Product Review: Kevin Murphy’s Colour Bug

Hair colour is a funny thing. Some people are really particular about their hair colour and others don’t really seem to care. I’m not sure where I fit into the mix.

I’ve pretty much had naturally blonde hair with highlights until about 4 years ago when I thought I would give red a try. Then I went to platinum blonde, and then Platinum Ash Blonde, followed by Platinum blonde with darker foils, followed by light blonde with darker foils, until I finally got back to my natural blonde with highlights. So this pretty much too about 2.5 years, and since that epic hair journey I’m really reluctant to change my hair colour again since I think the colour I have at the moment is the best colour for me (given that I’ve tried like 10 other versions).

Cue Lauren Conrad’s multi coloured tips!

I love this look! LOVE LOVE LOVE! And I really want to try it out. But the problem is during this epic colouring fiasco I also cut my hair short. Although it’s not that short anymore I don’t want to colour the tips and end up with short hair again because I needed to cut the colour out.

Cue Kevin Murphy’s Colour Bug!

This would have to be one of the most amazing hair inventions in the world! Yes I went there…IN THE WORLD!

Basically all you do is apply the colour, which is a powder texture, to the part of your hair that you want coloured.

Cue photo of me in a taxi on Tuesday (last week) after purchasing said colour bug!

What do I think? This is a pretty amazing product. I find it works really well for my hair because I’m blonde, but the girl in the salon showed me in her hair, which was dark, and it looked good too. The only thing is unless you put hair spray over the top I does come out after about 1.5-2 hours. This can be annoying (as it was on Tuesday last week since I didn’t have any hair spray), but at the same time is good to know that it won’t change the colour of your hair. So all in all I would say winner! The powder also tends to get everywhere, so just make sure you have a towel around your shoulders before applying and also make sure you don’t apply on a carpet or something that might stain.

You can buy the Colour Bug in 3 awesome colours (pink, purple and a red coral) at Kevin Murphy stockiest salons. Plus it’s only $24.95…BARGIN!

Personally I’m going to go and get the other colours ASAP!

Nat xoxo

Brand in the spotlight: Rationale Essential 6 Day Range

So a while ago I did a post of the Rationale Essential 6 Night Range. Well when I had my second consultation phone call, the lovely team at Rationale sent me a trial of the Day Range as well as full sized products of the Night Range (how lovely are the Rationale team!).

If you read my post on the Night Range…what am I talking about, of course you read it…you will know that the Night Range contains 3 products, thus the Day Range contains another 3 products. Hence the name Essential 6! And here is what the Day Range contains…

Niacinamide Serum – which provides immune protection and luminosity with Vitamin B3. The purpose of this product is to even out skin tone, restore clarity, help normalize oil flow and sooth and hydrate your skin.

Rejuvenating Serum – which is an antioxidant protection that also contains Vitamins A, C & E. The purpose of this product to deliver high potency actives to the skin for simultaneous re-firming, wrinkle smoothing and clarity.

Face SPF 30+ - which provides hydration, nutrition and SPF with zinc. The purpose of this product is to soothe, hydrate and protect your skin.

What are my thoughts? I’ve completely fallen head of heels in love with Rationale! My skin looks amazing. I actually feel confident to leave the house without any foundation/powder/face covering stuff on. I don’t get pimples anymore, not like I had many to start with but around that time of the month I would get one or two. Also my skin tone is really even. It’s love peeps!

I can’t wait until X-Mas is over so I can save up and by the Rationale Essential Six Day Range! It isn’t cheap and will set you back $373, but can you put a price on amazing skin?

(Well you can but that seemed like the dramatic startment I was after)

So if you haven’t discovered Rationale yet you really need to. Your skin will thank you.

Nat xoxo

Product Review: Nutrimetics’ Ultra Care + Micro Dermabrasion Kit

Quite a few of my friends love Nutrimetics. I’ve been to quite a few Nutrimetics paties in my time but I’ve never really been interested in most of their products. There have been a few things that caught my eye over the year, but nothing that I really thought I’d want to use myself.

Well that was the case until I can across their Micro Dermabtasion kit. I tired this out at a party a few years ago and it looked really good. But it wasn’t until my friend had a X-Mas Nutrimetics party a few weeks ago that I got one myself.

There are 2 products in this kit, 1. Resurfacer, which is the micro dermabrasion part, and 2. Rehydrator SPF 25 lotion. So really this is more like a products review…

1. Resurfacer. This is the 1^st step. You basically use it like you would any other exfoliator. I personally use mine in the shower because it’s just easier.

The Resurfacer contains Micro-fine Quartz Crystals to remove dead skin and Lavender extract to soothe and calm the skin.

