31 July 2014

ROAD TESTED - PREMIUM SPA SALT BODY SCRUB WITH ROSEHIP AND SHEA - PART TWO

And here are the second part of the Road Testers review of the Premium Spa Salt Body Scrub with Rosehip and Shea. If you missed part one, you can see it here. 





What Premium Spa Says:

Buff skin to a satin softness with the combined goodness of organic rosehip, shea butter, natural Australian sea salt & organic chamomile.

RRP: $14.95 (250ml) – Available from Priceline and Big W



What They Road Testers Say:

First thing I noticed on opening this product was a lack of fragrance. It has a Natural aroma, completely devoid of any overpowering, artificial and sometimes sickly scents found in body scrubs.

I used it while in the shower, applying it after my skin was totally moistened by the water.
Using a small amount at a time and working well onto the skin, concentrating on areas more in need of exfoliation, then rinsing off.

The combination of sea salt and sugar makes this a milder scrub than salt alone and I didn't have any stinging or irritated reddening of the skin. The granules were of a good size, not too large and abrasive, nor were they tiny and dissolving as I scrubbed.
The granules washed off effortlessly without sticking to the skin and although there is a warning on the packaging, I was pleased to find my shower recess not turning into a slip'n'slide after using!

I gently patted myself dry with a towel after and found my skin not needing to be moisturised as it's left with a nourishing residue of shea butter and rosehip and sweet almond oils.

After using this product 2-3 times a week, I've found my skin to be smoother and softer. The plastic tub is practical with a large easy open screw top lid and the labelling is clear and easy to read.

I love the natural ingredients in this product and pleased that it's free from Parabens, Mineral Oils, Propylene Glycol, Sulphates, Detergents, Synthetic Filters, Polybeads as well as not tested on animals.

The $14.99 price for 250g is reasonable and affordable and I would purchase this product again (would like to try the lemon butter and frangipani & coconut too) as well as recommending it to friends and family.

- Karen Crotty


*****


At the time that I was given the Premium Spa Salt Body Scrub to trial, I had a terrible cold, which had left without a sense of smell, so I couldn't smell the product (and to date, I still can't). However, my husband did comment on how nice the body scrub smells, "lovely without being too overpowering" is how he described it.

I have been using the body scrub, and must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed using it. I have noticed a difference in my skin, especially in the areas where I am prone to dryness, like my elbows, knees, arms, and legs.

The product has a really nice texture; to me it actually feels like snow! I love how it really promotes circulation underneath my skin. I massaged the scrub into my skin, and the salt-like granules exfoliate my skin, before melting away and leaving my skin hydrated, somewhat oily, yet not greasy at all.

There was no need to apply an extra moisturiser after showering, as I felt the body scrub was moisturising enough, and left my skin with a lovely glow.

I only applied a small amount of the product every time I showered, but it goes a long way, making it great value for money. I had little bumps on the outer parts of my top arm area, and they have all cleared away since using this product, so I am really pleased about that.

I believe that the product is very reasonably priced, and would happily recommend it to others, especially if your skin is prone to dryness as mine is. The packaging is good, easy to use, and easy to apply.

I would purchase this product to use again as I have been really happy with the results. Usually in winter, my skin becomes scaly and very dry, but this year, I haven't had that problem as I have been using the body scrub.

The only thing that I didn't like about the scrub was that it made my shower surface rather slippery, which could potentially be a danger, but it does mention this on the packaging so I was aware of it, but if someone wasn't aware that it can cause slipperiness then it could be hazardous to users.

That would be my only fault, as apart from that, the product for me was very, very good. Being Australian made and SLS & Paraben free were the icing on the cake for me!

- Michelle Vamvas

*****


 





The lovely awaited package arrived and with excitement I was looking forward to tonight’s shower. Upon opening the jar I was surprised to see the contents were white in colour. For some reason, knowing it contained Shea Butter I was expecting a honey colour. It is easy and soft to scoop up with your fingers but I was surprised at the size of the large granules. My first thought ‘This will hurt’. But no, it left me with a gentle massaging effect.

The scent, well I’d describe it like a salty cucumber scent; marine like, not overbearing but very pleasant.

The scrub takes only 1-2 minutes to apply to your whole body. The granules wash off very easily leaving a very soft, shiny sensation to your skin. You can feel the moisture layer that it leaves on your skin. Upon drying with a towel your skin remains polished and moistened, leaving a lovely moisturised sensation, on your face also.

Dislikes:
If I had a qualm it would be the colour of the scrub. Personally I would prefer a colour more relating to the ingredients contained – honey colour like shea butter or pale pink representing rosehip.

Also the fragrance, even though very appealing doesn’t seem to relate to the ingredients. A marine fragrance dominates, rather than rosehip or shea butter, that I expected it to be.

