Consumer v's the hard sell

Greetings fellow beauties.

Today I want to talk about the Consumer v's the hard sell and how you can get your beauty fix without feeling empty in the back pocket.

With so many companies out there hard selling their products, its a wonder consumers haven't given up out of complete frustration.  A cream for this and a cream for that....wrinkle cream here, wrinkle cream there.  Seriously, give us a break!

I just love the little booths inside the shopping centres where they hire really good looking European tourists to hock their shitty products that are over priced and include low quality ingredients.  Have you ever noticed they target people who look like they don't know about products..... if you haven't - they do.  They actually have a specific demographic they are told to target -the majority are men believe it or not.  Men are suckers when it comes to a pretty girl and especially when told they should buy a gift for their partner.... it's the hard sell and it's not fair!!!!

I also love the cosmetic counters where the hard sell is what it's all about.  I've spent many years working on cosmetic counters and I can tell you now - the majority of workers do not hold a diploma of beauty and are on very high weekly/monthly revenue targets.  If they make their targets they get a bonus!!!  Yes you guessed it - the hard sell is important to these guys as it is a major part of their job.  Now i loved working on counter don't get me wrong, I'm just clarifying why that extra cream is so important to sell to the consumer.    

I'm going to break it down so its simple and easy to understand so you can stop wasting your hard earned money on products that are just going to fill and clutter your bathroom rather than benefiting your skin.  The main three product you need to successfully clean, exfoliate and nourish your skin are:

The cleanser - every skin requires a clean - you need a cleanser to remove dirt, grime and make-up from your skin.  If you don't remove the above from your skin, you are going to end up with a build up of residue, black heads and possible irritation - not to mention you'll never be able to get an even coverage of fresh make-up with the previous years still on your face!!  

The exfoliant - the friend of the cleanser, the exfoliant is the scrubby cleanser - she helps you remove just that little bit more grime PLUS helps your skin sloth off the skin cells it was unable to remove naturally.  The exfoliant is important, for without an exfoliant and the removal of dead skin cells the rest of your routine is a waste of time. 

The moisturiser - without an exfoliant, the moisturiser is a waste of time.  You need to remove the dead skin so your products can effectively penetrate the new skin assisting in hydration and transfer of product ingredients.

The difference in products is HUGE - ingredients are very important when choosing a product that suits your skin.  Things you need to take into consideration are:

• Your skin type
• The condition of your skin
• What make-up you use - is it an oily based make-up or a matt?
• Your age - do you need anti-ageing or just a simple hydration
• What's your budget?  
• What really works?
• plus much much more which i'll touch on in a later post...

If you're wanting a simple range or an anti-ageing range, you are best to go for products that are a registered cosmeceutical grade. The reason I say this is because they have been formulated by a chemist with ingredients that can actually move through your skin into the deeper levels rather than just sitting on the top layer like many do.  

I personally love Skinstitut - they offer an affordable range of very amazing products that are $45 each.  The range is only small and they don't hit you with the hard sell either which is refreshing.  The product sizes are ample enough to get you through the months without spending a fortune and they cater to all skin types.  You really can't go wrong.

The ingredients are also a big selling point of this product and guess what..... they really work - you can see a difference in your skins overall appearance after a few days of use.

Check them out at www.skinstitut.com

So that's the basics for you to get started at least.  In my next review I'll be going more into the different brands that are on the market and doing a little comparison in ingredients and effect on the skin plus i might even touch on some skin anatomy just to help you with a deeper understanding.

I hope you enjoyed my blog, look forward to keeping you up to date with beauty tips soon.

Lyndall xx

A LUSH-IOUS brew for you.

My LUSH-IOUS brew....

There really is nothing like submerging yourself on a cold winters day in a hot bath.  I'm guessing you all have a bath ritual and if its anything like mine, I bet it's LUSH-IOUS!!!!!  

My ritual is pretty simple really... my boyfriend calls it the 'Witches Brew' and to be honest I do kind of imagine myself brewing up some magic skin potion when I'm adding each ingredient.   So now that I have your inner most Witch interested... let me share with you my ritual..

