5 beauty savvy ways to use Coconut Oil

My favourite coconut oil  Dr Bronners Coconut Oil $16.95 available from www.lateralfood.com

1. Cuticle oil & Hand Cream
Coconut oil is the most amazing cuticle oil and hand cream treatment if your hands are cracking and dry during winter, I like to massage it into my cuticles and work outwards to the rest of my hand whilst watching an episode of any Real Housewives of any city.

2. Hair Oil & Treatment
Melt the coconut into a liquid form and let cool down to a safe warm temperature, massage through your hair and scalp coating every strand and leave in for a couple of hours whilst you browse tumblr or skype your best friend. Shampoo and Condition as normal to remove and your locks will be super luscious.

3. Body Scrub with raw sugar
Mix coconut oil into a paste by mashing it up in a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of raw granulated sugar and mix well. Rub into your legs first, massaging in circles to remove any dead skin and then wash off in the shower. It leaves skin smooth and hydrated.

4. Cleansing oil balm to remove makeup
Warm a small amount of coconut oil in your palms and massage in to your face, makeup will lift away. Then using a damp warm face washer wipe the coconut oil and makeup off your face. It is especially good for removing eye makeup.

5. To heal scars and stretch marks
Coconut oil rubbed into stretch marks on a pregnant belly is fantastic. Also if you have a scab or graze rubbing coconut oil over it will help it heal without leaving too much of a scar.

xx Nella

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How to clean your make up brushes like a BOSS! Featuring Dr Bronner's Magic Soap.

Dr Bronner's Almond Organic Liquid Soap $7.95 / 237ml

For more information on Dr Bronner's go to www.drbronner.com.au

To buy Dr Bronner's online go to www.lateralfood.com

One of my top tips to keeping your skin clear is to make sure your brushes are cleaned regularly, otherwise they start to become cesspools of bacteria spreading germs and spots all over your face. Not to mention that a clean brush applies makeup a whole lot better than dirty brush.

My Favourite brush cleaner is DR BRONNER'S MAGIC SOAP! It is sooooooo magic....

It cleans brushes without any hassle at all, getting the most waterproof off makeup out of synthetic and natural haired brushes. So here is my full proof brush cleaning method:

Firstly I like to leave my brushes to soak for a couple of minutes in tepid water and a tablespoon of the magic soap. Then after the makeup starts loosening up and the water starts to change colour, give the brushes a bit of a swirl around to make sure all the hairs are covered in the soap. Next move the brushes over to a sink and rinse under running water, I massage the hairs to make sure the brush is extra clean and free of all the magic soap. If the brush is a natural hair brush, this process might need to be repeated once more if your brush is still dirty.

Squeeze out excess water and allow your brushes to dry in a safe place overnight. Depending on the weather brushes should take 1-2days to dry. Brush laundry has become a simple and easy process since I started using Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, rather than a very annoying weekly chore.

Dr Bronner's Almond Organic Liquid Soap $7.95 / 237ml

For more information on Dr Bronner's go to www.drbronner.com.au

To buy Dr Bronner's online go to www.lateralfood.com

xxx Nella

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BEAUTY YEAR BOOK : Best Beauty Products of 2013 : Skin Care, Body & Bath Round Up!

Face Wash:
Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser and Makeup Remover $14.99
If you like a face wash which takes off all you makeup, makes your face feel clean but without feeling tight and dry, then you will love these cleansers from Neutrogena. Also Paraben, Sulfate, Petrolatum free and housed in recycled packing these were a bathroom constant all year.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Day Moisturizer:
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream $71.99
This non irritating face moisturiser has kept my skin at hydrated without stinging or breaking me out. When applying this moisturiser my skin doesn't change at all, it doesn't go red and blotchy because of fragrance, like most moisturisers I tried this year. I LOVE IT! The size is also great, it has lasted for over 3 months and  I am only just half way through the tube, which makes the $71.99 price tag completely worth it.
Available from www.dermalogica.com.au

Night Cream:
Jurlique Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum $75.00/30ml $165.00/100ml
The reason I haven't included this serum in the photo is because I have very very sadly finished my bottle. Holy Moly applying this serum is the most heavenly cooling and comforting night time ritual I have had all year. My skin was noticeably brighter and more radiant when using this serum and I am saving my pretty penny's to buy another bottle ASAP!
Available from www.jurlique.com.au

Eye Treatment:
The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel $17.95
Thick eye creams are not my thing, often they sting my eyes because of the potent ingredients. The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel tightens the eye area without stinging and is fragrance free, for the amazing price this is my all time favourite eye gel and has been for the past year and a half.
Available from www.thebodyshop.com.au