I would also find it beneficial to have instructions on the jar stating how often its usage is recommended. And for anyone who’s like me, I’m very conscious of soft products for the delicate face area, so it would be handy if it stated clearly if it is recommended for the face.

Overall, this product is a very nice product, certainly offering a very thorough, moisturising scrub for your body. I would recommend it to my friends and would be happy to pay around the $15 mark – but I would be even more keen to buy this product if the scent was more subtle.

- Rachel Kriss-Newell


*****

 
The moment I opened the container, I know I would want to use this body scrub again and again, The smell of Shea Butter and Chamomile is so aromatic and relaxing. I love that it gives you this soothing feeling while in the shower and I just wished the smell was strong enough to last in your skin the whole day.

It feels like a normal salt scrub when you first touch it but once you scrub it in your skin, the magic starts to work. I was very surprised that it easily dissolves but it's like the skin automatically absorbs that natural goodness of this product. It's hard to explain how it really works, but, it's like scrubbing yourself clean while moisturising your skin at the same time. It doesn't lather but I'm perfectly okay with that as it's not your normal salt scrub where you feel like your scratching yourself. You do have to use a lot since it dissolves easily but your skin will definitely thank you for using a lot!

While still in the shower, you can easily feel the softness and smoothness of your skin. For me, the true test of any body scrub is after the shower. I must say I think this is the Holy Grail of body scrubs! My skin stayed soft and smooth all day long. In fact, I don't have to use a lotion after my shower! That's how good this product is! I usually have dry elbows and arms and can even get flaky if not moisturised properly. I have to use a good lotion or body oil every day if I don't want to end up with itchy skin and for me to experience all day skin softness is honestly a first! I have used this every other day since I received it, and every time, I didn't use a body oil and the results are still the same! I cannot be any happier!

Another reason to love this product is the affordability. This is only $14.99 and it comes in a good sized container that can last you for a long time. I was actually expecting this to be more expensive considering the quality but I'm very happy that anyone can easily afford it without breaking their budget! This is something I will definitely buy again and again and I've been telling my friends already about this wonder body scrub. This is the kind of product that definitely deserves to be praised and I hope that they'll be able to sustain the superb quality.

As much as I love this product, I do have a little bit of problem about this scrub and that is the packaging. The container is too big for our shower rack and I have to put it in the shower floor. The lid can be slippery to open and you have to make sure you put the lid back after every use to keep the water from going in the container or the scrub will harden or lose the correct consistency. Also, because it dissolves easily, I have to kneel down countless times to get a handful for every body part. My shower time more than doubled so I have to suggest that you use this if you have extra pamper time or during weekends to enjoy your spa experience. It will be nice if they will come up with a flip top bottle for this range as I really love it and will definitely be one of my body scrub favorites, if not already!

PROS:

- Very affordable price for $14.99
- Calming and soothing smell
- Warning on the tub advising shower floor can be slippery
- Moisturises your skin while cleanses your body at the same time
- You can feel the smoothness of your skin right away
- Skin stays soft all day long
- No need for after shower lotion

 CONS:

- Lid can be slippery to open
- Will prefer if it's in a bottle than in a container



- Mia Howard - Smiling Filipina Blog


*****


 

 

I have no idea how I ever lived without a body scrub before this! This product is simply divine, smells fantastic and leaves my skin feeling so nourished and smooth. It is quite coarse which is perfect for me especially in winter and I feel it ready does slough off all the dead skin - I used it on my feet too and it worked really nicely.

It leaves an oily film on your skin which I love as I don't feel the need to moisturise afterwards. The packaging is nice and sturdy, though the jar is prone to getting wet and when that happens, I just keep it near the heater or on a bench near the sun so it dries up again (it's important to keep the scrub dry or it'll dissolve away).

It's easy to just scoop out the amounts needed, I use about a 10c coin per arm, 20c coin on the torso + back, and 10c per leg, 5c on each foot. I predict the scrub should last 20 applications, I don't use it daily so it should last a nice 2 months.

The only thing I don't like is because it's so oily, it makes the bathtub slippery but a quick rinse down with water and body wash mixture fixes everything.

For the $14.99 price tag, I think it is worth it for the 250g tub as there are no nasties, just nourishing skin-loving ingredients. I have already purchased it as Priceline are currently having 25% off, I could not just sit there and let the opportunity slip by. My friends all know about it, some picked it up during the sale and my sister tried mine plus fell in love so there you go!

- Elizabeth Phan

 
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30 July 2014

ROAD TESTED - PREMIUM SPA SALT BODY SCRUB WITH ROSEHIP AND SHEA - PART ONE

Do you remember when I a little while did a call out for road testers to test some beauty products on the Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter Blog?

Well, the Road Testers have spoken and the verdicts are in - here are what they all thought of the Salt Body Scrub with Rosehip and Shea; - and to make sure this post doesn't get too long, I've divided the reviews into to two parts, so make sure to check out part two as well..

