The Best Hand Cream... EVER!

I absolutely adore L'Occitane's Shea Butter hand cream and get quite panicky whenever I run out.  It's the only hand cream I have found that deep moisturises your hands without leaving a greasy/sticky residue that then transfers itself to your clothes, phone, keyboard etc.

Plus the travel tube is the perfect size for even the smallest purse.

Buy from StrawberryNET for AUD $16.50.

Serious Skincare

My Beauticians (Nicholas and Stephen at The Beauty Room) are my heroes. I'll do a big story on them another time, but for now let me say that whatever they say, I do.

So when they recommended this Skinstitut cleanser, I bought it and was very impressed with the results.  This cleanser stimulates cell turnover with the active ingredient of 12% glycolic acid.  

Seriously, I get out of the shower and look 5 years younger.  Oh and it gets rid of blemishes too - AMAZING!  Visit the website.

Frederic Fekkai Salon Glaze

I tried this product today as I needed my hair to be particularly manageable (job interview) and I was pleasantly surprised. 

My hair has the tendency to go oily at the drop of a hat, but this product is exactly as it is described - lightweight.  It left my hair super silky and shiny and really manageable.  

The only downside it's yet another element to add to your shower routine.

Buy from Sephora for US$28 or if you're in Australia, at Mecca Cosmetica.

Have a Multiple Orgasm

I absolutely and without hesitation ADORE this product.  Funny story - I had it on my birthday list and somehow it ended up on my dad's shopping list.  He must have been so embarrassed walking into Mecca and asking for a Multiple Orgasm.  Poor Dad!

I'm a bit clueless when it comes to doing my makeup.  Anything more complicated that simply smearing or brushing something onto my face and things start to go very, very wrong. So this cream blush is fantastic as it has a foolproof consistency - just smear a little bit onto your cheeks and blend in with your finger for a gorgeous, flushed look.

You can also use these sticks on your eyes, lips or anywhere that you would like to highlight. 

The only thing that I am a bit upset about is that now I have started using a mineral foundation, it doesn't really work as well.  It seems to go on much better when I use a regular foundation.  

Buy from Mecca Cosmetica for $89.

An oldie but a goodie...

Some beauty uses for Vaseline (one of my all time fave products):

1. As a lip gloss

2. Maintains perfume scent longer when applied at perfume points before spritzing the perfume.

3. Mix with sea salts to make a scrub!

4. Apply under eye shadow to create a shiny effect

5. Applied on cheeks for a dewy look

6. Use with your lipstick to create a cream blusher for your cheeks

7. Tames unruly eyebrows

8. Defines eyelashes and leaves them with a glossy and waterproof look

Full uses at http://www.christinaloves.com/2008/09/13/50-uses-for-vaseline/

NV Perricone Face Firming Activator

The arrival of my first grey hair at 29 spawned all sorts of age-related insecurities.  One manifestation of this was daily close inspections of sun damage and minor wrinkles in the mirror every morning.  My b/f, who is a bit older than me, found this absolutely hilarious at first.  Around this time I also became obsessed with knowing peoples' age.

I decided that I needed an anti ageing serum and ended up with this one from NV Perricone.  The sales person assured me it would reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores, and reveal a radiant and healthy complexion.  How does it do this?  Through and I quote "salmon technology". Uh huh.  Apparently whatever makes salmon scales lay flat has been put into this formula in order to make our cells lay flat and close together.  

Yeah, so, it makes you look a bit healthier and relaxed, but so does 8hrs sleep.  Plus it has a really weird fishy smell (probably from the salmon technology).

It's US$120 so even if you are having a massive life crisis like I was, think twice.  A good night's sleep and lots of water will probably have the same effect.  Oh - and your face won't smell like fish.

Prime Target

"Not to prime is a crime" - Napoleon.

Hopefully we are all on the same page when I say this quote is from makeup legend Napoleon Perdis and not tyrannical emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Although, the men do both kind of wear a lot of makeup.  Anyway...

Despite all that, I've tried the Auto Pilot Pre Foundation Primer and it really does help makeup stay on for longer.  When I'm rushing around, I usually need to top up at least once a day, but when I use this primer, my makeup lasts well into the night.  Cool, huh?

Another great  use for this product is in summer, mix it with a little foundation or bronzer and rub a little into your face.  It'll look really natural while giving you some SPF and colour coverage.

Buy through Napoleon for $49.50.