Serum and Oil:
Kosema Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil $24.95
Rose Hip Oils have been quite buzzy this year, Miranda Kerr claimed it gave her skin its signature glow. Rose Hip Oils have been popping up on the market by brands this year it is hard to pick one from another. My pick is Kosema it is certified organic, made in Australia with all the ingredients being ethically sourced - setting it apart from its competitors on the shelves.
Available from www.kosmea.com.au

Face Mask:
Alpha H Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask $56.70
Once a week I like to relax with a face mask whilst watching The Real Housewives of whatever city, it is a very guilty pleasure. Alpha H's liquid gold line is ah-maze-zing! The smoothing and perfecting mask draws out blemishes and leaved skin feeling super smooth when rinsed off. Available from www.ry.com.au

Exfoliator:
John Plunkett Glyco Peel $28.95
Not a traditional exfoilator but 2013 was all about the chemical exfoliator. John Plunketts Glyco Peel contains 25% Glycolic Acid which when applied tingles the skin gently removing any dead skin cells lingering around the surface. Chemical exfoliants are much more gentle on your skin rather  than granulated scrubs which can burst capillaries and drag skin loosening collagen stores underneath.
Available from www.plunketts.com.au

Toner:
Uriage Tolederm Soothing Cleansing Water $29.99
Traditional toners were tossed away this year, favouring cleansing waters which purify skin and remove any last traces of makeup. Uriage Tolederm Soothing Cleansing water is my french magic water of choice.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

BODY:

Body Moisturiser:
Molton Brown Ylang Ylang Body Lotion $45.00
Molton Brown is a very posh-totty British brand which I am in totally in lust with. The fragrances are too die for and the body lotions are heavenly, non sticky and super hydrating. The price tag is a little indulgent but I justified it by making a pact to myself that if I bought a $45.00 moisturiser that I couldn't be lazy and I had to use it everyday.
Available from www.moltonbrown.com.au

Body Oil:
Jurlique Rose Oil $50.00/100ml
Ohhhhhh baby! This multi tasker oil is so beautiful to use, as a massage oil (sexy!), a glowing body oil or a couple of drops in a bath it leaves skin so soft and smooth.
Available from www.jurlique.com.au

Self Tanner:
St Tropez Gradual Tan $20.50
After a skin cancer scare in December I have been all about a fake bake. St Tropez Gradual Tan is the best I have trialed, non ompa-lompa orange and leaves you without that signature biscuit scent. Applied on alternate days it will give you a natural - well as natural as you can from a bottle - tan.
Available from www.beautybay.com

Sunscreen:
Milk Dry Touch Sunscreen 30+ with Tea Tree and Aloe $12.95
I love this sunscreen, it is not greasy and smells of tea tree which is a lovely change from stinky spf's. You need to reapply before and after swimming and every couple of hours if you are out in the sun. It also doesn't clog the pores or break me out which most lower price point sunscreens do.
Available from www.milkandco.com.au

Body Exfoliator:
Lush Rub Rub Rub $12.95
To remove self tanners my favourite body scrub is Lush's Rub Rub Rub! It is filled with sea salt and feels extremely satisfying to use, scented with my favourite Lush soap 'Dirty' it ticks all the boxes.
Available from www.lush.com.au

Body Wash:
Dr Bronners liquid soap in Limited Edition Green Tea $8.95
I love this liquid soap, it isn't a traditional body wash but if you suffer from eczema or psoriasis like I do the you need to try the Dr Bronners range. Fun Fact: this also doubles as my favourite brush cleaner.
Available from www.lateralfood.com

Bath:
Lush Tisty Toasty Bath Ballistic $6.75
I rediscovered Lush's bath bombs this year after a 15 year hiatus I am addicted once again. Smelly, colourful baths have been so much fun this year. With the limited edition releases I have amassed quite the selection but Tisty Toasty is my fave.
Available from www.lush.com.au

Deoderant:
Nivea Pearl and Beauty Roll on $3.89
I am a loyal and faithful Capricorn and I do not stray from this deodorant! I cannot and will not use another deodorant. This is perfect.
Available from www.priceline.com.au

Fragrance:
Roses de Chloé EDT $140.00/75ml
If you haven't noticed already I have am having a lifelong love affair with roses and when Chloé released Roses de Chloé I went a little bit crazy! It was love at first smell and I have worn it everyday since.
Available from www.davidjones.com.au

xxx Nella

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Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

The nostalgic packaging of Dr.Bronner's magic soaps are a fixture in my shower and is often reached for. I suffer from occasionally eczema which is brought on by stress and also dermatitis leaving my skin irritable and very itchy! It needs to be nurtured back to health with healing and soothing oils not scrubbed and stripped with topical anti-biotics. Containing Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Olive Oil, Hemp Oil and Jojoba Oils, it leaves skin feeling clean but also softened and hydrated. 