 





What Premium Spa Says: 

Buff skin to a satin softness with the combined goodness of organic rosehip, shea butter, natural Australian sea salt & organic chamomile.


RRP: $14.95 (250ml) – Available from Priceline and Big W



What The Road Testers Say:

Thank you for sending me the Premium Spa Salt Body Scrub (Rosehip and Shea) for me to trial. The product comes in a generously sized, practical plastic tub with a safety seal. The scrub consists of salt and sugar crystals, plus a ton of skin-loving ingredients, including rosehip oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, soybean oil and chamomile. It is relatively chunky and grainy, and you can literally scoop out a lump of scrub with your fingers. I loved the fragrance - it smelt clean, slightly herbal and very refreshing.


I used it on damp skin all over my body, gently rubbing in circular motions and after rinsing, my skin instantly felt smoother and looked more rejuvenated. In addition, the essential oils left a light film on my skin which was very moisturising. No need for body lotion at all! After several uses, my overall skin texture improved and I had less ingrown hairs on my legs. I had no reactions to the product despite my sensitive and eczema-prone skin. 



 I thought that the size of the scrub was rather generous for $14.99, though I did notice I had to use a fair amount of the scrub each time to cover my whole body adequately. Another feature that impressed me was that the scrub consisted of completely biodegradable ingredients - fantastic for the environment. Overall, this is an excellent, easy-to-use, budget-priced scrub, however I would have loved to see a recycling symbol on the tub so that I would be able to put it into the recycling bin. Premium Spa's Salt Body Scrub is a welcome addition to my shower caddy - I am already eyeing off the 'Lemon Butter' variant - that's the next one on my hit list! I'd definitely recommend it!

- Jenny Chen

  
*****

 

Thanks Premium Spa Australia and Beauty and Lifestyle Hunter for the trial.

This rosehip and shea salt body scrub came in a nice parcel, well packaged with care. The scrub comes in a plastic screw top container with a flat bottom to make it easy to store in the shower area. The only downside to the packaging was that I had to be a bit careful to make sure water didn’t get in the container.

You can smell the rosehip and shea scents and there is almost a soft peppermint scent as well. I quite like the scent. Consistency wise the scrub is normal, not too runny, but isn’t course on my skin either. It’s easy to apply and massage the scrub to my skin.

I have been using the scrub for a couple of weeks now. My skin feels really soft and smooth after I have used the scrub. My skin also feels a lot less dry, as there is a small amount of the oil residue left after washing the scrub off. I can really feel the benefits of the rosehip and shea working. I think longer terms this scrub will keep my skin exfoliated well and the oil will help with any dryness.

I think the price is good. I only need to use a small amount of the scrub each time so it should last me for a decent amount of time. I would purchase again, I looked on the website and there is also a lemon butter salt body scrub that I really want to try too. As I really enjoyed using this rosehip and shea salt body scrub, I will also be recommending it to my friends.

- Jess Jaymes



*****



 
 
Thanks so much for including me on this trial team! I am so glad I have discovered this lovely brand.

This salt body scrub comes nicely packaged in a 250g tub with a screw on lid. It has an unusual and rich scent which is possibly a mix of the chamomile and sea salt. I find it to be a very appealing and pleasant fragrance.

I love the moist consistency of this body scrub; it makes it so easy to use and apply. I have used other body scrubs in the past that were too dry and I felt like I ended up dropping and wasting a lot of the product on the floor during the application process. It is a big bonus for me that this is not a concern with this product.

This body scrub effectively stimulates my skin and gives a really thorough exfoliation whilst still being kind and gentle on my skin. After using this body scrub my skin smells divine and feels so soft and smooth. My skin also feels deeply nourished and moisturised. It leaves my skin looking healthier, more radiant and refreshed.

This is a very affordable body scrub, this generously sized 250g tub retails for just $14.99. It is currently on sale at Priceline for just $11.19, making it even more of a bargain. I would happily recommend this product to my friends and family. I will certainly be purchasing this product in the near future, for myself of course, but also to give as a lovely pampering present to loved ones.

- Angela Linhart


*****


Thanks so much to Beauty and Lifestyle Hunter blog (Karina) for giving me the opportunity to be a part of their first ever products trial team...I am honoured to be a part.

I was sent the Premium Spa Salt Body Scrub with Rosehip and Shea in a 250g tub. This looks like a great size but when you’re using the exfoliant on your entire body, it doesn’t last too long. I love how the product has the rosehip and the shea incorporated, as these ingredients have been proven fantastic for our skin, so many benefits, including moisturising and hydrating and protecting.

It’s packaged in a hard plastic tub with basic labelling. The scrub inside to look at looks really creamy and the particles look deceiving....they look quite small and harmless but once you feel them between your fingertips you realise how these little grains have some power in them.

