An Apple A Day…
Keeps a whole lot at bay, that is for sure, especially when it’s gone a bit nuts! L’Occitane will be introducing the newest member to its age defying skincare team from July 1, 2007 with the new Almond & Apple Harvest Launch. Well over two years ago L’Occitane harnessed the ultra nourishing properties of Almond in its luxe body care range, but has now upped the ante even more by joining the forces of almond protein with the antioxidant rich, smoothing, tightening and protective assets of organic apple extract from Provence. Apple more than capably fights against slackening of the skin and loss of elasticity all the while protecting against environmental aggressions and hormonal factors that can lead to premature aging. Beauty Marked!® had the pleasure of experiencing this super potent dynamic duo at work in the Almond & Apple Cleansing Oil and the Almond & Apple Velvet Concentrate.
The Almond & Apple Cleansing Oil gently removed my makeup and the day’s impurities and left my skin feeling all the better for it. The light cleansing oil turned to the most gorgeously textured milk when in contact with water. After cleansing, my skin was clean, supple and hydrated. Next, I applied the Almond & Apple Velvet Concentrate to moisturize. The Almond & Apple Velvet Concentrate has a soft fondant texture and is, most certainly, suitable for all skin types as it is not heavy or so very fluid to be only of use to specific skin types. The Concentrate contains Almond proteins, Sillicum, and coriander essential oil which are responsible for improving the skin’s firmness, elasticity, and smoothing fine lines. The organic apple extract stimulates natural exfoliation because of the fruit acids it contains and refines the skin’s texture. The last major player in the Almond & Apple Velvet Concentrate is organic apple cider vinegar, which acts as a natural astringent on the pores. My skin certainly felt nourished and protected and had a lovely smooth texture after applying. I must say, I do adore the ever so light scent of both products too. The natural fragrance is wonderfully fresh and crisp.
I will look forward to meeting the Almond & Apple Sweet Peel and Almond & Apple Toning Cider, which are also part of the new Almond & Apple Harvest range. Do be sure to visit a L’Occitane boutique near you or online for the Almond & Apple Harvest range and much more from July 1.
Public Holiday Pampering Du Jour.
In Australia, It’s the Queen’s birthday again. Does that make it her second or third birthday this year? I can’t recall. Many of us have the day off today, so what better opportunity than to have a little beauty R & R. Well, it’s not so much pampering (*wink*), but more Public Holiday Monday Maintenance. I’m up for a little Public Holiday Monday Maintenance, how about you? On today’s Maintenance Monday Menu, I’m ordering up a face scrub, a mask, and blowdry. To be followed by a manicure and pedicure, I suspect. What do you think you’ll have? You’ll have to order up something for yourself. Everything’s good I hear. Enjoy!
Prevage Prowess.
I have been using Prevage Anti-Aging Formula for a while now and I must say, I am really enjoying the noticeable changes in my skin’s texture and tone. My skin is smoother, softer and firmer. Mind you, I wasn’t the saggiest creature around prior to using Prevage Anti-Aging Formula, but obviously had a bit to improve and it has, absolutely. Strangely enough, my ears have jumped in on the action too. Go figure? My ears are much more even toned then life before using Prevage. B.P. (before Prevage), there was a fair bit of uneven pigmentation on my lobes due to old, disused piercing (yes, I’m a child of the 80’s…I’ll admit it) and mild eczema scarring. That sad state of affairs has vastly improved. I’ve been using Prevage morning and night prior to moisturizing. What I love the most about Prevage Anti-Aging Formula, is that it plays well with other products in my current skincare regime. I haven’t noticed the least bit of infighting between any of the other members in my beauty arsenal. Nice. After Prevage-ing, I moisturize and then move onto the other beauty bits I’m using for the day and I’m set. Plus, between you and me, I can’t seem to keep my eyes and hands off Prevage’s sleek stainless-look packaging either. Scrumptious!
Quiet Achiever.
I thought it would have been remiss of me not to mention this pot of skincare gold: Living Nature Purifying Cleanser. Talk about a quiet achiever! I have been using this cleanser fairly regularly for the last few months and am absolutely certain it has kept my skin in good stead. Living Nature Purifying Cleanser appears as your run of the mill ecologically aware, friend to all product, but on closer inspection it is a whole lot more. Purifying Cleanser by Living Nature, has one of the shortest ingredient lists of any cleanser I’ve seen and that’s a great thing. The ingredient list is free from synthetics, preservatives, and parabens. Kumerahou, to naturally rebalance the skin’s oils and to gently cleanse, and Manuka honey to promote clear skin are the hero ingredients that quietly get on with considerately cleansing the skin and promoting skin clarity. The packaging is not only 100% recyclable but is packed in a positively loaded manner. Being positively loaded means that the bottle opens from the base and is gravity fed as a result. This method of opening protects the product from the effects of air, more specifically oxygen, which can be so degrading and will eventually spoil any skincare product, particularly ones such as Living Nature’s which are preserved without artificial interference. Living Nature is a New Zealand company that is distributed in over 12 countries worldwide. Living Nature Skincare products are proudly made of New Zealand. Purifying Cleanser does, indeed, live up to Living Nature’s aim to protect, nurture and enhance the lives of its users. Absolutely worth a look!
