Review! Rexona Clinical Protection Antiperspirant Deodorant

Surviving in 30+ degrees Celsius weather and being 30 weeks pregnant is no easy feat! I feel I’m much more sensitive with heat(waves) and sometimes I just want to stay indoors with the aircon.

Lucky for me, Rexona Clinical Protection Deodorant works like a charm!! While I historically prefer deodorant sprays versus types that you roll on to your armpit, this product worked wonders for me!

This deodorant claims to have clinical strength wetness protection and motion activated odour protection. You can even apply it at bedtime for optimal results and lasts throughout the following day even after a shower.

The test for this product was on Friday when it was a sweltering 35+ degree Celsius day. As it was a work day, I was indoors but for lunch I did head out in a non-airconditioned restaurant for at least 2 hours. Plus also had dinner out after work. By the end of the night, after inspecting my armpits (as you do…) it still smelled clean and fresh and I did not feel any sweating or wetness. AMAZEBALLS!

What I also loved about this deodorant is the scent. It smells clean and fresh like as if you’ve just stepped out of the shower. You don’t drown in a spell of floral, musk or spice type of fragrances! Plus, I think this product can definitely also be used by males…but no sharing!!

For me the only drawback was the packaging and application. You need to twist the bottom of the stick for product to come out through the top. I would have thought simpler packaging would have been more user friendly, as some of the product would get stuck in the pore-like holes at the top. I suppose it was designed like this as a way to “portion control” the amount of deodorant used each time.

In anycase, this is a product I would definitely repurchase, particularly as summer is about to hit Sydney in a couple of weeks, and its definitely a (pregnant) girl’s best friend! Check it out if you are looking for a new deodorant :)

Pros 

• Assisted and provided relief of everyday sweating – especially when Sydney was 30+ degrees! Protected against wetness and odour 
• No irritation 
• Clean fresh smell, no floral or overly scented 
• Easy to use 

Cons 

• Packaging was ok – different. Maybe a stick would have been better? 

Thank you beautyheaven for giving me the opportunity to trial and review this product.  
All opinions are my own.

Review! VS Sassoon 3Q Hairdryer!

I am a “no-fuss” hair type of gal, but at the same time, you don’t want your hair looking like you crawled out of bed with a birdsnest. Historically I have been averse to using hot hair tools on a daily basis to maintain the healthiness of my hair. However the VS Sassoon 3Q Hairdryer works so quickly that I don’t even feel like its damaging my hair!

The “3Q” stands for Quick, Quiet and Quality. Quick – 70% faster, Quiet – 40% less noise, Quality 10x longer life.

What did I think of this hairdryer?

I thought it was freaking amazing! The brushless motor technology makes it light and compact, and also reduces drying time as the airflow is maximised. It is also quieter and extends the life of the hairdryer.

I really enjoyed using it, and found that yes, it dried my hair quicker and I felt even using the hairdryer in 30 degree weather did not bother me! Usually I would fret as it would get too hot if I kept blowdrying for ages… I can’t really compare it to other blowdryers in terms of noise levels though.

I also loved how lightweight the hairdryer is which makes it super easy to use, usually my arm would get sore holding up the hairdryer for so long!

But all in all, definitely impressed with the performance. It’s a favourite hair tool at the moment and I hope it lasts the distance! If you are looking for a new hairdryer, give this one a go, it will not disappoint!

Watch my video below including a demo :)


Thank you beautyheaven for giving me the opportunity to trial and review this product.  
All opinions are my own.

Review! Dr Lewinn's Miracle Radiance Renewal Serum

Hands up if you experience lacklustre skin during the Winter? Yep, I do. I blame it on the cold dry winds and waiting every morning for the train outside facing the harsh elements!  For me, my problem areas in winter include: dry patchy skin, breakouts on my forehead (the little stubborn pimples), and peeling skin from the dryness.

Cue, a serum. I've been using Dr Lewinn's Miracle Radiance Renewal Serum ($49.95, available from Priceline) for about 3-4 weeks now and I've seen results! So the ingredients like rosehip oil may scare you off, especially if you have oily skin. But oil is actually very nourishing for the skin, particularly during winter!

The serum provides deep cell nourishment and renewal and also aims to rejuvenate and nourish skin.

What I loved about it:
- Skin felt instantly hydrated
- Serum was absorbed into my skin
- Fit well with my current skincare routine (I applied twice daily, after cleansing and before any moisturisers)
- My skin reacted really well to the ingredients
- Skin was clearer, brighter and hydrated.