I’m 44, with fair skin that now is sprouting a few little skin cancers and spots. I’ve always suffered with super-dry skin and flaky skin and find when I don’t exfoliate then I get a build-up of dead skin.

I worked out a strategy for using the scrub so it wouldn’t get water in it from the shower, I turned on the water and got it to the perfect temperature, then while outside of the shower, I opened the tub and grabbed a handful....then hopped in the shower, dampened myself and then applied the scrub as far as I could. I was pleasantly surprised by the scent...I wasn’t expecting one but there is one and it’s really pretty...not overpowering or sickening.

The first time I used this I used in conjunction with an exfoliating mitt....big mistake, I nearly rubbed my skin raw. I removed the mitt and continued with a washer...even this is quite harsh. I don’t suffer with sensitive skin as such but I did find this scrub quite abrasive, it does leave me looking red but my skin also feels amazingly smooth and soft, which I love.

I don’t use every time I shower as it is too much for my skin, so I use it every 2-3 showers....I probably only have one application left, so out of the tub I would’ve got around 7-8 applications, not bad for the price. With the rosehip and shea in the scrub, I found my skin wasn’t left stripped of its natural oils or left feeling tight and dry. And after the shower and moisturisation my skin looked and felt lovely.

I would definitely recommend this inexpensive body scrub....it does exactly what it’s supposed to. I love my soft skin now!

- Juanita Torr


 *****



Hello & Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to review this beautiful product.

On arrival of the product I was so pleased to see how generous the size of the container was!
For $14.99 for 250g I think it’s a great amount considering how well the product works.

The scent is perfect, It’s Rosehip, Shea butter, Chamomile extracts and geranium essential oils definitely give you that calming experience you can pay top $ for at a spa. Not too strong or overpowering but just enough to give you that spa experience at home that people who have a busy schedule don’t often have the time to experience.

It’s a rough texture when applied but that’s what I prefer when using a body scrub as I know it’s exfoliating my skin properly and leaving it smooth and fresh and giving me my desired result with the one product.

When using it you don’t need a huge amount to get the results either, which means a long lasting product so you are able to have the spa experience at home more often without having to race out and buy more after 2-3 goes at it like a lot of products previously used.

It leaves you feeling so soft and clean and your skin definitely shows that its been pampered as it has no rough spots or dry areas and appears very healthy and radiant as opposed to before use of the Premium Spa Salt Body Scrub, So taking into consideration after using it for the past week I've had these results with every use, Long term it will keep my skin healthy and refreshed- Lets face it, Who doesn’t want that!!!

I also let my mum try it out to see how it would work on a different type of skin and she was so pleased with the results she went and purchased her own tub. Being an older lady finding a product which makes her skin feel younger and smooth is a good find in her books.

In using this product there has been a vast improvement in the appearance of my skin and the feel of my skin which even hubby has noticed and commented on so I will definitely be purchasing again and its made it on my must haves list of essential body products - Truly magic in a jar!

Thank You So much again for letting me trial this amazing product!

 - Laura Irvin

 
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29 July 2014

INDUSTRY NEWS: RIMMEL LONDON LAUNCHES THE RITA ORA COLLECTION


Who doesn’t love Rimmel London cosmetics? Always on trend with great quality products at fantastic prices. And now Rimmel has teamed up with Rita Ora to bring you the new Colour Rush Lip and Nail Collection by Rita Ora.


 




The collection includes Lasting Finish Colour Rush Intense Colour Balm, which is a long-lasting jumbo crayon style lip colour balm that twists up for a fast and precise application. The hi-voltage shades are rich and intense, and provides an all-day super charged sand out lip look. And you can get Rita’s provocative ‘Hot Right Now’ signature red lip with The Redder The Better #500. But there are 6 show stopping and sexy colours in the range, including a candy pink shade ‘Give Me a Cudddle’, a dusty rose pink ‘Keep Mauving’, a fuchsia ‘Rumour Has It’, a crimson ‘The Redder The Better’, a coral shade ‘On Fire’ and a neutral toned ‘Drive Me Nude’





For the nails Rita Ora has created six new shades of the iconic one-coat quick-dry nail polish for Rimmel. These Colour Rush 60 Seconds Nail Polishes features Rita Ora’s portrait picture on the cap along with her signature on a British stamp. The six nail polish shades include a white ‘White Hot Love’, an ice pink ‘Lose Your Lingerie’, an ice green ‘Breakfast in Bed’, a fuchsia ‘Don’t Be Shy’, a teal ‘Do Not Disturb’ and a purple “Midnight Rendezvous’, with Rita’s own hero shade being the White Hot Love, the white nail polish with a pearl effect. 


 



The new Rimmel London Lasting Finish Colour Rush Intense Colour Balm will have an RRP of $12.95 each, while the Colour Rush 60 Seconds Nail Polish with have an RRP of $7.95 each.

