Review: Lily Loves Pearl Replenishing Body Oil

 

 

I tell you, I don't think there is anything that Lily Loves Pearl can't nail. From my holy-grail moisturiser (you have to try this one!), to their gentle but effective cleanser, to this body oil, I am in certified organic product heaven!

 

A few months ago now I started really getting into the use of oil as a body moisturiser. For those of you interested, oil can completely replace your body moisturisers, and is a budget-friendly option too. My secret for easy application is to apply straight after showering, before you have towelled off. Applying oil to wet skin allows it to spread much more easily then if your skin were dry, which means you use less oil. It also apparently increases the absorption rate of the oil, meaning your skin is left better hydrated.

 

Lily Loves Pearl's Body Oil is a delightful certified organic concoction that carries the light scent of mandarin.  I love to use it in the morning as the citrusy scent is very uplifting and is a great pick-me-up.

 

Let's see what else is inside this delicious product (you will notice that every single ingredient is certified organic):

Ingredients: Certified Organic Sunflower oil, Certified Organic Rosehip Seed oil, Certified Organic Jojoba oil, Certified Organic Mandarin Essential oil, Certified Organic Avocado oil, Certified Organic Lavender Essential oil, Certified Organic Cedarwood Essential oil, Certified Organic Calendula Essential oil, Certified Organic Chamomile Essential oil, Love.

 

This body oil is lightweight but leaves my skin comfortably hydrated, and not needing anything extra. It comes in a cute brown mist bottle, and sprays the oil out, which makes it easy to use. I use three sprays (pumps) for both of my legs, two for both of my arms, and three for my chest/stomach area. I don't use it on my face, but it contains beautiful ingredients that would be safe anywhere.

 

I am just verging on my first empty bottle of this, and you bet it will be on my repurchase list!

The Replenishing Body Oil retails for $42 for 100ml. Buy it here.

Review: Trilogy CoQ10 Booster Serum

 

I began searching for a face oil containing tamanu oil and CoQ10 after I had great success with this oil. Due to illness, I haven't been working lately and as a result, my budget for skincare has become less flexible. As much as I love May Lindstrom's The Youth Dew, my current budget just doesn't allow for it. Enter Trilogy's CoQ10 Booster Serum, a product I have just fallen head over heels for!

 

Trilogy's CoQ10 Booster Serum contains a powerhouse of oils that combine to create an intense treatment that will leave your skin radiant and glowing. I have been using a few drops of this after misting my face with a toner, and I find it to give sufficient hydration without applying a moisturiser, which says something, as I am completely prone to dry, flaky skin. I actually believe this is a perfect oil for dry acne-prone skin like mine, as while it hydrates, it also helps heal acne scars thanks to tamanu, and prevent bacterial growth with nigella sativa oil. These two oils lend to the herbal, nutty smell and the thick consistency of the serum as well.

 

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I have provided a breakdown of the ingredients to show you how special this oil is:

 

Macadamia Seed Oil & Jojoba Oil - similar composition to the oils our skin naturally produces, hydrates without clogging pores

 

Vitamin E - Vital for healthy skin, antioxidant properties that defend against free radical damage

 

Black Caraway (Nigella Sativa) Oil - Shows promise with acne due to anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial effects; studies show significant decrease in acne lesions following use

 

Tamanu Oil - Antibacterial and fungal properties, skin regeneration properties making it helpful for burns, cuts and wounds, reduces scarring

 

CoQ10 - Stimulates collagen production, potent antioxidant, protects against photo-ageing, increases cell energy production which naturally declines with age

 

Acai oil - Rich in antioxidants and Omega 3, 6 and 9, stimulates new collagen production

 

Other Ingredients: Lecithin, Parfum, Citral, Geraniol, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool. 

 





 

 

I encourage you to try this oil out, and hope you love the results as much as I do. As a side note, it also makes a fantastic hair oil! I warm a few drops in my palms and apply to the ends, and it leaves my hair feeling really soft.

 

The CoQ10 serum retails for $43.95 per 20ml and can be found here.

Review: Mukti Age Defence Collection

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Mukti were kind enough to send me samples of their Age Defence range, which lasted me a month with twice daily use of the eye serum, and daily use of the day and night serums. This was long enough to give me an indication of how the products work and the results they give. Mukti's Age Defence Collection combines science and nature to counteract the effects of ageing. This range isn't for purely ageing skin, though. It is beneficial for all skin types, and Mukti have received great testimonials from people with combination/acne prone skin who have reported that their skin has balanced and cleared. I love this collection for the fact that if you already have an established skincare routine, you don't have to change it. The serums are made to be used with your current routine.

