Urban Rituelle Beachcomber Body Balms

Urban Rituelle is an Australian brand that I know haven't tried enough of.  Over the years I have tried some of the fragrances & enjoyed the Ginger Apple lip balm (it graced one of my favourite videos on YouTube many moons ago).  However, it wasn't until late last year I got to experience some of this brands' skincare when I tried the new Body Balms from the Beachcomber Collection.  I received two travel sizes in my monthly Her Fashion Box, (I am subscribed to the Classic style box for $39.95AU).*  

 The Beachcomber Collection

There are four Beachcomber Body Balms available one, from each of the summer blends in the collection - Coconut + Honey, Mango Milk, Island Citrus & Frangipani. The body balms are available in a handy travel size of 45ml ($6.50) & also a full size of 200ml ($21.95).  

They are all indulgent in chamomile & cucumber extracts, shea butter as well as Vitamins A, C & E.  This luxurious combination is promoted to leave your skin smooth, moisturised & hydrated which I reckon is a must in these summery hot Australian days (& nights!).

I have actually been enjoying the 45ml size tubes in the Frangipani & also the Coconut + Honey.  My favourite is definitely the Frangipani which has notes of bergamot & musk that I find gives my skin a gentle floral scent while moisturising it like a body butter.  The Coconut & Honey smells just as good as it sounds, & like the Frangipani, glides on like white liquid-silk making my skin feels so supple. Although I have had run-ins with itchy sensitive skin on my legs over the last few months, thankfully, I found that these balms haven't irritated my legs at all.

I prefer to apply the balms after a shower from my décolletage down, I even like to mix both together after a shower & I reckon I smell like "sweet rose tea on a tropical island".  Yes folks I like a bit of "aroma magic" happening on my skin! I have even popped the travel sizes in my bag & squeeze out a little as my hand cream - for I find the consistency of the products are more like a buttery emollient cream than a "balm".  

Now would I actually purchased the Beachcomber Balms? Yes, I would love to try the other two balms & have already checked out the Urban Rituelle website.  I signed up to the VIP e-news for the 10% off every order (so I advise you to do so too!). 

I have also made good note of the free delivery over $75 & I am already adding some other products to my wish list from the Beachcomber Collection which covers fragrance, soap, body wash & even candles. I admit that I have made a good resolution to cut down the spending in 2014 but one must do what they can to support Australian brands as well as test items for review - right? Right!

*I am not sponsored by HFB or Urban Rituelle but I have merely jumped on board the voluntary, unpaid HFB review team to highlight any products I think are worth mentioning.  In other words, I am NOT reimbursed in any form & i pay FULL price for my monthly boxes!!

CoverGirl Lipslicks Smoochies Lip Balms + Mini GIVEAWAY (closed)

*now closed - winner post shortly* I went into Priceline a few weeks ago & picked up the Covergirl Lipslicks Balms in the Smoochies range that we have available here in Australia - Luv U (#215), Tru Luv (#235) , & Sweet Tweet (#255).  There are 12 shades listed in the whole range on the Covergirl US site but although their sister site here in Australia lists 12 to collect, only three are currently online & distributed by Heat Group P/L.

The lip balms are sheer to provide a hint of colour & as well as help condition the lips.  Out of the three shades Luv U & Sweet Tweet would have been ones that I would've chosen anyway had all 12 been readily available. Sweet Tweet is a light pink & Luv U is a deeper berry pink which are my typical colour picks.   Whereas Tru Luv is a tawny dusty pink with just a hint of shimmer.

My natural lip colour

GC Lipslick Smoochies Luv U

But when I popped these on my lips only Luv U shows up over my natural lip colour . It has the best pigmentation of the three & gives a nice rose colour to the lips.  It is comparable in consistency to my much loved Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment which is a fancy way of saying "balm". It also cost over 5 times the price!

(Top) CG Lipslick Smoochies Luv U (Bottom) Lipstick Queen Medieval

As in the photos, Sweet Tweet & Tru Luv get lost over my natural lip colour with the shimmer in Tru Luv barely showing up but at least they feel moisturised.  They also have a slight candy smell which I couldn't noticed once applied.

