Spring Beauty Favorites

Spring has officially sprung and that means a total product overhaul, gone are the dark lipsticks and intense moisturisers of winter and in with a new batch of hot weather friendly products. This month it has been less about the gloss and pretty factor of products and more about the practical to prepare for summer. So here's the round up of products I have been loving so far this Spring!

MAKE UP

Models Prefer Cream Blush in Dream $10.99

This cream blush is incredible!!!! A total dupe for the NARS Multiples and a fraction of the price, Dream is very similar to the NARS multiple in Malibu in very possible way. It is all I have been wearing on my cheeks this month and I have had so many compliments from people which is always nice. The shade range is great and features both matte and shimmer colours for whatever floats your blush boat!

Available from www.priceline.com.au

Max Factor Eye Shadow Pots in Burnt Bark, Savage Rose and Pale Pebble $12.95 each

These little Max Factor eye shadow pots completely surprised me, the shadows are buttery soft and have amazing staying power on my very oily eyelids. Great if you are a one shade of eye shadow kinda gal and cannot be bothered with a technical smoky eye.

Available from www.priceline.com.au

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 02 $24.00

Wowzers I thought I had tried all of the lipsticks ever as a beauty blogger but then a brand goes and makes a lipstick like the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet and you are totally blown away. The formula is very smooth when applying and the colour is beautifully placed onto your lips and isn't messy at all. The colour is gorgeous and bright but not too loud and in your face. Definitely a must try for any lipsticks addicts.

Available from www.priceline.com.au

SKIN CARE

Glow Inner Beauty Powder by The Beauty Chef $59.00

My skin freaked the f**k out over the last couple of weeks of winter, breaking out and being a general mess, as well as stepping up my cleansing routine I switched up my diet. Making sure I was drinking lots of water and eating a ton of veggies, I also added The Glow Inner Beauty Powder to any smoothies or just downing it mixed in with water. My skin is has cleared up and is even better than normal, so along with my diet I am thanking the Glow powder for the quick skin recovery. This is what Glow Inner Beauty Powder claims to help with:

▪ Replaces beneficial flora and nourishes the skin from the inside

▪ Contains prebiotics and probiotics

▪ Rich in a variety of nutrients 

▪ Tastes berry delicious - (NO IT TASTES GROSS!)

▪ Contains twenty four skin loving super foods

▪ Fermented using our unique natural mother culture

▪ Lasts for up to 30 servings

▪ No artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives

▪ Dairy Free - (Why would it contain diary?)

Available from www.thebeautychef.com

Bio Elixia Night Renew Complex $69.95

I have been a bit scared of night creams firstly because they are super expensive and secondly because I didn't want to admit that I was old enough that I needed one. But the Bio Elixia Night Renew Complex is a game changer, it uses dermal delivery technology to take the ingredients below the surface layers of the skin to help hydrate at a deeper level. My skin has been loving this night cream and I've been waking up noticing the difference in texture and appearance.

Available from www.bioexlixia.com

Solar D 50+ Vitamin D Friendly Sunscreen

What an amazing innovation, finally a sunscreen which protects you from the suns harmful UVA and UVB rays but allows you to absorb natural vitamin D. With the worrying amount of people being prescribed Vitamin D supplements because of the amount of time spent indoors and sheltered from sun because of the obvious dangers, Solar D is an amazing product which will be slip slop slapped all summer long.

Available from www.priceline.com.au

BODY PRODUCTS

Naked Tan Goddess Gradual Tan $28.00 

Fake tanning is a scary process which I have been hesitant to try in fear that I will end up looking like an orange mess, but Naked Tan's Gradual Tan has been a fantastic first timers experience with fake tan. The tan applies evenly and gives a great bronzed look to the skin. On the first attempt I did go slightly overboard on my feet and knees which I took to with an exfloiator to get rid of the dark patches. But the second application was smooth sailing and I am not completely hooked.

Available from www.nakedtan.com.au

La Mav Coffee Bean Body Scrub $29.95

Ok so I don't drink coffee because it gives me the shakes and makes me feel like I am loosing my mind but I am willing to rub it into my thighs if it is going to help eliminate cellulite even slightly! I don't know if this is working but I am going to keep trying because even if it makes a tiny difference its totally worth it!

Available from www.lamav.com

HAIR CARE

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder Shampoo and Conditioner $17.99 each

In breaking news I have decided to stop dying my hair and grow out my natural colour, the only problem is that I don't look like I have that cool gradient balayage I just look like my roots are really bad. So I have been using the John Frieda Sheer Blonde Go Blonder range in my transition period to help with the whole situation. Oh god, it is taking all my will power not to walk into the closest salon to get a full head of blonde foils, in the long run having my natural hair colour will look better, not cost me a small fortune every 8 weeks and also be a lot healthier.