The collection will be available from August 2014 from Priceline, Kmart, BigW, selected Coles and Woolworths and selected pharmacies. 
 

 


 
What do you think of this new collection from Rimmel? Keen on getting your hands on some of the products when they launch next week? Personally I love look of those Colour Balms...

 
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WINTER CARE FOR BODY

In the next instalment of products to provide extra care during winter, I look at the products that have so far helped me through the first part of winter;

 

 

Premium Spa Frangipani & Coconut Body Wash*




Everything starts in the shower. Firstly start with an amazing scented body wash such as this Frangipani & Coconut Body Wash from Premium Spa. I am not the biggest lover and not the biggest fan of coconut scented products but luckily the frangipani is the dominating scent here, and I love the scent of frangipani, one of my favourite flowers (that I despite of several attempts still have been unable to grow in my garden in Melbourne). This Australian made body wash is free from chemical nasties including parabens, mineral oils and SLS, and it instantly transforms my bathroom into a tropical paradise, and leaves my skin feeling clean without drying it out.
RRP: $9.95 (300ml) – Available from Priceline and BigW

 
Dove Soft Peeling Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Cream Bar*



 

On the days you are in a hurry you cannot go past the Dove Soft Peeling Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Cream Bar. The soap bar contains not only 1/4 moisturising cream it also contains tiny beads, so it not only cleanses your skin, it also gently polish the skin and moisturises it at the same time. A true multi-tasker. It works into a nice soft later, that rinses off easily, and it leaves the skin feeling lovely smooth and soft. It is so gentle on the skin that it is perfect for everyday use, even on the most sensitive skin. And having a delicate and gentle scent, its perfect for your hubby to use too!
RRP: $4.49 (100g) - Available from Supermarkets, Priceline and select pharmacies

 
People for Plants Papaya, Quillaja & Apricot Body Scrub*




Another option is the Papaya, Quillaja & Apricot Body Scrub from People for Plants. It is made from 85.4% organic ingredients, and contains micro beads of apricot in a formula made from apricot kernel oil, macadamia seed oil, shea butter and aloe vera, which helps moisturise and soothe the skin. It is loaded with vitamin A, minerals, and Omegas 9 and 6, and the anti-oxidants from the papaya help to protect the skin, while lime, lemon and orange peel essential oil helps tone and uplift the skin and make it smell amazingly zesty and refreshing. And while it contains physical granules to exfoliate the skin and slough away dead skin cells, it is so gentle on the skin, yet it leaves it feeling soft and smooth and radiant. I love that it is Australian made and owned, and has been made without sulfates, and you know exactly how large percentage of certified organic are used in the product.
RRP: $19.95 (150ml) – Available from People for Plants and Priceline, David Jones and select pharmacies
 

Premium Spa Frangipani & Coconut Sugar Body Scrub*


 

What better way to give your skin some glow and rid it from all the dead skin cells than give it a good scrub. And this Frangipani & Coconut Sugar Body Scrub Premium Spa is the perfect choice. It is made with certified organic jojoba oil, and naturally exfoliating cane sugar, as well as coconut and frangipani oils, and smells absolutely divine – The scrub has just the right amount of sugar to give the skin a good buff getting rid of dead skin cells, but without being too harsh, and once rinsed off, it is soft, smooth and glowing, and luckily you can still smell the beautiful frangipani lingering on your skin.
RRP: $14.95 (250g) – Available from Priceline and BigW

 
Boots Laboratories Serum7 Protecting Body Serum*




Serums are usually intended for the face and eye area, but not this Protecting Serum for the Body from Boots. It has been designed with an antioxidant complex with includes active anti-ageing ingredients including lipo-peptides and white lupin that promises to help boost and maintain the skin’s elasticity and leave it visibly smoothed. And after using it for just a week, I can already see and feel how much softer and more radiant my skin is. In spite of being called a serum, the serum has the consistency of a light lotion, and it is quick and easy to spread over the skin, and instantly leaving it feeling soft and with a nice sheen. It has next to no scent which I quite like too, so it won’t clash with my perfume.
RRP: $19 (150ml) – Available from Amcal

 
Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion*




You probably recall me declaring my love for the Aveeno body products, and this Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion is no exception. Compared to the other Aveeno body lotions this one is extra thick and creamy, targeting extra dry and itchy skin (where were you when I was pregnant, and that belly as so annoyingly itchy!!) , and it does take a little while to absorb into the skin, but it instantly soothes the skin. And it is so perfect for winter, and already after just a few uses the dry skin on especially my legs and shins is back to its healthy self. And the cream makes sure to leave the skin feeling soft and moisturised all day, without the need to reapply.
RRP: $12.99 (354ml) – Available from supermarkets, Priceline and selected pharmacies



The Jojoba Company Tuberose + Clementine Body Souffle*


 

This body cream has the most gorgeous light and airy whipped texture that is so lovely and luxurious to use. It contains hydrating Pure Australian Jojoba, which is rich in antioxidant and Vitamins A, D+E, softening cocoa butter, clementine and rose geranium to calm and soothe the body and mind, tuberose Oil to stimulate blood circulation as well as camellia seed oil for its anti-ageing effects.

