♥ Snakey Skincare ♥

I like to think of Rodial as being the new kids on the block. Although starting up in 1999 surely means that by now they are no rookies, still, Rodial is new to my life. I’ve tried a couple of their products so far, and although their sometimes unusual ingredients have come under a bit of scrutiny here and elsewhere I’m sure, I have really enjoyed them. So I’m adding two more to the pile.

Rodial Glamtox Cleanser – $80

Number one (the first I tried and the one I preferred) Rodial’s Glamtox Cleanser. At first when I read that this product had lightening agents in it I thought ‘OH NO please if I was any paler I would disappear’ but, as you can probably imagine a. I am a bit dramatic and b. it doesn’t exactly work like that. I really loved this cleanser because it was thick, had a great smell, removed make up easily and guess what- after using it everyday for two weeks I noticed discolourations and marks that had been on my face for a while now start to lighten and fade. That’s the first time I have ever seen that happen! Thank you lightening and brightening agents. All round a really lovely hard working little cleanser.

Rodial Glam Balm – $100

Number two was the Rodial Glam Balm 2 in 1 lip and wrinkle plumper. By definition it is ‘2 in 1’ but I found that this balm was really versatile and could really be called ’HEAPS in 1’.

It can be used as an anti ageing treatment for the face, lips, neck and hands and I found I started using it on small cuts or small areas of dry skin as well as to keep my lips hydrated. It’s the perfect size to carry around with you in your bag and isn’t greasy or sticky, so if you hate that gluey feeling of some lip-glosses or lip balms this is right up your alley. I didn’t feel the plumping effect but the condition of the skin on my lips became softer and smoother- actually any skin I put it on became softer and smoother and just generally better looking and feeling.

I am also very much looking forward to using it as in-flight mask because the moisturizing quality of this product really gives me confidence that using it will help side step that dried out, crackly feeling your skin gets when you fly (and I live in Western Australia so going anywhere on a plane is always a long trip). An ideal multi-purpose purchase.

Article by dream snake-lovin babe, Adriane Daff.

Be well,

xoxo

♥ Cherry lurve! ♥

I’ve been wanting to write this post for ages and have now missed most of the Summer cherry season – noooo! Thankfully, these little red nutrient filled gems are also available in many local supermarkets in the freezer section if you can’t find them in the fresh produce area!

Frozen cherries ahoy!

So why have I been so keen to chat about cherries? Well let me enlighten you a little…

♥ Cherries are chockas full of antioxidants, which if you haven’t heard, are SUPER DOOPER little guys that cruise around your body, kickin’ bad stuffs ass, reducing inflammation and stopping cell damage, which in turn lower our risk of cancer and diseases of the brain and heart (+ much more).

♥ Antioxidants are also super heroes for the skin. Eating lots of antioxidant rich food, such as cherries and blueberries, can increase your bodies defense against sunburn. FACT!

♥ Great to have after workouts, as apparently they contain an anti-inflammatory compound that helps soothe sore muscles. WINNERS!!!

♥ Possible benefits in the fight against ageing. Free radicals contribute to wrinkles, antioxidants neutralise wrinkles, cherries contain antioxidants. I’m no mathematician, but it looks like it adds up 😀

♥ And possibly most importantly, the great thing about cherries is that they are delicious and contribute to your overall wellbeing!

This photo makes me go om nom nom

So now we need some mouth-watering recipes for you to try! Do let me know if you end up testing out any of these 🙂

♥ Healthy Cherry Muffins! YUM!

♥ Cherry Smoothie – I would personally have this without the yoghurt, there are lots of variations that could be made.

♥ CHERRY BRUSCHETTA – !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Conor over at Hold the Beef tried this and loved it.

So there’s a few options to get you drooling, let me know how you go.

Do you have a fave cherry recipe you’d like to share?

