Review: Living Nature Manuka Honey Gel

Manuka Honey Gel is a soothing gel for blemish-prone skin and trouble spots. Previously known as Rescue Gel, this potent blend combines healing Active Manuka Honey with protective Manuka Oil to help cleanse, soothe and heal the skin. Active Manuka Honey is one of nature's miracle healers, and anti-microbial Manuka Oil is a super protector - both with proven skin benefits. Think of it as nature's first aid for your skin.

I love Living Nature. I've been to the factory in Kerikeri more times than I'd like to admit. So when Health 2000 asked me if I'd like to try the Manuka Honey Gel, I said yes without even having to think about it.

The frustrating thing about having oily/sensitive skin is that I quite often have breakouts - and unfortunately, most of the treatments for blemishes are full of chemicals that end up irritating my sensitive skin.

This is different. It is certified natural for starters, and unlike a lot of other treatments I have tried, this works wonderfully at getting rid of any redness, while at the same time soothing the skin. 
I have also noticed that it really speeds up the healing time, and when it comes down to it, thats pretty much all we want!

The only thing that bothers me, is the smell. Living Nature is known for having completely natural products, and as we all know, not everything in nature smells all that great. Haha! The thing is though, when you get good results, you stick with it no matter what.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who like me, has sensitive blemish-prone skin. You can find it at Health 2000 by clicking here.

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Lush Aqua Marina

Skin-softening cleanser. Aqua Marina is a calming, effective cleanser and a joy to use. Like a pink mousse wrapped in seaweed, it feels so soft and wobbly that you’ll want to play with it, rather than clean your face with it. Smooth it on, rinse it off and your face feels smooth, smells sweet and looks brighter. It has calamine and aloe vera to soothe irritated skin, especially when you’ve been caught by the sun or the wind. The kaolin cleanses deeply and tightens your skin a little.

My skin has a mind of its own. One minute it's dry and flaky, and the next it's ridiculously oily! The one thing that stays constant though, is the fact that it is always sensitive.

Because I'm so difficult, figuring out what works for me is always a bit of a mission. I can't even begin to tell you how many cleansers I've had to stop using and throw out because they've irritated my skin!

When I told Kendra at Lush Queen St, she suggested Aqua Marina for me straight away. Once she demonstrated it on my hand, I knew I had to try it out.

Unlike most other cleansers I've tried in the past, this one is pretty much solid. It seems a bit strange to work with at first, but when you add water it transforms into this smooth milky texture, which feels amazing.
I'm used to using cleansers that lather up, mainly because I feel like those clean my skin better. So I'll admit that I was a little skeptical about whether or not it would give me that same feeling of cleanliness.

To be honest, I am yet to find another cleanser that leaves my skin feeling this clean. At the same time it manages to calm down any irritations I might be having.
Did I mention that my skin has cleared up big time? Well it has! I have had hardly any breakouts since using this, and the dry patches on my face have almost completely vanished!

Needless to say, I am a huge fan of this. So much so, that I'm already on my second tub of it. If you have difficult skin like myself, I would highly recommend this to you. Check it out here.

Thanks for viewing!
Oxo

Just a quick update

Sorry about the lack of posts guys! I've come down with a massive respiratory infection, so haven't been able to do pretty much anything. Will hopefully have some posts up this weekend if I'm feeling better.

Hope you're all well, take care!

Thanks for viewing!

Oxo

Review: Benefit - They're Real!

They're real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!

Benefit has always been a brand that has intrigued me, and for the longest time I have wanted to try their products – luckily for me (and the rest of NZ!), they are finally available here! Yay!

When I attended the Bene-Blogger Bash, we were all given a full size ‘They’re Real!’ Mascara. Because I was using up all the other mascaras I had been sent, I decided not to use it straight away… but that didn’t last for long.

Where has this mascara been all my life? I have had so many compliments on my eyelashes while wearing this, that I can’t help but fall in love with it.

It is a perfect black that actually looks black, and not charcoal. The brush is quite unique with its custom-domed tip, which allows you to use it both horizontally and vertically. The formula is lovely – it lengthens as well as creating volume. It also holds a curl really well and separates the lashes nicely.

Overall, I think this is one of the nicest mascaras I’ve ever used and will definitely be getting another one after this! Recommend it to anyone who wants to fool people into thinking you’re wearing falsies. 

