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Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Beauty news: Gucci unveils Rouge à Lèvres Lunaison
In great news for fans of the brand – and a strong lip look for party season, everywhere - Gucci Beauty have launched the limited-edition Rouge à Lèvres Lunaison lipstick duo for the holiday season. The duo is made up of the best-selling 25* Goldie Red and 710 Fay Turquoise shades, but in to-die-for, exclusive new lipstick tube designs.
According to the brand, the lipstick duo is a celebration of “imperfect beauty” and highlights Gucci’s “come as you are” beauty mantra. Its iridescent formula is enhanced with three different types of glitter, creating a three-dimensional shimmer effect that is almost too gorgeous to sully with actual well, use.
Conveying a new message to the industry and those who wear makeup by Alessandro Michele, the launch of Gucci Makeup has spurred a union of voices behind authentic, imperfect beauty. The Creative Director began Gucci Beauty with lipstick collections: Rouge à Lèvres Satin, Rouge à Lèvres Voile and Baume à Lèvres, and the world was instantly hooked.
Rouge à Lèvres Lunaison is as much for collectors as for beauty lovers, and as aforementioned, are perfect as objects of desire all on their own. Delivering vivid and vibrant colour with one swipe, the glittery formula is coated with iridescent and sparkling pearls to create a velvety-looking shimmering bullet, while the formula is infused with a combination of three different types of glitter to create a three-dimensional sparkly, lustrous layer of intense colour on the lips. Rich and creamy, the texture swipes on like a charm and literally melts into your lips, with an ultra-fine layer of glimmer and iridescence keeping things interesting at all times.
The two shades of Rouge à Lèvres Lunaison are symbolic of the Gucci Beauty line and the Creative Director’s passion for true, brilliant colour. 25 * Goldie Red is the classic red hue chosen by Alessandro Michele, while 710 Fay Turquoise is an unexpected shade of blue intensified with a glitter formula. The Art Deco inspired patterned and etched gold tubes of the Rouge à Lèvres Satin lipstick collection are given a coloured coating, a fuchsia cap for 25 * Goldie Red, and a green cap for 710 Fay Turquoise.
Naturally, the campaign to accompany the release is also absolutely unique, with a look into the worlds that influence Alessandro Michele’s creative vision. Rouge à Lèvres Lunaison is photographed by Colin Dodgson on a frost covered antique table, in between lit candles and curious objects and trinkets. Icicles frame the still life images which also show lipsticks from the other collections, Rouge à Lèvres Satin, Rouge à Lèvres Voile and Baume à Lèvres. Just gorgeous and so very, very Gucci.
Gucci’s Rouge à Lèvres Lunaison $69 is a limited-edition duo of lipsticks for the holidays that will be available from David Jones Newmarket from 21 November, 2019. Not long now!
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Love it: Guerlain's divine new Mon Guerlain Intense
The Guerlain fragrance house has created over 700 perfumes, several of which are considered masterpieces. It’s safe to say that when it comes to a stunning fragrance, they most definitely know what they’re doing. Released in 2017, the original Mon Guerlain was considered a Guerlain fragrance for a modern generation: a luxurious, elegant and enveloping fragrance that wears like a dream. Mon Guerlain Intense EDP, the newest incarnation, is a blend that is more unique than ever. A tribute to the modern woman and inspired by the brand’s ultimate muse - actor, activist and mother, Angelina Jolie - the first Mon Guerlain was as enigmatic as the fearless brunette who starred in its campaign. With the Eau de Parfum Intense, Mon Guerlain continues to explore the many facets of femininity but with a focus on individuality. Mon Guerlain Intense reveals itself differently on each and every wearer, making it so easy to translate into your own signature scent. Created by legendary noses Thierry Wasser and Delphine Jelk, the fragrance is warm, spicy and unabashedly sexy. A distinctly fresh oriental, it delivers yet another masterpiece scent for the house of Guerlain.