The ritual begins with running your hot bath and setting the mood with candles and music.  The ingredients are the most important part to create this LUSH-IOUS brew...so let the magic begin.

Recipe:

I dunk a 'honey bee' or two and add a sneaky 'french kiss', a 'dragons egg' which creates my 'dreamtime' experience.  

I then add some 'happy hippy' a 'rockstar' (not for the faint hearted) and some good 'karma' which is always important...  then a hint of 'floating island' for some extra bubbles....and submerge thy skin in this LUSH-IOUS brew.  

To complete my brew I add some 'sea vegetable' & 'grass' then I finish off with some bubblegum lip sugar, some 'wiccy magic' to dispel any fatty bits and a big scoop of love from the 'charity pot'.

HONEY BEE BATH BALLISTIC

A super sweet toffee honey fizzy bath treat.  Filled with all sorts of yummies like Aloe Vera, rhassoul mud which deeply cleanses and sweet delicious toffee honey.  A good all round gentle bath ballistic suitable for sensitive skin.

FRENCH KISS BEAUTIFUL BATH BUBBLES

This gorgeous little bundle of fun was inspired by the french countryside hence the gorgeous lavender and colour.  Packed full of sweet smelling suds of lavender, rosemary and thyme - this will bring joy to any tub it enters and you only need a little pinch so it lasts forever!!

DRAGONS EGG BATH BALLISTIC

With this egg comes a completely separate little ritual.... the hatching of the dragon..be warned as this hatching is full of popping candy, shimmering gold and layers of fiery colours and strong aroma of zesty lemon and bergamot.... lots of fun for adults and kids.

DREAMTIME LUXURY BATH MELT

This yummy solid bath oil is packed full of rich ingredients to create this luxury hydrating experience.  Cocoa butter and almond oil will soften and hydrate even the driest skin types while lavender, ginger, sandalwood, chamomile and Jasmin will calm the inner you to a dreamtime state of relaxation.

HAPPY HIPPY SHOWER GEL

Describes as citrus sunshine in a bottle, this thick shower gel is everything you need to add that zing back into your day.  Excellent for use in the bath or shower and packed with bergamot and grapefruit...love love love!

ROCKSTAR

This soap is my boyfriends favourite soap for unleashing his inner Rock God.   It's rich, creamy, super sweet and smells like bubblegum  and vanilla... yum!!  The thing I love most about this soap is the smell lingers on your skin for hours.

KARMA SOAP

A lovely bit of healing for your soul - this soap offers Patchouli & pine oils for cleansing and balance plus lavandin oil for bringing that all over calm feeling.  This fragrance is actually one of my Lush faves - you can buy it in perfume too....LUSH!!!

FLOATING ISLAND

On this island you will find copious amounts of vanilla, sandalwood and lemon... not to mention the abundance of cocoa butter for hydration.  A super rich bath melt that's just divine.

SEA VEGETABLE SOAP

This rustic natural bar of seaweed packed soap will leave you wanting more.  I just love soaps and this one has that extra something special with the added seaweed and lime essential oil.  A really fresh lathering soap.

GRASS SHOWER GEL

This shower gel is super fresh smelling which is great for first thing in the morning to lift your senses.  Contains neroli and wheat grass and is great for that dry and sore winter skin.

BUBBLEGUM LIP SCRUB

You can actually eat this lip scrub.... no mess involved - just rub it on and lick it off.  Tastes like bubblegum and leaves your lips feeling sugary sweet and smooth.

WICCY MAGIC SOLID MASSAGE BAR

Another one of my favourite products from LUSH.  Being an aromatherapist myself, this bar appeals to me for a few reasons - I love the essential oils - Cinnamon leaf & peppermint for their stimulating qualities on cellulite and hard to budge fatty deposits.  The base is made from cocoa butter and Shea butter and it even comes complete with aduki beans for helping with the massage.  Gorgeous product with results.

CHARITY POT HAND AND BODY LOTION

I'm loving this new product for so many more reasons than the fact it smells great and is super hydrating.  For every purchase of this product, LUSH gives 100% of the price (minus taxes) to small grassroots organisations who could use a helping hand.  