Compared to other serums out there in the market, this product does live up to what it claims it does, and for just $50! But as Priceline is having a sale at the moment, all Dr Lewinn's products are 30% off so at $35, this is truly a steal! 

Have you tried this serum? What did you think? What are your favourite serums to use?



Thank you beautyheaven for providing the product to trial and review.

Review! Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Polish

Beautyheaven have kindly given me the opportunity to trial and review the new Revlon nailpolishes!  To me, nailpolishes are one of the little luxuries of life and can brighten up your day!  I was provided with all 30 colours in the entire range of Gel Envy nailpolish plus the Top Coat.

These are my favourite colours and formula!

 L-R: Ace of Spades, Pocket Aces, Roulette Rush, Full Horse, Wild Card, Queen of Hearts.

I'm currently wearing "Queen of Hearts" which is a cool, deep red.

Here are my thoughts on the polishes!

Pros:
- Beautiful creamy consistency (with exceptions, see Cons below). All of my favourites above have a creamy and opaque finish which I love
- Top Coat provides glossy shine
- Nail Polish starts to chip at 5-6 days for me
- Easy to remove (except for the Red polishes)
- Colour and Base in One, so speeds up the process of applying nailpolish at home (compared to applying a separate Base Coat, Colour and Top Coat
- Quick drying time

Cons:
- Some of the lighter shades like Checkmate, All or Nothing, In the Money (beautiful though), and Cardshark had a thin consistency and left a streaky finish after two coats. Three or more coats is recommended.

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars!

Have you tried these nailpolishes before? What are your thoughts?

Review! Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser

Today I am reviewing Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser.  I have been using this product for about 2-4 weeks (I can't remember exactly when I started using it!) and have been using it in place of my normal cleanser during my skin routine.

My skin is combination oily, I get oily skin around my T-zone by the end of the day. I also have visible pores on my nose and cheeks.

The pros!
* I did notice that my pores around my cheeks reduced in size. However the pores around my nose were still there, staring out at me :P
* My skin was sooo smooth. I usually exfoliate once a week. But this cleanser I exfoliated twice a day. Too much exfoliation will result in dry skin but because this product had fine microbeads, it was very gentle and didnt dry my skin out.
* Smelled fresh and clean!

The cons!
*It stung my eyes and I could barely open them! I am thinking it is because of the AHA present in the product?
* Because it is an exfoliating cleanser, and because it badly stung my eyes, I could not use this to take off residual eye makeup...

Overall Rating 3/5
I enjoyed how smooth my skin felt and how squeaky clean it was after each cleanse.  But I would not repurchase this because of how much it stung my eyes!

Have you tried Neutrogena cleansers before? What are your favs?

Review time! Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

I was super excited to trial this product (thank you beautyheaven) as I have seen the product in nearly every magazine I was picking up!

Lancome's Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate says it will make your skin look more smoother and luminous from the first drops, younger and rejuvenated after seven days.

First off, my skin type is normal combination which means my T-Zone gets oily by the end of the day (particularly my forehead and nose) but I don't have any major problems with other areas of my face in terms of oiliness.

I have been using Genifique now for about a week and a half, every morning and night time, after cleaning and before I apply my moisturiser. Here are my thoughts:

* Once applied, the serum is absorb instantaneously into my skin. My skin feels very soft upon application.

* After a few days, my skin begins to feel softer and my skin tone looks more even.

* After a week and a half, my skin feels much softer, has more elasticity and the texture is smoother. I also noticed that my skin felt like it was luminous and glowy :)

* My skin did not feel any oilier after applying the serum, it did feel hydrated.

* The serum has no scent - thank goodness!

* Very easy to apply - the pump ensures the serum remains hygenic.

Overall I would give this serum 5 out of 5, I could defintely see a difference in my skin tone and texture :) I especially recommend this during winter when skin can typically look dull, this product could help rejuvenate and provide a dewy look to your skin!

Review! Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipsticks

L-R: Finale 095 and Backstage 035

Hi lovelies!  Today I'm reviewing the Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede lipsticks in the colours Finale 095 and Backstage 035.

These are longwear lipsticks designed to stay put for 16 hours even after meals while keeping your lips hydrated and smooth with moisturising ingredients including aloe and shea butter. 

I generally wear creamy lipsticks because they are moisturising and don't dry my lips out.  Although creamy lipsticks don't stay on my lips for very long, there is always touch ups after eating, etc.  I was interested in the long wear lipsticks but I hadn't found one that was comfortable on my lips (some of them felt like a plastic cling wrap on my lips...), or any hydrating ones.

