Brand Review: Zoya Nail Polish

Brand Review: Zoya Nail Polish

once upon a time there was a little girl, who lived a life of luxury spending her days sunning by the pool and being pampering at day spas, in the lovely beach-side village of noosa.

snap back to reality, oh there goes gravity.

ok...so that may not be quite how the story goes. in case you hadn't picked up on it, that "little girl" is me, and unfortunately a life of luxury filled with sun and pampering in noosa is not quite where i find myself at this point in time (i work during all sunlight hours, surrounded by the thick concrete walls of a sporting stadium, live in rainy melbourne and pampering these days is sporadic...woe is me!!)

i was, however, lucky enough to take a few days of work last week, and spend a couple of nights with a friend in sunny noosa. how lovely that was! fabulous weather and hours in the day with nothing to do with them...bliss! what better time to give my pathetic, extremely neglected, chipped nails a little love and attention?! so off we went to the closest nail salon, Nails@Noosa. it was here that i discovered a nail polish brand of whom's existence i'd previously not had the privilege of knowing.

the first thing i noticed, on entering the salon, was the floor to sealing wall display of beautifully coloured nail polishes, of which i was told to "choose one". choose one?! quite a task considering there would have been, maybe 200 (?!) to choose from. after scouring the pinks, reds, neutrals, i gave in to my favourite colour. you guess it, blue. after recovering from a quick bout of anxiety over which blue to choose (there would have been at least 15 to choose from, and for those playing at home, i chose a royal peacock blue by the name of "tallulah" from the oh-la-la range), i was intrigued to know exactly where there amazing colours came from. being a O.P.I. addict, i usually only have eyes for said products.

Zoya.

i'd neither seen nor heard of this brand before, so after a little digging, here's what i now know! Zoya nail polish is "natural" and free of toluene (a solvent which smells similar to paint-thinner), formaldehyde (toxic and is a known human carcinogen), dbp/phthalates (a main ingredient in plastic products, which may cause birth defects and can change hormone levels) and camphor (poisonous when ingested and can cause seizures, confusion and neuromuscular hyperactivity). sound good so far?

Zoya nail polish has been awarded as the "longest wearing natural nail polish" by Women’s Health Magazine (voted by an independent panel), and was specifically formulated to deliver the longest wear possible on natural nails. the range of polishes boasts over 300 shades, including neutrals, neons, sparkles and bolds, basically they have all bases covered. i personally have found the results to be fantastic! my nails don't normally hold onto the polish for more than a day or two (which is extremely annoying), however i had the polish painted on last thursday and by tuesday, they were still looking freshly painted and perfect (as seen below)!



yes i'm a hawks supporter, how could you tell?! GO THE HAWKS!

how much do you love the colour?! i acknowledge that blue nails aren't for everyone, but you can't deny the shade is gorgeous!

any who, i was kicking myself for not buying the polish from the nail salon in noosa (because i really was that in love with it - it's very me), so i jumped online and googled "melbourne stockists for Zoya". strangely enough there was no helpful hits that came back to me, and the Zoya website (www.zoya.com.au/) didn't list their stockists either, but i did notice the footer of the home screen read "call toll free 1300 855 644"...so of course i have them a call. i was lucky enough to have my call answered by a very friendly and helpful young lady, who gave me information (name, address, contact number) of all the salons and stores in my area who stock their range.

below are the colours i picked up on visiting the store who had my particular colour, tallulah, in stock (i called ahead to check).

so happy with my new colours! they will look very snazzy on my fingers and toes in summer with my brightly coloured dresses and sandals. in the picture above (with me holding the bottle of polish), i'd just removed the colour from my manicure, and repainted them. a huge bonus was that the colour was extremely intense and opaque, and you could easily get away with only one coat. i've done two, out of habit, but if you were in a hurry, you could easily paint one coat on and go without compromising the result. look out for Zoya when you're next wanting to pick up some fun colours to brighten up your hands or feet.

B xoxo

have you used any Zoya products before? when have you found a product you now love in a random place? what do you think of the blue nails - love or hate?