CG Lipslick Smoochies Tru Luv

CG Lipslick Smoochies Sweet Tweet

They definitely contain ingredients that would provide moisture to the delicate skin on the lips & help hydrate them - cocoa & mango seed butter, shea butter, coconut oil & aloe extract with castor oil as the main contender.  

However, the main ingredients that are listed which are probably the real reason the lips feel so buttery & "moisturised" from the barrier slicked on the lips are: lanolin, petrolatum & even paraffin - so common in cosmetics but not necessarily anything I want to eat.  These could eventually dry out the lips if you are constantly reapplying them to the lips. So they are not my everyday lip balm (MooGoo Strawberry Tinted Lip Balm which contains edible ingredients is!) Check out my MooGoo products review if you are interested in more on that line.

Anyway, that being said they do feel good on the lips & provide a touch of colour & sheen that I like in my lips balms.  My favourite finish in lipsticks & glosses are sheer & these lipstick balms are a good when I don't want to reapply my dearer lip products such as my Saint range of Lipstick Queen or Revlon Colorbursts. So, I do actually carry these in my arsenal of lip products in my everyday bag.

 
As for the design of the tubes they are very similar to the CG Lipslick Glosses with a long tube & a clear lid. I do like the funky packaging but of course it may not be to everyones taste, after all the shaft is the same colour as the balm & the bases are brightly coloured so that they actually look more like colouring pens. But that way I find I can easily identify the Smoochies from the other typical lip balm containers that I have rolling around in my handbag. 

I also can't complain at the price which is fairly standard at $4.95 for a 4g balm. Because, honestly, I was expecting it to be dearer for a CG product in Australia. So, overall I reckon it is a good little tube to pop in anyone's bag when they need a little smooch of colour & moisture.

Because of this I grabbed another set which I am happy to share with you in a mini giveaway! Hey I couldn't go MIA again & not bring back a little gift?


GIVEAWAY
If you would like to win the three CG Lipslick Smoochies please leave a comment on your favourite Covergirl product or if you don't have one leave feedback on your favourite lip balm! 

Conditions of Entry:
- MUST be a follower of this blog (if you follow the blog via email please leave your username so I can validate your entry - you don't need to leave your full email address just the username & if you follow me through Google+ & your username is different to your Blogger profile name please leave that in the comment)
- You can enter WORLDWIDE but please if you are under 18yrs get your guardians permission to be able to provide your postal address & be aware that there may be taxes/custom charges to pick up your package!
- You can leave multiple entries but it would be nice if you could leave a different comment for each entry (maybe a different product recommendation)
- Entries close Wednesday 12th February, midnight AEST 2014  
*see below for other conditions of entry/prize delivery

 If you would like a chance to win more remember to check out my BIG Favourites Giveaway on YouTube which has a range of makeup & beauty tools which is running until the first week of February.

Congratulations again to Lorlzee who won the last Giveaway - I am so glad to hear you like the Remedica Body Milk!

 *Other Terms/Conditions of Entry
- The winning entry number will be drawn using random.org 
- An announcement will be posted on the blog as well as on Penumbra Doll YouTube channel of the winner
-  The prize will be sent out by Australia Post registered mail within a week of receiving the postal details (from Penumbra Doll Beauty)
- Notification will be made to the winner of the approximate delivery times (within Australia approx 2-5 days & international up to 3 weeks)
- Penumbra Doll Beauty is unable to cover the costs of any custom charges that apply to the package
- Registered mail cost is covered by Penumbra Doll Beauty as well as the full cost of the prize package
- Penumbra Doll Beauty blog & Penumbra Doll YouTube channel is not affiliated with Covergirl or Priceline
There is no paid product placement or paid advertising by Covergirl Australia or by any other agent on behalf of Covergirl or Priceline.  THIS IS NOT A PROMOTION run by Covergirl, no products where sponsored.

Remedica Australia Skincare Giveaway!

Are you intrigued by the title & do you lovelies remember that I stated in my last post that I would be bringing gifts? Well, how about a skincare giveaway from a brand that I have been enjoying for over half of this year!

