Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day (Sunday 2nd September) is only a few days away and choosing the perfect gift isn't easy at all! Whether it's a gift for your father, grandfather, husband or even someone who has been there for you, saying thank you and thinking about the men who are in our lives is a great way to show how much you love and appreciation them.

To help us all out in search of that perfect gift, here is a list of gift ideas that I thought may be of interest.

Dermalogica Shave System Kit (A$68/set)*

Suited for the man who loves a clean and smooth shave, the Shave System Kit by Dermalogica contains all the essentials to ensure your man starts his day with a refreshing start. The Shave System Kit contains travel size versions of the Daily Clean Scrub, Pre-shave Guard, Soothing Shave Cream, Post-shave Balm and Daily Defense Block. 

My partner has tried the products from the Shave System Kit and he absolutely loves the citrus clean scent from these products. He also loves how his face feels moisturised and smooth after using the scrub - I think he is beginning to understand the benefit of using skincare products! He recommends using a thin layer of the Soothing Shave Cream to allow a quick and easy shave within seconds.

Aramis Classic Father's Day Fragrance Gift Set (A$105/set)

Suited for the masculine and classic man, Aramis Classic EDT Fragrance has top notes of bergamot, gardenia, cumin and artemisia. Middles notes include patchouli, vetiver and sandalwood and the base notes include amber and oak moss. If he loves the Classic scent by Aramis, he will definitely love this gift set which includes an EDT Spray, After Shave Balm and Deodorant Stick.

Z Zegna EDT Fragrance by Ermenegildo Zegna (A$110/100ml)

Suited for a contemporary and stylish man in your life, Z Zegna EDT fragrance is a woody watery-aromatic blend with notes of white pepper, bergamot with rosemary and the enigmatic fruit of the casoar. The base notes include a delicate scent of powdery iris, nutmeg, sweet cashmere wood, patchouli and earthy notes of oak moss.

With your purchase of the Z Zegna Fragrance at Myer and David Jones you will also receive a stylish weekend getaway bag as a bonus!

L'Occitane Verdon Star Gift Set (A$95/set)

Suited for a laid-back and relaxed man who would enjoy the delightful scents of the exhilarating fresh waters of the Verdon Valley Gorges of Provence. The fresh scents of Verdon include a blend of lemon, pepermint and aquatic notes. This grooming kit contains the Verdon EDT Spray, Verdon Fresh Deodorant, Verdon Fresh Shower Gel and Verdon Invogorating Shaving Gel.

Have you bought something for Father's Day this Sunday yet? 

xx Rose 

*Product was provided for consideration only. The review is 100% based on my partners' thoughts and opinions. We are not affiliated with Dermalogica and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.  

Images were provided by PR.

Sneak Peak: L'Occitane Fraiche Cologne and Shower Gel Collection

L'Occitane Australia will be launching the new L'Occitane Cologne Fraiche Collection on 29th August 2012 which includes three delightful and fresh cologne scents inspired by the citrus aromas of Provence: Eau Ravissante (floral scent), Eau Captivante (woody scent) and Eau Universelle (citrusy scent). Each of the three scents are suitable for both men and women, though some people may find Eau Ravissante, Eau Captivante and Eau Universelle are likey to interest women, men and both sexes, respectively. The beautiful pointed stripe embossed on the glass bottle and the name L'Occitane embossed on the side of the Cologne Fraiche and Shower Gel bottles looks so simple, sleek and very sophisticated! 

 L'Occitane - 'Across the land of Provence, people will tell you that 'l'aigo es d'or', meaning 'water is gold'. Our Eau de Cologne collection is inspired by the freshness of the fountains present throughout the region. Each with citrusy notes of Bergamot, our collection of scents includes zesty, floral and stimulating aromas meant for both women and men.'

Eau Ravissante Cologne: Floral aroma from Rose and Freesia Petals with notes of Bergamot, Musk and Amber.

Eau Captivante Cologne: Woody and Lavender aromas with notes of Lime, Bergamot, Mint and Basil.

Eau Universelle Cologne: Citrus aroma with notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Geranium.