I applied the serums of a morning and night before using moisturiser, and found that their thin consistency allowed them to be absorbed really quickly. The day serum assists elasticity by penetrating the deeper dermal layers and encourages collagen production by plumping, toning and hydrating the skin and as an alternative to Botox, while the night serum is a corrective skin lightening serum designed to assist with age related damage by evening out the skin tone and creating a complexion that exudes luminosity and brightness.

The day and night serums contain ingredients that seem to keep featuring in favourite products of mine. These ingredients are proven to work on addressing skin clarity, tone, ageing and brightness, and include super-stars such as Kakadu Plum, CoQ10, Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip, Peptides, Vitamin C and Niacinamide.

I noticed a subtle decrease in the fine lines on my forehead, and a brighter and even tone to my skin using the day and night serums. I also noticed that the pores on and around my nose were no longer clogged, and appeared smaller.

I love the day and night serums, but for me, the stand-out for me in the collection is the eye serum. I am constantly on the hunt for an eye cream that will help fine lines and brighten, without irritating or causing milia. This eye cream may be worthy of holy-grail status. The mousse-like cream easily spreads around the eye area, leaving a luminous glow instead of an oily sheen. It seems to tackle the lines around my eyes head on, most likely due to star ingredients like Shea Butter, CoQ10 and Peptides.While I am wearing this eye cream, its like my fine lines disappear! Can't be sad about that.

I will definitely be buying the full-size products to add to my skincare collection.
I would highly recommend trying out Mukti's Age Defence Collection via the sample packs, which cost $14.95 for a weeks worth of product. Buy one here!

Have you tried Mukti products before? What did you think?

* I was sent these products for review, but as always, opinions are honest and my own.

An Introduction to Amorganica + Offer!

I am excited to introduce you to an amazing new Australian online store carrying some of the best affordable natural beauty products around. I have been waiting for their launch for what seems like months now, and the day has officially arrived!
AMORGANICA brings you a fine selection of clean proven and responsible natural & organic beauty without the high price tag. They stock beauty products that are clean, truly natural and organic; proven to deliver results; and created by responsible and inspiring brands.

Let’s face it, choosing to adopt a greener lifestyle is sometimes frustrating and overwhelming when you factor in the often higher price of natural skincare, the research you have to do to determine if an ingredient is safe, and the struggle to find stores that sell truly natural products. Amorganica is that one-stop shop (that I wish existed when I first went green) that stocks affordable effective products that don’t contain any nasty ingredients.

Amorganica are just getting started and have introduced to Australia brands such as O.R.G Skincare, Evolve Beauty, Skin Blossom and Shea Terra Organics. They offer other brands such as Lily Lolo, Studio 78 Paris and there are more exciting brands to come.

Amongst all the products I am lusting over, I am eager to try O.R.G Skincare's Mineral Peel. It is a product you spray onto your skin and massage in, and watch as dead skin literally balls up under your fingers. It is a change from manual exfoliators which contain scrubby particles which could potentially irritate your skin.

***OFFER EXPIRED***I have also been in contact with AMORGANICA and we are super excited to share a special offer with you, my dear readers:

 

*Secret Offer of the ORG Skincare Mineral Peel applies only when added to an order made on 23^rd April- 25th April. The Coupon Code is: WJUNKIE. This offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Customers will have to ensure they click “PROCEED TO CHECKOUT”, rather than the ‘checkout with paypal’ button, so they are given the option to enter the code. Any orders over $75 will immediately receive free standard delivery; this is available for a limited time only as well.

Shop this offer at Amorganica’s website: here

Review: Fresca Natural Deodorant

I had been eyeing these products for over a year now and finally pushed the 'buy' button when my last natural deodorant stopped working for me. That's right folks, I don't know if I have funky body chemistry or what exactly is happening, but my experience is that a natural deodorant will work great initially, but will lose effectiveness over time, and my former stinky pits return. I have a chronic health condition that (simply put) causes my nervous system to be out of whack, and excessive sweating for no particular reason is just one of the perks I face on a daily basis. Due to this, I find it extremely important that a natural deodorant is effective as I am one of the biggest sweaters 'o' em all!'

