is a bit more under control after switching products. Which is why I’m surprised that I kept the Lanolips products, instead of passing them off to my flat mates as I usually do with unwanted beauty remedies.

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The deal with Lanolips is that it’s super dooper rich, natural and cruelty free. Created by the daughter of a sheep farmer, the Lanolips 101 Ointment enjoys the status of an international celebrity. It’s made from Lanolin oil, which is found in the wool from sheep, and is extracted using completely humane methods. And it is really, really good. Not only was it voted the best lip balm ever by InStyle readers in 2010, it’s good enough for my hard-assed war-widow granny too! I remember her pulling these pink tubes of wonder balm out of her purse and applying the ointment to those cold, cracked lips of hers (couldn’t cure her cold, cracked heart though! Joking – RIP Granny!). Their hand cream is wonderful too, but the lip ointment is really where it’s at.

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The package says it’s 100% fragrance free, but it definitely has a subtle sweet smell. The texture is very, very gooey, which makes application a bit messy should you not have tissues handy. I did find that the lid falls off constantly though, so make sure you screw it on really tightly and store it in its own compartment in your hand bag!

Aside from the mess factor, the 101 Ointment enjoys a permanent place in my makeup purse. After a recent encounter with the sidewalk left me with a nasty battle scar on my lip, I really needed something to help it heal. Lanolips 101 Ointment definitely helped me look a little less beaten up and sped up the healing process. If you don’t need to wear lippy (lucky you!) and have the low-fi look down pat, this is the best thing to keep your pout in web-cam worthy condition.

Price: $17.95

Available from all Myer, David Jones, Priceline, Terry White Chemists, Pulse Pharmacies and other good retailers. Available online at Adore Beauty.

Review by Camilla Peffer, “Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”

Be well,

xoxo

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My love for Bobbi Brown first blossomed when I stumbled upon a campaign in an old magazine (probably while waiting for the dentist or something equally dismal) and was immediately taken by the image of a clean-cut, classic, yet modern woman. Intrigued, I looked further into the brand and was swept away by the story of Bobbi’s rise to the top from humble roots, her wholesome image, and her amazing advice. Last year Bobbi celebrated 20 years in the business, and I was proud to be a part of the company for that year. This year however, brings a new chapter, and even though I am no longer with Bobbi Brown, I still love to rant and rave about the products.

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Today my product of choice is this amazing ‘Ultra Violet’ Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow ($44) from the Neon and Nudes collection.

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Of course this collection has been done ‘the Bobbi way’, which requires beautiful skin, soft cheek colour and either an accent of colour on the eyes, or on the lips. Another product from the Neon and Nude line I am itching to play with is the Limited Edition Ink Liner ($46). Ink liner is not a product you will often find at Bobbi Brown, and would go amazingly with the look below.

♥ Look #1!

My hints and tricks on how to wear a neon shadow.

♥ Use an eye primer – Bobbi Brown long wearing cream shadow in Shore ($50)
♥ Lashings of black eyeliner make the colour pop – Bobbi Brown Gel Liner ($45)
♥ BIG lashes – Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara ($48)
♥ Sweep the shade over the lid as a soft wash of colour, pop on any pretty pink gloss – I like Bobbi’s Tutu ($42)- and some bronzer for a summer look
♥ Build it up to an intense smoky eye by adding a darker purple like Bobbi Brown Eggplant eyeshadow ($44) and LOTS of eyeliner
♥ Do your eyes first as this colour will drop down!

Bobbi Brown products are available in store, at the official online store or through StrawberryNET (who often don’t have the whole range, but you can pick up some pretty sweet deals through them!)

Neons and Nudes collection available in-store from the 19th Feb, and <online now! Get in quick, as it’s limited edition.

What do you think of the two looks, readers?
Which is your favourite?
Are you keen to play with some Neon Neutral looks?

Written by Jacqui. Makeup artist, Blogger and Bobbi die-hard.

Be well,

xoxo

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I am going to start straight off by going out on a tangent and then I will quickly get to the point of this review, which, for the record, is of a few lovely Comvita products. I tend to suffer pretty badly from hay fever in the spring-time months and after a particularly bad bout this year I decided to look into how I could stop feeling like my life force was slowly dripping out of my eyes, ears and nose every time I stepped out of the house. One of the coolest suggestions was from a naturopath who said I should have a spoonful of honey (the real deal kind of stuff) every morning. Apparently the natural pollens and…ah…bee juices (?) would help build up my resistance to the outside world which I believed was trying to kill me.

I thought this woman was a genius, but guess what? Turns out other people have been onto this honey idea for a while. Example; Claude Stratford (aged 63, go Claude!) started the whole Comvita line by making and selling a range of bee products from his home.

His goal, ‘to produce natural products that work, and acting in a way which preserves the environment for generations to come’ is something that I can really get behind, so for the purposes of this review (see I told you I would get there in the end) I tried the Brightening Moisturizer, the Intense Hydrating Mask and the Medihoney Eczema cream.

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I don’t think there’s much that’s been left out of the Brightening Moisturizer (RRP $44) – Olive leaf extract, liquorice root extract (for brightening), rosehip, macadamia, sunflower and soybean oils AND shea butter. AND SPF 15. I heartily applaud any moisturizer that has an SPF in it. What an added bonus. This moisturizer is thicker than your average bear but its not greasy and its doesn’t leave a slimy residue, which means you aren’t left looking shiny. I loved it. An instant addition to my use-everyday beauty products.

