Facial Co.

A beauty post for you today with my most recent online discovery, Australian owned and operated online skincare and beauty store, Facial Co. and some wonderful Australian made and owned cosmeceutial skin care products by Asap.

My favourtie of all was the Asap Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub. I had actually been trying to find the perfect scrub when Facial Co. contacted me and this scrub has ended my search.  Scrubs which I had purchased at the supermarket (where I usually buy beauty products) were always too scratchy with big particles, this facial scrub is lovely and fine, and feels like it is shedding those dead skin cells without damaging my skin.  Plus the smallest about goes a long way and leaves my skin glowing.

To compliment the facial scrub is the Asap Daily Facial Cleanser which is gentle and non-drying.  I love that it has Glycolic Acid for protection against free radical damage and White Tea, an antioxidant with anti-ageing properties.  The big 4 0 is not far off now so I'll definitely take all the help I can get!

Finally the Moisturising Daily Defence SPF50+; for me a day moisturiser has to have the sunscreen step covered.  I am extremely time poor and if I can skip a step that is excellent!  Plus I always get confused, no matter how many times I read Amazing Face, as to what order sunscreen and moisturiser are supposed to be put on.  This solves all of that! Again this moisturiser has anti-ageing ingredients, another absolute must for me.  One tip for this one is give it a bit of a shake before use, I found it separated just a little. 

Facial Co. offer free shipping Australia wide, free samples with every order and a 30 day return policy. They have a huge selection of brands with expert advice available - well worth a look.

Sweetheart

I recently received these 100% natural, Australian made, coffee body scrubs thanks to Sweetheart Body.  I've never tried a coffee body scrub before but really enjoyed using these.  They have such a delicious natural fragrance and feel great on the skin.  

Sweetheart Body offer three varieties all offering different fabulous benefits.

I been using the Manuka Honey coffee body scrub on my three year old son who has keratosis polaris on his arms and legs. Given that it is a gently exfoliant as well as the anti inflammatory properties of the honey combined with the soothing, moisturising goodness of olive oil, almond oil and orange oil I thought it would be just the thing.  And indeed, I have noticed the bumps looking less red and aggravated.  Of course Ash loves it because he gets covered in 'mud'!

The Grapeseed coffee body scrub is my favourite pick, particularly given its antioxidant properties which are great for anti aging. Bring it on! This scrub also contains rosemary oil for re-hydrating and toning the skin.  

There scrubs are available online at Sweetheart Body who are currently offering 15% with the purchase of two or more scrubs.

Jamberry

Jamberry nail wraps have just arrived in Australia bringing us amazing nail art that you can DIY at home!  The range of gorgeous designs is mind boggling, and having had a go at applying them myself I can assure you it's easy and surprisingly quick.  Plus no worry of smudging that nail polish while its drying!! All you need to apply is a hairdryer, nail scissors and a nail file, or you can purchase a application kit (pictured) at Jamberry with everything you need.

Aside from the option to buy online, you can also host a party. Just like with Avon or Tupperware which would be a great opportunity to see the designs and have a play with some nail wraps.  All info on the Jamberry website or if you are interested in becoming a Consultant and earning some extra cash, just list Katie Howard as your sponsor.

Little Bird

 Little Bird Organic Paw Paw Balm 

Little Bird Organic Coconut Moisturising Butter

I've recently been using these beautiful organic products by Little Bird,  namely their Organic Paw Balm and Organic Coconut Moisturising Butter.  

The lip balm has a delicious coconut flavour and is completely free of petrochemicals, unlike many others currently on the market.  The moirturising butter combines 100% organic ingredients including coconut oil, caster oil and beeswax, and has an amazing natural coconut fragrance.  This butter is quickly absorbed and adds a beautiful glow to your skin.  And of course, being organic and chemical free I am very happy to use this product on my two year old son Ash.

Available at a variety of online health stores, I've also spotted these lovely products at Coles.

Activeskin

Active Skin is my latest online discovery.  Stocking only genuine, authentic skincare, makeup, hair products, bath and body care and fragrances from the best brands in the industry, and at the lowest prices... guaranteed!  Brands include Lancôme, Clarins, Clinique and Cloud9, all at up to 40% off recommended retail prices!! You can also count on getting free samples (as pictured) with every order. 

Established in 2006, Active Skin are proudly Australian owned and operated by a team of skincare professionals based in Sydney.  I should also add there are skincare professionals on hand to give expert advice if you need it.

Smiles of Melbourne

 

Boots- Wittner

Shirt- Target

Aja jeans- Jeanswest

Millie bag- thanks to Louenhide

Manhattan cuff- thanks to Najo Jewellery

Sunnies- RayBan

I was so excited when Smiles of Melbourne approached me and offered to whiten my teeth.  Everyone wants a beautiful smile, including me!! Plus. I have tried pretty much every off-the-shelf option and have never been happy with the results.  Gels, mouth guards, toothpaste, whitening strips... seriously, everything!!

I also have issues with sensitive teeth, so it was so reassuring to be in the hands of a qualified and experienced dentist who knows how to really care for teeth.  But not only that, teeth whitening is the one thing Smiles of Melbourne do, and they do it really well!