How To: Leave Gym Looking Like A Lady

i'm sure i'm not the only girl in the world, who thoroughly enjoys trawling trashy magazines, looking for pictures of her favourite celeb, looking a lot less glamorous and therefore, a lot more human. there is something very satisfying (i find) about seeing the (usually ultra shiny) stars of hollywood, doing the activities (grabbing a take away coffee, doing the grocery shopping, filling the car with petrol) which mere mortals (like myself) do on a day to day basis.

as entertaining as it may be to see pictures of Khloe Kardashian getting a manicure, the candid photos i find most interesting are those of rich and famous getting their work-out on! it's always comforting and encouraging to see that (although they were born with great genes and talent) they look so damn unbelievable because they work hard for it, through exercise.

perhaps the most intriguing and noticeable feature of the photographs, is not that they appear to leave their work out session sans make up, but that they look fresh as a daisy, without hideous sweat patches, unsightly wet hair stuck to their heads or any other normal tell tail signs that i've-just-worked-my-ass-off-for-the-last-hour-in-the-gym.

is this because they are super human? although it is a common misconception, the answer to that question is: no. the reason they leave looking fit, fresh and fabulous, is because they (ok, maybe "their people") come prepared. you don't a personal stylist, hairdresser and makeup artist (although if you are lucky enough to have those three, that's a huge win for you!!) to achieve similar results, and replicate their look. if you, like me, prefer to leave the gym looking decent enough to bump into a friend (or arch rival, or worse...seeing your boyfriend's ex girlfriend), it doesn't take large array of expensive products, just a few simple staples.

now, it goes without saying i'm sure, that a long hot shower with a lather of soap and shampoo/conditioner is the easiest way to get back into tip-top shape, post workout. however, we don't always have the time or resources to indulge in such luxuries, so for the less fortunate, below are your gym essentials.

step numero uno: find yourself a small but spacious gym bag

don't walk into the gym looking like you're on the way to the airport for an around the world trip, all you need is a small sports bag (big enough to comfortably fit, lets say, a shoe box), with a couple of compartments (to separate products from clothing). go into your favourite work-out wear store (e.g. lorna jane, lulu lemon, rebel sport, or my favourite - nike) and pick one which suits your personal style and budget.

oh hi! this is me with my gym bag :)

step two: pack a gym towel

the first step freshening up post-workout, is to give yourself a quick once over with a super absorbent towel, to remove any sweat on your skin's surface. i personally prefer to use a micro fibre towel (similar to ones which are specifically designed to dry your hair super fast after washing), as they soak up every ounce of moisture with one quick swipe. my gym bag contains a pretty pink Aussie Fit micro fibre workout towel which i picked up from rebel sport and retails for $19.99 (and it's nice and big at 95 x 50 cms).

step three: fresh prince of bell air

no matter how crispy and fresh you may look, if there's a less than pleasant body odour following you around, it will undo any other attempt you've made at covering up your recent sweat session. after towelling off, reapply a layer of deodorant.

my flavour of the month favourite is the Rexona clinical protection anti-perspirant deodorant, rrp: $14.73.

step four: clean change of clothes

now, by change of clothes, i don't mean whole outfit change (that would be unrealistic to fit into our little sports bag). just packing a clean t-shirt or jumper (which ever is most appropriate for the current climate), will make the world of difference to your appearance. rather than leaving the gym with sweat packs under both arms and down your back, you can whip off your worn workout shirt and slip on a fresh one. taaa daaaaaa! see, i told you it wasn't hard!  

step five: fresh faced

the easiest, quickest, most convenient method by which to freshen up your skin (when on the go), is facial cleansing towelettes. these little gems will remove any sweat or grime which is clogging your pores and giving your face that undesirable shine, with just one wipe, and can be bought to suit your skin type (e.g. for dry, oily, combination or sensitive). facial cleansing towelettes vary in price range from as little as $1 to $50 so can be purchased to suit any budget. my personal favourite are the two-in-one cleansing/toning Garnier clean detox refreshing cleansing wipes, rrp: $8.95. when using your towelette of choice, make sure you extend the cleansing down your neck and across your decolletage, so you don't get any nasty sweat pimples on your chest/cleavage (not nice for anyone concerned).