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Oral B Trizone 3000 Power Brush

The TriZone 3000 features triple action deep cleaning technology to remove up to 100% more plaque, even between teeth. This powerful electric toothbrush is tough on plaque, yet gentle on teeth and gums. It provides improved gum health and a long lasting clean, fresh feeling.

• Unique brush head design with 3 cleaning zones
• 3 customized modes: Daily Clean, Sensitive, Polish
• 40,000 pulsations and 8,800 sweeps per minute
• Superior plaque removal to help promote healthy gums
• Visual pressure sensor lights up when brushing too hard
• Made by Oral-B, the #1 dentist-recommended toothbrush brand worldwide

I’m obsessed with my teeth. My sister and Mum are both obsessed with their teeth too, so I’ve started thinking that it runs in the family, haha! 

When I say obsessed, what I mean is that I’m one of those people who carry around dental floss and a travel toothbrush in their handbag. I brush my teeth atleast twice a day - but more likely about four times. I also tend to always keep mints on me because I feel like they help make my mouth feel ‘clean’.

Since I brush my teeth so often, I have started worrying about the damage I might be doing to my gums. I’m the first to admit that I’m a little rough when brushing my teeth. My excuse is that I’ve always used a manual toothbrush and feel like I need to put a lot of effort in when brushing!

When I was offered an Oral B Trizone 3000 Power brush to review, I knew I couldn’t refuse. I had literally never used an electric toothbrush before, so was super keen to give it a try.

I often think that the reason I am so obsessed with my teeth is because I am terrified of the dentist. Honestly, I put up with 18 months of taking codeine everyday when my wisdom teeth were coming through before I went to the dentist. And when I finally did go, my worst fears were confirmed – I needed all four wisdom teeth out. After having them all removed (I even had to go to an oral surgeon – never again!!), I was in the most intense pain I’d ever been in. For a solid week. Even after taking codeine and tramadol three times a day, I still felt like I was going to die.

So in all honesty, the first few times I used this Trizone Power brush – I felt like I was at the dentist. And it freaked me out. A lot. I persevered though, and after about a week of using it, I was converted. 

The Trizone Power brush not only has a 2 minute timer on it, but it also has a light that actually turns on and lets you know when you are brushing too hard. Like I said, I’m notorious for being too rough on my teeth, so this is the perfect idea for me. The last thing you want is to cause yourself damage in the long run. 

Since using it, I’ve noticed that my teeth are even whiter than they usually are, and they feel much cleaner. I thought I might be imagining it, but other people have commented on it too. I am so impressed!

It came with 3 brush heads, so I let my mum use one on her teeth and now she wants to get one for herself. I honestly can’t recommend this enough, I feel like everyone should have one! 

Thanks for viewing!

oxo

NOTD: Forgotten Nail Art

I haven't done a NOTD post in a very long time, so I thought I would post some photos of the nail art I have been rockin' lately. Let me know which one you like best!

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oxo

Review: Lush - Emotional Brilliance

Spin the Emotional Brilliance Color Wheel to get a personalized color reading – choose the three colors that stand out the most and they will uncover certain words that reveal a little bit about your current state of mind. Then wear the color to feel the word, you word-up!

Introducing a brand new concept matching psychological needs to which color cosmetics one should wear.

This range – consisting of lip colors, eyeliners and eyeshadows – is less about wearing make-up that’s in-season or on-trend and more about wearing colors that shape your mood. Emotional Brilliance is a way to wear color that’s designed for you. Choose colors, each with a corresponding word such as Confident, Take Control or Glamorous, and they will be significant to your needs at that time – wear those colors and you truly wear the word. It’s the power of suggestion – if one believes enough in something, there will likely be a change in behavior.

When I got invited to go into Lush Queen St to get an Emotional Brilliance reading done, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into! I didn’t really know anything about Lush’s makeup range, so I was eager to find out more.

When I got there I was greeted by the lovely Kendra, and then our Emotional Brilliance adventure began!
First of all, I had to close my eyes and think of something that was happening in my life (I was thinking about work), then open my eyes and pick the first three colours on the Emotional Brilliance wheel that appealed to me. She then proceeded to tell me what those colours meant.

