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Review: Mukti Aloe Vera Moisturiser; perfect antidote to a hot summer day

I have a confession to make. I spent the day at the beach yesterday celebrating Australia Day, and wasn't as diligent applying sunscreen as I should have been. As a result, my shoulders, chest, and tops of my legs got slightly burnt. When I woke up this morning, I could almost cry at the sight of my still-reddened body and the damage I had done. My skin looked dry and irritated, and in need of some moisture pronto.
Enter Mukti's Aloe Vera Moisturiser:



I had a sample sitting around that I had received from a previous Mukti order, and decided it would be the perfect time to try it out. I applied the moisturiser to the red and irritated sunburnt skin, and was surprised at how cooling it was. It was a thin milky texture and spread easily, leaving no sticky residue or tight feeling like generic aloe vera products can do. The ingredient list, although simple, boasts fantastic hydrating and calming ingredients such as aloe vera, calendula and glycerine, and powerful antioxidants such as grapefruit seed extract, and essential oils to feed and heal the skin. This moisturiser is perfect for applying to skin after exposure to harsh elements such as the sun and wind. Mukti also claims it can be used after shaving to close the pores, or as a light non-comedogenic moisturiser for oily and combination skin. I love multi-purpose products, as they allow you to reduce the number of products you keep in your cupboard.

Ingredients: Certified Organic Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice; Certified Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Extract; Glycerin (Vegetarian); Sclerotium Gum; Certified Organic Essential Oils of Geranium (Geranium Maculatum), Juniper (Juniperus Communis) & Lemon (Citrus Limonum); Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract.


Price: $35.50 for 50 ml.

Like the sound of it? Get 15% off now until midnight 27/01/2104 with the code 'ozozoz' on their website

Review: Yuli Cocoon Elixir


I have been in the natural skincare game for two years now, and up until recently I regarded toners as an unnecessary step in skincare. I thought they were a placebo, something that you put on the skin that has a lovely scent but essentially does nothing for the skin. My limited experience with toners involved dried out skin (due to the alcohol), and flared acne and rosacea (due to irritating ingredients). I was hesitant to enter the toner game again, but after hearing all the hype about the Yuli Elixirs (and Yuli in general!), I had to try one out. I contacted Yuli and told them about my main skin issues, and they advised that I try the Cocoon Elixir based on my skin type. I have very reactive acne-prone skin that hates anything potentially irritating (read: alcohol, fragrance, preservatives, coconut, etc), but is also very dry at the same time.

I have been testing the Yuli Cocoon Elixir for approximately three months now. I use it in the mornings, and occasionally during the day if I feel like my face needs a freshen up. Over the time I have been testing it, I can't say my skin has magically transformed, my acne has lessened, or my pores have vanished. The results I have experienced have been subtle, but enough for me to decide that I never want to forego a toner mist again.

I have experienced:
  • A slight improvement in my skin's texture, and reduced appearance of enlarged pores
  • A glowing appearance (my skin doesn't appear as dull)
  • A more hydrated and happy forehead (which means that my dehydration lines aren't quite as visible- YAY!)
  • An easier application of face oils and serums (seriously guys, a toner mist is essential for the perfect slip of oils on your face, as I have discovered)

The Yuli Cocoon Elixir is an alcohol-free, 100% natural facial mist which is suitable for the most sensitive skin. I was excited about Calendula being the second highest ingredient listed, as my skin adores it for calming any inflammation. It also contains anti-irritants aloe vera, glycerine and chamomile, and colloidal silver acts as an anti-bacterial. I found this toner calming as advertised, and as a result, my acne or rosacea did not flare up.

The Ingredients of the Cocoon Elixir: D-Aloe Barbadensis, C. officinalis (Calendula) hydrolat*, R. officinalis (Rosemary) hydrolat*,L. angustifolia (lavender) hydrolat*, M. recutita (Chamomile) hydrolat*, B. carterii(Frankincense) hydrolat^^, frequency enhanced water, vegetable glycerine, MSM, R. damascena (Rose) flower petal powder*,M. emarginata (Acerola) extract, colloidal silver * Organic ^^ Wildcrafted

I believe that a toner is a great investment for great skin. They provide skin with an extra boost of antioxidants, facilitate the application of face oils, and help hydrate and extinguish inflammation. It is important to not expect miracles, but it may be that extra step towards helping you gain the happy, hydrated, glowing skin you have always wished for.

