With the new year, we also saw L’Occitane releasing new packaging for their existing Lavende collection. This collection is known for the ability to reduce anxiety, ease stress and promote a good night’s sleep. Great for people like me who shower before bed.
Lavender Shower Gel RRP AUD$28 / Lavender Body Massage Gel RRP AUD$38
Body Gel and Shower Gel are like butter and toast. It is important to keep skin moisturised after shower to replenish any lost nutrition to the skin. L’Occitane Lavender Shower Gel is enriched with lavender essential oil that not only cleanses the skin but also leaves it lightly perfumed with L’Occitane’s signature Provincial lavender.
I especially love the Body Massage Gel, it is rich but due to its smooth jelly like texture makes massaging a breeze. Personally, I love massaging post shower to help boost circulation and keep skin well moisturised at the same time. The L’Occitane Body Massage Gel also comes with the relaxing aromatic scent of lavender that prolongs the scent from the shower gel.
Lavender Hand Cream RRP AUD$28 (75ml)
One of L’Occitane best selling product is their hand creams. Naturally, this hand cream combines the benefits of shea butter and lavender essential oil to keep paws well moisturised and a great addition for hand bag or desk side. If you’re a fan of the relaxing lavender scent, you’ll love this.
All products are available on counter now
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With the layers and layers of fake tan/body products women use; it is high time for a product like St Tropez Tan Detox is available in the market designed to remove unwanted self tan build up. As we all know, anything build up is nasty especially if it’s fake tan.
Tan Detox ensures you get rid of the streaking, unevenness and any orange tan drama at the comfort of your own home. This kit comes with a pampering bath oil and a gentle exfoliating cloth. The bath oil contains lavender, lemon and hazelnut oil deliver smoothness and softness to skin.
Two caps full of the oil in a warm bath + gentle circulation massage with the exfoliating cloth is all it takes for a refreshed skin. Skin free from any build up and well moisturised. It is also advised to wait for a minimum of 12 hrs prior to applying tan. From what I’ve been told, this helps to erase all your unwanted fake tan and refreshes skin for a fresh coat of fake tan.
Great for any skin condition even if you don’t tan like myself. This has fast become part of my beauty regime to soothe and relax after a long week.
RRP AUD$59.95
Available on counters now
Stockist: 1800 358 999
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February saw 8 brand spanking new on trend nail colour shades adding to the existing Australis nail colour collection. These colours are shiny, intensely pigmented and application is creamy and streak free. I have mix up the swatches a little and grouped the shades together; surprisingly they match each other really well.
What do you think?
From left: #sky’s the limit (blue), #manic panic (purple), #jellybean (bright coral)
a mixture of the three shades
another shot
From left: #kick the bucket (grey), #rabid revenge (dark maroon)
both of them together
A mixture of #foil spoil (metallic silver) & #mates rates (dark green)
RRP AUD$7.95 each
Available in counters now
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Many might be very farmiliar with Sisley’s skincare products but not so much with their makeup. To be honest, I am the same. I can name you 5 awesome Sisley skincare products on the top of my head but I couldn’t name any makeup products.
Sisley makeup range benefits from the brand’s cutting edge skincare research and expertise by incorporating the skincare ingredients into key makeup products for example their Sisley Phyto Lip Shine (RRP AUD$50 each) contains treatment for the lips.
Texture wise, the Phyto Lip Shine (available in 14 shades) is creamy to apply, feels glossy yet lightweight and quite softening to the lips. Finish is luminous shiny and not your usual drying lipstick finish. Star ingredients for the lipstick are definitely the Kokum and Mango butter. Both provides hydration and comfort to lips when using these lipstick. If you are more of a gloss girl, you’ll appreciate this ‘in between’ lipstick, not ‘too done up’ look for the lips.
All Sisley make up products comes with a protective dust sleeves. How luxe!
