Cleansers

Cleansing is vital to having healthy,beautiful skin. If you neglect this important step in your skincare routine its time to have a think. 

Not cleansing upsets our skins balance and can cause many problems,acne, dull skin, wrinkles etc

Switching cleansers on a regular basis can cause irritation to your skin and breakouts,especially if you are prone to them.

Personally,I use two cleansers, my gel cleanser in the morning and my cream cleanser at night to help remove excess make up. 

I am quite lucky as I have what it deemed as normal skin but many people dont have “normal” skin so this needs to be taken into account when choosing a cleanser that is right for your skin.

Oily skin- When choosing a cleanser make sure it is desgined for oily skin.Cleansers desgined specifically for oily skin efficiently remove oil excess.

 If you are purchasing this at a supermarket make sure your not in a rush and can look through all the cleansers and make sure you are picking one that seems right for your skin type. Look for the terms oil free,gentle and water based.Check to see if it is non-comedogenic which means the product wont clog your pores.

Alternatively you can go to a cosmetic counter and get advice in choosing an appropriate cleanser,ask for samples so you can try before you buy.

If your skin is prone to acne look for a product containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid

Dry skin- Avoid any cleanser that has any mention of alcohol. Alcohol is very drying and will make your dry skin even drier! If your cleanser lists ethyl alcohol, isopropyl and ethanol  avoid them. Keep your eyes open for a hydrating cleanser. Look for a high water content and some oils(not mineral oil as it will clog your pores). Also foaming cleansers tend to be alot more drying than others so it may pay to stay away from these types of cleansers.

Combination Skin- Probably the easiest skin type to care for, you may have drier patches and oiler patches but neither excessive enough to become a problem. Choose an oil free facial cleanser. If you want, you can use 2 cleansers, one for oily skin on the oily parts of your skin(generally the t-zone) and a cleanser specifically for dry skin on the drier parts of your face. Although keep in mind this is a more time consuming and costly way of doing this and your skin would benefit almost as much from a cleanser designed for normal skin.

Sensitive Skin- Stick to fragrance free. Also it might pay to look for a more natural product. Keep in mind the shorter the list of ingredients the better!

Below are some cleansers I have found and have been reccomended to me by friends and family. I am currently using Nutrimetics Hydrafinity Gel Cleanser.

 Solutions Maximum Moisture Day and Night cleanser from Avon price to be confirmed

  Origins Pure Cream Rinseable Cleanser $30.50 available from http://nz.strawberrynet.com/skincare/origins/pure-cream-rinseable-cleanser/101906/#DETAIL

Clean and Clear Morning Burst Facial Cleanser $11.99 available from most Supermarkets 

Nutrimetics Clear Oil Control Cleansing Gel $25 from http://www.nutrimetics.com.au/portal/skincare/18320_promo.html

Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleansing cream $13.79 available from most supermarkets 

Yves Saint Laurent Pureness Rinse off insant foam $54.50 from http://nz.strawberrynet.com/skincare/yves-saint-laurent/pureness-rinse-off-instant-foam/82432/#DETAIL

Fragrance to fall in love with!

My absolute favourite perfume of all time is In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon,exclusive to Avon

Avon says:Sensual and elegant, In Bloom entices the senses with a bouquet of gardenia blossoms and lush florals, enveloped in amber wood and peach tea leaves.

I ADORE this scent! I have been using In Bloom for almost a year now and it never fails to make me feel good.

While it is a floral scent, its not what I call "grandma floral". There is a definate "fruity" smell to it but not "13 yr old sprayed herself with cherry scented body spray" type scent. You can also purchase the matching bodywash. Im not 100% sure if they have a body moisturiser.

It is a very elegant and classy perfume plus dont you just love the bottle?! Its so adorable!

This is my absolute must have scent.

If I remember correctly it retails for about $59.99. Sometimes you can pick it up off the auction site TradeMe at a lesser price.

To get yourself an avon rep and to try In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon visit avon.co.nz

Or to see if you can pick up an amazing bargain off TradeMe visit trademe.co.nz

Exfoliation

Today Im covering exfoliation.