I purchased two deodorants; the rose and the citrus, and I have been loving the results so far. I have been using these deodorants since November (yes, the review is way overdue...), and they haven't pooped out on me yet. They haven't stopped me from sweating- something a deodorant isn't meant to do anyway- but I have noticed my underarms are a LOT drier than they were. The only slight wetness I experience is the perspiration I get normally, not any sticky product residue from some deodorants that never seems to dry...
It keeps me mostly odour-free too, the only time I have odour is when I'm not letting my skin breathe, and using synthetic fabrics around my armpit area. I am completely stink-free after a session on my rowing machine. Love it!

The valley rose deodorant contains certified Bulgarian Rose essential oil; the most expensive oil in the world, known for its beautiful fragrance and balancing effect on the female reproductive system. The valley rose deodorant isn't recommended for pregnancy due to these qualities, however the Citrus Fresh can be used before, during, and after birth. The citrus fresh contains citrus oils such as mandarin, grapefruit and neroli. I absolutely love the scents of both these products. Fresca offer several unisex deodorants too, including a wooden spice fragrance which I am sure many males would like.

I feel a bit weird recommending one particular brand of deodorant, because everyone has different body chemistry, and what works for one, doesn't for another, but if you are interested in trying out a lovely product handmade in Australia, at a great price, and made by a company that have great customer service, check Fresca out. Fresca's website has so many great testimonials, it seems I'm not the only one that is in love with these deodorants.

I purchased the Valley Rose deodorant, and the Citrus Fresh deodorant for $18, and $15, respectively.

Review: Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Vitamin E Active Moisture Eye Balm

 

I felt it necessary to give a little shout out to this little gem after trying a sample that lasted me 9 weeks. Yes. 9. WEEKS. Twice daily use.

I brought a sample pack of the Elizabeth Dehn products (A few more reviews coming your way..), but I admit I was most excited to try this eye balm due to the love it has received in the green blogging area, and the ingredient list. If I am honest, the ingredients read to me like my ultimate dream team of botanicals. The list includes superstar shea butter, one of my favourite ingredients of all time, known for its intense hydrating properties and high vitamin A and E content. It also contains fennel to reduce puffiness, and eyebright, pomegranate and ginseng to lift and plump the skin. It is also worth mentioning that the balm is waterless, which I love, as it means it is highly concentrated and you aren't paying for any useless fillers.

 

I lavishly applied this balm of a night like it was an eye mask, but of a morning I applied less so that my under eye area wasn't left shiny. Any traces I had left on my pinky fingers after applying, I used on my lips to give them a hydration boost. I didn't find this eye product to be irritating at all, unlike others I have used, and I didn't develop milia, something I am extremely prone to. I noticed a subtle brightening of my eye area, and also something unexpected. My lower lashes are now longer after using this consistently, which I can't complain about! 

 

 

One of the biggest tips I have for this balm is to warm your fingers under warm water before applying, if you have notoriously cold hands like I am known for. The warmth of your skin allows the balm to turn into a oil for easy application, to prevent tugging and increase absorption of the active ingredients.

I would highly recommend buying a sample pack of the Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics products, if not just to try this balm out. Hey, if you only used it once a day, it could last you 18 weeks (4 1/2 months)!

 

 

 

Full Ingredient List: raw organic butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, organic helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, punica granatum (pomegranate) sterols, polyhydroxystearic acid, tocopherol (vitamin e), raw virgin rubus idaeus (red raspberry) seed oil, organic euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) extract, organic panax quinquefolius (american ginseng) extract, organic glycrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, organic lavandula angustifolia (bulgarian lavender) essential oil, organic foeniculum vulgare dulce (fennel) oil

 

The full size of the Vitamin E Active Moisture Eye Balm retails for $48 for 15 ml, or you can try out a sample pack for $5

 

* Opinions above are honest, and my own, as always.*  

Review: Argentum Apothecary La Potion Infinite

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I was recently lucky enough to try the luxurious La Potion Infinite by Argentum Apothecary.

Argentum Apothecary are a company that have spent many years researching anti-ageing ingredients to create this super-luxe anti-ageing potion. For a skincare line to only consist of one product, to me, means they have perfected that one product.

What sets this anti-ageing cream apart from others is the inclusion of two remarkable ingredients; silver hydrosol and DNA HP. Silver hydrosol has a refining and purifying effect on skin due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Silver hydrosol also claims to have the ability to regenerate skin tissue and fight free radicals.  I personally have noticed benefits in using skincare products infused with silver hydrosol, particularly in regards to my acne. The other ingredient, DNA HP, is a natural marine sourced ingredient that works by trapping a toxic free radical called hydroxyl. Hydroxyl is reactive to collagen and elastin, causing oxidation and degradation, which causes visible ageing. DNA HP can also penetrate cutaneous intercellular space, promoting and increasing water hydration.

