KORA Organics Rejuvenating Foot Balm

Foot creams are essential after my daily shower or before bedtime, because it keeps my feet soft and smooth.  I have used many a foot cream in my lifetime (I'm no spring chicken!) but I have never encountered one so deliciously scented that I want to lick my own foot after applying it.  Today's product review is one of my all time favourite products in the KORA Organics skincare range.

The Rejuvenating Foot Balm (90ml - $34.95 AUD) is encased in the typical KORA Organics "almost Tiffany blue" simple, matte packaging.  The foot balm smells absolutely amazing - exactly like candy canes at christmas time!  Soft and sweet, with a touch of peppermint... yum!  That alone is a win for me. However, there are many other great features of this foot cream.  The first one being that it's over 99% natural and that over 62% of the total ingredients are sourced from organic farming.  It has been certified organic according to the ECOCERT standard.

The "blurb" and instructions on how to use the foot balm

This foot balm says that it "soothes and cools" aching or tired feet.  In all honesty, I don't know if it lives up to the claim or not as I use this every day and my feet are never "achy" or "tired".  However, I do notice that after wearing heels for a few hours I'll come home and use this after a shower, and it does feel quite cooling.  I imagine it would be quite soothing for feet that were actually aching!

List of ingredients

The "balm" itself isn't really a balm.  It's nothing like those petroleum based foot creams where it's thick, clear, oily and greasy to the touch.  I use a small blob (about the size of my fingernail) and it's more than enough to coat my entire foot and ankles.  It's very easy to rub in, quite quick to be absorbed, and light.  It's not greasy at all.  I always pop cotton socks on after applying this, though. So maybe it is greasy and I just don't know it?!  Ha, doubt it though, because on the occasions that I've taken my socks off less than an hour after application, my feet feel soft and smooth and not sticky at all.

"Trust"

A unique, cute little thing to note about KORA Organics products is that each product in the line is stamped with a word that is aimed to inspire you to live a better life.  The foot balm has the word "trust" on it.

This foot cream (or balm) is the one I have enjoyed using the most, out of all the other foot creams I've used.  It's moisturising but light, smells AMAZING and is 99% natural.  The Rejuvenating Foot Balm retails for $34.95 AUD for 90ml.  The entire KORA Organics range can be found in David Jones stores, some Terry White Chemists and from their online store.

Keep your eyes peeled, because I'm going to be posting a tutorial on how to keep your feet soft and baby smooth all year round, very very soon.  If your feet are dry and cracked, this is a post you don't want to miss!

Product Empties of April

I have never done a post like this before, where I list what products I have finished in a certain month so I thought now be a good time to start.  This month, I've used up quite a few!  I am in desperate need to replace them but due to money issues (i.e.: school expenses) I've had to make do with other products that I'm either impartial to, or don't like at all.  Without further ado, here's what I've used up this month:

M.A.C. Cleanse Off Oil 150ml - $37 AUD

The Cleanse Off Oil by M.A.C. is one of the first cleansing oils I've ever used. Initially, I think it may have broken me out so I stopped using it and tried other products.  However, nothing beats the lightness and affordability of the M.A.C. oil so I went back to it when I discovered the other products were far too expensive.  Especially for something that just sits on my face for a few minutes and then gets washed down the drain! I've been using it almost daily (to wash off my BB cream) and haven't experienced any further breakouts.  I guess my skin just went through the "purge" phase, which is apparently normal when first using oil cleansers.  I definitely will be repurchasing this!  In the meantime, I've been using a baby wipe to take off my makeup and BB cream which I really hate :(

Super by Dr. Nicholas Perricone Coconut Quench 118ml - $59.95 AUD 

The Coconut Quench is a toner spray/refresher/instant hydration booster that can also be used for your hair.  I first saw it on the Mecca Cosmetica website and thought it sounded perfect for me as I absolutely love coconut scented products!  I tried it in my hair first but decided I didn't like to add water to my already frizz prone hair (even though it made it smell yummy) so I started using it as a facial toner.  It smells delectable and is super hydrating, perfect for my dry-ish skin.  I use it before applying serum and moisturiser.  I have not experienced any adverse reactions from this product and I love the fine mist it comes out in, so I will be repurchasing this.  In the meantime, I've gone back to using my Comvita Hydrating Toner Mist which I quite like but notice that it feels a little heavy on my skin and dries to a slightly sticky finish.

Trilogy Rose Hip Oil 45ml - $34 AUD

This Rose Hip Oil is what I use in lieu of a fancy schmancy facial serum.  I like to be as natural as possible, and you can't get more natural than this!  I believe that since I've started using rose hip oil, my skin has dramatically improved in terms on texture, firmness and tone (as in, redness around my nose has subsided).  It is cheap considering that this is a product that actually works!  I have repurchased several of these and I've already moved onto my other 45ml bottle, which I bought as backup a few weeks ago when I realised I was low.  I do not want to be caught out, EVER!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleanser 236ml - $42 AUD

I have been using the Purity Made Simple facial cleanser for many years now. I don't use it as a daily facial cleanser, instead I save it for days that I'm wearing heavy makeup.  It works so well for that purpose (after my initial oil cleanser remover, that is!)  It used to be my daily cleanser until I switched to natural products.  Since I've now run out, I've been using the Moo Goo Milk Wash which works well enough, but I prefer the Philosophy Purity cleanser because I feel like it works perfectly.  Why have good when you can have GREAT?!

