Thursday, 4 April 2013

Testing the Hype: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution


I gave into the hype for this one! I had such a resistance but then the overwhelming good reports got through to me and I had to purchase it to see for myself.

Essentially, Bioderma Sensibio H2O is a makeup removing solution. It isn’t harsh like some and has been specially formulated to be gentle and safe for use on the face and eye area. As well as being a makeup remover, it can also cleanse the skin without the need of rinsing (although, it is recommended that you dry your skin afterwards).

So what are my thoughts? Well, Bioderma used on a cotton pad is great at removing any trace of face makeup products and eyeshadow, but I can never for the life of me get waterproof mascara off my lashes with it (which meant despite a lot of scrubbing, I’d generally have panda eyes the following morning). I was slightly disappointed, after trying a few different methods with Bioderma and finding it still couldn’t get rid of all the remnants of my makeup.

This being said, I still really like using Bioderma but I have switched to other all-encompassing products to take off my whole face seamlessly. Instead, I use Bioderma to fix any little mistakes or to make any changes to my makeup when I am putting it on. It is really great for fixing those minor problems that can be caused with a wobbly hand and liquid liner or a dramatic lip colour that you think is just a little bit much for the occasion. Using Bioderma for those quick fixes is really convenient and easy, and due to its water-like consistency you can re-work over it if you need to.

The product also feels lovely when you put it on, just like water. It doesn’t leave a residue and it is unscented. After using Bioderma day or night, as a cleanser or makeup remover, my skin feels revived, hydrated and clean.

I do like this product for touch-ups and fix-ups and for this purpose, the product will last a really long time. Mine has lasted about five months so far! However, if you are using it as a dual-purpose product (makeup remover by night and cleanser by day), I think you would go through one of these babies (and a lot of cotton pads) rapidly.

Bioderma is made in France and it is very difficult to get your hands on in Australia, although it can be found on both eBay and Amazon. A lot of people rate Bioderma highly and I agree that it is a brilliant, inoffensive and mild product. Especially for those of you with sensitive skin, give this a go! Bioderma is a bit gimmicky and I think most reviewers just got so excited because makeup removers can feel so abrasive and harsh at times, and Bioderma feels and looks like the name says like "H2O". I am glad I know what all the fuss was about after using it and if this product was easily accessible in Australia, I would repurchase. As it is, I can live without it though.

Do you think the Bioderma Sensibio H2O solution is worth all that hype? Have you found anything better?


Michael Todd True Organics - Acne/Oily Skin Regime Review

When it comes to acne treatments, it feels like I have tried everything. I have been dealing with some horrendous acne since the age of 12, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Enough of the dermatologist appointments, gimmicks and heartbreak. I read what seemed like thousands of reviews and decided to try out the Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions System which worked a treat. While it did keep the breakouts at bay (which believe me, I was stoked about!), I didn't feel particularly good for my skin. In hindsight, this Anti-Blemish line was extremely drying on me and felt rather harsh. So after a year of staying faithful to the same old Clinique system, I thought my skin had calmed down a little bit and I was ready to try something that sounded a bit more nourishing.

I had heard a lot about Michael Todd True Organics because of their KNU Anti-Aging Facelift which I thought might help my next big hurdle now that the blemishes are infrequent, the scarring shines through (it never ends, does it?). The price tag was far to steep for me though so I kept browsing and found the Acne/Oily Skincare Regime and at half the price of KNU cream, I happily chucked it into my shopping cart.

Just briefly, Michael Todd True Organics seem like a really innovative and thoughtful brand. The first wonderful thing that drew me to this brand is that they are a cruelty free brand so all their products are produced without animal testing and are subsequently, certified vegan. The second thing that drew me in, was the fact that they use certified organic products, without the added nasities like sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes or filling the bottles mostly with water. Due to this, the products that I have tried are quite fragrant and very confronting when you first see them in the flesh. The first time it might be a bit of a surprise, but you'll get used to it. The packaging looks lovely and it is very practical. The only thing I wish they would reconsider is the pump on the Charcoal Detox Cleanser which doesn't lock so if you are looking at travelling, this one might be a no-go.



The Charcoal Detox facial cleaner is perfect for my oily skin. It is a black, gel-like consistency when they say 'charcoal' they are not joking around! Known for its absorbent properties, the activated charcoal works to clear pores of impurities, dirt, dead skin cells and oil. This cleanser feels lovely and luxurious on the skin and leaves skin feeling clean, hydrated and soft afterwards. I use this product after I remove my makeup in the evenings. This is probably my favourite Michael Todd product (so far), it doesn't feel as harsh, drying or stripping as many other acne treatments but it still calms acne flare-ups.