I am definitely impressed with the results I have noticed during the time period of two weeks nightly use.  I am in my twenties, so although I don't have any deep set wrinkles yet, I do have some visible sun damage already due to my negligence in applying sunscreen in my early teen sun worshipping days. I was curious to see if it could make any difference to the fine lines on my forehead, or under my eyes due to sun damage, but I was most excited to see if it would help my seemingly never-ending battle with acne. I noticed that my skin reacted well to the cream, as when I woke up in the morning I noticed my fine lines looked softer, and my acne less irritated and inflamed. I love the silky-soft feel of the cream going on, and the matte finish it provides. It is rare to find a natural moisturiser that provides a shine-free finish. I am curious to see what the long-term benefits would be.

I was so impressed with this cream that I am biting the bullet and saving up the $245 to buy myself the full-size.

Are you hesitant about outlaying such a large amount of money on La Potion Infinite? If so, you should know that it can also be used under your eyes, and your neck too. When you consider that you only need this one product, and won't need to buy multiple moisturisers, face/neck serums, oils, or eye creams, then you might be amazed to find you are actually spending less. And saving plenty of time as well!

Ingredients: Colloidal Silver (Hydrosol), Cetearyl Alcohol (Coconut Oil Wax), Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides (Palm Oil), Dicaprylyl Carbonate (Vegetal Origin), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil (Sweet Almond Oil), Glycerin (from Karanja Tree), Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil (Argan Oil), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (Shea Butter), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (from Coconut Oil), Aqua, Cetearyl Glucoside (Sugar and Coconut Extract), Caffeine, Sodium DNA (DNA HP), Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate (from Vegetal Oil), Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower Oil), Xanthan Gum (Vegetal Origin), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Vera Extract), Parfum (Essential Oils), Potassium Sorbate (Soil Association / Ecocert Preservative), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Sodium Benzoate (Soil Association / Ecocert Preservative), Citric Acid (Vegetal Origin), Limonene (Essential Oils), Linalool (Essential Oils), Eugenol (Essential Oils)


*Sample gratefully provided for review purposes, but as always, opinions are my own.*

Review: Flight Skincare

Flight Skincare is a family-owned Australian business in picturesque Gracetown, WA, which creates amazing infusions that really help create healthier, glowing skin.
I was recently fortunate enough to be sent some samples of Flight Skincare products by the lovely owner, Kym. I have been eyeing several of Flight's products for many months and was so excited for the opportunity to try them out. My thoughts are below...

Sheer Luxury Milk Cleanser
I was blown away by this cleanser. I am generally not a fan of milk/cream cleansers as they always seem to leave residue and aren't very effective at removing makeup. This cleanser certainly changed my mind. It has a very light fragrance and thin consistency, and removes makeup and sunscreen with ease. Also, no residue! It contains so many hydrating ingredients- shea nut butter, macadamia oil and camellia oil to name a few, and two of my favourite skincare ingredients; honey and white willow bark. I was initially worried that the inclusion of coconut oil would cause my skin to break out, as it normally does, but I am happy to report that this cleanser has actually helped keep my skin clear. As I massage it into my skin I notice it seems to pull any gunk out of my skin, similar to an oil cleanser but gentler. This is a definite purchase for me once I use up a few of my other cleansers.

Ingredients: Water(Aqua), Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate – natural emulsifier from olives. Citrus aurantium (Orange) Water Vegetable Glycerine, Decyl Glucoside- natural fatty alcohol derived from coconuts. Macadamia integrifolia ( Macadamia) Oil *Camellia oleifera(Camellia) Oil *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Nut Butter) *Simmonsis chinensis (Jojoba) Oil Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil *Organic Honey *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice *Salix Alba (White Willow Bark) Extract Santalum acuminatum (Quandong) Seed Extract Parfum-  a organic preservative, naticide is a broad-spectrum anti-microbial vegetable based fragrance. Sorbitol-  is an alcohol that occurs naturally in fruits and berries. Persea americana (Avocado) Oil * Goats Milk PowderTocopherols (Vitamin E) Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) Oil *Xanthan Gum Carrageenan Extract – seaweed gum Citrus aurantium (Orange) OilCitrus aurantifolia (Lime) Oil Cananga odorata (Ylang,Ylang) Oil **Certified Organic Ingredients