step five: radiant complexion

if by some (highly unlikely) chance (the odds of which are probably paying about $1.10) that you haven't already jumped on board the bb cream train, then i'm tell you, now is your time to do so. a bb (which stands for "beauty balm" or "blemish balm") cream is similar in appearance and texture to a tinted moisturiser and provides the same (if not higher) level of coverage and hydration, but also features other fabulous benefits including: spf (sun protection), evening of complexion and blemish correction. in your gym bag, this product eliminates the need for you to cart around a serum, moisturiser, sun cream and foundation. TICK! you can skip the illuminator or blush, as you've just been working up a sweat in the gym, so you should be sporting a natural glow and flush. a couple of bb cream's the i've personally used and would recommend include: Garnier bb cream miracle skin perfector 50ml rrp: $13.95, and L'Oreal Paris nude magique rrp: $26.95.

step six: fair haired

the only thing i despise more than sweat patches, is slick sweaty hair. it's revolting. short of washing ones hair, the simple solution to this problem is, the wonder product which swiftly rose to cult status in the naughties, dry shampoo. this little beauty (which looks similar to, and is dispensed the same as, an aerosol deodorant) not only soaks up oil and freshens up ones strands, but adds volume to roots, therefore diminishing flat-as-a-tack, dirty, gym hair. super easy to use, you just hold the can about 20 cms away from your hair, and spray evenly over roots (i usually cover my part then hair line) then wait about 30 seconds. once that time has passed run your hands, concentrating on the roots, through your hair to work the product through. your hair will look fresh and fairly matte, and ready for you to whip up into a tidy pony tail.

and there you have it! with your fresh hair, skin and t-shirt, and a little help from your bb cream and deodorant, you'll step out looking as fit, fresh and fabulous as kimmy k, miranda or miley...why not stop on the way home and treat yourself to a delicious latte (skim, of course) or a delicious freshly squeezed "green juice"?!

B xoxo

what are your gym bag essentials? do you think i've forgotten anything crucial on my checklist?

Product Review: Be In Awe amala Clearing Serum

Product Review: Be In Awe amala Clearing Serum 50ml rrp: $79.00
i know i'm not the first person, and am certainly not the last, to wake up with a less than attractive bump, smack bang in the centre of my forehead. oh the joy! of discovering an enormous blind pimple brewing in the least concealable place possible, or new additions to an already well established acne cluster. devastation and defeat are usually the emotions one experiences following said discovery.

stop right there! don't despair! (perhaps i should have been a poet?!)

although there are a multitude of products to choose from to treat pimples and acne, not all are as effective as others, and it could take a life time to find the product which gives you the best results.

enter Be In Awe clearing serum.

although it is specifically designed for oily skin to help control breakouts, i have been using it as a spot treatment for almost two months now, and i have nothing but praise for this wonder product. i do not have oily skin, if anything it would be normal/dehydrated, however i suffer regularly from both blind and not so blind pimples, along with a colony of blackheads either side of my nose. i'm painting quite the delightful picture, aren't i?

prior to my discovery of the Be In Awe brand, i had used a large variety of spot treatments, none delivered results as pleasing as this serum. the product is contained by a pump dispenser, which i love (reasons are described in my earlier post). the texture of the product is very light and fluid, and it is completely absorbed by the skin immediately after application, there is no residue on skins surface. as the product is primarily a serum (rather than a spot treatment), it can be applied before your moisturiser and wont have any effect on your makeup applied over the top (in my experience, i find some spot treatments cause make up to "gather" over the applied area, as it leaves a thick and sticky film). i have applied this serum to any spots or bumps that have appeared, as soon as they've come up, morning and night until completely gone. from these applications, any of the blemishes that came up, healed and disappeared much quicker than they normally would (if i didn't apply any treatment), and were much less inflammed (redness and swelling of the surrounding skin was significantly reduced) which in turn reduced my discomfort (of having a pea sized blemish lying underneath the surface of my skin). i was also delighted to find that each of the blemishes were healing without having errupted, meaning that there has been minimal-to-no scarring.



