6 of the best little Aussie rippers for Australia Day!

Sunday 26th of January is AUSTRALIA DAY down under!

To celebrate here are 6 of my favourite little Aussie ripper products:

1. Milk and Co for Her Body Scrub $14.95 

Body exfoliation is one of those beauty steps I sometimes skip because of sheer laziness but Milk's Body Scrub which contains Coconut Shell and Rose Hip Oil has made me look forward to scrubbing away dead skin cells every couple of days in the shower. Milk is a brand founded by Aussie swimming legend Michael Klim and his amazingly beautiful wife Lindy, I was lucky enough to interview Lindy about Milk last year if you want to know more about the brand which they started together read about it HERE!

Available from www.milkandco.com.au

2. Lucas Papaw Ointment from $4.95

It is rare that a product is so multi purpose that you can use it your whole entire life. Lucas Papaw Ointment has soothed my nappy rash as a baby, healed wounds, softened dry lips and even been an eye cream at desperate times. The distinctive red packaging has been with me for so many years I cannot imagine my life without it. It is also the one product which ex-pat friends constantly request to be sent to them in care packages all over the world.

Available from www.chemistswarehouse.com.au

3. Lanolips Golden Ointment $28.99

Lanolips Golden Ointment is a similar multi-purpose product which I have fallen in love with. Lanolin is a Australian wonder ingredient which I usually associate with being sold at tourist shops in Sydney, it wasn't readily available in mainstream product ranges until Lanolips. Golden Ointment contains a power trio of ingredients : Lanolin, Manuka Honey and Vitamin E! I love this to aid healing wounds, knicks or grazes. 

Available from www.priceline.com.au

4. Model Co Nail Polish in Model Co Pink $9.95

Model Co nail polishes are an under rated little Aussie gem! The colour range is spectrum of wearable, on trend and classic polishes which I cannot get enough of. They all apply with ease and dry relatively quickly, they are are no fuss and a go to for any kind nail look I could possibly dream of. Colour Favourites are : Model Co Pink, Kylie (awesome neon orange), Flossy (blue based baby fairy floss pink) and Nude Attitude (the most perfect nude).

Available from www.modelco.com.au

5. Aesop Fabulous Face Oil $57.00

This is a new find for me and I have been using it in tones of different ways! A few drops mixed with my night cream to give it a supersonic boost of hydration, mixed in with concealer under my eyes to give it an extra smooth application and add moisture to my under eye area during the day. Aesop is an Australian brand which has been receiving some well deserved hype from international beauty blogger of late which is totally awesome.

Available from www.aesop.com.au

6. Becca Mineral Tint Spf 30+ Sunscreen $35.00

Babes love them some Becca! If you are not from Australia then you might not know but it is hot down here, like really hot averaging 30 plus degrees in Summer and we are unfortunately directly under the hole in the ozone layer. As an Australian during my lifetime 2 out of 3 friends and family will be diagnosed with skin cancer. I have been personally effected by skin cancer in the last year having a melanoma removed. Skin cancer is a serious and scary and needs to be taken very seriously, I do not leave the house without sunscreen on of some kind. My favourite tinted moisturiser is Becca's Mineral Tint, covering my flaws and keeping my skin protected from UVA and UVB rays.

Available from www.beccacosmetics.com

xxx Nella

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Winter Lip Savers : The Balms & The Colours

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant $19.64

Ok so this is my new fancy grown up lady lip balm, because sometimes sticking an un-sanitised finger into a pot is not ok. The iconic Eight Hour line from Elizabeth Arden has a very distinct herbal/medical smell which I love but I know some people will gag at it. Carrying this around I feel so posh, it looks like a lipstick and everything....And it is amazingly hydrating.

available from www.skinstore.com.au

Nivea Lip Butter's in Caramel Cream and Unscented $5.69

Hype much? Ok so after seeing these on lots of US blogs and YouTube channels I had to try them out. Side note: Go Nivea for releasing these almost immediately after the US, it is the most frustrating thing seeing international blogs with products only to find out they wont be available in Australia for 4 more months! No wonder people buy products online!

