Antipodes Organic Skincare

Recently I had the pleasure of discovering a skincare brand that has made a real difference to my routine and a range that I am thoroughly enjoying using and keen to try more from them.

Antipodes is from New Zealand and uses all natural ingredients with many being organic.

I was first introduced to the brand by the fabulous ProductPixie when she gave a glowing review of the range on her blog. She very generously sent me a sample of the Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream to try myself and after two weeks of use I knew I wanted to try more and purchase my own,

The Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream is a light moisturising eye cream that has a slight gel like texture to it. Made with avocado oil, manuka flower and carrot seed this cream is wonderfully moisturising and I'm sure it has helped to brighten my under eye area although this is not a claim made by Antipodes. It also contains aloe which helps to cool and soothe skin. It's biggest claim is that the cream will help to stimulate collagen production by 82%. I can't comment on that yet, I've been using it for about six weeks now but I will continue to use the cream and keep an eye out.... ;) for any improvements!

This is my favourite product from the range. The Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream is an amazing product. Really. I have noticed the biggest improvement in my skin in the morning after using this luscious cream. My skin is smooth, moisturised and glowing. Honestly one of the most effective night creams I have ever used. Another product to heavily feature avocado oil it's hard not to see the virtues of this natural ingredient. The texture of the cream is velvety soft but not runny it's almost balmy. The night cream also has proven to improve collagen production by 92%!

The Divine Face Oil really lives up to it's name. Again featuring the wonderful avocado oil with rosehip this is a non greasy oil that sinks into my skin very easily and if I have enough time I often apply this before my makeup as I find it a little too rich when combined with the night cream. The oil is certified organic and as with the last two items can help to stimulate collagen production by 51%. It can also help to reduce acne scarring which I have found to be true on a stubborn spot I had for a few days I also find it helps to minimise pores. I would certainly by this again.

The final product I chose was the Aura Manuka Honey Mask. This mask is deeply hydrating and soothing thanks to the manuka honey. It smells literally delicious, like carrot cake! I do not suggest eating it but if you accidentally licked your face I think you would survive! The packaging suggests daily use but I don't have time and would find it unnecessary anyway so I choose to do this mask once or twice a week usually in the morning as it leave a fabulous base for applying makeup. I have enjoyed the mask and I will finish it off however I'm not sure I absolutely must own it all the time, I will probably buy again but not as an essential. 

I purchased the items in this post from feelunique.com but there are few other places to buy it, naturisimo.com are offering a free Deliverance hand cream with two Antipodes items and nutribeautyproducts.com offer 10% off your first order, so take your pick! They are in the higher price bracket I would say but nothing more than Elemis or Decleor.

I have really enjoyed discovering this brand and I feel I shall always use something from the range. I love that they are concious of the ingredients they are using and the sources they come from. My skin responds better to natural elements which is why I've had so much success. I'm keen to try more and I ordered a few more bits and pieces that arrived last week. I've only used them a couple of times and since this post is epically long I shall save them for another day!

xoxo

Wish List!

Inspired by the fabulous Belle Du Jour's recent blog post I felt the need to also put my wish list down in blog form!

By Terry Baume De Rose

We all know the lovely Lollipop26 is obsessed with this product and has converted many to it. Since becoming a lipstick fan I am obsessed with the appearance of my lips. Seriously. I'm sure they are looking aged and dry and I need something to smooth them out for the perfect lipstick application. I hope this product will help me in that quest.

Decleor Relaxing Smoothing Eye Cream.

In addition my my lip paranoia my eyes are giving me the same stress. I fear the dreaded wrinkle and since I am aging I really want to help combat the signs around my eye area before they are irreversible. Although I have used Elemis Eye Serum for many years I feel I am starting to need something more moisturising and I have recently had problems with some eye products that has left me with a stubborn dry patch under my right eye.

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel

Elemis is my absolute favourite skincare brand, this is their newest product and of course I want to try it!

MAC Wonder Woman Marquise'd Lipstick

I recently saw this lipstick featured in selinajelibaby's YT video and looked around for more swatches. I have yet to find my go to nude lipstick and I hope this may be the one! I also love the packaging and most definitely want something from this collection!