Remedica Australia (pronounced Ree-Med-ick-a) is a brand that I was initially introduced to as a 100ml trial Lust Have It's April Box (I am subscribed monthly).  I received the Shea Nut Butter & Vanilla Body Butter from the Richesse de L'Afrique range. I enjoyed the body butter so much that I purchased a full size one (250g/$36AU) which I raved about in a video below.

Remedica Australia specialises in natural based skincare products that look & feel luxurious yet cover a wide range of skin conditions & needs. Check remedica.com.au for all the details on the different skincare ranges available.

Very generously the creator of Remedica Australia - Lisa Phipps - kindly sent two Richesse de L'Afrique Body Milk Veloute (200ml) to giveaway! So I am giving one away on the blog & one away on my YouTube channel.

The Remedica Body Milk Veloute is "a nourishing body moisturiser with Certified Organic Unrefined Shea Butter and South African Marula Oil" & retails for $30AUD.

So does this product sound like something your skin is craving? Then please enter below now for your chance to win!


How to Enter
- To enter on the blog you must be a follower of the blog
- Leave a comment below on this post & tell me why you would like to win this product
or what you like about the range (check out the website here: remedica.com.au)
- You may enter as many times as you like 
- Entries are open worldwide
- If you are under 18 yrs please get your guardians permission to be able to give out your postal address if you win
- Please submit all entries by midnight on November 25th, 2013 AEDT
(See below for full terms & conditions*)

Want even more chances to get your hands on Remedica? Enter the Remedica Skincare Giveaway on my YouTube channel! More you say? Well head on over to my IMATS Inspired Giveaway running through November (Remember you need to be a subscriber to the Penumbra Doll YouTube Channel to enter & nope these two YT giveaways are not sponsored or affiliated by any brand or company I just want to share the goodies with all my supporters!).

*Other Terms/Conditions of Entry
- The winning entry number will be drawn using random.org 
- An announcement will be posted on the blog as well as on Penumbra Doll YouTube channel of the winner
-  The prize will be sent out by Australia Post registered mail within a week of receiving the postal details (from Penumbra Doll Beauty)
- Notification will be made to the winner of the approximate delivery times (within Australia approx 2-5 days & international up to 3 weeks)
- Penumbra Doll Beauty is unable to cover the costs of any custom charges that apply to the package
- Registered mail cost is covered by Penumbra Doll Beauty & no monetary reimbursement is made by any prize sponsor
- The promotional skincare was supplied by Remedica Australia for the Penumbra Doll Beauty Giveaway
- Penumbra Doll Beauty blog & Penumbra Doll YouTube channel is not affiliated with Remedica Australia
There will be no reimbursement of costs for shipping from Remedica to Penumbra Doll for delivery of the prize/s to the winner/s.  There is no paid product placement or paid advertising by Remedica Australia or by any other agent on behalf of Remedica Australia.  THIS IS NOT A PROMOTION run by Remedica Australia, only the two Richesse Body Milk Veloute were sponsored by Remedica Australia.  

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Winners!

A BIG congratulations to Lorlzee for winning the Remedica Body Milk Veloute.  
Please PM me your postal details & I will get the prize out to you ASAP.

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to enter & support this blog.  On my next post I will give you another chance to win something I am loving! Stay tuned…!

Events Galore & I Come Back Bearing Gifts!

Well hello stranger, you say? Yes here I am back to enjoy the beauty of blogging once again! 

Since my last post about the wonders that would be VIDinc - Australia's first YouTuber festival - I have truly had fun getting my "beaurewer" (beauty reviewer/enthusiast) cap on and mixing out there in the world of events again.  

You can check out a little peak at my VIDinc post below. I hope next's years is even bigger and better! Unfortunately I didn't get to go with Talia from Glossy Confidential (2bfem) as I had mentioned previously, but it didn't stop me from mingling and enjoying the festivities!

I even finally got to go to the Sydney International Spa & Beauty Expo - my first time ever! It was truly a jaw dropping experience for me as I had heard it was bigger than IMATS Sydney. I got a bit snap happy but you can see the rest on the PenumbraDoll facebook page.