The dentist spent some time with me beforehand running through the squillion questions I had, explaining how the product works and alleviating my concerns about sensitivity of my teeth.  I was actually really worried that I would't actually make it through the appointment because of sensitivity.

Then it was into the chair with an extremely attractive (not) thing putting my teeth on show, then whitening formula applied to my teeth, super cool sunnies on and the blue light set in place.  I had to 15 minute bursts of this and voila! White teeth! AND no sensitivity. None whatsoever! Such a relief.  So there you go, a brand new and beautiful white smile in a single appointment.

My white smile can be expected to last 6-12 months depending on how well I take care of it.  It can also be maintained by using off the shelf get products which is good to know.

 

Pure Euphoria

These pretty nail polishes from Pure Euphoria are actually infused with pure essential oils so are beautifully fragrant when dry!  Aromatherapy literally at your fingertips gives your the opportunity to calm, refocus, feel self assured or attract more of what you want in your life.  The fragrance lasts about 24 hours.

Pure Euphoria are vegan and free of nasties Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde resin and camphor.

Boho waves tutorial with GHD - long hair

You will notice throughout my blog that my hair is usually up in a bun, or long and out with soft waves.  My hair is naturally very straight but I really much prefer it with some loose waves.  And yes, it's very long; let's not even talk about how long it's been since I've had a hair cut, that is far too embarrassing!  Anyhoo, today I'm sharing with you how you can get this look with the limited edition ghd V rose gold styler.  

Alrighty, so here is my hair in it's natural state. I always wash my hair at night and let it dry over night.  My hair is about as low maintenance as it gets, it hasn't been dyed or coloured for many, many years (thankfully no greys yet), and I only use standard supermarket shampoo and conditioner, generally whatever is on sale.  And okay I'll fess up, it hasn't been cut for nearly two years...YIKES!

To start, pile up half your hair out of the way on top of your head.  There are a couple of sectioning clips included with the ghd V rose gold styler kit which are useful for this.  Then grab a small section of hair and holding the styler VERTICALLY grip the hair then twist the styler AWAY from your face 180 degrees. 

 Keeping the styler vertical, and the hair taught with your other hand, slide the styler down the length of your hair.  Go slower for a more dramatic curl.

Repeat, repeat, repeat gradually working your way around the bottom half of your head.  Let down the top and repeat, repeat, repeat!  Remember to always twist away from your face.

Once your whole head is done allow the hair to cool. Next brush out those curls- this is what creates the wave look.  I also like to use a texturising powder at the roots which gives some extra body and hold.

And finally my hot tip, particularly for very long hair (and not something I've seen in any other tutorials), is to twist all hair all up into bun and secure it with an elastic until it's time to head out. I personally find this makes for a more consistent wave and a smoother look.

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I should add ghd have put out a whole rose gold collection, see HERE.  I'm pretty keen to check out the ghd curve classic wave wand set #getthehintdarling

Milky Foot review

Sandal weather is here, so it's time to get those feet in tip top shape.  I recently received a fab little Summer Survival kit which included  Milky Foot Intense Exfoliation Pads and Spotner.  I've seen the ads on tv about Milky Foot so was pretty curious to try it myself.

First step is to don these funny exfoliation socks, which are filled with the active ingredients, and put your feet up.  Actually don't put your feet up, you need to keep them on the ground so the formula stays in contact with your feet.  I also put socks over the top to help them stay in closer contact with my feet.  The instructions say to keep them on for 45-60 minutes, so I did the full 60 minutes.  Afterwards my feel felt so fresh! Like your mouth after Listerine ;)

The instructions advise that the peeling would begin around 3-5 days, but nothing was happening on my feet so I seriously thought it wasn't going to work.  Low and behold on day six the intense peeling began.  And over about 2-3 days all that rough, hardened skin came right of to reveal lovely soft skin underneath.  By ten days my feet were good as new.

It is SO much easier than rubbing away with a pumice stone or foot file, and I would certainly use it again.  However, I would recommend perhaps having some nail polish on to protect your toe nails as mine became a bit brittle afterwards.

Milky Foot pads are available in both regular and large sizes in pharmacies for around $30.

Perfume

Today I'm sharing with you this beautiful perfume, Lancome La Vie Est Belle thanks to the Perfume Clearance Centre.  When choosing a perfume I must admit I start with the appearance of the bottle, is anyone else the same?  Next I look at what the main fragrance is.  Helpfully, the Perfume Clearance Centre has all the details about every one of their perfumes.  This perfume in particular is a fresh floral oriental frangrance of orange blosson.  Sounds lovely don't you think; and it is!

The Perfume Clearance Centre is an Australia website focused on offering genuine, high quality perfumes at discounted prices.  They have the latest perfumes, as well as old favourites. Postage was quick as could be and I also got a stack of little samples, as pictured above, which was a real bonus.


Don't forget there is still time to enter my giveaway.
WIN an adorable hat and mitten set thanks to Merino Baby.
Details here....