And last but by no means least, it looks spectacular. Your Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum Intense fragrance is shown off to perfection in its distinctive “quadrilobé” bottle. Created in 1908, the bottle established itself as one of Guerlain’s iconic shapes and I love its elegant simplicity. Clean and graphic, it echoes an alchemist’s bottle and owes its name to its stopper, which is crafted from one piece to obtain a shape resembling four lobes. A century later, beautifully enhanced by a luxurious glass weight and a deep copper gold, this bottle offers a contrast between strong taut lines and sensual curves, expressing contemporary femininity.
This beautiful scent and its glorious vessel are on counter now, and most definitely get my tick for Christmas gifting and gifts to self...
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Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Love it: Beuti Skincare Pomegranate Glow Enzyme Mask Cleanser
A few months ago now I wrote a bit of a rave on here about a supremely clean and elegant facial oil that I’d fallen in love with that went by the name Beauty Sleep Elixir. It was created by UK aesthetician Leila Alaam, under the moniker of Beuti Skincare, and was introduced to me by local natural solutions powerhouse the Clean Beauty Collective. I still recommend it to everyone I meet as it really is quite the wonder (and not just for use prior to sleeping).
Before launching Beuti Skincare, Leila says she found herself constantly on the search for results driven, healthy and affordable skincare. After personally experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a luxury eye cream, she was inspired to take matters into her own hands (which seems to be the case for many creators of seriously great, clean skincare brands). She was determined to develop a luxe skincare line without the hefty price tag, that helped heal, nourish, and treat common sensitive skin issues leaving skin supple, smooth and glowing. Her first creation was the Beauty Sleep Elixir, which hit the industry in 2015 with a bang.
Thankfully, over the years she has added to the Beuti Skincare family, and my newest obsession takes the form of the Pomegranate Glow Enzyme Mask Cleanser. I usually stick to oils for cleansing as my skin is so sensitive, but this wonder is the most amazing every-other-day addition to my regime due to its kindness on even the tetchiest of skin. A gel balm hybrid, it features fermented Pomegranate as a key ingredient, which acts like a gentle glycolic acid to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. Rose clay is included in the delicious-smelling mix to cleanse and refine the skin’s texture, while Copaiba Balsam soothes and protects against inflammation. For added goodness for sensitive skin, it features a three-flower essence of Iris, Laurel and Myrtle to heal, soothe and keep skin glowing.
So, it calms and soothes inflammation, whilst decongesting and refining skin tone – how great is that? It can also be used as a facial mask if left on for 5-10 minutes. The enzymes, honey and nourishing ingredients work to decongest and refine, for a blank canvas onto which to project your favourite skincare solutions. As an everyday cleanser (amazing for oilier skin types), just gently apply a pump or two to the face, massage a little and then rinse with cool water.
Last but not least I have to mention that Kate Middleton swears by this magical little number, which may appeal to the royalists out there and those in admiration of her near-flawless skin!
Beuti Skincare Pomegranate Glow Enzyme Mask Cleanser is exclusively available in New Zealand via the wonderful Clean Beauty Collective, with an RRP of $105 for a (very generous) 100ml bottle. Oh and if you're reading this today, CBC have quite the little deal going on, so if you're keen on picking one of these up then I highly recommend you scoot over there now!
Friday, November 1, 2019
All about: Emma Lewisham’s all natural game changer
A few weeks ago I was invited to the launch of New Zealand’s newest skincare brand, Emma Lewisham, and to meet Emma (pictured above) herself. I have to say that sometimes it feels like every other day a new, all-local skincare collection comes to market, with most focusing on the natural and organic. They don’t usually offer anything particularly new or ground breaking however – just lovely products in pretty packaging that are nice to use but don’t exactly change the game. I went along guessing that Emma Lewisham was going to be delivering more of the same – but dear god how wrong was I! This brand is indeed clean, natural and very pleasing to the eye, but it comes with some serious scientific background and a true USP – targeting pigmentation in a whole new way.
The journey started with Emma herself, who like many women I know has long been a fan of soaking up the sun whenever and wherever she can. Growing up in New Zealand, she spent too much time in the sun without understanding the impact it could have on her skin later in life, especially the consequences of not wearing sunscreen.