2. Rehydrator. This is the 2^nd , and final, step. This is essentially a post resurfacer moisturizer. It also has an SPF 25, because you skin is more susceptible to the sun after you exfoliate, especially with a stronger exfoliating product like the resurfacer.  

The Rehydrator contains Sea Buckthorn Oil to nourish and hydrate as well as the SPF for sun protection.

What did I think? I have to say I’m pretty impressed with this kit, well mainly with the resurfacer. I find it’s a gentle exfoliator but is stronger then most exfoliators (hense the micro dermabrasion part). The directions say to use it once or twice a week. I’ve been using it once a week and I’m happy with the results. I have the unfortunate problem of large pores on my nose and sometimes they tend to get slightly blocked, but the resurfacer has really helped. As far as the rehydrator, it’s a nice moisturizer. It’s not too thick so it goes on really nicely and it also has a pleasant smell. However it didn’t really rock my socks if you catch my drift. It’s a nice product but isn’t anything special.

So overall I liked this kit, but personally it’s only really worth it for the Resurfacer. Shame you can’t buy it on it’s own.

If you would like to get your own Micro Dermabrasion Kit you can pick one up from the Nutrimetics website for $85.

Nat xoxo

BellaBox - December 2011

Yesterday morning I got my lovely December BellaBox in the mail. I've been really happy with BellaBox each month since it launched. The products that they have featured have been really good and they have also given away quite a bit of full sized product as well.

This months box featured products around the party season, which was very fitting.

1. Savoir Faire's Concealer Pack - We got a Savoir Faire lipstick in the 1st box and it was such a lovely product so I'm looking forward to giving this a try.


2. Ozotic's Elytra Nail Polish - This is a great glittery nail polish that will be great for the holiday season.


3. Elemis' Pro Collagen Quartz Lift Mask


4. Batiste's Dry Shampoo - I love this product! It's a really great dry shampoo and I love that it's full size.


5. Eylure's Naturalite Intense Lashes - I love fake Lashes but they are a biatch to put on. I'll have to have a few tries before I get it right. Hopefully I can master it before X-Mas.


And that's it folks! 


Enjoy 


Nat xoxo  

Brand in the spotlight: Benefit Holiday Gift Sets

The holiday season is always a winner when it comes to beauty gift sets and Benefit defiantly didn’t disappoint when it came to the gift set.

I find Benefit does an amazing job with their beauty box sets anyway, but they are really out done themselves this year. So when Sarah from work wanted to put in a little order I jumped at the chance to pick myself up a few things.

1. Romancing The Mirror

It was romance love at first sight! This gift set came with That Gal, Sugarbomb and BADgal Lash, all full sized for $39. How amazing is that! I’ve really wanted to try both That Gal and Sugarbomb so thought this would be the perfect set for me.

2. POWda WOWza

I just have to say this gift set is so damn cute. It’s mini sizes of CORALista, Bella Bamba and Hoola in a cute little box with a mini brush for only $28! It’s a great way to try out 3 really great Benefit Box ‘O Powders.

3. Watt’s Up

I know this isn’t a holiday gift set, but I did buy myself a little extra treat! Watt’s up is Benefit’s new highlighter and for $30 you really can’t go wrong.

There are 2 other Benefit gift sets that I’m thinking about buying,…

1. All Decked Out – features full sized POREfessional and Benetint plus a luxury sample of some kind-a gorgeous for only $32. I really want this gift set because it’s such good value! A full sized POREfessional (which is an amazing product too BTW) is $28 so major bargin since you also get a full sized Benetint (another great product).

2. I’m glam….Therefore I am – this is such a great little make-up kit. It would be the perfect thing to keep in your handbag if you need to touch your make-up up after work before heading out or just because you feel like sprucing up for your trip home from work. Plus it’s only $36, what can you buy for $36 these days anyway?! Not a lot!

So if you like a holiday beauty gift set like me then I highly recommend you pop over to the Benefit website and shop shop SHOP!

Nat xoxo

Glossy Box November 2011

This month Glossy Box launched here in Australia. There was a bit of confusion around this because Beauty Box became Glossy Box, or Beauty Box was just here until Glossy Box launched or something like that. Anyway Glossy Box basically took over from Beauty Box.

If you read my blog you will know that I wasn’t the biggest fan of Beauty Box, so I was a bit skeptical about Glossy Box and very interested to see what their 1^st box would be like. And I’m pleased to say the really kicked Beauty Box’s ass…lets just say box!

Not only did the box look lovely, but I was also impressed with the products inside.