Madcap Monday!
I suppose if I actually understood astrology better, I could say something like Mercury is retrograde or that aurora borealis is extra gaseous or something more informed to explain the tardiness of my blog entry today. As I write this, the internet in my neck of the woods is down (the entire state apparently) and has been so for several hours. Where my ISP was answering the telephone early this morning and promising that the connections aught to be established in an hour or so (mind you, that was 5 hours ago!), they have now popped on a voicemail message stating that due to technical difficulties, they are unable to answer any calls. So, besides making over dramatic sighing noises, there isn’t much I can do. So I wait.
In the interim, I decided to pull out the DVD that was tagging along with a skincare range (which shall remain nameless) that I hadn’t been able to get around to due to the sheer volume of promising product I eagerly hope to review for you. So into my hobbled computer the DVD went. I cranked it up and sat back to watch. Huh? I looked over my shoulder once and then twice. What the? Excuse me? The DVD was utterly freaky. I felt like I was instantly transported to the future. You know the one: the future where we live under a glass dome out on a steel platform somewhere hovering over the left landfill of our neglected mother earth. You know, that year 2050 quasi Blade Runner sorta stuff. Weird. Images of waterfalls and clouds captured on time-lapsed film, women and men standing in rain forests (holographic of course), smiling at me with unwavering cultish gazes, new age music which I am convinced had underlaid tracks of subliminal messages urging me to take the green pill, go on take the green pill, you know you want to take the green pill… trying to creep into my psyche. Is this the way of my future? Our beautiful future? Argh! Surely someone’s having a laugh? Brb…
*races out of the office in search of a tree, some grass, perhaps a flower. Heck, even a pigeon will do!*
Being Body Focused.
This month, The Body Shop has released a wonderful range of products that are absolutely chockers with natural active ingredients that are sourced from The Body Shop Community Trade Program. The Body Shop’s New Body Focus Range allows you to have spa calibre body treatments at home.
I’ve had the pleasure of having the Body Focus products applied to me in a swish spa and I have trialled them in my home. I am pleased to say that with the exception of having a gorgeous spa technician apply the products for me (I really did try hard to talk her home with me to apply, but no dice.) the products were just as effective, stimulating, and rejuvenating as when applied amidst the glories of a fabulous spa.
The Body Focus Range is compiled of 6 products that are powered by natural active ingredients and one incredible spa-like tool. The products are:
Cellulite Serum- A lightweight gel that contains an active complex with amino acids, caffeine, forskolin, Makandi mint, and vitamins B and C.
Cellulite Massager- A salon-style treatment accessory to enhance the performance of the Body Focus products (my fave).
Firming Lotion- A lightweight moisturiser with sustained release technology. Two of the key active ingredients in the Firming Lotion are seaweed extract and alginic acid (a protective film that forms on the skin’s surface to act as a protective barrier from damaging environmental elements).
Sculpting Body Mask- An effective all over body mask that delivers the ultimate salon treatment feeling while effectively improving the appearance of the skin.
Stretch Mark Improver- A light moisturising cream that includes rosehip seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, and Community Trade shea butter from Ghana.
Toning Soap Scrub- An intensive exfoliating soap which cleanses and stimulates the circulation and improves skin tone. Lemon and grapefruit essential oils are used along with finely cut lemon peel, ground apricot stones and Community Trade shea butter in this knobbly textured bar.
Toning Massage Oil- A fragrant body oil that contains six essential oils to boost circulation, improve the skin’s texture and appearance, whilst uplifting the senses.
Now you’re talking! Visit The Body Shop for this and other delectable goodies. You’ll be wrapped if you do.
Eyebrows: The Most Gorgeous Frame.
Our eyebrows clearly frame our face and set the tone for our image. This often ignored aspect of the face has such a tremendous influence on our look. Many folks often concentrate on all other areas of their grooming and makeup, but forget about these vital little beauties.
Immaculately groomed and well shaped eyebrows give us a polished look, even when we are wearing no makeup at all. (Fellas, I’m looking at you!) When we have cleared out all the undergrowth that can so quickly accumulate under and between our brows without being noticed and then shape these babies into a full and clean arch, we gain the effect of looking more alert and flatteringly well groomed.
Beauty Marked! recommends that you have your eyebrows professionally shaped at least once in your life. But be warned, once you see the miraculous difference gorgeously shaped brows make, you’ll be hooked!