Moo Goo Milk Wash 500ml - $17.95 AUD

This Milk Wash by Moo Goo is a good, natural body wash.  I use it daily on my body in the shower and also to wash my face in the mornings and/or when I'm not wearing makeup at the end of the day.  I also use it on my kids (they have their own bottle in their bathroom).  It smells good and cleanses well and that's all that you really need in a body wash.  Of course, it has the added bonus of being natural and very affordable so I will definitely be repurchasing this until I find a better product on the market (that's as affordable as this one!)  For now, my kid's bottle has been traveling back and forth between our two bathrooms :)

Kio Kio Frangipani Body Cream Review

In case you didn't know, I used to live in New Zealand.  I lived there for about 9 years of my life.  When I hear about good things happening in NZ, I feel a sense of pride.  After all, it was my country for many years!  The latest to make me beam with joy is the brand Kio Kio, which was developed by Fiona Terry.

So, why the buzz?  Firstly, as previously mentioned, I feel a sense of patriotic pride.  Secondly, it's organic, sustainably sourced and SLS, paraben, mineral oil... let's just "nasty ingredient" free.    Thirdly, the products smell divine and lastly, look at that gorgeous packaging which also happens to be eco-friendly! Kio Kio is an "eco-chic bodycare range" which was first launched in America in 2010.  This is one of the reasons why I wish I was an American... first access to an awesome brand!

Frangipani & Puriri body cream - $49 NZD

I was sent two products for consideration, one of which I'll be reviewing today. Today's review is on the Frangipani & Puriri Body Cream.  This cream, which comes in a 200g pot, has the most amazing scent.  It smells just like frangipani!  No, seriously... it's like I've just opened up a door to a room full of fresh frangipani flowers.  It's incredible!  No artificial scents here, it appears to be the real deal.  And what's so lovely about it is that it's not overpowering at all.  It's light and fresh, but lingers on your skin for a long time.  You can only smell it if you're in very close proximity to my skin, though.  Which is a good thing, because it won't clash with anything else I wear.  And also for this reason, I like to save this body cream for special occasions, such as dates (wink wink!)

The cream itself is light, easy to rub in, quick to be absorbed yet very hydrating.  It's really weird.  Usually, if a body cream is hydrating, that also means it's thick and heavy, hard to rub in and leaves a greasy film on my skin. But not this one!  It leaves not a trace of anything on my skin except for that divine scent.  Someone can rub my skin after application and not even be aware of the fact that I have a body cream on.

The only issue I *think* I may have with this cream is that it contains essential oils, which I found out awhile ago that I *may* have sensitivities to after having a patch test performed.  I was advised to avoid it if I could. However, I've been using the body cream every day for an entire week and the only negative effect it was having on my skin was give me the tell tale itch of a could-be eczema outbreak in my neck and chest area.  As soon as I felt that tingle, I stopped using it daily.  I cut down to every second or third day, and my skin has been fine.  So for people with no sensitivity issues, this cream would be a dream to wear on a daily basis!  For those in my shoes, saving the cream for special occasions or just when you want to feel pampered is probably the most ideal way to incorporate it into your life.

Texture of the body cream.  Random milky patches are due to me not using the cream in several days.

Would I purchase this body cream with my own money?  You bet!  Once this runs out, I'm placing an order!  I'm going to try the other scents, and even the other products in the range.  It has impressed me that much!  

For more information on Kio Kio, visit their website: www.kiokio.com

MooGoo Fresh Cream Deodorant VS Harmoni's Kiss Organic Girl Roll On

Since the beginning of summer I have been trailing two different aluminium free deodorants, MooGoo and Harmoni's Kiss.  For two weeks I applied both to an underarm each and compared them in action, then later on I tested them individually, without comparison.  Read on to discover my findings!

MooGoo Fresh Cream Deodorant - 60ml - $9.95 AUD

Ingredients: Demineralized Water, Magnesium Hydroxide, Corn Starch, Xantham Gum, Witch Hazel, Organic Lemon Myrtle.

I must admit, I'm not a fan of the scent.  It smells rather bland and... damp. Or something.  I'm not sure, maybe it's the lemon myrtle?  Smell aside, it is very easy to apply.  It dries relatively fast to a powdery feel.  It does leave a slight white film on your skin which is annoying if you're wearing a singlet, but it keeps me feeling dry for a couple or hours.  By the end of a busy, active day, I'm just a teensy bit stinky.  Available online or in selected pharmacies and health stores.