Moving on, the Blue Green Algae Anti Bacterial Toner has been formulated to take advantage of the benefits of blue green algae (which I learnt in biology! Hooray!), organic kelp and hyaluronic acid. These ingredients incorporated to nourish the skin and assist in eliminating toxins and cellular renewal. I like this toner as it is isn't comprised predominately of alcohol like many toners are, so this product feels much nicer and doesn't dry out or irritate my skin like many other toners do. I use this product morning and night, I just take a small amount of this clear solution on a cotton pad and swipe it over the face a few times, because it's anti-bacterial it also removes any makeup that might have stayed put after washing your face.

Various types of kaolin clay are used for their absorbent properties in the Kaolin Clay detoxifying facial mask. The mask works to detoxify, supersede minerals, balance oiliness, tighten pores, improve texture and better skin tone. I do like this mask and I use it twice a week for 15 minutes. My advice to applying this comfortably would be to apply this mask a while after it has been washed (half an hour or so) because if you use it straight after washing your face, it tends to sting a little. However, keep in mind, what happens to my skins reaction to it might be entirely different to yours and the stinging does subside.

The Antiox Serum with DMAE and alpha lipoid acid is my least used product in this line so I can only give you a fairly limited review of this one. I just can't get past the smell of this one! Usually I'm pretty tolerant with fragrances and its not an issue but this just smells like something that has been stored away in your grandma's closet for way too long. I've probably only used it begrudgingly 10 times so I can't really tell you whether or not it delivers on its promises. If you have a sensitive nose then this is definitely not one for you. I couldn't find any other reviews to link you to find some more positive feedback. However, on the bottle it states that the serum moisturises, soothes and combats fee radicals, environmental stress and minimises the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. I am trying to get past the smell and get back to you when/if I have any further thoughts on this product in the future.

Another favourite in this skincare regime of mine is the Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub. This scrub is comprised of tiny jojoba wax beads and activated coal which feels much less scratchy then a lot of the exfoliators I have tried (i.e. Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream). The scrub is said to remove toxins, impurities and dead skin as well as refining texture and encouraging skin renewal. I love this product, many scrubs can feel like they are doing more harm than good, leaving skin dry and mini-lacerations. The Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub feels quite gentle but it still does the trick, without any added damage.

Overall, I am really happy with this skincare regime and I am looking forward to trying out some more Michael Todd True Organics products in the future. I was really worried about how my skin would react to a change after the Clinique Anti-Blemish system, but my skin has remained pretty calm and is looking much healthier! I definitely feel a lot better about the ingredients and the ethics behind what I am putting on my skin too.

What skincare products have been doing you justice lately?

Saturday, 30 March 2013

Introduction to Illamasqua Haul

The inevitable finally happened and I treated myself to some Illamasqua products for the first time!
I had been intrigued by Illamasqua ever since they launched the Australian 'Fight for a Fair Price for Beauty' campaign in 2012. The campaign highlighted the ridiculous and well known fact, of how overpriced makeup items can be just because they are being sold over an Australian counters. Illamasqua  highlighted the fact that we are a nation are forced to spend up to 61% more than UK customers. Needless to say, it got a lot of people talking!

Following the campaign, whether you believe it to be a marketing ploy or not… Illamasqua decided to be the black sheep and diverge from the norm (as they are so well known for doing), kept their word and lowered their prices in Australia.
Since the prices have gone down, the margin between purchasing makeup products from drugstores in Australia and buying from Illamasqua aren't that different (often just a few dollars difference, at least when it comes to lipsticks and powders).

After this realisation… it seemed like the perfect time to live a little and try out a few of the products I had hankering to join my makeup collection.

After a lot of deliberation, I put the Lip Twin Set comprising of the lipstick in Obey and Intense Lipgloss in Plentiful. I also grabbed a powder blusher in S.O.P.H.I.E. and the Blusher Brush 1.

This gorgeous combination of Obey (left) and Plentiful (right) come as a limited edition set. Obey is an opaque coral-pink colour. It is very pigmented and a matte finish. I definitely recommend putting on a moisturising lip balm before you smack this baby on because it can be a little drying and tugs a little during application. As it is matte, it can dry out your lips a little bit so having a lipgloss over the top whether it's clear or something that matches the colour of Obey might help struggling with the formula.

The lipgloss Plentiful was designed specifically for this purpose. When they say it it an 'intense' lipgloss they are not kidding! Plentiful is possibly the most pigmented lipgloss I have come across. It is perfect for the summer with its pretty coral shade which has been blended specifically to complement Obey. Plentiful is my favourite part of the duo which I either wear alone or with Obey, in any case a steady hand and a sheer coating will do the trick - it is very thick and obvious if you layer too much on there!