#Sheer Nude
#Sheer Burgundy
Apart from the lipsticks, I also got to trial the Sisley Phyto Khol Star Glittering Eyeliner in #7 Dark Amethyst (RRP AUD$62). This kholeye liner has the softest texture I have tried in a while; resulting in a soft line finish with intense colour pigment. The shimmer finish is also another highlight of the product, not quite shimmer not quite glitter, it’s in between as the shimmery particles are quite big but for some reason it works really well and adds that special sparkly and pearly touch to the liner.
The star ingredients for the Glittering Eyeliner contains softening wild rose extract (so lush!). For me the most important thing for an eyeliner is the finish and the longevity since I have inward fold lid (yes only one of them) and finish is long lasting. The Phyto Khol Star Glittering Eyeliner also comes with a genuine Swarovski crystal in the same shade as the lead, how cute?
Sisley Phyto Blush Eclat #1 DUO PEACH
RRP AUD$105
This blush palette (available in 4 shades) doubles as a sculpting powder, blush and highlighter. I usually use the darker shade as a sculpting shade, mix both the dark and lighter shade as blush and the lighter shade as a highlighter. The finish is radiant, glowing and matte (my fav type of finish) finish.
The powder of this blush is really fine, easy to blend and feels very light on the skin. Shade wise, the peach pink looks really soft on skin and requires two buffs for a medium pigment coverage.
I am surprised that blushes can be so good for the skin too. This blush contains Rosehip, Gardenia, Gingko Biloba, Corn, WoodMallow and Linden Blossom. Guaranteed for a softer skin finish!
Available at selected David Jones Stores nationally now
Stockist: 1300 780 800
essie #topless & barefoot – a barely there soft beige pink
#Topless & Barefoot is a creamy pale colour, goes on milky and none streaky even though pale colours tend to go very streaky. So this is a plus! The barely there nude colour looks really well on my nails, a very refreshing change. I love it!
essie #braziliant – hot orange with a touch of shimmer
#braziliant – in the bottle I see a hint of purple shimmer which for some reason doesn’t show in pictures. The finish is a vibrant orange. Perfect for Summer.
Both nail polishes are available on Essie nail counter now
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Dear readers,
It’s time for another ponikuta.com giveaway.
This time one lucky reader will win a full sized Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eyes (newly launched) with a Peter Alexander Eye Mask (no picture). Both of which to me are essential for a night’s of beauty sleep. Total prize value is over AUD$55.
How to win it:
Either twitpic or facebook pic me a picture of your eyes concern whether if it’s eye bags, wrinkles, fine lines to show me how bad you need the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eyes.
- If you choose to send through your picture via Twitter be sure to @ponikuta and include #kiehlsgiveaway hash tag. Be creative and feel free to surprise me! Here’s an example: @ponikuta <insert picture link> #kiehlsgiveaway
- If you choose to send through your picture via Facebook you can post it on my Facebook wall. Again, feel free to be creative!
- Competition starts today 16th February 2012 and will run until 22th February 2012, 6pm (Melbourne time)
- Winner will be announced on the 23rd February 2012, be sure to check back to see if you’ve won!
- Competition is only open to Australia residing readers only
- Each user can only send through their entry once.
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Rimmel recently launched a new lash plumping mascara – the Scandaleyes Mascara. Comes in a huge orange tube, quite hard to miss in a make up bag. There’s only one word to describe the applicator wand, it’s MASSIVE. L’Oreal previously released a mascara similar to this mascara and I didn’t like it this time around let’s see how this one fare.
As you can see the mascara brush has max density, it’s bigger than the mascaras that I am used to. I can see how this wand picks up all lashes long/short but it also has the tendency to get messy if you have really short and sparse lashes because chances are you’ll get the mascara bits onto the lids. So this mascara is definitely a great choice for ladies with long lashes..
The formula is injected with collagen and keratin that promises to keep lashes strong, healthy and plumped while delivering volume and curve to lashes. The finish of this mascara is wet and upon drying it doesn’t make my lashes look dry and crunchy (which I hate alot of volumising mascara tend to make lashes look so).
If you have medium to long lashes and want abit of a lift and volume, this is definitely the mascara for you.
