An impulsive morning at the mall late last year, fuelled by an innate desire to be ‘sans kids’ for as long as possible, saw me agree to eyelash extensions after I had already upgraded my manicure to a bikini wax. Worst beauty mistake of my …
Visiting aquariums is our thing, it’s what we do when we travel and we absolutely LOVE it. Both of the boys have always been a tad obsessed with all things ‘ocean’, an interest Dave and I can wholeheartedly get behind. When we confirmed our (very) last …
In 2018 there
I headed over the bridge last week to Bare Waxing and Skin Centre to experience one of Dermalogica’s latest professional skin therapy treatments, the ProSkin 60 Facial, which launched in salons in May 2018. This is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Both of the ProSkin treatments (60 or 30 minutes) are bespoke. Customised to address individual needs and concerns, this 6 step skin journey is one I highly recommend you take!
As far as I’m concerned, a splurge on a facial is a no-brainer, providing the most bang for your beauty buck. They have the potential to deliver some powerful results, plus, are inherently relaxing, they usually include some massage and can profoundly affect the way I feel afterwards. I LOVE how my skin looks after a facial – come at me selfies!
My skin therapist (hereafter referred to as Gemma-with-the-magic-hands) began with a Dermalogica fave – the double cleanse. This was a timely reminder to reintroduce Precleanse Balm to my daily routine as I’ve been rushing through this important step in the shower. For me, this is where the magical, relaxing powers of a facial really begin. Cleansing your skin for minutes, rather than seconds, not only increases efficacy but is also a little meditative, a little time to relax………. every day in your own shower. We can do that, right mamas?
After an extensive skin analysis, we moved on to step two – resurfacing. Gemma-with-the-magic-hands added lactic acid to the physical exfoliant which my skin just LOVES. This is where the bespoke nature of ProSkin treatments is so valuable, my skin is robust and hardy, not
My skin was under steam this entire time so the deep treatment and masque that was applied next literally sank into my thirsty skin. Gemma had already identified dehydration as an area of concern in the analysis and I could notice the improvement immediately after treatment. Lush, hydrated skin instantly!
The final steps are Touch Therapies – beautiful facial, scalp, shoulder and décolleté massage and dermal layering – literally everything your skin needs to head out into the world looking its best.
I LOVED this treatment. ProSkin 60 was comprehensive, deliciously relaxing and indulgent but most importantly, it was incredibly effective. My skin looked amazing, more hydrated than I’d ever seen it, soft with improved texture and the most minimised pores ever. The skin analysis alone, combined with Gemma’s ‘prescription’ at the end was invaluable to me. I’m a bit of a product junkie and she very quickly identified that one of my faves may not be as beneficial to my skin as I’d been thinking – that’s why it pays to see a skin therapist when you can.
To experience ProSkin 60 or 30 for yourself, head to www.dermalogica.co.nz to find your nearest Platinum Skin Centre.
Get creative in the kitchen and recreate a classic Kiwi recipe using Best Foods Mayonnaise and you could be in to win $5000 with the Best Kiwi Recipe Challenge! Hurry, competition closes 4/9/18. Entry details HERE I’d heard tales of the mythical Southland Cheese Roll, but …
Click on the Facebook post below to win yourself this super-cute, Limited Edition Pink EasiYo Maker! Available in Countdown stores now while stocks last, $2 from every sale goes straight to KidsCan! Hurry, comp closes Sunday xx
The ‘historical’ origins of National Lipstick Day, celebrated on Sunday 29th July, may be slightly dubious, but, pfffttt, who doesn’t love a day dedicated to the transformative powers, and endless range of options that lipstick gives us.
I definitely haven’t been wearing lipstick my entire adult life. In fact, it’s really only been around 3 years since I fell in the love with the click of the cap, the swipe of colour, the perfect palm size bullet, the smell, the rainbow of shades and the effect that applying lipstick can have on both a person’s outward appearance but also upon the way they feel.
Lipstick can be magic.
So in honour of National Lipstick Day, I’m bringing you three of my favourite nudes in three different formats; one matte, one creamy and one gloss, something for everyone.
Exactly as the name describes, this is a legit, peachy nude, liquid matte lipstick, perfect for brightening up my winter complexion. Touted as Megalast, I certainly can’t fault the staying power of the Liquid Catsuit range, micellar water struggles a little to budge these beauties after application and they wear well for a good few hours.