A cologne (or Eau de Cologne) is a relatively light fragrance which has a concentration of 3-8% essential oils, so the intensity and longevity of the scent is not at all overpowering or stronger than Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum fragrances. Cologne is typically applied liberally to get the most out of the light scent - each scent is available in a generous 300ml splash bottle (which comes with an additional spray nozzle) and a travel friendly 50ml bottle. The large Cologne bottle is really heavy, but that's because it holds 300ml and makes it the largest perfume bottle in my collection. The scents are great to spritz onto the body after a shower or splash some cologne onto the hands and rub onto the neck and behind the ears. Another great way to indulge in these scents is to add two caps full of the cologne into a bath. If you like light scents of perfume, then these colognes would be great for you. 

The L'Occitane Cologne Fraiche Collection includes Cologne Fraiche Splash Bottle ($70/300ml), Cologne Fraiche Travel Size Bottle (A$40/50ml) and Shower Gel (A$28/250ml) in each of the three delightful fresh scents.

Have you tried L'Occitane Cologne or fragrances before?

xx Rose

Products were provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with L'Occitane and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.  

Sneak Peak: L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate Collection

L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate Collection

The brand new L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate (Fragrance and Make-up) limited edition collection will be released in Australia on 28th August 2012. Within a heartbeat of hearing about the Pivoine Délicate Collection, I fell completely IN LOVE! The delicate scent of peony flowers, luxurious quality, charming packaging, and the story behind Pivoine Délicate is absolutely captivating and alluring! Each product in the L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate Collection embraces the beautiful scent of Pivoine Délicate which was inspired by the Peony flowers in the Drôme region in the south of France.

The Pivoine Délicate Fragrance Collection includes a lovely selection of Eau de Toilette perfume (A$60/75ml), Hand Cream (A$28/75ml), Fresh Mist (A$18/50ml) and an eye-catching Shimmery Powder atomiser with a vintage styled atomiser pump (A$38/8g).  

In addition, the Pivoine Délicate Make-up Collection includes the Lip Balm (Peche Subtile, Pourpre Emouvant and Rose Pivoine, A$12/9g),  Lip Shine (Rose Pastel, Rose Frémissant and Beige Gracieux, A$25/8ml), Lipstick (Brun Discret, Pivoine Délicate and Charmant Corail, A$29/3.5g) and EDT and Gloss Duo (A$26/2x5.5ml). 

The combination of Peony extract scents and the body and lip products are just inspiring and beautiful that I am feeling head-over-heels! The packaging and scent are probably the first two factors which have led to my attraction with this collection. The stunning ballerina pink peony flower print design is absolutely beautiful and I love how girly and feminine the collection evokes! The boudoir design is so pretty that each of the products from the collection stands out on any dressing table.

Stay tuned, as I will be reviewing these lovely L’Occitane Pivoine Délicate products in upcoming posts!

 Which product/s in the new L'Occitane Pivoine Délicate collection are you lusting over?

xx Rose

Products were provided for consideration.

Nivea Sensitive Protect Roll-on Deodorant

Nivea Sensitive Protect Roll-on deodorant comes in a practical glass applicator, however the glass packaging does make the product a little heavy so probably not ideal for the gym bag. The milky opaque formula contains avocado oil and chamomile extract to soothe and keep the skin feeling calm. The formula is free from preservatives, colour, perfume and nasty additives. The formula does not have a distinct scent, so this roll-on is really great if you dislike scented body products. The great thing about this deodorant is that it applies on clear despite looking milky and opaque in the glass applicator, so you don’t have to worry about getting any white residues onto clothing. I just need to wait a few seconds for the formula to absorb and then I could put on my clothes. The deodorant does guard against bad odour (very well I must say!), however, on some occasions it doesn’t completely guard against perspiration. The formula and ingredients formulated in Nivea Sensitive Protect Roll-on deodorant makes this product great for people with sensitive skin as I experienced no irritation or itchyness, just a nice and pleasant experience. I love how it makes me feel very clean and so I honestly cannot walk out the door without applying this roll-on! 

 Which deodorants do you love using? Do you prefer aesorols or roll-ons?

xx Rose

Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Nivea and did not receive remuneration to post this product review. 

NEW Sukin Sensitive Skin Care

Australian Organic Skincare Brand Sukin has recently launched their brand new Sukin Sensitive range which includes a Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Lotion ($9.95/125ml), Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel ($9.95/125ml) and Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser ($9.95/125ml). I recently reviewed the Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser, Hydrating Mist Toner and Facial Moisturiser from the original range here. I love the concept of Sukin skincare products as they are formulated using organic and natural based ingredients that my skin loves.