Cue Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede.  I was impressed with the long-lasting colour and moisturised feeling of my lips.  This is how I applied it:

1) Start with hydrated lips.  Always! I use Lucas Paw Paw ointment but you only need a touch.  I found that if I put too much, the lipstick wouldn't stay on my lips very well and it would streak.
2) Apply the lipstick.  It felt very smooth and velvety when I was applying the colour.
3) In a few minutes, the lipstick would start to get sticky - this is expected.  The lipstick if working to stay put on your lips!
4) Once the tacky feeling of the lipstick is gone, your lips are now good to go! You can eat, drink and kiss without losing much of the colour! Fabulous!  

Pros!
* The lipstick felt very smooth and hydrating when first applied
* Once the lipstick settled, my lips didn't feel dry.  After a few hours when I felt my lips need a bit more hydration, I would either dab some Lucas Paw Paw Ointment or reapply the lipstick.
* When the lipstick had "set" on my lips, the colour is still pretty vivid and the colour does not transfer when you kiss someone or when you eat!
* I loved the colour Finale 095 - the perfect red!
* The product didn't smell which is exactly what I like!
* The packaging is simple and practical, the lid is clear so you can see exactly what colour the lipstick is.

Cons!
* When closely inspecting my lips after the lipstick had settled, I could see the lines/wrinkles on my lips.

My overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars! I thought the lipstick performed pretty well for a long-wear lippie! And I would definitely consider purchasing in other colours :)

Have you tried this lipstick? Let me know what your thoughts are if you have! Or let me know what are you favourite long-wear lippies?


Thank you beautyheaven for providing these products to trial and review!

Review time! The Clarisonic Mia

 I was lucky enough to trial the Clarisonic Mia from beautyheaven.  The Clarisonic is a device used as part of your daily cleansing skincare ritual and 'scrubs' the impurities, dirt and grime from your face in a more effective manner than simply using your hands or a washcloth.  The technology in the Clarisonic is similar to that of an electric toothbrush, with micro movements of the brush head.  As per the official Clarisonic website, it offers the following:

- Removes 6X more makeup than manual cleansing
- Leaves skin feeling and looking smoother
- Removes impurities that keep creams and serums from working their best
- Gentle enough to use twice a day
- Reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
- Minimizes the appearance of visible pores.

Now the Clarisonic has a very loyal following, so I had very high expectations and was super excited to try it out! My skin is normal/combination so I have an oily T-Zone otherwise I think my skin is pretty good - I usually receive compliments on my skin.  In terms of problem areas, I had some congestion on my forehead (little pimples) and also blackheads.  I've now been using the Clarisonic for two weeks, once a day (at night time).

Below is a before and after shot of my bare skin (i.e. no makeup!)...can you see the difference?

Here are my thoughts on the product!

Pros!
* Straight after using the Clarisonic, my skin felt super soft and this feeling lasted even the next morning.  As I kept using the Clarisonic, my skin didn't feel as soft as before, this could be because I was getting used to how soft my skin was feeling
* My moisturiser was being absorbed better, I think this also contributed to soft-feeling skin
* My skin felt very clean afterwards - similar to how it feels after exfoliating but not to that extent (as the Clarisonic is gentle enought to use twice a day!)
* My blackheads particularly around my nose has become less visible (hurray!)
* Very easy to use, only takes a minute out of your day 
* My skin is looking smoother!

Cons!
* My congestion on my forehead was still there. This could be attributable to other things, like weather (we have had a couple or ridic heatwaves in Sydney lately(!) causing me to sweat like crazy), seasonality, etc

I can't really comment on visible pores, as I think my pores are not very visible anyway.  Also, it would be difficult to tell if the oiliness or dry areas on my skin were reduced because it is summer in Australia at the moment, and I will be oily and sweaty on my face no matter what haha!

Star rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I'm giving the Clarisonic Mia a 4 out of 5 stars because my skin does feel more softer and cleaner, but given I have been using it for only two weeks, it is difficult to see any material changes on my bare skin.  I do think skincare products are being absorbed better and with makeup on, my skin also looks much smoother! I don't think I would repurchase though.

What do you think of the product?

Review! Sally Hansen Magnetic Effects Nailpolish

You may have noticed that nail art has been huge lately – it’s everywhere especially on instagram, facebook and blogspot! As you know I love love my nail polish! But my skill and patience to recreate nail art looks is pretty much non-existent lol.  If you are on the same boat, lucky for you the clever minds at Sally Hansen have come up with an innovative product: magnetic effects nail polish!  Below is my review of the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colour in Silver Elements.