Left: My reading, Right: Camille's reading

1.      Your Strength or Weakness: In Charge – Take Control

Whoa! What a fabulous strength! So many things to be IN CHARGE of: your job; your situation; your bank account; your life. If you have felt you have been a little too free and easy lately and let others rule, then pack it in. Get back IN CHARGE or keep IN CHARGE, but whatever you do, take control!

Damn this is good. I’m quite often feeling like things are out of my control at work, which is hard for me because I like to feel like I’m in charge of every situation.

2.      Your Subconscious: Passionate – Feel Strongly

Uh oh! What is going on here then? Subconscious giving you a little reminder that you need to be souping up the PASSIONATE side of your nature? Are you without an aim at the moment and need to find something to feel strongly about? Do you need to be showing and feeling more Passion for something already in your life? To be PASSIONATE and feel strongly is energising. Buck yourself up you!

This one was even more surprising. Kendra made me realise that if I concentrate more on things I’m passionate about, like my blog, then the things bothering me (like feeling out of control at work) will fade into the background.

3.      Your Aspiration: Independent – Stand on your own two feet

Perfect! Feel INDEPENDENT and stand on your own two feet in a beautifully positive way. This is what will make all the difference to whatever is going on in your life right now.

This is honestly so true! The whole experience made me feel more at ease with things and I actually felt like I understood myself a little bit better. Thank you Kendra!

The lovely girls at Lush gave me three Emotional Brilliance products to try: Believe, Vibrance and Ambition.

Without flash: Believe, Vibrance, Ambition

With flash: Believe, Vibrance, Ambition

Believe

Vibrance

Ambition

For review purposes, I applied them with the little applicators they came with so please excuse the wobbly lipline! Hahaha!
Believe is definitely my favourite out of the three, and Vibrance is the one I find hardest to wear on it’s own but actually looks gorgeous when mixed with other lip colours. I also love just dabbing them on and wearing them as more of a stain rather than a full on bright lip.

Overall I think the whole concept behind the Emotional Brilliance range is awesome and a lot of fun! It also helps that the products themselves are actually gorgeous and very well pigmented. Head along to Lush Queen St or go online and check it out for yourself!

Thanks for viewing!
oxo

Review: Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Day Cream

Total Effects Daily Moisturiser provides the total anti aging power of hydration fused with vitamins and antioxidants for visibly younger-looking skin.

Total Effects fights 7 signs of aging by:
• Minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Moisturising to soothe and nourish dry skin
• Balancing color and tone while reducing the appearance of age spots
• Smoothing skin’s texture with gentle exfoliation
• Refining to minimise pore appearance
• Protecting skin’s surface from free radical damage with antioxidants
• Firming skin’s appearance with hydration

I was lucky enough to receive this Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Day Cream from the lovely Fleur at ImpactPR. I had never tried anything from the Olay range before, so I was quite excited to give it a go!

At 25, some of you may think I’m a little too young to be worrying about fighting the 7 signs of aging – but surely you all agree that preventing them for as long as possible is the best way to go right? So I think the sooner you get started, the better!

The first thing I noticed was the very gentle fragrance, which is awesome for someone like me who gets irritated by everything. I also didn’t realise how little you actually need to use. One pump was more than enough to moisturise my face, neck and chest!
Because it’s oil-free and fast-absorbing, it doesn’t leave that ‘shiny’ look on my skin that I tend to get from most moisturisers. And it’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog my pores!

The main winning point for me though, is that it has an SPF. When you live in a place like New Zealand where the UV rays are really harsh, it’s so important to protect your skin as much as possible.  We all know about the risks of skin cancer, but sun damage is also one of the worst signs of aging! 

Overall, I really enjoyed using this product and would recommend it to anyone who like me, wants to protect their skin while at the same time, fight those 7 signs of aging!

Another amazing thing Fleur sent me was the new Vicks Vaponaturals in the flavour Cherry Menthol. She also sent me this adorable little hot or cold pack, look at how cute it is!!

They honestly came at the most perfect time since I have been sick with this flu/infection for over two weeks now. Being the allergy kid that I am, Vicks lozenges are the only ones I’m not allergic to and these Vaponaturals not only taste great, but they have definitely helped soothe my throat.  She was also kind enough to send me some extras when she found out how sick I’ve been. How lovely is that?! 

Definitely check out these out if you’re unlucky enough to get sick like me! 

Thanks for viewing!
oxo