Some of the organisations that Charity pot are supporting are: 

Men of the Trees

Planting trees all over the world and restoring our forests for the future

www.menofthetrees.com.au

SISHA

Providing justice for victims of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation by strengthening the criminal justice systems, and victim, social and legal support services throughout Asia.

www.sisha.org

Southern Wildlife Rescue and Care

24/7 Rescue, care and rehabilitation anywhere in southern Tasmania for injured wildlife.

www.southernwildlife.org

Music Outback

This foundation supports Indigenous children in remote Australia with education, cultural empowerment and self esteem.  They develop school programs that inspire their students to achieve which is great.  

www.musicoutback.com.au

Positive change for Marine life

Creating long term profitable change in regards to marine conservation issues worldwide, effectively minimising and reversing the impact that we are collectively having on the oceans.

www.positivechangeformarinelife.org

Plus many more...

Raw Ingredients

Did you know Lush sources all of their ingredients raw and from approved co-ops and organic farms around the world and play a big part in supporting small farms??    Lush actually help growers and farmers to take their business to the next level through the Lush slush fund... 2% of the buying spend at LUSH goes into this fund and it goes towards helping small farmers get on their feet.  Lush is all about giving back to the community and improving the ingredients that we use on our skin.  

              

Lush also supports charities through loaning their shop front windows out so charities can advertise.  Lush gets behind the charity 100% with staff training and in store promotions to help support - such an awesome business.

When you walk into a LUSH store, you will not only notice the array of aroma that smacks you in the face like a giant organic candy store, you will also notice the positive and fun nature of the staff.  All staff are trained in the lush products extensively and are so so so passionate you can't help buying a basket full of goodies.  The company has a huge focus on staff training and you can see this is evident when you walk through the door.... their main focus is to make your day.  Well done Lush!!!

100% Against Animal Testing

Lush is also very much against animal testing and animal cruelty and ensure all of their products are sourced from places that do not test on animals.  They have a huge campaign running against animal testing with images that will break your heart.  Did you know a lot of ingredients in Australian products that claim no animal testing are actually purchased from overseas where animal testing occurs, then is re-packaged in Australia where they (the company) claims no animal testing, however the damage is already done.  Disgusting!!!

Lush has launched their range of cruelty free kisses which is a gorgeous range of lipsticks that are 100% free from testing on animals.

So many good reasons to choose your skin ritual products from LUSH.  I love the whole ethics of the company.  LUSH to me is Kind, aware and generous - well done and thank you so much for inviting me along to your animal testing awareness evening 'Cruelty Free Kisses'.

I rate LUSH 10/10 for everything good towards humanity and the environment.

Lyndall (Abby)xxx

(PS: make sure you try the hand treatment when you are next in store - I LOVED it - thank you!!)

** Make-up artists & lip colour junkies....you'll LOVE this review!!!!

Super long-lasting, semi-permanent lip colour that stays on until YOU take it off.... Unbelievable!!!

Are you a lover of bright colours but hate the fact they ALWAYS feather into the small lines around your lips?  

Sick of using 'colour stay' products that end up looking like someone has taken to your lips with a dried out crayon?  If so.... the product I'm about to review is going to change the whole way you colour your lips.

Sick of ending up with painted teeth?

Have you or are you getting married and need lip colour to last the whole day?

LipSense is your answer!!!

So this is the first time I have ever heard of or used LipSense.  Last weekend I was enjoying a sunny day at the Eagle Street Markets in Brisbane where I was drawn to a stall that claimed they had a Kiss proof... Waterproof... Smear proof...lip colour.   I pondered around the stall asking questions like "does it feather into the small lines around your lips"  "is it drying like colour stay lipsticks" "how long does it last on the lips for"  "how often do you have to re-apply" etc etc...... and all the answers met my needs so I purchased the LipSense set, which includes LipSense liquid lip colour, a Moisturising Gloss, and an Ooops! Remover.