Harmoni's Kiss Organic Girl Roll On - 50ml - $4.95 AUD

Ingredients: (*Organic) Lavender Hydrosol*, Witch Hazel Extract*, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Aloe Vera Powder*, Bicarb Soda, Zinc Oxide, Glycerine*, Lime Oil*, Orange Oil*, Lavender Tree Oil*, Geranium Oil*, Frankincense Oil*, Sweet Fennel Oil, Fragrance, Potassium Sorbate.

 

At first, I hated the scent of this roll on.  And while it was easy to apply, it took a while to dry on my skin.  But it was totally clear, so wearing a singlet was not a problem.  I eventually got used to the scent and now I actually quite like it!  It doesn't keep me feeling as dry as MooGoo, but by the end of a busy, active day, I'm not stinky AT ALL.  Available online or in Woolworth's supermarkets.

How do they compare?
For an everyday deodorant for days where I'm just home or not very active, I prefer to use the MooGoo Fresh Cream Deodorant because it keeps me relatively dry and smelling fresh throughout the day.  If it's a hot day and I know I'll be quite active, I use the Harmoni's Kiss Organic Girl Roll On because it keeps me from smelling like BO by the end of the day (even after a long, fast paced walk)!  If I could only choose one to use permanently, it would be Harmoni's Kiss.  For just under $5, it's great value for money and works very well.

In my opinion, the MooGoo deodorant would probably suit those who are sensitive to essential oils or just have general skin sensitivity.  It's list of ingredients is very short so would be less irritating.  However, as mentioned earlier, the MooGoo deodorant does leave a slight white film and can rub off onto dark coloured clothing.  Harmoni's Kiss does not have this problem.

That's not to say that Harmoni's Kiss is without its own problems.  I find that with continuous use (say 4 days in a row) my underarms get a bit itchy.  I do have eczema so I think my skin may be slightly sensitive to certain oils.  This is why I choose to continue using MooGoo.  It may be more expensive and harder to find than Harmoni's Kiss, but my underarms do not get irritated with continuous use.

Both deodorants do a great job.  Harmoni's Kiss does a slightly better job than MooGoo at keeping the BO at bay, but they both work very well, even with just one application in the morning.  By the end of a busy, active day, I don't feel embarrassed to raise my arms on a packed train carriage anymore!

Burt's Bees Body Butter

I was a lucky one along with nineteen others who were selected to be a part of the Burt's Bees VIP trial team several weeks ago.  The products we got to try out were the body butter and sugar scrub.  I was sent both products nearly a month ago, and today I will be reviewing the Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.

First off the bat, let me let you in on a little secret... I am not just a pretty face (if a pretty face at all, ha)!  Out of the 3 yummy scents, I chose cranberry & pomegranate for two reasons.   One: I have heard all about the anti-aging properties of both fruits and liked the idea of an anti-aging body care product.  Two: as much as I loved the sound of the other scents (mango & orange, and honey & shea) I decided to pick cranberry & pomegranate because I knew that I had more of a chance of winning (because it's not as popular as the other scents, therefore it increased my chances as I wouldn't have been up against so many others.  While I'm not sure if this was the case, it certainly worked for me, did it not?  Winner winner, chicken dinner!)

Close up of the inside of my tub of the Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.

Anyway.  Having said all that, I'm quite pleased I picked cranberry & pomegranate, because it smells rather yummy.  It has quite a light, soft fruit-ish scent.  Once rubbed in, you can't really smell it unless you put your nose to your skin and sniff.  I prefer heavily scented products, but this would be good for those who prefer a less obvious scented product, or for days you don't want to clash with your perfume.  It has been perfumed with a natural fragrance so there shouldn't be any issues for those with sensitive skin.  The first few ingredients listed for the body butter are quite pleasing to an organic & natural skincare lover such as myself: aqua, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, coconut oil... I already use coconut oil on its own as a body moisturiser, so I'm quite happy with the ingredients.  

The rest of the ingredients are as follows: cetyl alcohol, sweet almond oil, parfum (natural fragrance), sucrose stearate, cranberry seed oil, punica granatum seed oil, shea butter, jojoba butter, cocoa seed butter, tocopherol, lactic acid, magnesium aluminum silicate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, glyceryl laurate, sucrose polystearate, soybean oil, xanthan gum, phenoxyethanol, oakmoss extract, citral, citronellol, farnesol, geranoil, limonene, linalool.  Now I must admit, I'm no scientist and I have no idea what the last 14 ingredients are.  They don't look natural (but what do I know?)  On the website it states that it is a 99% natural product, so I suppose I will have to take their word for it.  Note to self: google is your best friend!

The rich, thick texture of the Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.  (Don't mind my extremely dry hands!)

Besides the lovely, natural fruit scent, I quite enjoyed the richness of the butter.  It is a butter, after all, so you would expect that it would be thick and extremely moisturising.  It is very smooth and easy to apply, but it takes a bit of work to rub in because it looks white until it starts to absorb into the skin.  So don't overdo it with this moisturiser!  A little goes a long way (as I learnt the hard way, haha).  It's been nearly a month and I have used this product every single day after a shower (sometimes twice a day), and my tub is still about half full.  A 185g/6.5oz tub retails for $29.95 here in Australia, so it's not too bad considering it is a natural product that will last you quite a while.