The soufflé spreads so easily, and absorbs instantly into my skin, yet in spite of being so light in consistency, it is extremely moisturising, leaving my skin feeling smooth and velvety soft and all day. The souffle is Australian made and free from chemical nasties, and it comes in an attractive frosted plastic tub that you can easily mistake for being made of glass, so it looks quite deluxe. It has a gorgeous fresh floral scent from the tuberose and you can also just detect a slight hint of citrus from the clementine, and this scent lingers on your skin for hour after you use it, so it’s perfect for those days where you don’t want to use a perfume.
RPP: $39.95 (250ml) – Available from select pharmacies and health stores
 

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Lotion*


 

This body lotion is no ordinary body lotion, is an anti-ageing body lotion for mature skin that thanks to organic pomegranate seed oil, apricot kernel oil and shea butter that prevents premature aging and stimulates cell renewal and protects skin from damaging external factors. I really like that, using anti-ageing products on my face for decades, I think it is about time to start using some on that old body too! It comes in easy to use pump bottle and the thick cream makes the skin extremely moisturised and feeling so velvety soft and smooth. It has a beautiful gentle and fruity scent of pomegranate that continues to linger on the skin for long after the cream has absorbed. After just a few days of use, my skin feels incredible soft and subtle.
RRP: $24.95 (200ml) – Available from Weleda Online and select stockists
 

Luminesce Essential Body Renewal*


 

I have previously reviewed this body cream, and absolutely adore it (check out my full review here). This body cream is another anti-ageing body product, that not only gives your skin intense moisture, but it also works as an anti-ageing treatment for the body at the same time. It targets wrinkles, age spots and sagging skin, containing antioxidant botanicals that help stimulate cellular renewal and protect the skin’s cells and encourage the body’s natural processes to produce more collagen and elastin to make it look younger. It absorbs instantly into the skin, leaving it feel incredibly soft and smooth, and over time with continued use, skin does look significantly younger and more even toned too. It comes in a gorgeous silver tube with a nifty twist lid that makes it so easy to use.
RRP: $48.35/150ml – Available from Jeunesse Global
 

Elemis Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend*



 

If you want to splurge a little more and like to use a body oil, this Japanese Camellia Body Oil Blend from Elemis is nothing short of amazing. The aromatherapy oil is the ultimate multi-tasking product, suitable for absolutely everything from caring for your nails and cuticles, to taming and adding moisture to hair and scalp and keep your skin soft and moisturised, and not to forget, it may help reduce the appearance of scars and assist in the prevention of stretch marks – and as it is free from chemical nasties and contains no parabens, SLS or SLES, DEA, mineral oil, artificial colours or silicones, it is perfectly suitable for use during pregnancy too. I so wish I’d come across this before, and especially while I was pregnant. It has the most gorgeous and gentle floral scent from the camellia, and the lightweight oil absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving it so incredibly soft and with a nice sheen. And as I love the scent so much, I do enjoy using it as a cuticle oil too, so I can smell it on my hands, and when I’m done, I simply smooth any remaining oil over my hair to tame any frizz and give my hair a moisture boost too. It comes in a beautiful red glass bottle that looks stunning in the bathroom, and it has a small spout allowing you to get just the amount of oil without any wastage. Just beautiful!

RRP: $62 (100ml) – Available from FacialCo
 

ModelCo Everyday Gradual Tan*



 

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I have to admit, that I am not the biggest fan of self-tanners, and the main reasons are that I rarely have time to take the time to apply it to make sure it is streak-free, and secondly, that I am just not that fond of the smell that develops along with the tan. But in saying that, there is no denying that in the midst of winter and my skin gets paler and paler, I do feel that I consequently also look more washed out and consequently more tired too. And that’s when I give in and reach for a good self-tanner. A good suggestion is the Everyday Gradual Tan from ModelCo that is like a body moisturiser that goes on clear, and within a few hours a tan is gradually developing – and as it is a gradual tanner, where you can slowly build up the colour by using it every day, or ever few days once you’ve got the desired colour and to maintain the colour, there is no risk of getting a streaky look either. And you get such a nice natural looking colour that doesn’t look orange of make you look like an oompa loompa. And the beauty is that you technically can skip using your usual body lotion to save time, although I do recommend using a cream on dry areas of the body first. The cream has a fresh fruity scent and while slight scent does develop during the day along with the tan, the scent of the cream does somewhat mask this.