RRP AUD$16.95
Available on counters now (David Jones, Kmart, Target, Coles, Big W, Woolworths, Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Priceline pharmacy and selected pharmacies nationally
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In February, Maybelline released rwo new shades to their Colorama Mini Nail Color Bitter Sweet Collection. True to their name, they come in mini size and is very cute! Both nail polish consistency are creamy, I find the purple nail polish to be slightly creamier and thicker than the red.
#Fruit Juice – Bright red (not your old grandma red), glossy, great timeless shade. It’s the one-can-never-go-wrong shade.
#Tart – A rich purple shade that has a slight metallic feel in the bottle but once applied it’s a gorgeous midnight purple shade. Love the glossy finish, there’s no top coats in these swatches.
RRP AUD$5.95 each
Available on Maybelline counters now
]]>Regardless of the price, the quality and the brand; lipsticks always dry our lips out. Which is why, when I am given a choice I always pick lipsticks that are known to be moisturising and always prep my dry, chapped lips with lip exfoliation and lip balm prior to lip stick application.
From left: #Malibu Barbie, #Forbidden Fruit, #Pink Champagne (all new shades)
Face of Australia released 6 new shades to their existing Lip Quench Moisturising Lipstick SPF30+ (existing 8 shades). These lipsticks moisturises lips with natural emollients like Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E & Shea Butter. Not forgetting our lips being one of the most vulnerable area to sun damages, these Face of Australia Lip Quench SPF30+ also provides broad spectrum sun protection.
Consistency for these lipsticks are creamy and very smooth to apply. Here are the swatches in natural morning sun light with no flash.
#Forbidden Fruit – Favourite colour of the lot. It’s rich, creamy and compliments my skin colour really well. Doesn’t accentuate the fine lines or seep into my lip lines. I also got quite a few compliments when I wore this to work the other day.
#Pink Champagne – Probably my least favourite. The colour washes my skin tone out and magnifies my lip problems (chapping lips and lip lines). This colour will probably suit someone with no lip problems like I do and someone with a cool skin tone. Oh, how I wish this work for me as the colour looks so good on the tube.
#Malibu Barbie – This was the colour I looked forward the most prior to the launch. It screams BARBIE, it stands out, it is unique and is HOT. Due to the colour being lighter, I have to apply layers of this to avoid seeing my lip lines (yes it is that bad) and have to take extra time to prep my lips to ensure there’s no dryness or flakiness prior to applying this or it will have the tendency to accentuate flaws.
All in all, I love the colours from these lipsticks, they are fun, demands for compliments and doesn’t dry my lips out as much as I think it would. Highly recommend #Forbidden Fruit and #Malibu Barbie.
RRP AUD$9.95 each
Available on Face of Australia counters now
Stockist: Priceline, Kmart, Big W, Selected Pharmacies or call 03 9338 5222
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In 2012, Trilogy celebrating 10th year in business is giving back and is launching a new year-long campaign to raise funds for Child’s i Foundation - a foundation set up to end the tragedy of baby abandonment in Uganda.
Trilogy has launched the limited edition Trilogy Helping Hand Wash 30ml (RRP AUD$19.95) with all profits from the sale of Helping Hand Wash throughout 2012 will be donated to Child’s i Foundation.
Helping Hand Wash contains natural antibacterial ingredients like Elderberry and Burdock, contains natural vegetable oils and Trilogy’s signature fragrance of frankincense, rose geranium and lavender. Texture wise, this hand wash is creamy and low foamy, leaving hands clean, smells refreshingly good and non stripping dry.
Trilogy is sold nationally through selected Priceline, Myer, pharmacy and health stores
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ESP stands for Environmental Skin Protector combines antioxidant moisturisers combines natural, physical, mineral, zinc sunscreen (20%) and anti-pollution formula.
Pump bottle two in one functioning sunscreen (UVA/UVB) + moisturiser is the best bet for time poor individuals. While I am not a big fan of using skincare that combines moisturiser and sunscreen; but because of the high concentration of sunscreen, I deep dived into this and gave this a go.