I love this combination but they are not everyday colours for me. I prefer more natural shades during the day. However, this is the duo for you if you want to make a statement and even better, if you need a pretty combination to last you through the day or night.

If bright peachy colours are not up your alley, then Illamasqua has another limited edition set in Sangers and Succubus which are described as long-lasting, blood red shades. You can't go wrong with a red lip after all!
I also picked up these two items as part of a deal Illamasqua offers online. Called the 'Create Your Own  Blusher Set'. This deal is a web exclusive where you can purchase any powder blusher and the Blusher Brush 1 for a discounted price. Brilliant! They offer a few different options so the web exclusives are definitely worth having a look at.

I wanted a new blush brush so combination offer this seemed like the perfect pickup for me. I had always wanted to try the Illamasqua brushes because they are completely cruelty-free, synthetic and hypoallergenic. The Blusher Brush 1 can be used to apply either power or cream blushers. It is really soft and perfect for blending or layering to get the intensity you want. The smaller shape (in comparison to the Real Techniques Blush Brush) makes it easy to colour in your cheeks just the way you like it. The brush also looks beautiful and sophisticated and it also has a really nice weight to it. My only qualm with this product is that it doesn't have the name printed on the brush.

For the blusher, I picked S.O.P.H.I.E. is a golden coral shimmer (I'm all about the corals from Illamasqua apparently!). The shimmer in the blusher is very noticeable in the pan but the finely milled and soft texture is very flattering on the cheeks, adding a radiant and healthy flush. I love this blush as it is extremely long-lasting, pigmented and blendable. A must-have for me now!

Honestly, I was leaning towards purchasing a few of the other blushers (after all, blush is my favourite thing) when I read a bit more about why the this shade was created and who it was inspired by. I do love a story with a good message after all. I will briefly explain, the creation of the shade S.O.P.H.I.E was inspired by the story of Sophie Lancaster. Sophie and her boyfriend were encountered and assaulted for looking different. Sadly following the attack, Sophie later died from her injuries. In memory of Sophie, her mother founded the Sophie Lancaster Foundation to promote understanding, tolerance and awareness of subcultures among youth, to ensure a more accepting mindset in generations to come. Of course, Illamasqua is known for promoting self-expression and pushing the boundaries a little bit with their campaigns. The I'mperfection collection, for example, was brought out to highlight and encourage sharing our imperfections which make us more unique and perfect.
I'm really happy with my first purchase from Illamasqua! Have you got any Illamasqua must-have recommendations for next time round?

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Testing the Hype: Revlon Lip Butters!

I finally jumped on the Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter wagon which admittedly has been raved about by bloggers for years now. So here's my two cents for anyone else who is pondering whether to commit to the buy…

At Priceline, it would normally set you back a whopping $21.95 (for 2.55 grams of product) to buy just one of these babies. Thankfully they were on offer when I went and picked up mine, I would definitely recommend keeping your eyes peeled and scouring for offers on Revlon products which is quickly edging closer and closer to the prices of the more "prestige" brands.

The hype made by the beauty community surrounding these products definitely lured me in. To be honest while I do like these Lip Butters, I could live without them. 
The lasting power of these lip butters is not brilliant and they do rub off quite easily, they tend to last on me for about two hours which isn't bad. If longevity is what you are looking for, I would steer clear of these.

I do, very much LOVE the packaging. The lid design reminds me of the famous and widely coveted Chanel quilted handbags and the colouring makes it so easy to grab whatever colour you desire and head out the door rather than squinting at stickers trying to find your desired lip candy.

Pigmentation of the lip butters vary across the range. Some are much more sheer and others are more opaque. On the plus side, they are quite build-able and I do like the light wash of colour which makes them effortless and easy to slap on and wear with virtually any look (as well as being appropriate for school, work, play or simply running errands). I don't even need to have a mirror to apply these so they are great for when you are out and about! 

There are 20 shades to be found in Australia, so there is bound to be a colour that will intrigue just about anyone. I picked up 2 shades, Peach Parfait and Strawberry Shortcake. Strawberry Shortcake is a blue-based pink, cotton candy pink with shimmer. Whereas, Peach Parfait is a darker peachy-pink with golden shimmer.

Tried to do something different with the swatches so the lip butter tubes are next to their swatches. Left to right: Peach Parfait and Strawberry Shortcake.

Overall, I do quite like these but I don't know that I would repurchase unless I was looking for another quick fix handbag lipstick for on-the-go which is always a necessity for me. However, I do think these lip products have a great shade range that will work for lots of different people.

Do you think the Revlon Colourburst Lip Butters are worth the hype?