My only gripe with the Burt's Bees body butter is that it is thick... too thick for me!  Which is not a bad thing for dry skin, as I do have, but it's so thick that it doesn't seem to absorb quickly enough.  I like my moisturisers to leave no residue whatsoever.  The butter kind of leaves a sticky feeling on your skin, which annoys me because during hot days, who wants sticky skin?  I don't think I would mind so much if this were winter.   However, it doesn't last for long, just for a couple of minutes after I've applied it so I usually will just wander around the house naked before I get dressed (sorry, neighbours)!  The fact that it does that, though, tells me that it will keep my skin nice and hydrated.  Which, after using for nearly a month, I have seen that my skin no longer looks dry and scaly, even after I've shaved my legs (I usually look like a lizard afterwards).  So being rich and thick is a good thing!  It lasts all day, too.

Overall, I have enjoyed using the Burt's Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Body Butter.  It has kept my skin soft and hydrated and I've had no adverse reactions from using it.  I do have keratosis pilaris, but it hasn't aggravated my skin condition at all.  It hasn't made it go away, but hey, nothing will!  Daily moisturising is key in maintaining kp, and this body butter has done it's job well.  I will most likely purchase this myself, but would want to try the other scents (available at Myer, David Jones, Priceline).

If you want to find out more about the product, or about any other Burt's Bees product, do have a peek at their website: burtsbees.com.au.  Thank you Burt's Bees for giving me the opportunity to give this a try!  It is honestly a product I would have overlooked, in favour of using just plain old coconut oil.  But I'm glad I've tried it, as now I know there is another product out there that will help keep my skin soft and smooth :)

Eczema Update: There is Hope!

No makeup

The photo on the left is me, today.  If you compare it to the photos in this post, you'll see the difference...

Most of my eczema rashes have completely cleared up.  My neck is totally free of any dry spots.  My chest still has 2 patches that haven't completely cleared, but it's no longer red, dry or itchy.  It just looks slightly darker than the rest of my skin.  As for my face, there are no more dry spots at all but I still have depigmentation issues due to the reaction to cortisone.  I did not use witch hazel and vitamin E.  I started off doing that, but the vitamin E was too sticky and kept making me want to scratch at it.  So what did I use?

Browsing the isles of my local Priceline pharmacy, I came across a range of products called Hope's Relief.  A while ago, I read that manuka honey is great for eczema, so I had initially bought a jar of manuka honey UMF 20+ and was applying that directly to my dry skin.  It was far too sticky, so I bought the Hope's Relief healing cream because it contains manuka honey.

Hope's Relief healing cream - $22.95 (60g)
www.hopesrelief.com.au

 

I used this cream daily.  I started off re-applying four times throughout the day, but as the eczema began to clear up, I reapplied it less often.  A week into using it, I also started using the soap free bar to wash my face and body with.  I'm still using the bar for my face, but not body.  I also now only use the healing cream once or twice a day, always after I shower.  It was what has cleared up my eczema.  I wish I had started off using this in the very beginning!  My face may have been saved from the horrible reaction to the steroid cream that all the health professionals kept telling me to use.

No more itchy, dry patches on my neck!

I have an allergy test booked in early January so until then, I will not be using any skincare products except for Hope's Relief and  MooGoo.  I want to avoid having another eczema outbreak, especially during the holiday season.  I'm so glad that my skin will be normal in time for christmas!

Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Shampoo & Conditioner

Looking for a natural shampoo that actually cleanses?  What about a natural conditioner that will work hard at conditioning your hair?  Or are you just after a sweet smelling shampoo & conditioner that will leave your mane attracting honey bees for days?

Look no further. I have found it for you!  This is my review of the Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose shampoo and conditioner.  I've been using it for several months now, since the start of this year.  I discovered this product browsing the Aubrey Organics Australian website and was planning on ordering just soap, but succumbed to the free shipping offer if $75 or more was spent.  So I hastily added the Honey Suckle Rose conditioner (as I had plenty of shampoo at home) along with a few other items and patiently awaited my order.

One sniff basically sold me.  I didn't even try it on my hair before I decided that I was in love with it, the conditioner just smelt so wonderful!  So soft, sweet and feminine.  Once my regular shampoo ran out, I went back online to order the Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Shampoo but the website was undergoing maintenance.  I waited.  And waited.  I managed to snag free samples of shampoo during my wait, but several weeks later the website was still apparently getting maintenance done.  So, frustrated, I finally found another website that stocks this product, along with basically the whole Aubrey Organics range.  This is where I found it: www.innerglow.com.au.