As I already do have oily skin, moisturiser is not really ‘important’ on my list, hence I find this product just great on me. It acts as a barrier between the skin and the environment. Texture wise, this moisturiser is quite watery but the consistency is still rich. I use two full pumps for my face and neck area everyday in the morning.
Due to its zinc content, the sunscreen takes a while to rub in and to blend onto skin so make sure you put in the effort to massage and thoroughly work it all over face/neck. Scent wise it does smells like a zinc sunscreen. As for the finish, it is WORTH it. My skin felt refreshingly cool with a quite comfortable and non greasy finish.
In fact, I’ve been told this sunscreen can prevent those bad burns you get during ski trips! If you’re in the market for a high performance sunscreen, this one is a winner.
RRP AUD$35
Available on counters now
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For a nude palette, Bobbi Brown has nailed the palette down with screaming hot pink casing on the outside and the discreet classic black on the outside. From the Neons and Nudes Collection the limited edition Bobbi Brown Ultra Nude Eye Palette is one to watch out for if you’re in the market for a nude eye palette minus the shimmer.
Now you’d think that, oh this is just another nude eye palette. Well you are wrong. This is no normal nude eye palette because:
- The six colours in this staple palette suits everyone (regardless if you’re warm or cool toned)
- Perfect for those who are afraid of wearing eye shadow or simply don’t know how to (these colour are quite sheer so even none pro blending skill can get this mastered)
- Comes with beiges (you can’t go wrong with this shade) to browns (for a slightly more intense look minus the OTT smokey eye look)
- Has a combination of mostly matte and shimmer finishes (think pearlised shimmer rather than glitter shimmer)
- Comes with really handy and actually usable double ended make up brush, so there’s no need to invest in further make up brushes
RRP AUD$99
Available on counters officially 19th Feb 2012 but you can purchase it online at Bobbi Brown website now (get in quick as Bobbi Brown is notorious at selling out their limited edition palettes)
]]>I have a confession, I find it extremely gross to get make over done in a makeup counter. Don’t get me wrong, I love learning new tips from the experienced makeup artists, trying new products and colours on me but just not big on using products on display counters straight to my face.
Reason behind this is that no matter how clean and hygienic you think you are; the next uneducated customer is just going to come along, dig their dirty finger onto the makeup products on display and apply it to their face. I have seen people apply lipstick on display to their lips, JUST LIKE THAT, using the liner on display on their eyes, JUST LIKE THAT, using the bronzers on display and buffing away, JUST LIKE THAT. Gross much? It is disturbing and is a major ground for breeding infections.
This is the same reason why I would never swim in a public pool. The thought of while I do not piss in the swimming pool but that doesn’t stop someone else from doing so and I don’t want to drown myself in someone else’s piss. Major gross. I know, I am weird.
As a result, I only trial beauty products at the counter on the back of my hand unless it is a pump bottle product.
Do you feel the same way?
]]>To celebrate their association with New York Fashion Week, Maybelline NY is releasing a limited edition NYFW Baby Lips Lip Balm SPF20 in February. This lip balm delivers a conditioning formula and berry fragrance that keep lips moisturised for a full 8 hours and decreases fine lines.
To share their excitements, from 9-16th February 2012 – Maybelline have 10,000 limited edition Baby Lips lip balms up for grabs. They will be conducting a treasure hunt at New York Fashion Week AND you are all invited as it is online.
Clues will be posted on Maybelline NY’s facebook page. Good luck!
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#1 Make Up Brushes from NP Set, Benefit and Royal & Langnickel – Make up brushes that are worth investing and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
#2 Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser – HG quality concealer, such a shame with the sponge applicator design.
#3 Lanolips Lip Ointment with Color SPF 15 in #Apples – Favourite colour from Lanolips so far!
#4 UNT Color BB Cream – One of the better BB cream I have tested recently, dewy, good coverage and gives me a great natural skin finish.
#5 Restylane Skincare – Simple, effective and affordable. You can’t go wrong with this range.
#6 Harmony Home Spa Ultrasonic Cleansing System – Clarisonic watch out, this newbie is going to take you out!
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