Need-to-know news / Beauty Reviews from New Zealand’s most loved Health & Beauty Brands
Personal Fave > Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid
I was complimented recently on my skin and kinda blew it off but afterward realised I did have a bit of a secret weapon; I’ve been using Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid every second night for around 6 weeks now and I’m a convert.
You have to take it easy though, this is a serious resurfacing treatment but your skin will love it. A swipe over your face after cleansing in the evening is all it takes. When I wake in the morning my skin is super hydrated, looks younger and fresher with minimised pores. Smooth is an understatement. I’d never before heard of Alpha-H but a quick Google search showed just how much of a cult product this is.
RRP $57.95 Available from www.tvsn.co.nz
NEW Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix
Beauty lovers, this is EXCITING. Estée Lauder has extended their legendary Advanced Night Repair range with Eye Concentrate Matrix. In stores today, July 17th 2017, this blend of visco-elastic polymer and 2X concentrated infusion of two types of Hyaluronic Acid is science in a bottle. Dubbed a multi-repair, skin strengthening, ultra-nourishing formula, the 360° Matrix technology has been designed to combat the aging effects of over 10,000 micro-movements made by our eyes each day.
I’ve just applied it for the first time via the massage applicator, which, as well as feeling heavenly under tired eyes, will also ensure that this is an investment in your skin that will go the distance. It would almost be impossible to apply too much product as the bottle/applicator design functions perfectly.
RRP $138 Available at Estée Lauder counters, online at smithandcaugheys.co.nz and farmers.co.nz.
L’Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Comforting Face Cream + code for you!
Oh my lord. The smell, the creamy texture, the incredible hydration factor…… the shea butter collection from L’Occitane is one of my faves and should go straight to the top of your list if your skin is suffering from the drying effects of winter. Also available in a 5% Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream, L’Occitane’s natural and organic ingredient-based solutions are perfect to remedy that ‘tight’ feeling that is associated with the temperature fluctuations our skin is exposed to at this time of year.
RRP $66 Available from nz.loccitane.com/
Try the range with a FREE 7 day skincare trial which you can collect from any of the L’Occitane boutiques, as well as online using the code “Melissa” with any purchase until the 30th of July.
Frankie Apothecary Kawakawa Balm
It’s a genuinely exciting time in the health and skincare field as more and more beautifully crafted, natural products are coming to market and proving their worth and efficacy against options created by their big-pharma contemporaries.
New-to-me Kawakawa Balm by Frankie Apothecary is one such product. Wildcrafted from a sustainable Kawakawa farm in Mangawhai, this is the first NZ made, oil-based formulation targeting eczema and is completely preservative free as are all products in the Frankie Apothecary range. The balm is in a perfect semi-solid state, softening easily to the touch and applies beautifully. The first thing I did after opening the jar was to apply it to my dry, chapped lips after a morning on the sidelines at rugby. Then, I put it on my hands and feet and on Ethan’s legs which were hideously dry, scaly and looked like they had been sandblasted after his game today.
This is one of those miracle products that you will find multiple uses for. The oil-based formula feels amazing on my skin and I’m really looking forward to incorporating it into how I care for the boys.
RRP $32.90 available from www.frankieapothecary.co.nz and good pharmacies and health stores around NZ.
A’kin Natural Australian Skincare
The list of what’s NOT in A’kin products is so vast, it was really interesting running my eyes down the ingredients list and taking note of what is actually in these skincare products that have proven so popular on both sides of the Tasman. Corn cob powder, coconut water, green tea, cucumber water. Sounds delicious, but these natural offerings culminate in a robust range with an awesome price-point.
A’kin includes cult beauty faves Micellar Water (RRP $17.49) and Rosehip Oil (RRP $34.99) in their range, all of which contain; no sulfates, parabens, silicones, ethoxylated cleaners, PEGS, phyalates, mineral oil, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or animal derivatives. Perfect options for those committed to using only vegan, cruelty-free skincare products.
Available from pharmacies and health stores nationwide, or shop online at www.akin.co.nz/
Manuka Doctor ApiRefine Radiance Serum
This is my second time using one of Manuka Doctor’s most iconic products, ApiRefine Radiance Serum and I was very excited to have it hit my doorstep ergo my face lol. I’ve found many serums don’t layer well under moisturiser and then makeup, but this one does. I wear serum every day, have tried many different options and I’d have to pop this in my Top 3 I think! The results are dewy but not oily, firm but not tight.
Manuka Doctor ApiRefine Radiance Serum RRP $35.95, available online www.manukadoctor.co.nz from Farmers Department Stores, selected pharmacies and department stores.
Avon True New Zealand Launch + WIN!
Ding-dong to Dot-com! Avon has been synonymous with beauty for 130 years now and is continuing to introduce new generations of consumers to their brand, building on a legacy of simple, honest, functional products that embody effortless beauty and uncompromising results.
I was thrilled to attend the launch of Avon True in Auckland at the end of June and get to know the brand a little more. 
The evolution of Avon as I remember it (purely catalogue based and unattainable unless you knew an ‘Avon Lady’) to a brand that honours it’s heritage whilst providing an innovative online sales platform is pretty staggering.
Avon is now accessible to everyone including those of us that are true online shopping devotees – I love it!
My pick of the new range? True Colour Flawless CC Pearls RRP $35.99
With shades to combat all of our skin woes such green to reduce redness and yellows to combat dark circles, I’m really looking forward to adding these pearls to my daily makeup routine – there’s nothing more exciting to me than a product that quite simply makes sense!
Available online at: shopavon.co.nz
Win with Avon!
I have 5 Avon True Colour Skin Goodness Moisturising BB Cream SPF15 to give away in Shell (check the link to make sure that colour will work for you!) RRP $19.99. To enter just leave a comment below and let me know whether you’d prefer ‘Ding dong or dot.com” Avon shopping.
Comp closes Sunday 24th July, NZ residents only.
1. Tangle Teezer Star Wars Special Editions RRP $34 – available from selected pharmacies, salons, dept. stores or call 0508 734 466 for stockists. 2. BON Organic Tampons from $6.99 www.bonlifestyle.com, 3. Freeman Beauty Infusion Pods & Sheet Masks from $5.50 at selected pharmacies and Farmers stores. 4. Sukin Ultra Hydrating Body Oil RRP $24.50 available at Farmers, pharmacies and health stores nationwide.
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