Heck, it's not just bigger by x4, but an awesome spread of salons, beauty demonstrations, makeup presentations and of course there's tons of makeup, skincare & haircare to play with. There's even a spread of fashion showcases throughout the event! So I am definitely looking forward to the 2014 expo that will be at the new location - the Sydney Convention Centre Glebe Island! 

I also had the chance to attend a YouTube Beauty Workshop at the Google Headquarters in Sydney city just before the IMATS weekend.  I had a lovely time meeting fellow beauty tubers, representatives from Boomtv & Google as well as the co-founders of Her Fashion Box. 

I am actually subscribed monthly to the Her Fashion Box Classic style but the creators Kath Purkis & Kerry Osborn gave us all a goody box for September!  I was lucky enough to get the Trendy style so I showed them in two recent videos.

Finally, to wrap up the run down of what I have been doing, of course I had to go to IMATS Sydney over the 21 & 22nd of September at the Sydney Convention Centre. 

It was the fifth year it has been held in Australia & the forth time I have attended but I finally broke out my long wish list & gave into a smorgosboard of products I have been wanting to try for years! Ok & a few I had been inspired to try by all the madness around me. 

I reckon if someone could get drunk on buying makeup it would be me! Yep,  I was even giddy in the video! Check it out below

Hey, what was that in the title about bearing gifts?!

I have been madly popping up giveaways on my YT channel featuring some of my favourite products & brands.  My current giveaway (right) has some goodies that I bought at the expo as well as at IMATS.  More you say?

I'll also be posting up another skincare inspired giveaway in the next week.  But of course if you prefer the world of blogging to YouTubing then stay tuned for my next blog post which will be a Remedica AU Skincare Giveaway... Woo! Surely you gotta like that as a come back to blogging!

What, did you think I would just come back & ramble away about what I had been doing & not share the love? ;) 

VIDinc - Australia's Biggest Youtuber Festival

The coutdown is on! The Youtuber Festival event of the year is only 6 sleeps away.  It's all happening this coming Sunday 18th August at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre where there is a mix of local & international Youtube sensations will be featured. 

Check out VIDinc to get the latest list of online stars attending & to pick up tickets.  There will be meet n greets for some of the online stars as well as live performances, talks & lectures over the course of the day. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the comedic genius of the gorgeous Jenna Marbles as well as two of our Aussie beauty gurus - Lauren Curtis (Lauren Beauty) & Chloe Morello.

I'll be there checking out the slew of talents with the lovely & talented Talia of Glossy Confidential (who was kind enough to invite me along!).  I'll make sure I post up some of the action &  it would be great to see some of you beauties there!

Keratin Smoothing Treatment (Trichovedic)

It had been almost 2 years since I had last visited a hair salon, so I thought I would go all out & get a full head of foils as well as try the Keratin Smoothing Treatment.

I had read various reviews & types of "smoothing" procedures but I settled on the Trichovedic Keratin Treatment as it sounded the most gentle of the treatments.  It also does not contain any formaldahyde & any harsh chemicals but did set me back over $199AU.

The basic idea of the smoothing treatment is that extra keratin is bonded to the hair cuticle & helps decrease any frizz.  As the name suggests it helps "smooth" wavy & curly hair but not actually straighten it. 

Although it is not permanent & lasts about 3-4 months, subsequent sessions can get the hair smoother & cut down styling/straightening time. Heat also assists in keeping that extra keratin bonded to the hair.  Follow up treatments shouldn't take as long as this session did & should cost half as much as the initial treatment (I'll keep you all posted on that one!)

Frizz city!

It was estimated that the treatment alone would take about 90 mins & then the foils/cut would take another 1.5hrs.  Of course the salon didn't factor in my thick hair & that they would be relatively busy on the Sunday so I was sitting in the chair for almost 7 hours!  If there had been two people working on my hair I'm sure about 1.5 hrs would've been saved.  But I'm sure on shorter & thinner hair I'm sure a good few hours would be sufficient just for the treatment & styling.

My highlights & lowlights, direct light

The foils had to be done first & my hair had to be dried before the keratin treatment could be applied.    The before shot is a good idea of how my hair normally looks whether I let it dry naturally or after I blow dry it (without round brushing). 