Available from www.priceline.com.au

xx Nella

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Organic Oils for Oily Skin with La Mav

La Mav Pure Argan Oil $24.95 and La Mav Ultra Hydration Intense Moisture Nightly Repair Nectar $49.95 available from www.lamav.com

There is a common misconception that if you have oily skin then you should steer clear of all makeup and skin care containing oils, this becomes even more misleading with the amount of products slapping an 'Oil Free' slogan onto their bottles and targeting them to oil skin. Yes some oils can be too heavy for skin and cause break outs but what if I told you hand on my heart as a fellow oily-skinned woman that using oils on my face my skin has actually started producing less natural oils which cause makeup to slip slide away before lunch.
I started trialling products from La Mav about 2 years ago, the brand offers a variety of facial oils which are all 100% organic and targeted to specific concerns like anti-aging and hyper pigmentation. Over that time I have tried a various oils from all the lines, the Vitamin-C line has too many active ingredients for my skin and my skin was very sensitive too it. Having a reaction like this is very common when you are trailing natural products. But try not to worry about it, your skin is just telling you to try something else and ittakes time to find the right oil match for your skin. Once you find the right oil for your skin, you will know because the signs are easy to spot : Glowing! Radiating with health! and constant compliments! Are just a few of the effects that are quickly noticed.
The La Mav Organic Pure Argan Oil for day wear under makeup and the Ultra-Hydration Nightly Nectar for night time application are my current favourite day and night oils. Using them both combined on a daily basis my skin has dramatically changed my skin, it is less oily in my t-zone and has a more even hydrated feel and look. If you have combination skin, I would recommend experimenting with using natural organic oils to try and control your oily areas, it has worked for me and my skin feels amazing for it.

xxx Nella

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** I was kindly gifted these products for blog consideration. This did not, in any way, influence my opinion on the product. Please refer to my policy and disclaimer for more information.

Good Morning! Good Night! Current Skin Care Routines.

CLEANSE
Sukin Sensitive Skin Cleansing Gel : $9.99 available from www.priceline.com.au
There is totally no need for harsh cleansers on your skin in the morning, you have just been sleeping for a good 8hours (hopefully!) so its not like there is going to much to cleanse off anyway. The Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel is so gentle and soothing it massages into your skin and feels so silky. Sukin has no synthetic fragrances and no minerals which brings a huge smile to my face - because seriously you don't need your cleanser to smell like anything and fragrance is the most common ingredient that will make you break out!

TONE
Origins Purifying Tonic : $39.00 available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au
Ok so excuse me while I nerd out on my favourite topic : Organic Skin Care. Willow Bark is a natural ingredient which is extremely soothing but also a natural source of Salicylic Acid! Which is a form of exfoliant, after cleansing I wipe the Origins Purifying Tonic all over my face with a cotton round. I've found this has helped with dry spots and also redness and discolouration left from old spots.

MOISTURIZE
Embryolisse Lait Creme Concerntrate : $32.00 available from www.makeupandglow.com.au
So frenchy - So chic! This moisturizer is commonly used by Makeup Artists to prep models skin before shows, also Lisa Eldridge uses so it must be good. It applies really smoothly and doesn't take forever to sink into the skin leaving a dewy finish. I like it and I think it is a good moisturizer but apart from hydrating there isn't many other benefits to this product, no SPF or super vitamins. But great under makeup if you are going for a night out.

CLEANSE
Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser : $15.40 available from www.chemistwarehouse.com.au
Clarisonic Mia : $204.00 available from www.feelunique.com
My cleansing power couple are still going strong, nothing is even comparable to the combination of Cetaphil's Oily Skin Cleanser and my Clarisonic Mia, it leaves your skin so soft and also any product I use after cleansing will sink into my skin so much more effectively. I found that using the Clarisonic in the morning didn't work for me because it opened my pores too much letting makeup in making me break out but using it at night time is perfect.

SKIN SERUM
La Mav Antioxidant Rich Nightly Repair Nectar : $69.95 available from www.lamav.com
You know you love a product when it gets forgotten for a couple of days and you notice you skin is lacking in softness. Waking up in the morning after applying the Nightly Repair Nectar my skin is plump and super hydrated, don't be scared of oils in your skin care routine if you have naturally oily skin. Oils can balance your skin out so your skin doesn't feel the need to overly produce natural oils through out the day. Which is great! No more oily T-Zone freak out mid afternoon.