Pros

* polish applies on very nicely, very opaque with two coats

* creating the magnetic effects is super easy and little chance of ruining your nail art work thanks to the built in magnet on the cap

* unique, on-trend effects! No two nails look the same

* reasonably priced and available at Priceline for A$16.95
* easy to take off

Cons:

* there is a slight chance of accidentally touching the wet polish with the magnet – if this happens just apply another layer of polish and try again

* personally I love opaque creams rather than metallic colours on my nails. The hubby even said my nails reminded him of Magneto. Nice.

Overall rating

4 out of 5 stars, only because I am not a fan of metallic polishes.  If you are crushing on the nail art trend and have a thing for metallics - this product will not disappoint!!

Thanks to beautyheaven for providing me with the product for free to trial and review.

Review! Dove Sensitive Skin Nourishing Body Wash

I am really enjoying doing reviews - as they are opportunities to test the new products introduced in the Australian market and more importantly gives me and idea of the things I love and the things I don't love.

I received the Dove Sensitive Skin Nourishing Body Wash from beautyheaven to trial. Now I had a phase with Lush where I would watch YT videos of girls raving about Lush and it instantaneously landed on my wishlist.  But really, its just a soap - seriously. Now I am content with just using Palmolive bar soap from Coles - it does the job and doesnt burn a hole in my wallet.

So anyway I trialled the Dove product with an open mind for about 2-3 weeks.  And here are my thoughts.

Pros
* Scent - personally I do not like overpowering smells.  As expected, Dove bodywash smelled like any other Dove product out there, clean, fresh and simple. I like it!
* Price - very affordable, only $8 for a 375ml bottle!
* Easy to use, just open the bottle and pour some of the contents onto a lathering/body puff. You can buy a body puff just about anywhere, chemists, priceline, etc
* I felt very clean immediately after my shower and also felt quite soft and moisturised

Cons
* The bodywash claims to be super moisturising and nourishing. Honestly I did not find the product to outperform my Palmolive bar soap. I don't think it performed beyond my expectations. It's Dove.
* My body was quite dry and scaly the morning after.  Now this is after I put on sorbolene. There are a couple points to note: a) It could really be Sorbolene's fault, b) it is freezing and dry in Sydney at the moment, c) I am prone to dry and scaly legs (sigh) so it might take a litre of moisturiser to keep my legs supple and soft, d) who bares their legs during winter anyway?

Overall rating!
My overall rating is 2.5 stars out of 5.  I thought the bodywash was very average and it claimed to be moisturising and nourishing, yet my skin did not feel hydrated. Would I repurchase? No :(

Note - the pictures above are my first official photos on this blog using my new DSLR! Do you like? It was an early birthday present from my hubby and I love it!! :) Expect more pretty photos coming up!

Review! Nailene So Natural Everyday French

So this is only the second item I have received from beautyheaven for review and it is my favourite so far! I have tried stick on nails before (press n go) and they were hopeless...bulky, tacky and so obviously fake!  So i was a bit skeptical with trying these nails by Nailene but they looked and felt amazing (and attracted a lot of compliments)!

The nails I trialed were in the colour "Short and Sheer" which was probably the most natural colour you can get.  They retail for $16.99 a packet and it comes with the nails, glue, nail file and a stick-thing (I think to assist with taking the nails off).

Pros
* Nails were very light and not bulky
* Nails moulded perfectly to the curvature of your real nails
* Nails looked reasonably natural :)
* Very easy application
* When you run your fingers through your hair, it won't get caught in your hair (seriously)
* Relatively sturdy and durable (see con point below)
* Didn't feel like you were wearing fake nails
* French manicure did not peel/chip
* Lasted for about 4-5 days (see con point below)
* Easy to take off, minimal nail damage
* Isn't crazy expensive

Cons
* The packet reads "7 days guarantee" - one nail fell off on the 4th day of wear
* The shape of the thumb nail did not match my thumb nail, making my thumb nail look fake if you look at it closely
* If a nail does fall off, not much variety in nail sizes for your index and ring finger size nails

Overall recommendation
I would recommend this to anyone who wants beautifully manicured, natural looking nails for a specific event or for no longer than 4-5 days.  Star rating is 4.5 out of 5. I am a bit of a nailpolish nut and would definitely repurchase!! :)

Thank you beautyheaven for giving me the opportunity to review!

Apologies for the quality of the pic below! Took these with my iphone at night...