Sukin - 'Don't hide your sensitive side. When we think of sensitive skin, we think of delicate, vulnerable, unpredictable and sometimes downright tricky skin conditions.'

Sukin Sensitive skincare contains three core ingredients: Chamomile, Cucumber and Aloe Vera. Chamomile is an effective anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial and calming properties which helps to soothe skin which suffers from ezcema and dermatitis. Cucumber is also an excellent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient which nourishes the skin with Vitamin C and antioxidants. Aloe Vera is a calming and intensely moisturising ingredient which relieves sore and irritated skin. 

Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel is suitable for combination skin types and provides a gentle and non-drying cleanse to remove excess oil and residue from the outside environment. In addition to Chamomile, Cucumber and Aloe Vera, Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel also contains Green Tea and Avocado Oil to purify and refresh the skin. The scent is nice and subtle and makes the gentle cleanse and soothing experience. The cleansing gel removed the majority of my makeup (except bold eye makeup of course! This job is to be left to my cleansing oils) with ease, leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth!

Sukin Sensitive Facial Moisturiser is a lightweight cream which instantly hydrates and calms my skin. The formula is a blend of the trio of core ingredients and Shea Butter to moisturise and soothe the skin. There is also a presence of Rosehip, Jojoba and Sesame Oils which rejuvenate and replenish the skin. I always apply a small amount to my face, neck and decolletage and gently massage it in. The moisturiser absorbs relatively quickly and leaves my skin looking matte and hydrated. 

My skin type is compatible with the Sukin Sensitive range and my skin loves Sukin Sensitive Cleansing Gel and Facial Moisturiser just as much as the original Sukin skincare range. I especially love the core ingredients of Chamomile, Cucumber and Aloe Vera and the outcome of these ingredients has shown that my skin feels well hydrated, smooth and importantly soothed and calm!

Have you tried any organic based skincare products? Which organic-based products do you love?

xx Rose

Products were provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Sukin Organics and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.  

L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity Serum

L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity Serum (A$35.95/30ml) is the latest addition to the L'Oreal Paris Youth Code skincare range. The serum aims to swipe away dull and moisture lacking skin as well as banish the appearance of sun spots, age spots and dark spots to reveal the skins radiance and natural luminosity. 

L'Oreal - 'A precious light infusing serum developed for women aged 25-35 to help correct dark spots and reveal more even, youthful looking skin. The serum is enriched with patented Lumi-GenTM technology to even and illuminate your skin tone.'

L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity Serum is packaged in a very sophisticated and sleek silver bottle with a pump top. The design looks very luxurious and 'high-end'. The pump for some reason did not operate smoothly as every time I tried to dispense some product the pump seemed to become ajar halfway and with a little more effort I would end up with too much product. I must have been a fault with the bottle I purchased.

The serum appears opaque with a pearlescent sheen and the consistency is relatively lightweight. The texture of the serum is more like a gel/lotion formulation, so it spreads easily. A couple of pea size amounts, or two 'half-pump's' using my bottle of Luminosity Serum is adequate to evenly apply to the face.  The absorbency of this serum was super fast and at the same time my skin felt nice and smooth and soft to touch. 

One of my main skin concerns is uneven skintone and a few small sun spots on my cheekbones. Although the active ingredient of the Luminosity Serum is Lumi-GenTM (which aims to illuminate and even skin tone), I unfortunately haven't noticed any dramatic change to the appearance of my skin. After using this serum a few weeks on and off and back on again, I feel that my skin feels well moisturised (which I love), however, I feel like my skin is missing out on the goodness of other active ingredients such as vitamins and nutrients that are formulated in other serums.

Overall, L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity Serum hydrated my skin very well and worked very well as a base for applying moisturiser followed by foundation and makeup. It didn't break my skin out and did not irritate my skin. Unfortunately, the long term effects of this serum did not spark my interest and I would prefer to use a serum which contains more beneficial core ingredients. 

Have you tried L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Luminosity before? 

xx Rose

Essie Collection Mini Cube Haul

L-R: Essie Summer 2011 Collection and The Resort Colelction

A few weeks ago, gorgeous beauty blogger Vita from Making up 4 my age blogged about one of her recent beauty hauls and a couple of the amazing products she bought were the limited edition Essie Collection Mini Cubes for A$5 each!! Cosmetics and Fragrance Direct (CFD) were selling these, so I went into the Anzac Square Arcade store in Brisbane City and they had heaps and heaps of these mini cubes in-store. There were two collections available: The Summer 2011 Collection and The Resort Collection, both are limited edition sets in 2011. I purchased one cube from each collection, however I think I purchased the very last cube of the latter collection. So, if you are an Essie fan, I highly suggest you run out to CFD and check these out!