i am entirely convinced that the Be In Awe alama clearing serum is by far the most effective spot treatment on the market, and with prolonged regular use, would dramatically reduce the severity and appearance of acne. $79.00 is extremely reasonable for a serum, and if you (like me) use it as a spot treatment, the price may seem a bit steep, but the 50ml will last you a lifetime (or pretty close to).

out of 5: 5

reason in a nut shell: delivers very impressive results from even short term use, i can not fault this product

where to buy: only stocked in Victorian salons and clinics, for your closest location see http://www.beinawe.com.au./where_to_buy_be_in_awe_products.html

number of uses (promised on packaging): n/a

product tagline: the essence of purity

ingredients (for those who care to know): deionised water, nordihydroguaiaretic acid & oleanolic acid, sorbitan olivate & cetearyl olivate, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, vitus vinefera (grape see) oil, olea europea (olive) oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernal oil, santalum album (sandalwood) oil, zingiber officianale (ginger) root oil, melaeuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, lavendula angustifolia (lavendar) oil, citrus limonum (lemon) oil, guar gum, natural preservative, lactic acid, sodium lactate.

B xoxo

Product Review: Be In Awe nirvaata Calming Serum

Product Review: Be In Awe nirvaata Calming Serum 50 ml rrp: $69.00

do you have sensitive skin? have you ever suffered from redness, itching or burning sensations on your face or neck? whether your answer is yes, or no, you need to know about Be In Awe's calming serum. this beautiful product has been formulated to protect skin from, and reduce, skin irritations from external stressors (including pollution, wind, sun exposure, chemical laiden skin care products).

"how does it do that?" i hear you ask. well, luckily, i have the answer. Be In Awe calming serum contains a powerful concoction of natural anti inflammatory ingredients (including collodial oat flour), which are proven to aid your skin's protective barrier function and maintains it's cell energy levels, which helps to reduce the effects of external stressors which our skin is faced with every day. in addition, the calming serum is packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins e and d3, to ensure a soothing and calming effect is had on the skin.

after being lucky enough to receive a sample of the serum, i fell in love. it was such a delight to use and simply had to have more.

the first thing i noticed about this product was the packaging. it is unlike any other beauty product on the market. the matte black opaque container with a combination of stark white and hot pink labelling, is extremely eye catching. the product features a pump dispenser, ensuring a controlled amount of product be dispersed each use. another benefit of the pump is that the product is spared of the constant exposure to air, which formulas housed in jars or tubes often suffer and therefore have a lesser life span. the pump is protected by a lid, which is great as it reduces any unintentional product distribution if the product is in a toiletory bag (or handbag). less wastage is always a plus!

the serum itself has a lovely light and milky texture. being quite fluid, it spreads easily and is absorb by the skin in a flash. i absolutely adore the scent of the serum. i'm able to put my finger on what exactly it smells like, but i would best describe it as creamy and marshmellow-like. truely delicious. pictured below (left to right) is one pump of the product on my hand before being evenly spread, then the same hand 30 seconds later once the product had been absorbed.

as you can see, there is no residue from the product on my skin, and doesn't leave any unwanted shine.

i used the product on my skin directly after a fairly harsh chemical exfoliant treatment, and within minutes my flushed complexion had returned to it's calm/pale normal state. i also used the serum on my face and neck recently when i had an allergic reation to a moisturiser and broke out in a (hideos) bumpy, angry, itchy rash. i had almost instantaneous relief from the itching.

i would highly recommend that this serum be added to your skin care regime, if you suffer from sensitive skin. it is the perfect partner for both chemical and physical exfoliation. the serum was specifically designed to be used post laser, peels, shaving and sun exposure, so you rest assured it will be gentle enough for even the most aggrevated skin.

out of 5: 5

reason in a nut shell: an essential investment for those needing relief from sensitive or aggrevated skin, gaining both instant and lasting results, with a consumer friendly price tag.

where to buy: only stocked in Victorian salons and clinics, for your closest location see http://www.beinawe.com.au./where_to_buy_be_in_awe_products.html

number of uses (promised on packaging): n/a

product tagline: the essence of tranquility

ingredients (for those who care to know): water, century (centaurium erythrea) extract, phragmites kharka extract, poria cocos extract, sorbitan olivate & cetearyl olivate, butyrospermum parkii (karite) seed butter, collodial oat flour, guar gum, linoleic & linolenic acid, tritium vulgare (wheatgerm) oil, bisabolol, zingiber officianale (ginger) root oil, cholecalciferol (vitamin d3), frankincense oil, tocopherol (natural vitamin e), lactic acid, sodium lactate, natural preservative.