By her late-twenties, she was starting to see an increasing number of visible brown spots and uneven skin tone – hyperpigmentation at its best. The main trigger, the sun. Like many others before her, Emma set out to cover the problem with the best that makeup had to offer, but seriously – who wants to spend hours every day trying to camouflage an issue that was clearly not going away?
By her late-twenties, she was starting to see an increasing number of visible brown spots and uneven skin tone – hyperpigmentation at its best. The main trigger, the sun. Like many others before her, Emma set out to cover the problem with the best that makeup had to offer, but seriously – who wants to spend hours every day trying to camouflage an issue that was clearly not going away?
Like myself, Emma's “moment of realisation” about what she was putting her skin came around the time she became pregnant. “I started to adjust my lifestyle and become a lot more curious with what I put on my skin. I was learning about reducing the toxic load in the body – through the products we use every day.”
She looked firstly at the product she had started using to reverse hyperpigmentation and tried to decipher what the ingredients were. Researching and speaking to her doctor, she discovered that it had controversial and toxic ingredients a plenty– including one that was commonly used to clean sewage pipes (seriously!). Emma wanted to replace this high performance but potentially toxic product with something that would be safe, but still delivered results. But it didn’t exist. Throwing all of her energy into that, she says she wanted to “set a new standard of beauty”, and set about assembling a team of professionals that could help her do exactly that.
Emma and her team dedicated two years of research in their pursuit to solving hyperpigmentation naturally. Working alongside a team of green chemists and scientists, they meticulously researched and stringently tested the most potent and proven natural and organic ingredients out there to perform as highly as anything on the market but without a drop of anything unclean.
The result is Skin Reset, which Emma calls the ultimate 'hero' serum for an even, glowing complexion. Made from 24 of the world's most targeted active natural ingredients, it is clinically proven to be as effective as anything else out there when it comes to repairing and preventing hyperpigmentation. As well as visibly minimising the look of brown spots and uneven tone, it goes one step further by preventing further discolouration from appearing on the skin. It essentially works by shutting down hyperpigmentation in two different biological pathways. Firstly, plant extracts are included in the formula that contain active ingredients that interfere with an enzyme in your cells called tyrosinase. When UV light from the sun comes into contact with this enzyme, it is usually activated to produce pigment (melanin) which travels to the upper layer of the skin to form dark spots or hyperpigmentation. These plant actives inhibit tyrosinase, stopping the metabolic process that creates pigment dead in its tracks.
She looked firstly at the product she had started using to reverse hyperpigmentation and tried to decipher what the ingredients were. Researching and speaking to her doctor, she discovered that it had controversial and toxic ingredients a plenty– including one that was commonly used to clean sewage pipes (seriously!). Emma wanted to replace this high performance but potentially toxic product with something that would be safe, but still delivered results. But it didn’t exist. Throwing all of her energy into that, she says she wanted to “set a new standard of beauty”, and set about assembling a team of professionals that could help her do exactly that.
Emma and her team dedicated two years of research in their pursuit to solving hyperpigmentation naturally. Working alongside a team of green chemists and scientists, they meticulously researched and stringently tested the most potent and proven natural and organic ingredients out there to perform as highly as anything on the market but without a drop of anything unclean.
The result is Skin Reset, which Emma calls the ultimate 'hero' serum for an even, glowing complexion. Made from 24 of the world's most targeted active natural ingredients, it is clinically proven to be as effective as anything else out there when it comes to repairing and preventing hyperpigmentation. As well as visibly minimising the look of brown spots and uneven tone, it goes one step further by preventing further discolouration from appearing on the skin. It essentially works by shutting down hyperpigmentation in two different biological pathways. Firstly, plant extracts are included in the formula that contain active ingredients that interfere with an enzyme in your cells called tyrosinase. When UV light from the sun comes into contact with this enzyme, it is usually activated to produce pigment (melanin) which travels to the upper layer of the skin to form dark spots or hyperpigmentation. These plant actives inhibit tyrosinase, stopping the metabolic process that creates pigment dead in its tracks.