Nails Inc Seven Dials.

I recently wore Nails Inc Haymarket and had forgotten how much I love, not only the colour but the quality of Nails Inc. I wore it with no chipping or wear for 6 days! This never happens, mostly because I get tired of the colour. I complimented a girl on her nail varnish recently and she told me it was Seven Dials and having recently seen it in the bottle at Debenhams I instantly loved it however I bought Portobello Road instead.

OPI Pirates Of The Caribbean collection.

Ok. Breathe. I was soooo excited when the gorgeous tracymiami alerted me to this collection through Twitter while I was away last week. I cannot tell you how much I love the whole collection. I love the colours, I know people were surprised at the palette however I see them as being tropical and fitting for the Caribbean theme. My favorite has to be Mermaid's Tears, the green shade although I also love Skull and Gloss Bones. Also I am seriously looking forward to seeing Stranger Tides, I love the Pirates films!

Check out Just-Nice-Things for some awesome pics!

What's on your wish list?!

xoxo

Kiehl's Rare Earth

I received the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque and Cleanser for Christmas and although I did ask for them I knew little about them. I had read the blurb on the website and was intrigued. I searched for some YT videos but only came across a couple and the girls had positive things to say!

Initially I was more interested in the mask. I do like a good face mask in the bath once a week or so! The unique ingredient in this range is Amazonian White Clay which Kiehl's claim will help to draw out toxins and dirt from pores and being a clay based product will help with any excess oil on the skin. The mask contains aloe and oatmeal that help to sooth the skin. 

On my first use I was surprised to find the mask stung my skin when applying however this doesn't last long and seems to have no adverse effects. I usually leave the mask on for around 15 to 20 minutes or longer if I can. When washed off I have brighter skin and my pores seem to be smaller, I am very impressed. I have used the mask about 4 or 5 times now and the effect is true of each use. I am reluctant to use it more than once a week because it still stings when I apply the clay.

The cleanser I have used almost everyday since Christmas! I only use it in the morning as I prefer to use my Elemis Pro Radiance at night. I use it in the shower, I also choose to use it in the morning as this cleanser makes my pores look diminished and in turn helps my make up application. 

Again the cleanser features the Amazonian White Clay but also Diatomaceous Earth, I know, I have no idea either! Turns out this earth is the exfoliating aspect to the cleanser. Its very fine, not harsh and perfect for the morning cleanse. You only need the smallest amount of product as it foams up very well.

Overall I am impressed with these products, I have noticed over the month my pores appear reduced, I think this is because they are cleaner rather than smaller. I have no reaction to the mask despite its initial feeling.

You can buy Kiehl's from John Lewis in the UK and from their own website in the US. The mask is £21.50 and the cleanser is £18.

Have you tried these?

xoxo

Ginger Nuts!

Since winter has firmly arrived my skin has freaked out! My body has gone especially dry and I am trying whatever I can to keep it moisturised.

However I hate moisturising! I need to use a product that I love or I just won't do it!

Browsing around the John Lewis beauty department I happened across the Origins counter where they enticed me in with their fab Christmas displays, I'm a sucker for anything red or snowflakey!

Most of the display was devoted to their Ginger range, I have encountered this range before and last year I purchased a body wash and absolutely loved it. I thought I would try some more from the range and purchased the body oil from the range but had a terrible reaction to it and left Origins well alone for a while.

Despite my reaction to the product the scent of this range is divine, and even more-so at this time of year. 

The scent has always drawn me to this range and something I haven't forgotten, being a little wary I thought I would try some body lotions on my hand and leave it on for a while to test it out. Thankfully no ill-effects were encountered so I went back and purchased Ginger Rush.

Described as an "Intensely Hydrating Body Cream" this is a thick rich cream that leaves my skin velvety soft. I I use it after a bath for a warming wrap of moisture and yummy fragrance.

The aroma of the cream is rich and spicy but not sweet, its very appropriate for this time of year. I may be fickle but I can't see me using this outside of winter, it just seems wrong.

I'm sure I'll use this little pot up this winter and go back for more next year! 

xoxo