Jurlique’s Purely Age-Defying Ultra Firm & Life Cream

Bio Oil’s, well Bio Oil

Essie’s Summer Nail Colour (I got Braziliant)

Bobbi Brown’s Cleansing Oil

Mirenesse’s 3D Forever Gloss (I got Hot Kiss)

JELLYBEANS! This really was the highlight! I LOVE Jellybeans!

I would have to say as far as 1^st boxes go this one was pretty damn good. Very happy indeed and much better then Beauty Box was.

Nat xoxo

BellaBox – November Box 2011

Earlier this month I got my 2^nd BellaBox. I was really impressed with the 1^st BellaBox and I’m delighted to say that the 2^nd one was just as exciting.

This month BellaBox focused on International Cult Brands, which I really loved because I’m obsessed with cult brands and products. So I was really excited to see what we got…

Lancome’s Visonnaire. There has been so much hype around this product so I was really excited to get this in our BellaBox this month.

3 product samples from Erborian Korean Skin Therapy; BB Crème Au Ginseng, Yuza Sorbet Moisturizing Emulsion and Elixir Au Ginseng. I’ve heard so much about BB crèmes recently, so I’m eager to try that out.

Gatineau’s Melatogenine Force Collagene.

Orofluido’s Beauty Elixir for your hair. I have become obsessed with hair oils recently and loving trying new ones, so this is up on the “try it out” list.

Twistband for your hair.

Obessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ Lip Tar. I got Pageant and it’s a great color and is really long lasting.

And that’s it folks! I was very happy with this month’s box and really can’t wait until we get next months.

Nat xoxo

1st Blog Giveaway Winner!

I’m happy to announce we have a winner for my 1^st blog giveaway! YAY!

Personally I was really excited and as the lovely Corrina was when I told her she had won! I will be sending off her goodies this week so she should have them asap.

To recap this is what she what the lovely Corrina will be getting….

Thanks to everyone who entered and stay tuned because I just might be having another giveaway soon.

Nat xoxo

Product Head To Head: Facial Wipes

I recently got a few different types of facial wipes so I thought I would test them all out and do a product head to head. The FOA and Nivea ones I got from the ABBW and I bought the Simple ones before the ABBW (pack of 2) because they were on sale. I know buying cheap skincare goes against the name of my blog but I have this thing called a shoe addiction so I have to pull in the purse strings sometimes. I know it’s horrible, but you should see my shoe collection! It’s amaze balls…

Anyway! Back on track, I really like to get all my make-up off before I use my cleanser (so it can do it’s job properly) so I find facial wipes to be pretty awesome things.

The 3 wipes I've been using are...

Facial Wipe 1: Simple’s Cleansing Facial Wipes

What they say: These wipes have no alcohol, no oil, no perfume, no color, are non-drying, non-greasy and remove waterproof mascara.

What did I think? I liked this facial wipe but didn't love it. It does an alright job of getting make-up off but my main problem was the smell. It's not good. I don't like really strong fragrance smelling products but this just smells bad and it's a bit of a turn off really.

Facial Wipe 2: Face Of Australia’s Purifying Cleansing Wipes

What they say: These are due action cleansing wipes that will remove all types of make-up including waterproof and stay-put. They are also alcohol free so they won’t dry out our skin.

What did I think? I think this would have to be the holy grail of make-up wipes! It's fabulous! It does an amazing job of removing make-up, and even gets rid of all my eye make-up, which is quite a big deal. And it has a really pleasant smell. All in all AWESOME!

Facial Wipe 3: Nivea’s Daily Essentials Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes

What they say: These wipes are enriched with Almond Oil & Calendula Extract that removed make-up and waterproof mascara. They do contain alcohol though (BOO!).

What did I think? I have to say this wipe had the nicest texture and felt lovely on my skin, even though they do contain alcohol. However at removing make-up epic fail. I thought it had gotten all my eye make-up off, but when I washed my face hard-core panda eyes. Such a same because it really is a lovely facial wipe

So just so everyone is clear the winning facial wipe on overall texture, smell and removing make-up is Face Of Australia!

You can buy all of these products from Priceline, Woolies, Coles etc except FOA, which is only sold in Priceline, Kmart and Big W.

Nat xoxo

Product Head To Head: Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant VS Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant

I love Exfoliators and I love the concept of daily Exfoliators! (always makes my skin feel really clean). Recently I have tried two really great daily Exfoliators that are both, check this out, powder based. I know this isn't a "new" concept but to have to admit, the novelty factor is pretty awesome.

Daily Exfoliator 1: Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant

I was first introduced to Alpha-H through their Liquid Gild range (which I'm currently using) and I got a sample of the Gentle Daily Exfoliant in my BellaBox last month.

The Gentle Daily Exfoliant is an enzyme powder that contains pineapple and papaya extracts.