Honey Suckle Rose Shampoo

Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Shampoo

If you're not familiar with natural shampoos, then you'll probably really hate them until you get used to them.  Because they don't contain any chemical foaming agents, they are quite runny in consistency and don't produce much lather at all.  It's no different for this shampoo.  However, I like to double wash because the second time I use it, it produces quite a nice lather!  I feel that it cleanses better when it foams up and because the first wash barely produces anything, the second wash more than makes up for it.  I'm not sure why a lather is formed the second time around, but I'm glad it does as it makes my hair feel like it's cleaner.  It does not dry out my hair at all, in fact, I believe that this has helped my hair become more softer and moisturised.  The scent is very soft and floral, but not grandma floral.  It's very delicate and sweet.  Smells very much like herbs mixed with honey suckle!

Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner

Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner

My favourite hair conditioner OF ALL TIME.  This stuff has stolen my heart and become a holy grail!  Not only does it smell absolutely amazing (very similar to the shampoo, but much more sweeter), it actually does a fantastic job and keeping my tresses moisturised and manageable.  Some reviews have said that it is way too "oily" and makes the hair really slippery, and to some extent that is true.  But if you have extremely dry, frizzy hair like myself, it's actually a good thing.  Once you've rinsed it out thoroughly, it feels so wonderfully soft and light.  My hair just drinks it up.  The honey suckle rose range IS designed for very dry, brittle hair so if you have normal or oily hair, it may not work for you.  

Let me tell you a little secret: I used this range on both my boys and they have normal hair.  It does not leave their hair oily at all.  They both have gorgeous, easily maintained hair.  So will it work for everybody?  Maybe, if you can get used to how it feels the first few times.  But I'll leave that up to you to decide.  Most conditioners say to only apply to the lengths of the hair, but with this conditioner, I have no problems rubbing it all over, even letting it sit on my scalp.  As "slippery" as it feels, it really does not leave my hair oily whatsoever.  Just light, soft and moisturised.  For me, it is not greasy... I cannot stress that enough!

For myself and my family, it works wonders.  Both the shampoo and conditioner last a long time (a little goes a long way) and at roughly $20 AUD per bottle (for 325ml), it works out to be a reasonably priced natural product.  As long as they keep making these, I'll keep buying them and using them religiously because it is a fantastic range!

KORA Organics Clay Purifying Mask

A few months ago KORA Organics came out with a mask range, the Clay Purifying mask and the Hydrating mask.  I will be reviewing the Clay Purifying mask today.  It retails for $49.95 AUD (100ml) from the KORA Organics website, or you can find it at David Jones stores or select Terry White chemists.

I have normal to oily skin (sometimes normal to dry, depending on the season).  This mask is targeted at oily/combination skin, but it is really gentle and I think it would suit pretty much any skin type.  Using a clay mask is essential in my skincare routine to ensure my pores are deeply cleansed and skin looks bright and is purified.  I switch up my masks all the time, depending on my mood, and I try to use a mask at least once a week (although I'm often forgetful or lazy)!

How I use the mask: Before my shower, I use a small amount (about the size of a 20 cent coin) and apply to my face without washing beforehand, like most masks require you to do.  You could if you want, but like I said, I'm lazy!  I leave it on my face for about ten minutes, often longer.  Lately though, my skin has been breaking out in a rash so I only leave it on for five minutes (as stated "for sensitive skin" on the packaging).  Once I'm ready to wash it off, I jump in the shower and use just my hands and the warm water to gently wipe if off my skin.  I don't follow up with any sort of cleanser, as warm water is enough.

Results: The KORA Organics Clay Purifying mask is quite possibly the most gentle clay mask I have ever used.  The texture is just like a really thick, heavy moisturiser and is easily spread on the face. It dries quickly, too.

The smooth, thick consistency.  It feels more like a moisturiser than a clay mask!

Close up of the mask on my face.  Despite its moisturiser like texture, it dries very quickly like most clay masks.

With other clay masks, after washing it off I feel that my skin is quite tight and shiny looking, but with the KORA Organics Clay Purifying mask, I don't get that at all.  It's as if I've used a hydrating mask instead, with the benefits of clay.  This is why I think it would be suited to most skin types, rather than just the oily/combo that it's targeted at.  After use, my face is not shiny, rather it looks brightened, plump and pores aren't as noticeable.  It definitely feels heaps cleaner than it usually does, as if the clay has absorbed all the impurities.

I love the KORA Organics Clay Purifying Mask!

Here's a photo of me straight out of the shower, after I had dried my face and applied a tiny amount of lip balm (I'm OCD, I can't stand the feel of bare lips!)  I hope you're not too frightened by my appearance!  But see how my skin looks nice & hydrated, cleansed and soft?  (BTW, I did mention that I'm experiencing an awful rash on my face, and you can see it on my right cheek and forehead if you look close enough).

Fresh out of the shower.

After moisturising with the KORA hydrating cream, my skin looks bright, smooth and clear.

The KORA Organics Clay Purifying mask does not dry out my skin at all.