Secondly, if any pigment still manages to form, a complementary active (vitamin B3) is in there to work further downstream to deter the pigment from transferring to your skin’s surface. Pretty amazing, huh? Skin Reset also combats the signs of everyday collagen degradation, minimises fine lines and wrinkles and boosts the skin’s plumpness, making it a true no brainer for most of us.
In addition, Emma has also created Skin Shield SPF 30 – a broad spectrum sunscreen that meets the highest of international testing standards and truly is a joy to wear – zero stickiness, and makeup goes on over the top like a charm. Skin Shield also locks in moisture with nine ingredients for intense hydration, six ingredients to fight pollution and free radical damage from the sun, and seven sources of vitamins and minerals for a healthy protected complexion. I’ve been using this daily since I was lucky enough to be given a tube, and have absolutely fallen in love with it. It’s definitely not just a sunscreen, and is a must-have this summer and at any time of year.
Intrigued? You can find out more about the brand and get your hands on these wonders yourself by visiting here.
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Love it: COOLA Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum
I have been a fan of clean beauty superstar COOLA’s Gradual Sunless Tan Firming Lotion pretty much from the first time I popped the cap – the colour and the performance are next level, and patchiness is never an issue. Love that! It is also ultra-moisturising and develops your tan subtly as you continue using it, making it a no-brainer for me at any time of year.
So I was very excited to hear that the brand have released an Organic Sunless Tan Luminizing Body Serum, which I was lucky enough to give a whirl over the long weekend. Taking the element of great, natural colour and performance and ratcheting it up a notch, it’s a sunless tanner that also instantly illuminates, for a shimmery, sun-kissed radiance that is perfect as we head into summer.
The double-duty body serum instantly illuminates with light-reflecting mica, whilst building a natural-looking tan that lasts up to three days. Perfect for using right before you head to the beach or before a night out, it absorbs effortlessly and dries super fast before giving a seriously major glow. It delivers an instant shimmery radiance, but for those that like to keep things a little more subtle, it can also be mixed into your daily lotion of choice for a lighter application.
Suitable for all skin types including sensitive, it uses DHA derived from sugar beets to give you a natural, gradual and buildable tan, and the streak-free and transfer-resistant colour that it delivers lasts up to three days. I used mine three days in a row until I got the shade I wanted for truly tanned pins over the weekend, and found the natural Pina Colada scent that comes with it was subtle enough not to interfere with fragrance I applied a bit later.
On the ‘clean beauty’ front, this formula also definitely ticks all of the boxes. Eco-Certified Cosmos Organic at 70%+ Organic and 99%+ Natural, it is also vegan friendly, Non-GMO, gluten free, cruelty free, Synthetic Colorant-Free, Mineral Oil-Free, Paraben-Free, Petrolatum-Free, Phthalate-Free and Retinyl Palmitate-Free. In essence: it’s about as safe as they come, without compromising at all on performance. Love that.
So how do you apply it? For best results, exfoliate before applying and allow the skin to cool down after a shower. Then, dispense it into your hand or apparently a body brush (I haven’t tried that myself), and apply it in gentle circular motions evenly over clean skin. Wait a few minutes before dressing then sit back – or head out – and watch the glow emerge.
This beauty comes highly recommended, and has an RRP of $85 for a 148ml bottle. To grab yours head here.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
All about: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Retinol Oil
I swear in my life I have tried about every single ‘hope in a jar’ out there, spending god knows how much on eye creams, serums and whatnot as I (fruitlessly for the most part) battle the creeping signs of ageing. There’s certainly no way to escape them, but a little softening here and there is more than welcome, and if I can find a product that gives my skin that extra boost then bring it on.