Applying the treatment took about an hour as the treatment solution (watery like-gel) had to be brushed down the hair in sections.  Once my hair had been completely covered I had to sit with it under a drier for about 45mins.  When dry it felt heavy & a bit similar to dry spaghetti just dunked in hot water.  Then it had to be throughly washed & thankfully they applied a minty conditioner which helped neutralise the rather pungent keratin solution. 

Once again my hair had to be blow dried before they started straightening it in sections with a hair iron.  I admit I really liked the Cloud Nine iron they used so I have since picked up one online at luxelist. (But thats for another post)

The heat apparently is where you get the full effect of the smoothing treatment.  I admit that my hair appeared a lot sleeker than I have ever gotten it with an iron myself.  

Surprisingly it also felt softer than it had in years even after a full head of no doubt damaging foils! Although they did apply argan oil, I regularly use it when apply heat so I really felt it was due to the treatment.

After treatment & back at home

After a quick trim & the obligatory demonstration of the recommended products I decided to pick up the shampoo, conditioner & argan oil in the Trichovedic Hair Wisdom range.  Which is free of sulphates & sodium chloride which apparently works against the effects of the treatment by breaking down the keratin bond.  The pack cost me $67AU & in total is no more than I would typically pay for a good quality hair care system (but much more than I had been used to in the last few months digging those Coles & Target shampoo specials!)

Trichovedic Hair Wisdom shampoo, Argan Oil & Conditioner

Since the treatment & the in-salon wow factor has worn off I can definitely say my hair still feels softer than it has in the longest time & drying it & styling it is so much easier.  Still no mean feat to blow dry with the length & thickness of it but I am keen to go back in 3 months for the follow up treatment. 

Have any of you beauties had a smoothing or permanent straightening treatment & have any details to share?

australis Go Long Longwear Lipstick

Boho (5th hour on lips)

Australis released 8 shades in their long wearing lipstick collection which are all semi-matte & intensely pigmented. Thanks to Heritage Brands PR for sending these to me to overview for you beauty lovers

The cool lip shades supposedly help us seize the day & "go long & strong" with our party hard lips as we pout our way to a YOLO day...well even if we don't have that life motto we can still have pretty lips!

Available at Priceline, Big W, KMART & selected pharmacies for $12.95AU. You can also shop online at www.australiscosmetics.com.au

For those, like myself, that prefer more natural/neutral lips Boho, Preppy & Easy Chic are very work friendly, wearable shades.  Whereas Glam, Ghetto & Uber Cool (mauve) could be used for a night out on the town or for a strong yet still professional pucker.  

Trendy definitely is a lovely bright slightly blue-toned pink that may release that retro chic in some of us but I liked to wear it under some of my mauve lip glosses to soften the look. The luscious red Diva is aptly named & is for those that love a cool berry-pink toned red lip.

I tried wearing Ghetto & Glam but I think they washed me out a little but if you have similar colouring to mine (medium beige/peach undertones) it might help you achieve a "vampish" pout.

The lipsticks definitely lasted through out the day on my lips, even just swatching them I found it a little harder to remove than less pigmented lipsticks.  To help stop them drying out the lips they contain rosehip oil, mango butter, white tea leaf extract & vitamin e. 

The only down side I found to these is that you really need smooth, well maintained lips otherwise the product clings to & highlights every bit of unpolished bit of skin. This is not a good look!

I also have "closer to 40's" lips & they are quite a bit more lined than they were in my 20's so the colour tended to settle in those deeper crevices if I didn't have a lip balm on before I applied the lipstick (but it wouldn't last as long).

Overall, a good long wearing lipstick but you need to be careful to pick a colour you will definitely wear. I find these type of lipsticks I reach for less often than easy to apply glossy lightly pigmented lipsticks that flatter my "don't always lip scrub" (yes shame to admit it!) "older" lips. Of course applying them under lip gloss is a winner if you want to leave the lipstick at home & only take your gloss out!

So beauties for your pucker & pout what lipsticks do you reach for?