Overall, I really like the Clay Purifying mask as it is very gentle, yet does the job of cleansing my pores, refining and purifying my skin while also keeping it smooth and bright.  For the price,  it's not bad considering that this is a natural & certified organic product.  This is an ideal mask for those who have sensitive skin and are time poor, like me.  I also think it would be good for those with dry skin who wouldn't dare use a clay mask in the first place!  This mask has replaced my once favourite Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, because it gives me the same results, but without the dryness & stinging sensation.  Holy grail?  Hmmm... I'll let you know in a couple of months time.  But it looks like it will be my favourite for awhile yet!  Check out koraorganics.com.au for more info, products, and to buy online.

Kora Organics Review

Kora Organics products.  Note: the Rose Mist no longer looks like how it is in this photo. This one is from the old packaging.

I adore Miranda Kerr.  When she came out with a skincare line, I... didn't actually know about it until around this time last year.  I actually heard about it through a good friend, who said she wanted to try organic products.  When she mentioned Miranda Kerr and organic in one sentence, I was all over it and googled to find out more.

A year later, here I am: an avid fan of Kora Organics.  Only recently they have become certified organic, which is impressive in my books.  If you watch my video, you can see her talking about the products in more detail.  I have not tried every product in the line, but those that I use I will continue to use until it no longer works for me, or if it gets discontinued (No!  What a nightmare!)  So here's my little review on each product I use:

Hydrating Day & Night Cream: (50ml, $59.95) Although this is a day and night cream, I do not use it for night time (for night I just use rose hip oil).  As the product name implies, it's a hydrating cream that has a fresh, herbal, slightly tangy scent.  If you use too little, it can feel like it's tugging at your skin as you apply it, so best to use a fair size amount.  Having said that, you do not need a lot.  A five cent coin amount is enough for the face, but I like to double it and have it taken down my neck and decolletage.  It does not contain SPF, which is fine with me because I like to use a separate sunscreen anyway.  It's not greasy at all, it gives you enough hydration to ensure your skin stays moist but does not feel heavy, look greasy or clog pores (mine, anyway!)  My ideal day cream!

Cream Cleanser: (90ml, $44.95) This product is definately not for the oily/combination skin type (but I think it can actually help your oily skin if you do, will post about it soon).  If you have normal skin, like me, or dry/sensitive skin, this would be great for you!  It feels quite "slippery", almost like a cleansing oil (but much thinner) so it doesn't feel like it's cleaning your skin... until you wash it off with warm water!  It's recommended you use a cloth to wipe your skin after cleansing with this product, but I'm lazy and just use my hands (often because I'm in the shower).  This cleanser does not foam at all, but is very effective at getting rid of dirt, oil and sweat on your face.  I used to use Philosophy Purity Made Simple, but now I've switched to the Kora Organics Cream Cleanser as it does not use any nasty ingredients but does just as good a job, if not better.

Balancing Rose Mist: (50ml, $39.95) This product is good for all skin types.  I absolutely love this spray!  It's so versatile.  I use it for everything: setting makeup, as a toner, as a moisturiser if I'm too lazy or time poor for an actual moisturiser, as a refreshing, hydrating spray throughout the day... so many uses!  I always spritz my face about 4 times with this before I apply the Hydrating Day & Night Cream.  It acts as a toner that way.  Sometimes, if I can't be bothered applying moisturiser (such as when I'm at home and have no plans) I'll just spray my face lots of times and leave it to dry.  My skin never feels tight, just moisturised.  It's like a lazy girls moisturiser.  The mist you get from the bottle is a huge spray, but it's so fine.  On hot days, I attack my two boys with this as well if they're looking red in the face.  It keeps you cool!  On top of makeup, it works just like the M.A.C. Fix +... except it's organic!  LOVE!

Daily Hand Cream: (90ml, $39.95 - not pictured in photo) One thing I really love about this hand cream is the simple packaging.  I get lots of questions when I use this hand cream out and about!  I suppose people are curious about the brand.  As an actual hand moisturiser, it is a good hydrating cream that is lightweight and does not leave my hands feeling greasy.  One thing I wish it did have was sunscreen, but I find that  hand creams that do contain sunscreen tend to leave a greasy film on my hand, or make it feel sticky.  So I'm not too upset by that minor fact.  Hand creams are a staple in my handbag, and so far this is my favourite hand cream.

Tinted Day Care Cream: (50ml, $59.95 - not pictured in photo) This is the only product in the range that I wasn't a fan of.  It is a tinted moisturiser that contains a little bit of sun protection (from zinc oxide).  I don't mind it, but I don't love it.  It looks great on the skin (very natural, slight coverage) and doesn't irritate my skin or anything, but I do have problems with the application.  It tugs at my skin terribly, unless I use a lot.  Which I don't want to do, because then it looks too obvious on my skin.  A thin layer looks best, but everytime I apply this it just feels like it dries too quickly.  I have tried both using a mist beforehand and not, and either way I still felt the tug.  Because of that, I don't like to use it.  But when I do use it, once it's on, I really do like it.  If it dried less quickly and didn't tug, I would use it more often.