I literally couldn't wait to get home to try out my new kiss proof lippy on my partner and can I just say straight up 10/10!!  This lip colour is an amazing product!  Not only does it feel amazing, it doesn't bleed at all, its not drying and it literally lasted 15 hours on my lips without having to re-apply.  The product does state that it can last anywhere from 4-18 hours depending on the individuals body chemistry and how you apply it.  I apply 4 very light coats in the one direction then seal with the lip gloss and its perfect for the whole day.  I can eat, drink and kiss with no colour wear ha ha!!  

LipSense Is FDA approved and they do not test on animals which is a wonderful thing.   The colour range is huge with so many different shades to suit your skin tone.  

Now a very important product in my handbag, I'm addicted and I'm coming for more Rhonda!  If this product sounds like something you would love and comes with a Critique my beauty 10/10, you can order on line at: 

http://www.lippygalore.com/lip_colour_lipsense.rhtml

Or send the lovely Rhonda an email: 

Email: rhonda@lippygalore.com 

Thank you so much Rhonda for taking the time to explain LipSense to me which in turn convinced me to try and fall in-love with the product.  

I rate this product a 10/10 x 2 (if that makes sense...it makes perfect lipsense.. to me)  Seriously so impressive and a very prestige product.

Lyndall xx

Pearls are a girls best friend..

I've had the pleasure over the years to review some special beauty products and I have to say this product falls into the special and unique category.  I've heard about nail pearls before and have seen them in photo shoots, however have never had the chance to try them for myself until now.

These tiny balls of sparkly goodness are so super easy to apply, a child could do it.  I first painted my nails with my favorite polish then after my second coat of polish I literally dipped the tips of my nails on an angle into the pearls and came out with this cute finish.  I also tried dropping the pearls straight onto my nails and that also works really well.

To finish this incredibly luxurious look, I applied the new 'Gelogic' top coat by Pretty Woman New York.  This top coat blew my mind - it applies thick like a gel and even self levels and dries without the use of a UV light.  

AMAZING to say the least.  The shine is impecable, you could almost see your own reflection and the lasting wear is fabulous.  LOVE LOVE LOVE the two products together!  I have also used the Gelogic on its own with wonderful results, super strength and protection plus free of chips.

The best thing about this product is the price.... you would expect to pay around $80 in a salon for an elegant pearl and gel finish....however you can achieve this look in the comfort of your own home (while stimulating your creative mind) for only $9.95 for the pearls and $9.95 for the polish.  The Gelolic polish also comes in a range of colours - fantastic to create fun pearl and polish designs.  You can buy the range from any Woolworths supermarket and online at:

http://www.thebeautyoffice.com.au/shop/shop-by-category/nails/product/686-pretty-woman-nail-pearls-aqua

You will also find exciting tutorials and other beauty information on this interactive website www.thebeautyoffice.com.au  I hope you have as much fun as I did with this product.  

I rate this product 8/10 for the pearls and 10/10 for the gelogic polish.

Abby xxx

http://www.thebeautyoffice.com.au/shop/shop-by-category/nails/product/686-pretty-woman-nail-pearls-aqua

A little bit of heaven in a bottle of nail polish...

LAYLA Hologram Effect Nail Polish

Try some fashion from Milano for your finger tips.

I think I may have found a slice of heaven in the form of a nail polish...  I'm sure you've all used hologram nail polishes only to discover the finished product is a rough-feel finish that never seems to look as good as the pictures advertised.... hold onto your hats nail enthusiasts - this polish is bound to please!

Layla hologram effect is formulated with the highest quality raw material that captures light creating sensational visual effects or liquid swirls and rainbows... pretty!!!  The range comes in 8 beautiful shades and is so easy to apply.  First you prepare the nail with the Layla base file which primes the nail plate creating a smooth and shiny finish... then apply your fav hologram polish and WHOLLA... you have nails like a fairy.

My personal fav at the moment is this one - 'Coral glam' - so classy and natural but still so gorgeous and I love wearing it.

I rate this product for application, smoothness & longevity 10/10

www.laylacosmetics.it

info@laylacosmetics.it

Until next time - have a fabulous week!  Lyndall (Abby) xx