Silk Protein Hydrating Day Cream
I admit that I have always been terrible at using a moisturiser underneath my daily sunscreen, and as a result, my skin is not as happy as it should be and dehydration lines are starting to increase on my forehead and around my eyes. I believe that everyone should pair a moisturiser with a zinc-based sunscreen, as zinc is notorious for being drying. Flight's day cream is luxurious and hydrating, and it appears to plump my skin, making my dehydration lines less noticeable. It contains ginseng, to stimulate cell growth, silk peptides to hold moisture in, and papaya which is antibacterial and full of antioxidants. The cream carries a faint scent of beautiful palmarosa and geranium, which I love. I would highly recommend this moisturiser to everyone.

Ingredients: Water(Aqua), Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate Aloe barbadensis Leaf Gel *Vegetable Glycerine Macadamia integrifolia (Macadamia) Oil *Acanthopanax senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) Root Extract * Rubus idaeus (Raspberry ) Seed Oil Althea officinalis, (Marshmallow) Root Extract *Camellia oleifera (Camellia) Oil *Butyrospermum parkii (Shea Butter) * Simmonsis chinensis (Jojoba) Oil, Camelia synensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract *Carica Papaya (Papaya) Extract * Cocos nucifera(Coconut) Oil * Organic Honey * Aloe barbadensis Leaf Juice* Parfum Sorbitol Persea Americana (Avocado) Oil *Hydrolised Silk (Silk Peptide) - natural silk fibres, consists of 18 amino acids(building blocks of protein and holds moisture in skin)Tocopherols (Vitamin E), Sclerocarya birrea (Marula) Oil *Xanthan Gum Carrageenan Extract Aniba rosaeodora (Rosewood ) Oil Cymbopogon martini var (Palmarosa) Oil Pelargonium roseum (Geranium)Oil Santalum spicatum (Sandalwood) Oil *Certified Organic Ingredients

Nourishing Night Cream
I never honestly thought I would find a moisturiser to rival my beloved Lily Loves Pearl, but the day has come. This moisturiser is hydrating, and seems to lightly tighten the skin, which is likely due to the amazing anti-ageing ingredients it boasts. It leaves a matte finish, which is great for those that are 'over' the oily residue that some moisturisers can leave. It contains marine collagen and olive leaf; which penetrate deeply into the skin, repairing connective tissue, watermelon seed; which is hydrating and rich in omega 6 + 9 and lycopene, and one of my favourite anti-ageing ingredients; coq10, which helps protect skin cells from damage. One thing I have noticed when using this moisturiser is that sometimes my face can be temporarily a little flushed after using. I think this is a great thing as I have only experienced this happen in one other product before (a face oil), and my skin responded fantastically to the increased blood flow that flushing causes, leading to increased healing and anti-ageing effects. I love this moisturiser and will definitely purchase in the future.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua)Cetearyl Olivate Sorbitan Olivate Lavandula angustifolia(Lavender) Water * Vegetable Glycerine Simmonsis chinensis(Jojoba) Oil Camellia oleifera(Camellia) Oil *Marine Collegan Citrullus vulgaris(Watermelon) seed oil phospholipidids & sphingolipids (Ceramide Complex)Vaccinium macrocarpon(Cranberry) Seed Oil Squalene - natural component of human sebum found in rice bran, wheat germ & olive oil. Aspalathus linearis(Rooibos) Extract Actinidia chinensis (Kiwi) Extract *Olea europaea(Olive Leaf) Extract *Butyrospermumparkii (Shea Nut Butter) *Mangifera indica (Mango) Butter Organic (Honey) *Oryza sativa (Rice protein) Vitamin B5 Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10)- Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 is a vitamin-like compound that is present in all cells. It occurs naturally in the body Malpighia glabra (Acerola) Extract Tocopherols (Vitamin E) Zanthomonas campestris (Xanthan Gum) Poria Cocos(Sclerotium Gum) Parfum Albizia julibrissin Durazz (Mimosa) Oil *Certified Organic Ingredients

I have loved trying out these products by Flight, and it has only heightened my curiosity and lust over their products. I particularly love the look of the Lifting Eye Cream and the Eternal Anti-aging Serum, and hope to try them in the future.

If you are interested in buying any of these products, visit the Flight Skincare website.

*Samples generously provided, however, as always, opinions are my own.