In the skincare world there is one thing that we know absolutely delivers the goods however, and that’s retinol. Some are so potent that can completely change your skin overnight, but not all are created equal. There are a lot of misconceptions about retinol too, with good reason. Also there is the fact that there are ‘Retin-A’ products, and ‘retinol’ products… and both are ‘retinoids’. It’s all vitamin A, but the first kind is pretty heavy duty (i.e. you need a prescription) and the second type you can buy over the counter. Unlike standard exfoliators, retinoids work at the cellular level to increase collagen, smooth-out annoying fine lines and even-out the tone, all of which are on my shopping list thank-you-very-much.
Skincare giant Neutrogena have recently released a very user-friendly option of the anti-ageing powerhouse for the retinol-shy, that aims to “dramatically reduce the appearance of stubborn fine lines and even deep wrinkles”. Called Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil, it’s powerful overnight treatment that works throughout the night to intensely nourish and replenish dry skin, delivering that elusive glow as soon as a week after you start using it.
The secret to the new Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil is Retinol SA, which provides a sustained action that works to continuously renew the look of the skin throughout the night. The fact that the lightweight, fast-absorbing retinol oil is enriched with retinol SA means there is more nourishment and wrinkle fighting power in every drop, diminishing the look of dark, age spots and reducing the look of deep, stubborn wrinkles. Who doesn’t want that? And the fact that the formula is an oil means that it is easier to tolerate if your skin is on the sensitive side, unlike many retinols out there.
The brand says that for twice the “wrinkle-fighting power”, pair this new oil with their Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream, but I recommend starting with the oil for at least a month first before taking a more heavy-handed approach.
To use this little lightweight-yet-powerful marvel, apply 4-5 drops onto the palm of hand and use your fingertips to gently massage the oil onto face in a circular motion. Use every evening, after cleansing and before your chosen moisturiser.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil is in store now, with an RRP of $39.99 for a 30ml bottle. It comes highly recommended.
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Love it: Elizabeth Arden’s new Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules
The antioxidant properties of vitamin C (AKA ascorbic acid) and its role in collagen synthesis make the sunny-hued little beauty a vital molecule for skin health. Dietary and topical ascorbic acid have beneficial effects on skin cells, and some studies have even shown that vitamin C may help prevent and treat ultraviolet (UV)-induced photodamage. To break the news gently: you NEED the stuff on your face, as well as in your diet. Lucky for us there’s some clever skincare brands doing unique things with it, and formulas to suit every skin.
Vitamin C really is the perfect wake-up call for our post-winter faces, as it visibly brightens dull complexions, improving radiance and glow. Lucky for us then that the powerhouse that is Elizabeth Arden has released their incredible new Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules, which are 178 times more potent than traditional Vitamin C! Yes you read that right – this formula is a game changer. This latest offering, combining the powers of Vitamin C and Ceramides from one of the most trusted brands in the skincare industry, is most definitely one of the most highly anticipated beauty launches of the year.
Encapsulated for freshness and formulated for maximum potency, the new Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules take the form of a luxurious to use, lightweight dry oil serum that can be used morning or night, depending on the rest of your regime. The two super ingredients in the one capsule work incredibly well alone but even better in combination, with Vitamin C renowned for its brightening superpowers, and ceramides for helping prevent moisture loss. Dual-action brightening technology visibly diminishes dullness and fights hyperpigmentation, whilst your skin also gets the added dose of goodness that protects against the kind of free radical damage that contributes to accelerated ageing. Even better, these super-charged, biodegradable capsules, have been formulated using oil soluble Vitamin C, not water. The upshot? While other Vitamin C products usually stop working after about three hours, these babies just keep on delivering.
Clever encapsulation ensures that active ingredients stay potent and fresh, whilst single-dose capsules are perfectly pre-measured and portable, so are great for travel too. Oh and they are fragrance-free, which gets a big tick from sensitive types like me.
To use them, start by twisting open a capsule and squeezing three drops onto the palm of your hand. Next, press palms together, and smooth over the face. Use the remaining serum for your neck and décolleté, so nothing is wasted.
Elizabeth Arden Vitamin C Ceramide Capsules are on counter now, RRP $87 for 30 capsules. Give them a whirl – you won’t be disappointed.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
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