Vitamin Enhanced Lip Balm: (6.5ml, $24.95) Not only does this lip balm look so cute in its beautiful green pot, it is also an awesome multi-tasker!  I don't really like lip balms where you have to dig for the product with your fingers, but I make an exception for this one.  It keeps my lips moisturised for so long.  I apply this in the morning, go out and have lunch, and I still don't feel like I need to reapply it.  It gives a great transparent gloss to your lips and has no obvious taste or scent.  If I have flyaways, I'll apply it to my hair to keep them at bay.  If I'm in a waiting room and I'm bored, I'll apply this to my cuticles.  If I have a dry spot somewhere on my face or body, I'll just pat some of this stuff onto it.  This is my all time favourite lip balm.  I love a lot of lip balms, but this one takes the cake!

There are a few other products that I use from the range, such as the mask and scrub, but I haven't used it long enough or consistently enough to form an opinion of just yet.  However, once I do I will be sure to review them also!

Kora Organics can be purchased online at their website www.koraorganics.com, which is the cheapest option.  They are also sold at David Jones and Terry White Chemist.  I'm not sure about the prices at Terry White, as the have only recently started stocking the Kora Organics range, but at David Jones the prices are atrocious.  They have jacked up the prices so much since the new packaging launched!  E.g: Online, the Hydrating Day & Night Cream is $59.95.  In store, it's just under $72!  What the?!  How do they justify that?  Grrrr!  I used to buy from DJ, but from now on I will just be ordering the products online.  Kora Organics has a great range, with products that work very well and while a little on the pricey side, I believe that you get what you pay for.  For certified organic products, it's not too bad.  And if it works, it is definitely worth it.  What will you be putting on your face tonight?

A2LB Haul & Review

A couple of weeks ago I placed my first ever order on the website Addicted 2 Lip Balm.  You can see a list of everything that I ordered right here.  I have had a few weeks to trial some of the products, so I'll be reviewing them today, as well as the A2LB web store.

The website itself is a breeze to browse and find what you're looking for.  Everything is categorised according to type (lip scrubs, organic, lip tints etc) and the main colour theme is pink, my favourite colour!  That in itself isn't a big deal, but I like it.  They offer a loyalty program as well as 10% your first order.  And free shipping for orders over $50!  Shipping was super fast - I made an order at 10pm on a Thursday night and by midday Monday, my package arrived.  This was with standard shipping!

Everything came packaged nicely in pink paper, and groups of products were bubble wrapped to protect it.  A little gift was individually wrapped and included with my pack - Thanks Leah! 

Now onto the products that I have used regularly for the past few weeks... The first one is The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ ($30.95).  It's not an organic product, but it is limited edition so of course I had to have it!  It smells fresh and fruity, and works as a lip scrub should.  However, I find it to be really greasy and rich, when you wash it off you can still feel a film of gunk on your lips.  Ok, it's not gunk, it's supposed to be moisturising but I'm not a fan of petrolatum so I don't like it.  I try to wash it off as best as I can and I will use the product sparingly to avoid that leftover film on my lips.  But like I said, it scrubs well.  It's quite gentle and tastes pleasant.  My lips afterwards are smooth and look red and plump, like I'm wearing a lip stain.  I smoother it with the Kora Organics lip balm afterwards.

This yellow blob is the EOS Smooth Sphere lip balm in Lemon Drop ($6.35).  It smells delicious, it tastes delicious, but it does not feel delicious.  As in, it's not moisturising enough for me.  I kinda feel like I have to rub this on my lips for half an hour to feel like I have something coating my lips.  BUT it does contain SPF and does not make your lips look super shiny, so it's good for the whole family, men included.  Perfect for those who hate feeling like they have something on their lips.  It's a funny little round ball shape, but applies easily just like a regular stick balm.  I will continue to use this, especially as summer is right around the corner, but it sucks that I find myself re-applying this every half an hour just because I can't feel it moisturising my lips.


This is the one I have used the most.  It's the Badger Cocoa Butter lip balm in Lime Rocket ($9.95).  This is not a flavour I tend to choose.  I kinda just picked it to try something different.  And I'm really glad I did, because Lime Rocket smells so zesty and fresh!  I love the scent.  And it tastes nice, too (not that I go around licking my lip balms just to see what they taste like!)  It is a much larger product than your regular stick balms.  It's about double the size, and you have to be a little careful when applying it because it can make you look like you've been making out with a greasy frying pan if you're careless!  I find the larger size a bit of an inconvenience, but I do enjoy this one a lot and use it the most.  Plus the larger size makes it easy to find in my handbag, which is probably why I use it the most, ha!

Cacao Powder Organic lip balm - Chocolate ($5.95).  This one is a little deceiving.  It calls itself chocolate, but to me it has more of a subtle roasted coffee scent and flavour.  I'm not a big fan of coffee.  But it's chocolately and pleasant enough, and it also leaves my lips feeling very moisturised without too much shine.  It's the perfect size too, not too big like the previous one.  It lasts for a while on your lips and the scent actually wafts up occassionally throughout the day, which is a good thing if you like the scent, but a bad thing if it makes you crave for a hot chocolate (like it does for me)!