What did I think? I really love this Exfoliator! The texture is more like a paste then your typical Exfoliator texture. I found that as well as exfoliating (which it did a great job of doing) it also made my skin really luminous.

Handy hint: for a more intense exfoliation add Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold with the Gentle Daily Exfoliant instead of water.

Daily Exfoliator 2: Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant

I was 1st introduced to this product in one of my Lust Have It boxes a few months ago and then I got a full sized product a few weeks ago.

The Daily Microfoliant is also an enzyme-based powder that is made with rice.

What did I think? Again this was a really good Exfoliator! Although it's powder based as well, it forms more of a foam texture. It's quite light on the exfoliating so it really doesn't harm your skin if you use it everyday. However I did find that I still needed to use a stronger Exfoliator once a week.

How did the 2 compare? Oh do I have to pick?!?! This is really hard because I love using both products, but if it was life or death and I had to pick one I would have to go with Alpha-H’s Gentle Daily Exfoliant.

This might be a bit of a shock because I know the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is a cult favorite, but I did find that Alpha-H's Gentle Daily Exfoliant worked better for me.

You can get your hands on Alpha-H's Gentle Daily Exfoliant for $59.95 and Dermalogica's daily Microfoliant for $83.5.

You really can't go wrong with either because they are both great!

Nat xoxo

Lust Have it! – November Luxury Lust Pack

So after a little blogging break due to the never ending fun of Uni, I'm back and ready to blog!

When I got home Friday week I couldn’t believe that it was that time of the month already for my November Luxury Lust Pack! Where did October go?!

My box looked lovely this month! Clearly Australia Post found something else to play with this month took care of it this month.

And here is what we got in our packs!

RoC’s Complete Life NEW Technology Daily Moisturiser

Nude By Nature’s Lip Liner in Chique Natural Mineral Lipliner

Lancome’s Tresor Midnight Rose

Hawley International’s Miracle Shine 2 Step Miracle Nail Shiner

Keratase’s Nectar Thermique

I was happy with this box and I will use most of the products but I didn’t find it as exciting as the previous months. With that said, one 1st few boxes have been pretty damn amazing (especially the ABBW Box).

Enjoy!

Nat xoxo

Brand In the Spotlight: Rationale Essential 6 Night Range

In our ABBW goodie bags we got a lovely little invite from Rationale to have a skin consultation. I’d heard a lot about Rationale from a friend at work who swears by it, so I really jumped at the opportunity to find out some more about it. And I’m so glad I did (I’m really calling the ABBW the gift that keeps on giving)!

I arranged my consultation with the lovely Linda from Rationale, and she set up my on call consultation with Jo the training manager.  

Consultation numero uno: so when Jo called we basically talking about my skin and what’s been going on with it. We talked about my current skincare routine and what things I would like to change about my skin. At the end of the consultation Jo said she would send me out a sample of the Night Essential 6 Rationale range.

The Essential Six are designed to deliver everything that your skin needs in 6 products. Pretty awesome huh?? And here I was thinking that I needed hundreds. How silly of me.

There are 3 products in the night range.

First up there is the Preparatory Cleanser. The Preparatory Cleanser is enriched with ultra gentle cleansing agents and soothing botanicals that are designed to cleanse and hydrate. The cleanser also contains Niacinamide and Panthenol to restore the skin’s barrier function, contains vitamins, A, C & E to reduce inflammations and Licorice Root and Chamomile extracts to cleanse and calm.

Next is serum number 1, the Skin Refining Serum. The 1^st night serum (step 5 in the whole essential six), the Skin Refining Serum restores skin luminosity, unclogs pores and reduces visible signs of pigmentation. Gentle botanical alpha and beta hydroxy acids gently acidify the skin, restoring surface pH and optimal luminosity.

Lastly is serum number 2, the Retinaldehyde Serum. The Ratinaldehyde is a natural form of vitamin A found in skin cells. It is involved in cellular repair processes. Used nightly, Retinaldehyde restores skin integrity promoting smoother, firmer, clearer, skin and enhanced luminosity.  

A few days after my consultation my essential six night range samples showed up with a few additions, two of the different rationale day creams to protect my skin.

So far I’m really impressed with the essential night range. The products are really lovely and make my skin look bright, luminous and hydrated. I’ve also noticed that I’m not really getting any spots during “that time of the month”. I normally don’t get too many spots but during that time I normally got one or two. So I’m very happy to report that they seem to be at bay at the moment! The only thing I have found it that if I wear heavy make-up I need to use make-up remover before the cleanser. The cleanser is supposed to remove all make-up as well as cleanse the skin, but I find I need to use a remover first.

ABBW ladies, if you haven't arranged your Rantionale consultation yet get onto it!