B xoxo

do you suffer from sensitive skin? have you used a calming serum? if so, did you find it to be effective?

Brand Review: Be In Awe

Brand Review: Be In Awe

hands up if you're familiar with the skincare brand Be In Awe! hmmm, there aren't too many hands in the air...but that's ok! that's what i'm here for!

i stumbled across this brand a couple of months ago now, when a girlfriend (who is a fan of the BIA) recommended me, and gave me a sample of, the nirvaata calming serum. after my first use, i was in love, and had to know more about this wonderful product of a brand i'd never heard of!

after doing a little research on Be In Awe, i was falling deeper and deeper in love by the second. and here's why. BIA is a skin care range which is dedicated to producing superior and long lasting results, while using only the highest quality natural ingredients, and are free from known irritants and harsh chemicals (including but not limited to parabens, artificial fragrance, propylene glycol, sls, colour additives).

tick, tick, tick! is that you ticking off all your boxes, that i hear?

wait! there's more...

not only ethically produced and packaged, but Be In Awe is also australian made and owned. the founder and managing director Rebecca Powne (who is based in melbourne), has been dedicated to natural skin care for almost 20 years, and following her passion has resulted in the creation of the seven beautiful products which completes the Be In Awe range (and some trivia for those who are playing along at home, "Awe" is the abbreviation of ancient wisdom encapsulated). the products address concerns including acne, pigmentation, sensitivity, ageing and sun damage (i suffer from a little bit of each).

as i mentioned earlier, my first experience of BIA was a sample size of the nirvaata calming serum, and i was truly impressed with the results from my very first use. i was lucky enough to then get my hands on a full size nirvaata calming serum, and also a sample of both the vimala gentle cleanser and amala clearing serum. following this post will be my reviews on each of these products.

all the products in the skin care range are reasonably priced (ranging from rrp: $39.00 to $109.00) and will deliver results which will have you shouting from your roof tops (like i am).

i am absolutely confident, that if you are to try a Be In Awe product relevant to your skin care concern, you too will realise you have found an absolute gem.

if you too enjoy a little bit of brand research, check out their website for everything there is to know about Be In Awe www.beinawe.com.au.

hope you enjoy the product reviews!

B xoxo

had you already heard of Be In Awe? which of their products have you used, and what were your thoughts?

How To: Prepare for a Summer-y Escape

am i the only person who has committed to a long and miserable melbourne winter? well, no...but it certainly feels like that! every time i log onto my facebook, my news feed is flooded with photo albums (of my sun-kissed, cocktail sipping and smiling friends) from europe and check-in's from amazing locations (the eiffel tower, las ramblas barcelona, the late show with david letterman, the pyramids, la international, etc, etc).

although i, myself, am not so lucky, seeing such adventures unfold has got me thinking...what would i pack if i was lucky enough to jet set off into the european sunset?

i have fairly normal (but slightly dehydrated) skin, which in summer tans easily, but being the end of july, hasn't seen the sun's (warm but damaging) uv rays for some time now! so, if i was heading to the sunny side of the world, extra protection would be required to keep my skin young, hydrated and pigmentation free. my trusty waterproof mascara from summer is also (almost certainly) dried up...it's had it's day.

so to help any lovely readers who are (or are soon to be) packing their bags and escaping the winter chill, below are the makeup, skin care and body care items i'm certain are necessary to your beauty survival, and an option for each product that i recommend:

the suitcase carrying cosmetics queen

 

face:

(for morning) hydrating cleanser, Ella Bache creme douce demaquillant, 210ml rrp: $67.00

(for morning) brightening eye roll-on, Ella Bache fruit d'eclat serum regard, 15ml rrp: $75.00

(for morning) day time tinted moisturiser, Mecca Cosmetica in a good light spf 30+ tinted facial sunscreen, 125g rrp: $50.00