Be well,

Annette

xoxo

♥ Ain’t no party like a Kiehl’s club party! ♥

Kiehl’s. Since 1851. EIGTHTEEN FIFTY ONE. These guys have got looking after your face down to a fine art. So how are they helping the modern gal quash her skincare concerns? Let’s find out…

Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover – $36

I have a very real fear of getting things in my eye that will burn excessively, but recently I was involved with a project that meant I had to wear a lot of heavy eye makeup 6 nights a week and I knew that I was going to have to do something, nay USE something, to get it off. So I tried Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover with much hesitation and told those around me that if it hurt I would hurl the bottle out the nearest window with the intensity of a thousand suns.

Of course, my dear logical reader, there was no hurling. The lightweight formula doesn’t smell, doesn’t sting, doesn’t burn, doesn’t HURT. It seems completely free of the things that would lead to causing irritation in the eye or the delicate skin around the eye. Now you might be wondering with all this delicacy and cucumber and apricot kernel oil – does it actually work? You bet your eyes it does. A little on a tissue or cotton ball completely removes the make up from your eyelids and eye lashes. And in my case eyebrows as well (I told you it was HEAVY makeup).

I’m in ur makeup cupboard, testin ur productz.

And for those contact lens wearers – completely safe for you too. You can rest assured knowing its Ophthalmologist tested (see image above). This product easily does the job without causing any discomfort or pain.

Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion – $84.

This no pain, max results thing seems to be a reoccurring theme with the Kiehl’s crew, because I am in full-blown love with Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion. It’s a super duper exfoliator that you have complete control over. Squeeze out a small ‘nickel sized’ amount and apply it to your clean, damp skin in circular motions. Wait – if feels too rough! Then just go easier! Wait – I’ve had enough! Then just stop! See? You ARE in control. My skin felt cleaner, clearer, smoother and better without any makeup on it, which for me is always the benchmark of a product doing its job superbly.

I guess I really lost sight of how important exfoliation is after a bad Micro Dermabrasion experience at a salon. But not getting rid of the dead skin cells, product build up and other things that get in the way of good skin can contribute to bad skin no matter how much you cleanse it. I’m sorry I have neglected exfoliating my face for the past couple of years but it is back and boy oh boy it is great.

Kiehls’ Double Strength Wrinkle Filler (Available on Kiehl’s counters)

And finally we have the Kiehls’ Double Strength Wrinkle Filler, espousing to fill those wrinkles and lines you may wish weren’t there. Now, I’m a long way off from what is maybe the desired clientele of this product BUT I’m a smile-y kind of person, and continually creasing my face in the same place in the same way is starting to show.

Did this instantly fill my lines? No. Did it improve the condition of my skin in terms of elasticity and how moisturized and smooth it felt? Absolutely yes. Would I keep using it? Yes again. Because better skin condition of those areas that do get a work out (facially speaking) will surely lead to a reduced appearance of fine lines. And short of invasively having them filled with something from the inside, I think taking care of the outside is a smarter, safer and much more enjoyable bet. Good one Kiehls.

Reviews by Adriane Daff, dream babe extraordinaire.

Be well,

xoxo

FitFlop Footwear.

When I was asked to try the thong sensation, FitFlop Footwear, for a Wellness WA review I was wary. Subjecting myself to hours of training for triathlon, could a pair of thongs really make a difference to my leg tone? I was the wrong person for the job until FitFlops PR whizz Dani found out the extent of my training and my current thong of choice.

I’m not one to name names, but let’s just say my current thongs are sexy, black and speak with a Portuguese accent. And I think they look super cute. However these flat-based beauties weren’t the best support act for my training shoes and work heels. Unfortunately, I’m prone to foot injuries and the strain of pounding the footpath frequently leads to the dastardly plantar fasciitis (a common running injury that occurs when the plantar fascia band, running along the arch of the foot, gets inflamed and can lead to severe heel pain).

Aside from the scientifically proven ability to increase leg muscle activation by 10-12% and bottom muscle by up to 30%, the “Microwobbleboard” technology has also indicated in recent study to reduce shock upon impact.

FitFlops Pietra in Pewter – $129

When the shoes arrived in the office late on a Monday afternoon, I eyed them critically. I was given the patent leather Pietra model in pewter that features three resin jewels on the toe strap and before I slipped them on I noted how big they looked. The soles are very chunky and nothing like the streamlined thongs I was used to – could I really pull off such a look?