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The Intense Hydrating Mask with Manuka honey (RRP $50) is a very light mask that kind of just looks like a really heavy moisturizer. You can leave it on for a while and then rinse it off or you can keep it on overnight for something a bit more…as the name states…intense. The Manuka honey in the product is there to slow down the signs of ageing by targeting the skin’s elasticity. I really enjoyed it for its hydrating prowess; in these dry summer months this would be a friend indeed for those of you who are feeling the heat! Heaven knows your skin is feeling it too.

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I have left the Medihoney Eczema Cream (RRP $13.95) ’til last, because in my opinion it’s the most successful. What I am about to tell you…I do not know why I am publishing this on the Internet, but what the hey it might help others right?

I have one fingernail that I call Howard. It’s my middle finger on my right hand, and up until recently I thought we were going to lose Howard. I thought he was going to fall off. For some unknown, ungodly reason I was getting such bad eczema underneath my finger nail (ew ew ew gross I know) that it was pushing my fingernail (my poor Howard) off of my body. It was awful, it was painful and it was just plain old weird (why only one fingernail?) But guess what? The Medihoney Eczema Cream saved my Howard!

He has rejoined his nine other brother and sisters back where he belongs and things are looking good! I’ve tried many, many different products and I am being absolutely honest with you when I say that this is the first thing to really work. It might be the medical honey or the coconut oil, the evening primrose oil, the aloe vera or the vitamin E present in the product but whatever the magical ingredient I don’t live in fear of having one ugly nail-less finger.

♥ Medical Manuka Honey

The bees and I have been triumphant! Now I cant wait to try that spoon full o’ manuka honey next year when the fever of hay rears it’s ugly head once more…

In the meantime, you can get the three products I mentioned (plus many more) here:

http://www.comvita.com.au/

Have you tried medical honey before? Got some eczema that wont budge? Lets chat about it!

Review by Adriane, Wellness WA contributor & slightly embarrassed owner of Howard.

Be well,

xoxo

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Yay wellness crushes! To be honest, I have so many crushes at the moment so I found it hard to pick just 5, but I will do my best to get more of these articles going because I know you love em, and I love writing them!

♥ Eden’s Salad Bar

This place is a little slice of heaven nestled in Subiaco & Nedlands. My pick is the Subi store as they have a wider menu range (tofu & veggie burgers! corn fritters! vegetarian sausages!) and I always try and get down here on my day off for their ‘Edens Green’ smoothie… spinach, lime, mango (& one other thing I’ve forgotten!). So totally thick, bright green, smooth, creamy and delicious. HUGE fan. They also have this amazing pumpkin bread. Love heading to pick up the smoothie after a hot personal training sesh. Will do a proper review soon, but if you haven’t heard of it then get down there. It’s not just vegetarian/vegan but they do have a lot of options for those so inclined 🙂

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♥ Wella SP Hydrate Shampoo ($18.50 from StrawberryNET)

While I’d prefer to use a more natural shampoo, I haven’t come across one yet which delivers results as good as the shampoos from the Wella System Professional range. Leaves my hair super clean and pretty smelling every time, plus tames and controls my hair, while providing much needed moisture. Tick tick tick. I’m loving this one in summer, but when summer is done I think I’ll go back to the Wella Shine Shampoo!

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♥ Floradix & Liquid Vitamin B

I get by with a little help from these two liquid supplements. Alright, number 1: FLORADIX. This is a herbal iron supplement that is useful for those low in iron and who don’t tolerate iron tablets well due to… slowed down traffic. I’ve just started taking this again after stopping for a few years and I have to say, the difference to how I feel is really noticeable. While I dislike the perception that vegetarians can’t get enough iron, because they can (plus I know many meat eaters who are deficient too!), I like to take this as my busy lifestyle means that sometimes I’m a little low – and this helps. Plus it tastes pretty good and can be taken with juice, smoothies or even water.

Number 2: Grants Liquid Vitamin B. Since our bodies don’t store vitamin B’s, we need a constant supply in our daily diet. Due to stress, heat and a busy lifestyle, we can sometimes have a need for an extra supply to keep us cool headed and feeling great. I love this liquid B and I always feel better taking it, just put some in water and drink. It’s recommended not to take it at night though, as vitamin b’s give you energy 🙂

Both are available from health food shops & some chemists.

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♥ Kikki-K Weekly Habits Pad

I had wanted this for SO LONG, and a few weeks ago I finally bit the bullet and shelled out the $5.95 so I could take it home with me and start getting myself into line. If you’ve got a million things on your mind everyday, sometimes those good intentions don’t get a chance to make it to the forefront of your brain. This will help. You write down some small (or big!) things you want to achieve throughout the week and tick the boxes on the day/s you achieve your goal. When you’re writing them in, you also choose a reward that you can treat yourself with if you complete your goals! For example mine reads like this:

♥ Green smoothie 4 x a week – reward: buy frozen goji berries
♥ Iron supplement every day – reward: more energy
♥ Zinc supplement every day – reward: clear skin

Some example they provided were:

♥ 8 hours of sleep – reward: breakfast in bed
♥ Read the newspaper – reward: buy a gossip mag

It keeps me on track, and I love it! 🙂

♥ Yoga Girl

This has been out for a while now… but if you’re into yoga and haven’t seen it, you MUST!

“I’m gonna grab a coconut water…and be on my way”

Did you enjoy these crushes? Anything new that you’re crushing on, I’d love to hear!!

Be well,

Annette

xoxo