I much prefer liquid matte lipsticks over solid, simply because (in general), the application is much more pleasant. Matte lipsticks can be really waxy and hard to draaagggg across your lips, but this formulation glides on, absorbs quickly and transforms to matte without feeling incredibly thick and drying. Even a couple of hours later, my lips feel quite hydrated.
The Liquid Catsuit range of lipsticks have great doe foot applicators. Small and well formed, I find them much easier to create a clean lip line and do touch-ups during the day.
There are 7 colours in the core range, available in-store and online at www.farmers.co.nz
Fresh on counters from the NEW Bronze Vibes Colour Collection, the range of Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Liquid Lip Glosses are certainly on-point to get beauty lovers excited for New Zealand Spring.
Nude Beam (Limited Edition), delivers high-shine gloss with zero sticky feel. True story. Not just a pretty face, the addition of Aloe Vera and Vitamins C and E leave lips conditioned, moisturised and make this a super comfortable gloss to wear. Nude Beam is a delicately tinted gloss with just the right amount of iridescence – a great everyday gloss that would also work perfectly over lipstick or to enhance lips when wearing a darker shade by dabbing in the middle.
The applicator? One click and the perfect amount of gloss is dispensed, the pen-style packaging feels great in your hand and looks as luxe as this gloss feels.
New fave, love it.
Available from Elizabeth Arden counters nationwide, find your nearest store here.
Released in 2017 as part of Murrell’s Princesses of the Golden Petals lipstick range, Blushing Rose is the BUSINESS girlfriends. I have most of the lipsticks in the range and this is my fave. It’s day-to-day perfection, in the perfect ‘my lips but better’ shade of nude pink.
Super creamy, Blushing Rose glides on easily and the shade is so forgiving you can apply in a flash, on the run, and get that instant polished, pick-me-up feeling that lipstick is so known for.
Of course, every Karen Murrell lipstick is cruelty-free, environmentally friendly and created from premium all-natural ingredients. Winning!
Available in stores all over New Zealand and online here
Nevermind how truthful such statements might be, I’ve never been one to live and die by mantras such as; Summer bodies are made in winter. The facts are, the gym and I aren’t ever going to be friends and my natural inclination to hibernate during …
Some people are obsessed with shoes, some with working out, hipster coffee or mastering their winged eyeliner. I’m a sneaker-wearing, Nespresso-drinking, tinted moisturiser kind-of-girl who’s allergic to the gym, hence, my passion is slightly more far-flung and requires a little more planning than simply co-ordinating …
As Mum is now spending less and less time with us down here in Auckland, preferring the wilds of her own, brand new house, literally right on the Kaipara Harbour, her room here has become slightly ‘lacking’ in…….everything lol.
It’s quite hidden from visitors and is totally self-contained with its own office and ensuite, so it’s been easy to ignore how ‘spare room’ it had become. In saying that, it was bothering me. My plan is to paint it white as we replaced an old school, dodgy glass door with a solid fibreglass one and the ol’ quarter tea needs to be freshened up, lightened and brightened.
But who’s got time for painting right now? Not me that’s for sure.
Instead, I’ve opted for an easy make-over, using new bed linen and decor.
Sooooo spare room right?
When I shot the ‘before’ pics, it was immediately apparent how flat and one-dimensional the elements in the room were – what few there were! What was needed were texture and depth, so in choosing new bed linen from Logan & Mason’s luxe Autumn/Winter range, I was looking for linen styles that created some interest and contrast.
Shopping duvet covers seemed the natural place to begin; the Parker Mineral Set was exactly what I was looking for. Lush velvet panels in charcoal, gold and silver create a tactile experience as well as visual depth to the bed.
I paired it with matching European pillowcases, Antique Lattice Gold Square Cushion from the Florence Broadhurst range, a Natural Cotton Waffle Blanket and the Presley Ink Faux Fur Throw.
Once the bed linen was in place I was able to visualise the accessories needed to finish the room’s ‘cosmetic’ overhaul. Once again I was looking for dimension and texture so was conscious of combining different materials (brass, rattan, concrete) drawing on the gold velvet from the duvet as the common element to tie the room together.
I LOVE the end result and so does Mum. The velvet and faux fur fabrics are so on trend right now, as are the inky petrol tones paired perfectly with the mustard/gold.
This post was a collaboration between myself and Logan & Mason.
I went to the doctor today as I was literally unable to breathe without gasping with my mouth wide open, which, looks odd but also induces bouts of coughing that make me feel like little pieces of my lungs are flying up my oesophagus and out of …