Back to the Lip Balm, these lip butters are super cute in there little metal pots and they smell like cookies. I've most liked applying them after moisturizing my face to hydrate my lips pre-lipstick application because they don't give a white cast to the lips.

available from www.priceline.com.au

Lucas Paw Paw Ointment $5.99

Hello old friend, I love you more than the day we first met. This is a classic staple and I will never be without a tube out of arms reach.

available from www.priceline.com.au

Burt's Bees Tined Lip Balm in Rose $14.95
These tinted balms really pack a punch they are super buildable in colour. Like the original Burt's Bees lip balms they are very hydrating and have a sweet natural scent. The only thing is that they don't have a very long wear time, you definitely need to reapply after every cup of tea.
available from www.burtsbees.com.au

Rimmel Apocalips in  Big Bang 400 and Luna 500 $6.38
I just couldn't wait for these to come out in stores locally so I ordered a couple of colours on ASOS to test them out. OMG! These are everything that glossy stains should be, they actually STAIN your lips and they wear really well staying glossy. If you have trouble applying strong pigment with the doe-foot applicator then I suggest taking some product onto a lip brush and applying that way. I also take a concealer with me if I'm planning on wearing them all day in case some product smudges outside my lips and I need to neaten it up. DO NOT WEAR THESE ON A FIRST MAKE OUT DATE!
available from www.asos.com

Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet $21.95
Ok so Alyssa Milano in Charmed always had these brown-based sheer red shiny lips and I so wanted to find a shade similar. Even though it's about 10 years too late I have cracked the mystery lip colour, if I apply some of the Nivea Lip Butter and then a few coats of Red Velvet it is almost the exact same shade and intensity.
Fun fact: I totally embarrassed myself on a date once with a super cool music guy at a pub, by screaming 'OMG it's the Charmed theme song!' When 'How soon is now' by The Smiths came on the jukebox at the bar we were having a drink at.
available from www.priceline.com.au

Jane Iredale Pure Gloss Lip Gloss in Sangria $32.30
This smells like sour gummy worms, seriously like your lips have just gone pick and mix lolly crazy. The colour is a shimmery brown based nude, which when going glossy is a bit more grown up than a dolly pink colour, it also makes your lips look fuller.
available from www.adorebeauty.com.au

xxx Nella

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Allergic Reaction Survival Kit... DO NOT FREAK OUT!

Waking up with a sore swollen face with a texture rougher than sand paper, my eyes red filled with gunk and not to mention wanting to itch and scratch my face off - was not pleasant. I'm not sure what exactly caused the allergic reaction which started on Saturday morning but it was the type of reaction that is typical when your skin freaks out from a topical product. Meaning it was one of bazillion products I apply to my face or hair on a daily basis, sometimes you can have an allergic reaction from a product which doesn't normally effect you because your hormones are a little askew that day too.

So what next? This is my Survival Guide to having an Allergic reaction:

1. See your doctor! I was told to take Claritine for 5 days to alleviate itching and swelling.

2. Stop using any skin care which is high in fragrance and exfoliants. Stick to gentle products which nurse your skin back to health wont sting and irritate your poor face even more. Uriage Toléderm products are so soothing and feel like heaven on itchy skin.
Uriage Hydra Soothing Creme $39.95 & Uriage Toléderm Cleansing Water $29.95 available from www.adorebeauty.com 

3. Eye creams and Lip balms really irritate me when my skin is freaking out trusty Lucas Paw Paw Ointment saves my skin and the day again! Dry sand paper skin is the worst, especially around your eyes. Before bed I have been lathering on Paw Paw Ointment all over my eyes and lips, sounds gross but trust me it works and in the morning they are far less itchy and red.

4. If you are feeling really dry and crusty try massaging some Avocado oil into your face, it is very mellow and the heat from your fingers will help melt the oil into your sore skin.

5. No MAKEUP! You read that correctly.....Yes learn to love your bare naked face, it should clear within 7 days so save up all your fanciest Tom Ford products and go crazy when your face has cleared up.

xx Nella

Have you ever had an Allergic reaction to a product? Let me know...

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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