If you are addicted to extremely scented body washes this isn't for you, low in fragrance....it's hippy stuff ok, most have a slightly natural scent. There is a Baby Mild line of products which are unscented if you can't stand a little natural spice.

Another great use for Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps is for brush cleaning! It is amazing, pop a little into a glass with some water then swirl your dirty makeup brushes in the mixture squeezing excess water out and rinse. My brushes have never been so clean and for some reason it makes them dry really quickly.

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps available from www.lateralfood.com and most health food stores

59ml - $3.75      944ml - $19.95       1.89L - $37.20        3.78L - $76.20

xxx Nella

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Clarisonic Review + Skin Care Routine Update

It has been 3 months since I started using my Clarisonic Mia and only now has my skin been stabilizing into some sort of normality. So I feel ok about doing an in depth review of the Clarisonic, my skin has gone through all the 'stages' of the first few months of starting using an electronic sonic skin brushing machine daily. I'm going to break it down zits and all for you month by month here goes:

MONTH ONE:

I had seen all these girls on youtube saying they were using a Clarisonic, Emily from Into The Gloss (probably the coolest girl in the world) she had one, then my friend Dane was like 'Who are you? You have a beauty blog and no Clarisonic?' so I picked one up. Feeling slightly like a chump sucker for paying $145.00 for a skin machine. Firstly I started using it with the cleanser it came with - Do not do that, also I didn't know you had to really wash the brush with warm water to soften the bristles before you go in on your face with it. So first results of the Clarisonic were a very raw red sore dry flakey face. By the third week I had mastered the application process and started using the Dove Cucumber Hydrating Face Wash with it, which was working well and I even started recommended the Clarisonic to friends.

Then dooms day hit mid way through week three : PURGING  PHASE STARTED - this is a well documented phase for the new Clarisonic user. Basically how the Clarisonic works is the brush head rotates using sonic technology, stimulating and clearing pores also brushing off a good amount of dead skin at the same time. When the pores are disturbed little bits of muck and dirt come to the surface and they can become irritated and infected = MASSIVE PIMPLES. Like bigger pimples than when I was a spotty teen. I didn't leave the house for days and googled remedies for hours at a time.

MONTH TWO:

Going into month two I was deep in Clarisonic depression thinking I had adult acne, but I kept going with two changes in place. 

1. I started using a very sensitive non foaming face wash with my Clarisonic the Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash, it contained anti-bacterial  properties to help the pores from being infected.

2. Toner came into my life - never before have I been a toner girl. My mum refused to get me the Clinique 3 step thing all the other girls at high school. The toner Mario Badescu's Glycolic Acid Toner closed the pores and also wiped off any extra bacteria lurking about. 

The rest of the month flew by my skin becoming extremely clear, glowing even if I do say so myself. Blemishes at bay, the texture of my skin had changed and become smoother and my T-zone was now less oily too. 

MONTH THREE:

I have cut down my Clarisonic use to once a day morning or night, but only once so that skin had enough time to readjust and recover. My skin is basically the best it has EVER BEEN! I still get cystic acne break outs - the sore pimples which never actually have top, I cannot stop these because they are caused by hormones. I am going to keep going with my current routine below and hope that my skin doesn't go through another 'phase'. 

CLARISONIC TIPS:

1. Rinse brush head well with warm water before you start your cleansing routine and clean with anti-bacterial soap once a week.

2. You can NEVER shrink your pores - its genetic. Sorry. But you can reduce the appearance by clearing them out. 

3. Do not use an abrasive cleanser with your Clarisonic, no scrubs. Stick to a gel or cream cleanser.

4. Although the Clarisonic is not marketed as an exfoliator - I stopped all other physical exfoliation and started using chemical exfoliants (AHA's) like the Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner.

5. Everyone should start with the gentle brush head, if you want to change brush heads, do lots of research beforehand.

CLARISONIC FRIENDLY CLEANSERS:

1. Dove Face Wash $5.99 Cheap and foams up when used with the Clarisonic

2. Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser $46.95 Very creamy and Hydrating

3. Decléor Aroma Cleanse  $31.45 Very very gentle - this will not remove make up at all.

4. Aésop Parsley Seed Cleansing Oil $55.00 Gelish and oilish this is great if you have acne which is coming to the surface.

5. Dr Bronner Castile Liquid Soap - Peppermint $25.50 No foaming agents and very organic - if that matters to you.

MY CURRENT SKIN CARE ROUTINE:
Step 1: Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser $15.40 To remove make up.
Step 2: Clarisonic Mia $134.95 with Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash $33.00
Step 3: Mario Basescu Glycolic Acid Toner $28.95
Step 4 Day: La Roche Posay Effaclar M Daily Mattifying Moisturizer $32.00
Step 4 Night: Antipodes Joyous Protein Rich Night Replenishment Serum $62.90