Price: $36 for 50 ml at Yuli's website

Have you tried this toner, or any of Yuli's products? Do you believe in the importance of using a toner? Let me know in the comments!

Review: ILIA Lipstick Crayon in Dress You Up

Dress You Up

This lipstick, I admit, has been my first foray into Ilia products, and natural lipstick in general. I have never been a huge makeup person, in comparison to my addiction with skincare, but I have been excited with the clean makeup lines I have discovered since going green two years ago. I was thrilled that I picked a perfect shade from the get-go. I believe that this is the perfect shade for lipstick newbies such as me.


Me wearing Dress You Up
 
I have been obsessed with the look of lipstick crayons but believed that they were only available in toxic versions. That's before I discovered Ilia. The consistency of this product is amazing. It is smooth and creamy (and very hydrating!), but still holds its shape within its tube. I find it lasts a long time, and I only have to reapply once during the day, even when I am eating out somewhere. I find it to be the perfect 'your lips but better' colour, and it has got me excited to try out more of Ilia's products.

Review: Egyptian Magic Skin Cream


I had long heard of the cult status of this product through the internet, so as soon as I realised that one of my favourite online stores, Nourished Life, had begun to stock it, I pounced on it so quickly that my bank account didn't know what hit it. I was not sure what to expect upon opening it. I expected it to be cream-like in texture, but it is definitely more of a balm consistency than a cream. It is comparable in texture to Vaseline or Pawpaw ointment, as you scoop it out as a thick balm and it melts on warm hands to a thick oil.

According to online sources, Egyptian Magic is a multi-purpose cream that can be used for a multitude of skin conditions such as scars, eczema, acne, and psoriasis. It can also be used as a face cleanser, face moisturiser, acne spot treatment, highlighter for cheekbones, hair mask, eye balm and as a shaving balm.

I personally find it useful for areas that need extra hydration. I massage a generous amount into my heels daily after a shower, I scoop some into little containers to use as lip balm, and I rub it into areas that are notoriously dry such as elbows, legs and knees. I find this balm too greasy for me to consider cleansing or moisturising my face with it, however if you are into dense hydrating products you may enjoy it.




Egyptian Magic contains only honey, beeswax, olive oil, royal jelly, bee pollen and bee propolis.
You can buy it online at Egyptian Magic's website for $38.20 for a 4oz jar

DIY Raspberry Honey Mask


I came up with this super easy DIY face mask the other day when I was stuck with 2+ kilos of rapidly over-ripening raspberries leftover from the massive amount that I had picked at a local berry place. I understand that fresh raspberries can be expensive if you don't have them growing locally, but you could just as easily defrost some frozen ones, for an inexpensive option. Honey should be raw or manuka, as it retains the beneficial properties that processed honey has lost. If you love the idea of organic and natural masks but don't have the money to splurge, I suggest you give a DIY treatment like this one a go. Some of the benefits of using simple, effective ingredients such as honey and raspberries are outlined below.

Skin benefits of raspberries:
  • High in antioxidants to combat ageing and improve skin elasticity and boost collagen
  • High in Vitamin C to naturally brighten skin, and improve acne
  • Helps control oil production and balance skin
Skin benefits of honey:
  • Natural humectant (draws moisture into the skin) for optimal hydration
  • Naturally antibacterial, so good for acne treatment/prevention
  • Healing for acne, rosacea, ezcema

Ingredients:

Handful of raspberries
Teaspoon of honey
Water, to adjust texture

I just placed the raspberries and honey in a bowl and then just mashed them together thoroughly. You could always blend and strain the raspberries to remove the seeds, if you are that way inclined, but I just thought it was much easier to put up with seeds sliding down my face. If you find the mixture a bit too thick, add a bit of water slowly until you reach the right texture.

Apply the mixture to your face and leave for as long as you like (or as long as you have time for!), then rinse with water.

Haha enjoy this very attractive picture of me wearing the mask!