First of what is exfoliation?This is the explanation from Wikipedia

Exfoliation involves the removal of the oldest dead skin cells on the skin's outermost surface, and has been used for many years to help maintain the skin. Exfoliation is involved in the process of a facial and during body treatments at spas. Exfoliation can be achieved through mechanical or chemical means
So we know that we need exfoliation to remove the dead skin cells. Your skin regenerates itself every 28-31 days. The skin cells start to shed to make room for the new skin cells created in the skins lower layer(the dermis). The old skin cells sometimes remian attached to the surface on your skin. This can make other products you use on your skin(serums,moisturisers etc) less effective as they have to try and get through the dead skin cells to get to and penetrate the new skin cells. Who knew?!

There are also two types of exfoliation maual(or mechanical) which is where you physically scrub away the dead cells,this is where a scrub exfoliator comes into play.
A chemical exfoliator is when the product you are using dissolves the  old skin cells without any additional effort from you. 

Now how to choose an exfoliator?
If your skin is very sensitive or very dry you need to choose a gentle exfoliator and only use it 1-2 times a week,look for a product that has "beads" or "spheres" as these are generally kinder on your skin. An exfoliator that can be wiped off rather than rubbed off is generally best to avoid skin irriation

If you skin is oily using an exfoliator which is quite abrasive that can be rubbed of rather than gently wiped off is best

When choosing  a chemical exfoliant look for ingredients such as alpha-hydroxy acids(AHA's) and retinoic acid

The tube and info provided should usually guide you and state what type of skin it is designed for.

If you have pretty normal skin you could try the most inexpensive exfoliator available:Baking Soda! No Im not kidding! Take about 4 teaspoons of baking soda,mix with about a teaspoon of water and gently rub it onto your dampened face. Because Baking soda is so inexpensive if it doesnt work you havent really wasted any money,you can use baking soda as a body scrub,a stain remover for your teeth(yes it really works!) as a cleaner,the uses are endless!

After using an exfoliator sun protection is so important as your skin is very vunerable so slap on that SPF!

I hope this has been helpful,info on choosing an exfoliator isnt very easy to come by and I have done my best. Here are some exfoliators you can try

Nivea Young $10 from most supermarkets

St. Ives Naturally Clean $11.49 from most supermarkets

Neutrogena fresh foaming scrub $14,79 from most supermarkets

Trilogy gentle facial exfoliant $39.90 avaiable from trilogyproducts.com

Clarins  Gentle exfoliating refiner $42 available at http://nz.strawberrynet.com/main.aspx?region=NZ

Now just quickly,other ways to help you achieve beautiful skin with no products
-Water,hydrate your skin from the inside out and drink at least 8 glasses(2 litres) of water a day! Water flushes out toxins giving your skin a healthy glow.Try carrying a bottle of water around with you,you consume much more water if its right there.
-Excersize is good for your skin!! It increases circulation which delivers nutrients to your skin. Excersize helps you sleep better giving your skin a better shot at rejuvination.
-Keep your make up songes,applicators and brushes clean. These harbour lots of dirt and bacteria. Sponges and appliactors should be replaced regularly.
-Always remove make up before you go to bed,allow your skin to breathe!
-Have one make up free day a week
-Wear sunglasses to protect the delicate eye area
-Get lots of sleep,7-8 hours. Not enough sleep can give you dark circles and under eye bags.

Disclaimer: All prices were correct at time of posting.  The information provided here should not replace those of your doctor,dermatologist or other skincare professional

Products

With so many products out there it can be so confusing knowing what exactly you do need,what you dont,what each product does and how often to use them!
Today I am going to tell you what products I think every woman should have,what products are added bonuses but not essential and briefly overview what each product actually does!!

To start with,I personally think every woman should have the following products
-Exfoliant
-Cleanser
-Moisturiser
-Sunscreen
-Hand cream

These are what I think the basics of good skin care are. In my ideal world every woman would also use
-Facial Serum
-Toner
-Purifying mask
-Eye cream
-Eye serum
Unfortunatley not all of us can afford to buy and maintain the use of these products which is why I have created the shorter list of products above. But why do you need to use them?