These four products I have used the most, but I have have also used some others which I will review once I feel I have used it long enough.  If you love lip balms as much as I do, I know you'll be hanging for that post!  Watch out for it in the coming weeks.  As for Addicted 2 Lip Balm, I highly recommend them as they have a huge assortment of lip goodies, great service and fast shipping, plus rewards for customers.  What more could a lip balm junkie want? (Life time supply of lip balm... D'uh, Rin!)

Note: Photos of the individual lip balms are all from the A2LB website, used with permission.  All products mentioned were purchased by me.

Miranda Kerr Talks About KORA Organics

I wanted to do a whole post tonight on my day in the city to attend the Miranda Kerr book signing, but sadly I'm absolutely knackered from shopping.  So here is a video of Miranda talking about her skincare line and book.  I actually got to speak to her, we had a conversation about breastfeeding!  She is such a sweet girl and her products are great.  I will post about it later, for now enjoy the video... PS- Sorry for the shaky camera and background noise!

 

Here is the link to the video (it's on my personal youtube channel): http://youtu.be/ZPr1Zd5Fj38

100% Pure Coconut Hydrating Body Wash

Recently I was browsing meccacosmetica and one of the first brands listed was one I had never come across before: 100% Pure.  I love natural products and I'm always on the lookout for something new and awesome so I had a look at what they had to offer.  In Australia, that was not much at all.  But if you visit their website at 100percentpure.com you will see that they have a MASSIVE range of stuff, from cosmetics, to skincare, to haircare!

Unfortunately, they don't ship to Australia so I was limited to what I could try out.  Body washes, body lotions and body scrubs pretty much summed it up.  I had my eye on the coconut range (I absolutely ADORE coconut scents!) but all they had in stock was the hydrating body wash.

Verdict?  The scent is totally AMAZING!  It has a naturally sweet, toasted scent of coconuts which I am a huge fan of and the smell lingers on your body for a bloody long time.  If you're not into sweet nutty scents, it may actually put you off as it's so strong.  It comes in a massive 17oz/502ml so paying $28.95 AUD doesn't seem so far fetched.  And I haven't even gone into the health benefits of using this product yet!

Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice 1, Organic Rose Hydrosol 2, Organic Lavender Hydrosol 3, Saponified Coconut Oil, Coconut Flavor, Coconut Extract, Organic Green Tea 4, Calendula, Prickly Pear, Pomegranate, Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Noni Fruit, Maqui Berry, Elderberry, Blackberry, Organic Raspberry 5, Grapefruit Seed and Japanese Honeysuckle, Hyaluronic Acid. (cited from their website)

As you can see, it contains no nasty chemicals or artificial perfumes which essentially just strip your body of its natural oils and could possibly be the cause of minor skin irritations and even (gulp) become a cancer causing agent!  However, there is much debate over one particular ingredient, japanese honeysuckle, so if you're anal about having everything totally natural, this may not be the brand for you as most of their skin care line contains some of it.  To see what the fuss is all about, read this article.  Personally, I don't mind at all as every other ingredient listed is natural, so exactly how bad is one little honeysuckle going to be?  You're far worse off using mainstream products laden with chemicals which claim to moisturise your skin but you can't even pronounce any of the ingredients listed (yes, SLS and parabens, I'm shaking my finger at you!)

Suprising, the body wash comes out as a foam which I wasn't expecting.  I don't like products that foam like hair mousse, and I was expecting it to feel drying on the skin.  It did the complete opposite, my skin felt quite smooth and I do not feel that the product dried my skin at all.  It really is hydrating!  And I mentioned this before, but I'll say it agian... the scent is AMAZING and lingers for a very long time!  I genuinely look forward to jumping in the shower just so I can rub this body wash all over myself and breath in the heavenly smell of coconut.  I use it on my kids too, and they adore it!  That's the great thing about natural products- you can use it on a baby as there are no chemicals to harm their delicate skin (just don't get it in their eyes!)

In Australia, you will find it hard to find this product unless you live in a big city.  It retails for AUD$28.95.  You can purchase it online at meccacosmetica.com.au or, if you have a Kit Cosmetics close by (check Myer!) then you're in luck, as they are the only store to stock it (I think Mecca Maxima in Melbourne stock it too, but I'm not certain).  You could try ebay and such, but I'm lazy and don't like having to search and I'm not sure I trust those sites anyway.  There are other products and scents, but I'm reviewing this one as it's the only one I've liked the scent of and purchased (yes, with my own money).  Once the body scrub and body cream become available, you can bet I'll be throwing money at them and reviewing them, too!  LOL.

All in all, a fantastic body wash the whole family can use (if you don't mind the strong, sweet, nutty scent)!  The price seems steep, but it lasts for quite a long time and the bottle is massive.  So you're not shelling out for a new body wash every couple of weeks.  It being natural is a great thing, not just for your body but for the environment too.  Besides the japanese honeysuckle issue, it's pretty much perfection!  LOVE!