RRP: $14.95 (230ml) – Available from Priceline, Woolworths, Target, selected pharmacies and ModelCo Online


So there you go, these are the body products that helps keep the skin on my body healthy this winter.
* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 
Have you tried any of these products? Do you feel you need to step up your skincare regimen for your body during winter? Which products do you use?
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28 July 2014

THALGO YOUR ALLIES AGAINST THE COLD GIVEAWAY

It is seriously cold at the moment, a recorded 3 degrees in Melbourne yesterday. Brrrrrrr…. You wouldn’t think that I’ve grown up in Scandinavia which can have temperatures down to minus 10, or even minus 15 degrees some nights during winter. So really I should be kind of acclimatised, or feel like the current cold chill is like a heatwave, but sadly not so. I have never felt colder.

And how bad is this cold weather for your skin. My otherwise combination skin is definitely feeling it, and is a lot drier than it usually is.

And well, to help get your skin back on track and into optimum health, the lovely people at Thalgo has kindly sponsored FIVE Thalgo 'Allies against the Cold' Gentle Winter Kits each containing a Delicious Comfort Cream, (50ml), and a Melt-Away Mask Instant Comfort (50 ml tube), which has a combined value of $75 each.


 


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PRODUCT REVIEW: LUST HAVE IT JULY 2014

The other day the *Lust Have It June box arrived at my door step, here are my thoughts; 





 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: NATIVE BOX CLASSIC JULY 2014

Hard to believe that yet another month has passed and we are in fact already half way through the year! Not sure how I feel about technically being 6 months older, but on the positive I do like that there is now only just over a month left of winter. Anyway, end of the month also means arrival of the subscription boxes, and today I’d like to share with you my thoughts on the *July edition of the Classic Native Box;

 



 
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MY GOING OUT MAKEUP

I have earlier done a post about the makeup products I use for a casual outing, so I thought I’d follow up with one featuring some of the products I am currently reaching for when I am going out for more special occasions..


Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder*


 

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26 July 2014

INDUSTRY NEWS: CLINIQUE LAUNCHING CHUBBY STICK BABY TINT AND CHUBBY STICK CHEEK BALM

Who hasn’t fallen in love with the Clinique Chubby Sticks, both the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm and Chubby Stick Eye Shadow Tint for Eyes. I know that I have! So I was so excited when I heard that Clinique is now expanding on the Chubby Stick family with Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm and Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm. 


 




 

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25 July 2014

PRODUCT REVIEW: VIOLET BOX JULY 2014

Yesterday the *July Violet Box arrived at my doorstep, here are my thoughts;







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23 July 2014

PLAYGRO GIVEAWAY

As you are probably aware my little 13 month old boy, Oliver, is an official toy tester for Playgro, and has so far had the opportunity to trial some amazing toys including the Stacking Fun Cups, the Rock 'n' Stack Stacking Rings, Grip 'n' Stack Soft Blocks and the Bathtime Squirtees.

And while he still loves all the different toys, the Bathtime Squirtees remain the absolute favourite both in the bath, but also when he is generally playing in the playpen, in the highchair, in the car seat, or for entertainment distraction while we’re changing a nappy.
And the good news that now the lovely people at Playgro have put together a great giveaway where you can win one of six packs of Bathtime Squirtees so you little one can join in on the bathtime fun too.



 
 GIVEAWAY

Here are the rules of the giveaway, so please read them:
The giveaway begins today, the 22nd July and finishes on the 8th August 2014.

The giveaway is open to AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS ONLY.
This competition is a game of skill and will be judged as such. The 6 most creative answers to the blog post question as deemed so by the Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter will be the winners. All mandatory options must be completed to constitute a valid entry.

You MUST follow The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter by GFC or Bloglovin’, - and leave your follower name in the comments.

You MUST like The Beauty & Lifestyle Hunter on Facebook – make sure to leave your facebook name in the comments

Points generated by the Rafflecopter form are consequently not valid or give you extra entries, as this is a game of skill, Rafflecopter is used solely to collate and manage the entries.

You will be banned from this and future giveaways if you're only following my blog because of the giveaways and un-follow straight after. So if you have previously been following my blog, unfollowed, and now wish to follow again, you are not eligible to enter this giveaway. (I know you are, so don’t waste your time or mine!)

You must be 18 or older to enter. If you are under 18 years of age, please get permission from your parent(s), as I will need your postal address if you're chosen as a winner.
From contacted, the winner has 48 hours to respond with their address details. Failure to respond within this timeframe will result in a new winner being drawn.

I have three pink packs and three blue packs to giveaway, and will do my very best to provide winners with their choice of colour, however cannot guarantee this.
Prize packs will be sent directly from Playgro Australia, and cannot be delivered to a PO Box. Playgro or I will take no responsibility for damaged, lost or misdirected mail.