Why do I need to use an exfoliant?
Exfoliation removes the damaged,outer layer and dead skin. As gross as it sounds we all have dead skin and we can all benefit from exfoliating. Regular exfoliation helps our cleanser clean our skin more thouroughly as it doesnt have to fight and remove the dead skin and moisturiser can penetrate the healthy skin alot more easily. Exfoliation can also help with blackheads and acne.Your skin type does determine what type of exfoliant you should be using and how often. Oily skin needs to be exfoliated more often than dry or sensitive skin,I will be covering exfoliation in tomorrows blog(28/09/2010)Pictured is Garnier Pure face wash,scrub,mask 3 in 1  currently available at Woolworths for $12.29 NZD

Why do I need to use a cleanser?
Cleansing cleans the skin,remvong surface dirt and excess oil so that pores arent clogged before you apply your make up and it helps refresh,clean and remove make up at the end of the day.After cleansing you should look natural and refreshed. Clogged poeres play a big part in your skins overall health. I will be covering cleansers in wednesdays blog(29/09/2010)Pictured is Dermologica Essential Cleansing Solution 250ml/8.3oz  currently available at http://us.strawberrynet.com for $49.50 NZD

Why do I need a moisturiser?
Moisturisers hydrate the skin and can help prevent premature ageing. Moisturisers add water to the skin and lock it in,pretty simple really. As we age our skin loses moisture and becomes dehydrated,moisturisers can rectify the problem and also help prevent signs of ageing. Moisturisers with an SPF are great. I will be covering moisturisers in Thursdays blog(30/09/2010)Pictured is Neutrogena Healthy defence daily moisturiser with an SPF 30,available from most supermarkets for around $18

Why do I need sunscreen?
First off let me say this:THE SUN IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!. The sun is very damaging,it can burn and contributes to premature ageing(think old overly tan,leather handbag looking person)
You need to apply sunscreen daily to protect your skin from the elements,even on overcast days the sun is still out and can still damage your skin.

Why do I need to use hand cream?
The skin on your hands suffers the worst damage of all. They are constantly being washed with soap and water which can be drying,they are always exposed to the elements,pretty much they get a hammering in day to day life and are usually the first things to show signs of ageing.A rich,moisturising hand cream helps give back the moisture and help restore the moisture in your hands. I love Neutrogena Norweigian Hand cream( a little goes a long way) currently available at Woolworths for $1.49 for a 14 g tube or $9.89 for a 56g tube.Use as many times a day as you can!

Well thats all for today I hope it has been of some help

DISCLAIMER:Please note that the product pricing was correct at the time of posting,due to the GST rise due on October 1st these prices will change,I will do my best on October first to re price these products and edit them here

Whats hot this second!

Whats hot this second?

Flawless youthful looking skin!

Olay and covergirl teamed up and created Simply Ageless foundation. It combines a light anti ageing skincare with a SPF 22 foundation! I have not tried it... YET but its something on my wishlist and at only $29.99 I will be trying it in no time! Has anyone else tried it?

The eye make up look Im loving right now

Am totally in love with this look at the moment whether it be in greys,browns or black it just works!!
What do you think? Whats your favourite eye make up look at the moment?

No rainbow needed to find this Pot of Gold!!

A rich, highly concentrated blend of specially selected Apricot Oil and Vitamin E which intensively nutures and protects your skin for a smooth and supple feel.

Nestled in the Himalayan Mountains is Hunza, whose people retain smooth, unlined complexions.
Their secret? A precious oil extracted from the kernal of the Apricot. The same precious oil is the basis of the rare formulation, which makes up the "Crown Jewel" of the Nutrimetics Range, Nutri-Rich oil.

After reading that on the box I thought yeah right ok. Well it is actually a fantasic product!
You can use it as a lip balm, overnight moisturiser,ANYWHERE!! It is not reccomended for Oily Skin as it is deeply hydrating and your skin just drinks it

I used it for ONE night(overnight) and my god my skin has never ever felt so so soft!
Its is truly worth its weight in gold!!

It has a balm like consistency which melts into a light oil when you apply it to your skin

A total luxury product!!

To find out more visit http://www.nutrimetics.com.au/portal/collection/nutrimetics/1107.html

You can also check out auction sites like Trade Me to see if anyone is selling unopened products at a reduced price to save some money

Review:Designer Brands Oil Free Foundation

I am almost at the end of my DB Oil Free foundation so thought I'd do a review to let people know what its like.

The blurb on their website says:Designer Brands Oil-free Mineral Foundation containts light diffusing ingredients and micro encapsulated particles to provide a smooth, natural finish that covers imperfections and small blemishes. Long wearing and non-irritating to sensitive skin, its weightless formulation guarantees a flawless finish every time.

The website states it is a mineral foundation although the bottle itself has no mention of it being mineral whatsoever.