Essie Summer 2011 Collection. L-R: Braziliant (bright orange, shimmer finish), Smooth Sailing (azure blue, shimmer finish), Super Bossa Nova (bright magenta pink) and Meet Me At Sunset (bright red).

Essie The Resort Collecion. L-R: Fair Game (slate blue grey, pearl/frosty finish), Your Hut or Mine (muted rosey pink , shimmer finish), Lion Around (soft pale beige pink, pearl/shimmer finish), Da Bush (pastel creamy green).

Limited edition Essie mini nail polishes.

Stay tuned for my nail of the day posts!

What do you think of the Summer and Resort Collection shades?

xx Rose

Madison Magazine + FREE Becca Eye Tint!

September issue of Madison Magazine with a free Becca Eye Tint in Gilt.

Becca Eye Tint in Gilt (L) and Vicuna (R).

Becca Eye Tint in Gilt.

Swatch of Becca Eye Tint in Gilt.

 Madison Magazine and Becca have teamed up again this year (this is the second year in a row, Becca's popular Beach Tints were adorned on the mag in early 2011) to offer a free full-sized Becca Eye Tint in either Gilt (golden bronze) or Vicuna (opal) (valued at A$42 each) with the September issue of Madison Magazine! This is such a great freebie! I went into my local newsagent and supermarket and only Gilt was on shelf. Gilt is a really pretty bronze shimmery shade and the gel/liquid formulation dries up fast with a finish that is similar powder eye shadow. The formulation is pretty good and I can't pass up nude shades, so I will definitely keep an eye out for Vicuna!

Enjoy!

xx Rose

Real Techniques Core Collection by Samantha Chapman

Real Techniques brushes by popular beauty blogger and makeup artist Samantha Chapman have become THE hype of the month, so I was really happy to have the chance to get my hands on these wonderful brushes that everyone has been talking about!

Real Techniques Core Collection

I have with me the Real Techniques Core Collection from the ‘Your Base/Flawless’ range and the brushes in this range have gold handles. The ‘Your Eyes/Enhanced’ brushes have purple handles and the ‘Your Finish/Perfected’ brushes have pink handles.

The Core Collection includes 4 full-sized brushes plus a waterproof panoramic brush case which is a 2-in-1 case and stand – convenient as it says! The brushes are made from synthetic taklon bristles that are hand cut and 100% cruelty-free/vegan. Taklon is a type of synthetic fibre which mimics the texture of our hair. The bristles feel wonderfully soft against my skin and this is one of the factors which make application really easy and efficient. The handles are made from aluminium which makes these brushes so lightweight and very easy to handle. 

Real Techniques Contour Brush

The Contour Brush is a convenient tool to apply illuminator/highlighter or bronzer to add some glow and radiance to the complexion or even for contouring. The bristles have been cut to different lengths as you can see, so this brush is ideal for highlighting/contouring. Sometimes I use this brush for contouring my face and other times I would use this brush to apply a little sparkle or glow to areas of my face which touch the sunlight.

Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush

The Pointed Foundation Brush is smaller than your average foundation brush and also has fewer bristles than you would expect in a foundation brush. I don’t have a lot of time on my hands in the morning to apply makeup, so I prefer a foundation brush which is larger. So, instead of using this brush for liquid foundation, I found good use of this brush when applying primer as I could apply quick short strokes across my skin and also prevent the application of excess product around the corners of my nose.  

Real Techniques Detailer Brush

The size of the Deatiler Brush is very small, but perfectly small to be used with concealer to conceal dark under-eye circles and/or redness around the corners of the nose. The Detailer Brush is a multi-tasker and so is also great to apply lipstick for precise application and definition to the lips. Alternatively, the Detailer Brush could also be used to add some illuminator along the Cupid ’s bow to enhance the shape of the lip.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

The Buffing Brush is ideal for mineral foundation and powders. I don’t use mineral foundation as my skin sometimes reacts to it, so the Buffing Brush has made use for applying powder foundation and/or translucent powder to set my makeup. The brush is relatively dense, so rule of thumb, ‘less is more’, should be taken into consideration!