The answer was known as soon as I slipped my tired feet into them. It was like collapsing on to a freshly laundered, fluffy pillow at the end of a long day and the girls in the office cheered as I used the reception area as a catwalk. Once on, the resin jewels take over and the chunky style diminishes underfoot, simply providing a well-needed height boost for my 5 foot 4 frame. I’ve since had far more comments on how good they look than I did for their Brazilian cousins.

Like this, for your feet!

I’ve been wearing my new shoes for the past four weeks for up to two kilometres each day. My husband cracks up every time I wear them because apparently the spring in my step is notable. Funnily enough, any time I see a fellow FitFlop wearer I notice a certain bounce to their step too and smile in recognition. My feet feel just the same – joyful.

The plantar fasciitis is still knocking on the door and I ice my feet regularly after long runs, but my new shoes are definitely part of my injury-prevention routine and so far, so good – I’ve kept the injury at bay (knock on wood).

As for the claims of leg and butt toning, university studies in London have backed them 100% and similar shoes by Reebok and New Balance have been forced to pull their ads in the UK for making similar claims. So they seem to be the real deal in that respect too.

He’s got happy feet too 😉

But for me, I’m just happy with gloriously comfortable walks to work and when the boss isn’t looking, I slip my feet right out of those calf-screaming high heels and into my little foot pillows under the desk.

They can be found online at B Store or in-store at David Jones and Foot Locker.

Have you tried Fit Flops?

Do you like dancing penguins?

Feel free to chat about any of these topics in the comments!

Review by Lisa O’Neill, a freelance journalist and part-time triathlete who loves to squeeze in as much pampering as possible in her free time.

Be well,

xoxo

♥ Kit Lippy in ‘Hip Shaker’ – $24.95 ♥

As a makeup artist, I need to know which beauty products are good, which are bad and which products are not even worth putting on your clothes, getting into the car, going to the shops and paying good money for.

It’s hard though, there really are so many products out there, how are we supposed to get through them all? Well that’s where I step in (cue superhero music) and with the help of Kit Cosmetics hopefully we can make your next trip to the shops easier.

When I think of Kit, I envisage fun, international beauty products… but did you know they also offer their own makeup range? The line includes Lipsticks, Tinted Moisturiser, Mineral Foundation and more. The products come in wonderful black sleek packaging and are all Australian made.

♥Kit Mineral Tinted Moisturiser – $32.95

First up in my review is the Kit Mineral Tinted Moisturiser. Containing Grape seed oil and Vitamins C and E, this tinted moisturiser is nourishing which gets a big tick from me. The coverage of this Tinted moisturiser is sheer but there is enough there to even out the skin tone and add a glow. The whole point of a tinted moisturiser is exactly as it sounds, to moisturise and tint. You don’t need or want too much coverage otherwise you are essentially wearing foundation.

♥ Close up!

Next up is a lipstick from Kit’s new collection, Capture the Moment. This lipstick is soft and creamy and when I first applied it I did scoff a little to myself, thinking there was no way it will last half an hour on the mouth. But I was proved wrong when three hours later, I still had strong colour on the lips and no flaking. The shade I was given to review is ‘Hip Shaker’ which the website describes as a rich magenta rose. Personally I prefer shades with more pop but I think this would be ideal for a woman needing a simple colour to wear during the day.

♥ All the new season shades! (Ed: Isn’t she cute?!)

Lastly I was sent four shades from the Capture the Moment nail polish range. These are pretty pastel colours, all perfect for Summer (and Autumn!). My favourites from the range were Phase in, a bright eggshell blue and Play Down, a pastel Lavender colour. The shades dry fast, with minimal streaking and the colour pigment is strong.

Phew! So there we have it. Kit’s aesthetic is fun and fresh, but the makeup products are seriously good. The sleek packaging appeals to women of all ages and the products themselves have a great colour pay off and lasting power. An all round win in my books!

You can shop online or head to Kit Cosmetics in the Enex100 building or Perth city Myer in town.

Hope you enjoyed!

Review by Jacqui, fashion blogger, make up artist and all round cute thing.

Be well,

xoxo