What I liked about this foundation is how light it is on your skin,Im used to wearing heavier,full coverage foundations so this was a nice change. And it is well worth the small price tag of $13.99 NZD


I am sure it does cover small blemishes but I found if you want to hide broken capilleries, acne scarring etc you still need to use a concealer underneath. 
It isnt terribly long wearing but does hold up nicely.

It is available in 8 different shades so your sure to find a shade that suits you.

All in all it is an ok foundation if you want a lightweight formula with light to medium coverage plus it is cheap as chips so it doesnt break the bank


If you want to find a store to purchase Designer Brands cosmetics go to http://www.dbcosmetics.co.nz/locator.php.
Keep an eye out for my future reviews on Designer Brands liquid eyeliner and Designer Brands concealer

Product Review

Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Gel eyeliner with Brush in Black 3.5g
 
I was so excited when I recieved this in the mail today and couldnt wait to try it out!Im usually a liquid liner and pencil kind of girl.
I purchased this off the auction site Trade Me(trademe.co.nz) and paid a tad more than I would usually consider for an eyeliner.I have wanted a gel eyeliner for so long and this is my first gel liner,so my excitement was to be expected

Sadly it was smaller than I expected(the size wasnt mentioned in the auction and silly me didnt think to ask!)

The blurb on the box says:




Smooth,long wearing color to line and define eyes,Eyeliner Brush included. Opthalmologist and clinically tested.

 Now I was impressed with how easily the product adhered to the brush and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to apply eyeliner with this brush.The consistency of this product is very balm-like which I suppose is what helps with its easy application. The product glided on smoothly but I needed a little bit more product than I thought to get the deep black I was after

The thing that makes this better than liquid liner is if you want a smudgy line its easily achievable without destroying your look and you can use it on your lower lash line(PLEASE NOTE:It is not suitable for the water line)
It is a great liner and pretty mess free and easy to apply,perfect if your new to wearing liner on your upper lash line and the brush makes application oh so easy. Definatley a worthwhile buy!

Photos follow! 

PRODUCT REVIEW:Avon MagiX face perfector

Yay! My first product review and Im super excited!

AVON magiX face perfector

This product I waited over a YEAR to try and have been using it for a month now,Im so glad I finally tried it,it is fantastic.

First off,I'll tell you a bit more about the product from the blurb on the back of the tube

.
Keeps shine away for up to 10 hours while it visibly smoothes the look of pores and fine lines.
Directions:Perfect the look of your skin with this colourless gel-powder.Apply all over face or just on the areas that need perfecting.Use alone or under foundation.

Now basically this is a make up base/primer and it truly delivers! Now while I dont agree that it is a gel, more like a cream. It does go on clear and dries to a powder like feel quickly. It helps reduce the look of fine lines and pores and mattifies skin.

There are 3 versions,one with SPF 20 and one without and you can also get a tinted one but this review only covers the untinted versions. The one with SPF is GREAT for daytime as it helps protect your skin

Now for the bad news,you end up using quite a bit of product to fully cover you face as it dries very quickly. Also if you have dry-ish skin this product is probably not for you(you would be better off going for a moisturising face primer or base)

All round this product is FABULOUS for normal to oily skin. Its approx $35(NZ) available from Avon.

Welcome to Simply Stunningly Gorgeous!!!

Welcome to Simply Stunningly Gorgeous,the blog designed with todays woman in mind!

I love beauty products,make up,skincare,haircare, the works!

Anyone can use it and there is a product for every skin type and skin tone.Used correctly make up can take a plain looking girl like myself and make her gorgeous!And there are constantly new products to try and a million different brands,all ranging in what they do,price etc. 

Whether your fav beauty product be the latest and most expensive volumising mascara,a great priced foundation or that perfect shade of lipstick,make up can make you feel like a million dollars. And this brings me to why I have started this blog.

I am constantly trying new and different beauty products,trying out new make up looks and finding hassle free ways to help others perfect their look and feel glam!

I am a Nutrimetics consultant and I am starting a beauticians course in Feb 2011 so am going to be recieving alot more knowledge that I can pass on to everyone else!

So please,feel free to visit anytime you like and I will try to blog if not everyday every 2^nd day!

I will be trying new products,giving you hints and tips on what to use for different skin types. I will also give tricks and create tutorials and video blogs on how to perfect the look you are after and what to look for when purchasing certain products. While I am no expert, cosmetics are my passion so I am hoping as time goes on I can help you all feel as great with make up as I do!