Overall, these brushes are seriously really great in quality and design and the best thing is that they are very affordable if you purchase them from www.iherb.com. Or, if you are in need of these beauty tools, like right now!, then you can head out to Priceline and shop the full range. I would highly recommend purchasing the collection kits rather the individual brushes to kick-start your Real Techniques brush collection as these kits include all the essential brushes you would use. I might just trek into Priceline soon to welcome the ‘Travel Essentials’ kit to my collection!

Do you own any Real Technique Brushes? Which brushes/collections do you have?

xx Rose 

Product was a prize I won from Priceline's Twitter Competition. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions.

Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost

Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost (A$39.95/20ml) has recently launched this month and the product aims to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, preserve the skin elasticity and moisture, revitalise the skins' appearance protect the skin against visible signs of aging. The star ingredients which help boost skin radiance 24/7 are the following antioxidant rich berry oils: Rose hip Oil, Seabuckthorn Oil, Pomegranate Oil, Camellia Oil and Apricot Oil, all of which are certified organic ingredients.   

Rosehip Oil is a well known wonder ingredient in many serums which provide amazing healing benefits to the skin. I always incorporate Rosehip Oil in my daily skin care regime as it is an excellent healing solution for my skin. I normally apply 3 drops of Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost to my face and decolletage and massage each drop at a time in a gentle patting motion. The scent is beautiful with a distinct aroma of berries! I don't think I've ever used any skin care products that are formulated and scented with berry extracts. 

I treat this amazing solution of gold as a booster, as the name suggests, to be applied after toning and before serum application. That way, my skin could absorb the natural oils prior to applying serum and then moisturiser. Kosmea Radiance 24/7 Youth Boost helps to calm and soothe my skin when it becomes erratic during that time of the month or when my stress levels increase dramatically. Not only, does it put my skin at peace, it also accelerates the recovery of blemishes which appear every now and then. 

Do you have any Kosmea favourites that you use in your skin care regime?

xx Rose

Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with Kosmea and did not receive remuneration to post this product review. 

L'Occitane Opens New Doors at Chermside (QLD)

Exciting news from L'Occitane Australia: L'Occitane Australia has launched its 9th boutique in Westfield Chermside (level 1, adjacent to Woolworths), Queensland, and the opening of the boutique was celebrated with the cutting of the red ribbon and fabulous store offers and giveaways last week on Thursday 9th August. If you are shopping in Wesfield Chermside, be sure to step inside L'Occitane's new boutique and experience the luxurious aromas of Provence, France. Talking about celebrating, L'Occitane are also celebrating their top ten L'Occitane favourites and currently have on offer a L'Occitane Provencal Essentials Collection pack which you can purchase for $15 with a spend of $50 or more, see my post about this offer in detail here.

Have you been to the new L'Occitane boutique in Chermside?

xx Rose 

Images were provided by PR.

TONI&GUY Dry Shampoo

One of the newest additions to the stylish and suave brand TONI&GUY is the Dry Shampoo from the new Cleanse & Nourish collection. I have become a recent addict to dry shampoo as they are such convenient little products which not only save you time but also absorb grease and natural oils,  leaving my hair looking and feeling wonderfully fresh and clean after a few spays of the product. TONI&GUY Dry Shampoo (A$15.99) is housed in a huge 250mL spray can which is reminiscent of typical chunky hair sprays. Surprisingly, the dry shampoo comes out clear, so I never need to worry about waiting for any white residues to disappear. Another great thing about this dry shampoo is that the mist features a beautiful fragrant scent from a blend of creamy vanilla, smooth woods and soft musk. There are also hints of ginger and bold sensuous rose to provide an uplifting sense. Now, the price tag may seem pricey for dry shampoo, however, the fact that the formula goes on clear and that the scent is so much more than just amazing, I think this product is well and truly worth trying out!      

In addition to the new Cleanse & Nourish range by TONI&GUY, there are also collections from the Prep, Classic, Casual, Creative, Glamour and Men collections available at Woolworths, Coles, Priceline and Big W. To view the entire range you can visit the following site here.

 Have you tried using dry shampoo before?
 

xx Rose 


Product was provided for consideration only. This review is 100% based on my own thoughts and opinions. I am not affiliated with TONI & GUY and did not receive remuneration to post this product review.