 
Good Luck Everyone!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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PRODUCT REVIEW: L'OCCITANE NEROLI & ORCHIDEE EAU DE TOILETTE

As a massive perfume collector, I was excited when I was asked to trial the latest fragrance by L'Occitane, the Néroli & Orchidée Eau de Toilette, and here are my thoughts;




What They Say:
Neroli is the essence of unions and purity, yet its scent is far from innocent. Its encounter with the orchid, a flower from the other side of the world, is in no way a coincidence. While both essences seem so different, both white flowers are symbolic of femininity.

RRP: $82 (72ml) - Available from L’Occitane from the 23rd July 2014

What I Say:
This is the first fragrance that I have ever tried from L’Occitane, so I didn’t really know what to expect, but I wasn’t disappointed.

This Néroli & Orchidée from the L’Occitane La Collection de Grasse contains zesty and fruity head notes of orange and mandarin and orange blossom essential oil, while the heart notes include neroli, peach and fig milk…. The peach no doubt adds a touch of sweetness to the scent, but without making it sickly sweet. And then there’s the fig milk, I’ve never seen that in a fragrance before, and I am not sure that I can really detect it. Finally, as the base notes it contains white orchid, musk and iris. Just beautiful and oh so feminine and sophisticated.
 
 
 
And as I generally prefer zesty citrusy or fresh floral scents, this scent literally is combining both, so is like the perfect scent to me. I will enjoy wearing it during winter while longing for longer days and warmer days, and when summer finally arrives, it will be the perfect scent for both daytime and night-time use as well.
 
 
The fragrance is an eau de toilette, but even so it has a quite good wear lasting all day as even when using it in the morning, I can still smell it at night.

The Néroli & Orchidée Eau de Toilette comes in a feminine looking pale pastel pink box and the square set bottle is simple yet modern and elegant, and I love the golden thread sited around the next of the bottle, which symbolises the Neroli and Ochidee notes are being tied together.



 
All in all, I am so impressed with this gorgeous perfume from L’Occitane, and I know it will be a new favourite as we head towards spring. And I’ve already got my eyes on the matching body cream and shower gel…
*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.


Ever tried any of the fragrances from L’Occitane? What type of fragrances do you prefer; fruity, zesty, musky? And do you believe in a signature scent or do you have a whole wardrobe of fragrances like me??
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22 July 2014

PRODUCT REVIEW & NOTD: ESSIE ENCRUSTED COLLECTION

Today I am excited to be able to share with a new collection from *essie, the Encrusted Collection



 
What They Say:
Intricate, multi-dimensional, spectacularly ornate caviar nails. With all the fine detail of the most fanciful gem-encrusted jewel, these six stunning shades take manicures to a whole new richly-sculpted dimension.




RRP: $16.95 (13.5ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies during July and August 2014 only


What I Say:

This new Encrusted collection from essie is nothing short of amazing. Unlike other collections recently launched by essie, evey polish in the collection contains jewels or gems for a unique 3D effect. It contains caviar like beads, reflective glitters and holographic materials that makes it look luxuriously stunning. The 6 polishes in the collection each have a different 3D finish and unique character that ranges from molten metals to semi-precious stones, and include:


L-R: Peak of Chic, Hor d’oeuvres, Silver Platter,
Ignite the Night, Lots of Lux, Belugaria
 

The collection includes:
  • Peak of Chic: white holographic polish with icy crystal fringe
  • Hor d’oeuvres: A clear polish with platinum gold and iridescent silver glitter
  • Silver Platter: violet holographic glitter and antique silver add bold contrast to this pearlescent gold polish
  • Ignite the Night: sparkling hematite nail lacquer with a superfine matte finish
  • Lots of Lux: shimmering blue lapis lazuli lacquer with a sleek matte finish
  • Belugaria: ornamented jet black nail lacquer is laced with highly textured matte glitter with flashes of rainbow holographics

Of the 6 different shades, I have to say that my absolutely favourite is the Belugaria – It is really like almost having beluga caviar on your nails. It is the most intense of the shades, and it contains both a sandy texture as well as the glitter making it absolutely stunning. Unfortunately my pictures doesn’t do it justice.

You need two coats for a full coverage, and the first coat is easy to apply. However, the second coat is a little trickier, and I feel that you almost have to pad it on. But it is worth it, its absolutely stunning.


 

Unfortunately, and I think this is due to having to pad it on, and consequently getting a very thick coat on, it started chipping already the following day, and so quickly that I had to remove it. It may have lasted longer if I had applied a base coat first, but as for a top coat, I don’t think that would work, as it would ruin the 3D effect.


 

As for removing the polish, that is a little tricky, as most glitter polishes are, and you do end up with glitter on your hands. But soaking twice with standard nail polish remover does do the trick without too much hassle.

Overall I really like these polishes, also in spite of the short wear – but it still makes them perfect for a special event or night out. Note that this is a limited edition collection, so if you want to get your hands on any of the shades you better run!!!
* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 
What do you think of this new Encrusted Collection from essie? Keen on getting any of the shades? What do you think of glitter polishes?
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