(day/night wear) hydrating concealer, Mac select moisturecover 5ml, $34.00

(day/night wear) bronzer, Nars bronzing powder in casino, rrp: $55.00

(day/night wear) creme tint cheeks + lips, Becca lip & cheek creme in rosebud 3g, rrp $46.00

(day/night wear) illuminator, Becca skimmering skin perfector in opal 50ml, rrp: $66.00 (added bonus of spf 20)

(for morning) lip balm with spf, Mecca Cosmetica lip de-luscious spf 25 hydrating lip protectant 12g, rrp: $28.00

(day/night wear) waterproof eye liner, Estee Lauder double wear zero-smudge liquid eyeliner in black, rrp: $40.00

(day/night wear) waterproof mascara, Chanel inimitable waterproof in noir, rrp: $52.00

(for evening) makeup remover, Nars makeup removing water, rrp: $45.00

(for evening) gentle cleanser, Be in Awe vimala gentle cleanser, 150ml rrp: $39.90

(for evening) hydrating toner, Chanel lotion confort, 200ml rrp: $58.00

(for evening) hydrating serum, Chanel hydra beauty serum, 30ml rrp: $124.00

(for evening) hydrating moisturiser, Chanel hydra beauty creme, 50gm rrp: $109.00

(for evening) eye cream, Ella Bache creme speciale yeux, 30ml rrp: $76.00

spot treatment, Be in Awe amala clearing serum, 50ml rrp: $79.00

body:

hydrating cleanser, Ella Bache ultra rich body cleanser, 200ml rrp: $39.00

(for morning) moisturiser with spf, Palmers olive butter formula spf 15, 250ml rrp: $9.95

(for evening) hydrating moisturiser, Ella Bache refreshing earth body lotion, 200ml rrp: $43.00

body exfoliator, The Body Shop coconut body scrub, 200ml rrp: $27.95

after sun, Clinique after sun rescue with aloe, 150ml rrp: $39.00

the backpacking budget babe 

face:

(day/night) make-up remover, Garnier skin naturals clean sensitive 2 in 1 waterproof make-up remover, 200ml rrp: $9.95

(day/night) cleansing + toning towelettes, Garnier clean detox refreshing cleansing wipes, 25 wipes rrp: $8.95

(for morning) tinted moisturiser, Hissyfit saving face moisturising tinted sunscreen spf 30+, 30g rrp: $55.00

(for morning) lip balm with spf, Carmex Lip Balm click sticks with spf 15, 4.25g rrp: $4.99

(day/night wear) waterproof colour for cheeks + lips, Becca beach tint in watermelon 7ml, rrp $42.00

(day/night wear) waterproof mascara, Maybelline New York volum' express turbo boost waterproof mascara, rrp: $19.25

(for evening) repairing night cream, L'Oreal Paris youth code rejuvenating anti-wrinkle night cream, 50ml rrp: $35.95

body:

hydrating + exfoliating body wash, Dove exfoliating nourishing body wash, 200ml rrp: $4.20

(for morning) moisturising sunscreen, Nivea Sun moisturising sunscreen lotion spf 30+, 200ml rrp: $16.95

(for evening) hydrating lotion, Garnier body intensive 7 days mango oil ultra softening lotion, 400ml rrp: $6.95

now of course, whether you're suitcase carrier or a back pack gal, you would also have a shampoo and conditioner relevant to your hair type, and a sun protection serum suitable for your strands also. my favourite haircare brand is Redken 5th Avenue NYC (all soft shampoo 300ml rrp: $27.00, all soft conditioner 250ml rrp: $27.00, color extend sun shimmering defence 150ml rrp: $28.00), these ones are worth their weight in gold:

and do not forget (!!!) a waterproof deodorant (best on the market (in my experience) is Rexona clinical protection deodorant, 45ml rrp: $15.95).

well that was completely exhausting, but i'm pretty confident i've covered all bases there!! if any of you are off on a holiday soon (or are already on your holiday), i am extreeeeeeemly envious of you and hope that it is amazing.

B xoxo

have you been overseas lately? do you travel like a suitcase-carrying-cosmetics-queen or a backpacking-budget-babe? which product was your skin saviour? what products have i forgotten to pack?