Recent Empties

Hey guys,

I have finished up some skin care products recently and thought of sharing it with you all and letting you know if I would repurchase them. 

First of we have the Simple kind to skin cleansing facial wipes, I got these in one of the Lust Have it packs I think and never got around to using it, till recently. I did like them as they were not drying on my skin but I don't like the idea of using these cloth wipes to remove my makeup. I won't be repurchasing it because I have heaps more to use up and I only use them to take off swatches from my hands. Next up is the Clean and Clear Spot Clearing Gel, I have raved about this product in the past and it is a great zit zapper but it does take about 2-3 days for the pimple to totally clear. I have recently purchased the Origins Spot Gel and have been loving it. I might repurchase this in the future as it is more affordable but as for now this just goes in the bin.

I have actually been loving the Boots Optiva range and I have finished up my Aqua Capture serum which is basically a hydration booting serum that you can use day and night and also the Daily Protection Cream. These products sink into the skin beautifully and leave me with the hydrated, soft, supple skin. I do have a lot of skin care products I need to go through so I may not repurchase these for a while but when needed, these would be my first pick. You can buy these from Leading Amcal and Guardian pharmacies.

And lastly I have my Chapstick Night repair lip treatment, which I have already repurchased since I lost my Day repair and they come in a pack. 

So those were my recent empties. Have you used any of the above products before? Would you repurchase them?

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Everyday Hydration with Optiva *

As we all know when the whole world is preparing for summer, We in the southern hemisphere are dreading the winter. Nonetheless winter has almost set in, at least here in Melbourne and we prepare to keep our skin hydrated and soft against the harsh winter months. Today I have for you two really good products that will help you to battle this cold weather and keep your skin feeling and looking healthy.

Boots laboratories introduces the Optiva range which goes beyond hydration to help strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, resulting in healthier looking skin. It hydrates the skin for up to 24 hours, quenches free radicles and helps revitalize skin leaving it velvety smooth and glowing with health.Optiva is formulated with Althaea Officinalis (marshmellow root) extract, known for its soothing and protective properties. Other active ingredients include Allantoin, Shea Butter and Glycerin. 

Optiva Comforting Body Balm 150ml $16

This body balm is rich and creamy which helps intensively hydrate and soften the skin. Boosts moisture levels to soothe dry skin for upto 24 hours. Contains coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, grape seed oil and althaea officinalis root extract.

I have been using this for the past couple of weeks and have noticed that my skin does not feel dry and tight after a shower. It has definitely made my skin feel softer. I used to use this day and night on my whole body and it does not feel sticky or heavy on my skin. I found that my skin soaked the cream in completely and did not have a greasy or oily film on top. Above all it smells heavenly and the fragrance is hypoallergenic so it suits my skin. 

Optiva Nourishing Night Cream 40ml $22

A rich moisturizing night cream that absorbs easily to help restore skin overnight. This cream contains the althaea officinalis extract together with other moisturizing ingredients to strengthen and nourish while you sleep.

I have one word to say about this night cream- Wow! I have used a couple of night creams before and unfortunately they have broken me out badly. I then switched to using day creams without SPF at night. I have oily acne prone skin and some night creams are just too heavy for my skin. I was in two minds about using this night cream but after using it for a week I fell in love with it. It is creamy and rich without being overly heavy on my skin. I love the way it just soaks into my skin leaving it soft and supple the next morning. I only use a pea sized amount and that covers my face and neck. It does have the same fragrance as the body balm and I find it very calming. 

The Boots Optiva range is suitable for sensitive skin, is hypoallergenic and paraben free.

You can purchase these products from your local Amcal, Amcal Max, Guardian Pharmacies or online from here.

*This item was kindly provided to me. As with all my posts, it is 100% honest and of my own personal opinion. For more information, visit my Disclosure Policy

March 2014 Makeup and Skincare Favorites

I have never done one of these before, but I love watching videos and reading posts on what others have been loving for the past month. There is always a first time so here goes my first monthly favorites.

The month of March has been a very hectic month for me but it has also been a very exciting one because it gave me the chance to try some amazing new products and I attended Salon Melbourne which was just fantastic. Anyways now lets just get right into it.

My very first favorite of the month has to be my ELES Micro Bubble Lipstick in Micro Mocha. I have been using this lipstick almost everyday since the time I got it. Its is the perfect everyday colour for my skin tone and I love the formula of these lipsticks. You can check out my review here. 

The next makeup favorite has to be the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. It gives me the perfect neutral flush of colour. I have reviewed the blush here. To apply my blush I have been loving the Furless Perfectly Pink stipple brush PPF3. It helps pick up the exact amount of product needed and blends the blush in seamlessly. I will be having a review of a few Furless brushes soon so keep an eye out for that.

Moving on, my next makeup favorite is the Bourjois Happy Light Foundation in Golden Beige. I had been wanting to try this foundation for so long but was waiting for a Bourjois sale. I picked this up in the 40% off Cosmetics sale at Priceline a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I think it is my favorite drugstore foundation of all time. No favorites post is complete without a mascara and I have been loving the Essence Get Big Lashes Volume Curl Mascara. I love the brush and the volume it gives my lashes, plus it is very affordable. I am not too sure about the curling factor as it does not do that very well, but as a volumising mascara I love it.

Moving on to skincare favorites and my first skincare favorite of the month has to be my Enbacci Vitis Vinifera Rejuvenating Essence which is a toner. I don't use it as a toner but as a refresher throughout the day. It comes with a spray nozzle and I love spritzing my face with it when ever my skin feels it needs a little boost. I have reviewed the entire Vitis Vinifera range here. 

Next up is the Boots Optiva Nourishing Night Cream, I started using this just towards the end of the month but I absolutely love it. I have tried a few night creams and a lot of them started to break me out. Thats when I thought maybe my skin does not like night creams so I resorted to oils and day creams without SPF for my night routine. Since I started using the Optiva night cream my notion has changed. First of all this cream smells divine and does not leave my skin feeling oily or greasy. Most importantly it does not break me out and when I wake up the next morning my skin feels soft and supple. Before I started using the Optiva night cream, I used to use the Tarte Maracuja oil as my night time moisturizer. I have oily-acne prone skin but I love to use this oil as a moisture booster and it honestly helps revive my skin. If only this product wasn't so expensive I would repurchase it all my life. I still may repurchase the full size till I find a cheaper alternative to it. 

So those were my favorites for the month of March. I hope you enjoyed this post and if you would like to see more of these monthly favorites do let me know in the comments below.

Have you tried any of these products before and were they in your monthly favorites too?

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