EYES
The Body Shop Elderflower Eye Gel : $17.00 available from www.thebodyshop.com.au
Heads up..... Get an eye cream. The skin around your eyes is thinner than anywhere else on your body it needs a little extra TLC. The Body Shop's Elderflower Eye Gel is super cooling and putting it on feels incredible it is also super hydrating which what an eye cream should be all about. Also FYI no cream will take away wrinkles or lines its impossible! A good eye cream should hydrate and plump the skin around the eye area so that wrinkles and lines are less obvious and your makeup wont crease.

LIPS
Lucas Paw Paw Ointment : $4.40 available from www.chemistwarehouse.com.au
My relationship with Lucas Paw Paw ointment is longer than any boyfriend I have ever had, we have been going steady since my mum put it on my bum for nappy rash. Applying lip balm before bed is a really good habit to get into, during the day you just eat it off. Letting it absorb into your lips overnight is far more effective.

This routine is surely going change - it always does!

I'm curious..does your skin care routine differ morning and night or am I just a crazy skin care junkie?

xoxo Nella

Last Chance to WIN The La Mav Organic Skin Science Pack

The La Mav competition is closing this Friday 30th November at 9am EST! If you haven't already entered it is your last chance to win this amazing prize pack valued at $170.00 containing :

Hyaluronan Daily Moisture Créme 50ml

Intense Moisture Nightly Repair Nectar 30ml

Bio-A7 Firming Eye Lotion 15ml

All you have to do to win this gorgeous La Mav certified organic pack is:

1. 'LIKE' La Mav on Facebook HERE

2. 'LIKE' Beaute Gazette on Facebook HERE

3. Email Beauté Gazette with your details (Name & Shipping Address): beautegazette@gmail.com

I will ship to anywhere in the world - so if you are in a very cold far away country and would like a chance to try some beautiful Australian skin care products now is your chance.

The very lucky winner will be notified via email shortly after 9am on Friday.

Good Luck Ladies.

Also I would like to say THANK-YOU for all the lovely emails and support.

Your feedback means so much to me.

Nella xx

La Mav Bloggers Brunch and GIVEAWAY!

 I was late to the La Mav Organic Organic Skin Science bloggers brunch last Thursday, which meant I missed the main presentation by La Mav's founder Tarj Mavi but she kindly gave me a one-on-one initiation to the brand at the end of the brunch. Freaking out I was late also made me only have a few bites of the delicious pancakes at the Wharf Resturant - which was maybe a good thing for my every growing hips and bum.
La Mav was started by Tarj (a veterinarian pharmacologist) when she was suffering from server pigmentation on her face after pregnancy. Not satisfied with the harsh topical ointments that doctors and dermatologists were prescribing for her skin she decided to try a natural organic route developing La Mav along the way. Having the founder of a brand talk you through their products using there own personal experience as guidance was terrific - Tarj was a wealth of knowledge on natural ingredients and all things skin.
For the past week I have been trying out the Skin-Brightening Christmas pack, using the Rumex Advanced Lightening Day Créme under my makeup, the Vit-C Advanced Nightly Repair Nectar - a beautiful oil which hydrates and softens skin overnight and the Anti-dark Circle Ultra-Firm Eye Gel - which is a lifesaver for dark circle applying morning and night. When I am given products to try out I do feel kind of guilty because it feels a little like cheating when reviewing - BUT I LOVE THESE PRODUCTS. The whitening and lightening did sound daunting and weird at first because I am so pale but it has really helped even out my skin tone with sun spots and redness which I just had accepted as normal.

OK here is the exciting part!

La Mav have kindly given me a beautiful Ultra Hydration pack valued at $170.00 to giveaway to one lucky reader of Beauté Gazette, the pack contains:

Hyaluronan Daily Moisture Créme 50ml

Intense Moisture Nightly Repair Nectar 30ml

Bio-A7 Firming Eye Lotion 15ml

All you have to do to win this gorgeous La Mav certified organic pack is:

1. 'LIKE' La Mav on Facebook HERE

2. 'LIKE' Beaute Gazette on Facebook HERE

3. Email Beauté Gazette with your details: beautegazette@gmail.com

I will ship to anywhere in the world - so if you are in a very cold far away country and would like a chance to try some beautiful Australian skin care products now is your chance.

GOOD LUCK

xxx  Nella

Product and stockist information available at www.lamav.com