Product Review: Image Skincare

In August I attended the Beauty expo in Sydney. There were hundred of stands and thousands of products. I stumbled across an Image Skincare stand. I'd never heard of them before and they were offering free facials. I couldn't resist for three reasons. It's a facial, I am a product whore and I needed to get off my tired, sore feet.

I immediately loved these products on a very shallow level. They smelled amazing and felt gorgeous. But smelling and feeling good isn't enough. DO THEY WORK?

Let's get real here. I am almost 40 years old. I have suffered from pimples and blackheads all my life. Pregnancy blessed me with lovely hyper-pigmentation and now I have wrinkles to add to the mix.

Immediately
My skin looked great after the facial. I bought a small trial pack and within a week I was contacting them to purchase more. Still, one week isn't enough to know if they really work but it's long enough to know that they are working at a low level and my skin was reacting in a positive way

4 Months Later
I have had another two level 1 peels. My skin is smoother than it has ever been and my pigmentation is definitely fading. My love of these products had deepened. I am planning a few level 2 peels before my 40th as a present to myself. I am really excited to see the results.

What I like

• My home care range includes only 6 products. I love that I don't need to buy 25 products to achieve results at home
• I also find them well priced compared to other high end products.
• They work at a cellular level
• They are Paraben free, animal cruelty free, environmentally friendly, no chemicals preservatives or artificial fragrances

I am thrilled that my local beauty salon fell in love with Image too. This is very convenient. If you would like to check them out for yourself, contact Beautiful You and tell them I sent you ;)

This is not a sponsored post but an honest review of some gorgeous products.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty
07 3284 6463
beautifulu@bigpond.com

Warm Seashell Massage

Yesterday I was in a bit of a slump. A friend who was at the end of one of my boring 'poor me' conversations later send me a message advising that she had booked me in for a massage. This wasn't necessary but was a pretty awesome thing to do. I wonder if it was a way for her to buy 60mins of silence from my moaning?

Any woo....

So at 9.28am I arrived, dah daaa. Paula, my therapist, started the treatment off with a foot soak, this gave me time to come up with plans to deal with my body issues during the massage. I am ridiculously self conscious. I was relieved when Paula showed me a mound of fluffy towels. When she came back I had hidden every inch of my nudish flesh under all of them.

Paula then began the Warm Seashell massage with Pure Fiji Gingerlily oil. Ummm, Oh my friggin' goodness. This was like a hot stone massage on steriods. After 5 mins I was ready to toss the shackles of those towels so she could do whatever she needed to.

The brochure reads "Drift away while enjoying a relaxing massage with warm sea shells and relaxing blends of aromatherapy oils. Tension is relieved and balance is restored with this unique massage experience"

I can't remember what my earlier problems were but I am thankful I have wonderful, thoughtful friends.


PS: This isn't a sponsored post. I just happen to have really cool friends in really cool places.  If you want to experience this amazing massage, check out Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa 3284 6463 on the waterfront in Redcliffe.

5 Tips to make sure you are happy with your hair when you leave the salon

Every girl must have a great hairdresser that you can trust and that listens to you. A hairdresser that is honest with you about what you can achieve with the hair you have been cursed blessed with.

I luckier now with my current hairdresser but over the years I have had some hair shockers. I still have nightmares about my undercut, the wedge and the Mrs Brady layered do. I think the majority of my hair shockers were caused by a combination of:

• My stupid inspiration choices
• Hairdressers lack of skill
• Our bad communication
• Hairdresser cockiness. I am so great, me, me, me, snip snip snip and "oh...a masterpiece"
• My unrealistic expectations

Here are five tips to ensure you are happier when you leave the salon:

1. Bring in photos of your inspiration and try to include a back of head photos (this is always a little harder but very helpful). If you can't find a photo, then take a photo of someone you see when you are out and about. I find that people are usually happy for you to take a snap and are flattered you like their hair so much.
2. Be honest with yourself about how much time and money you are going to put into maintaining your cut and colour. Blonde can look amazing but are you really going to do your re-growth every 4 weeks? I am poor and lazy, therefore I need a low maintenance do.
3. Ask your hairdresser if this would work with your hair and lifestyle.
4. Keep in mind how much time you have in the morning to achieve your new do.
5. Make you you have the right products for your hair. If you have the right products you will be able to maintain the cut and colour for longer between cuts.

I have always felt I was boring and stuck in a rut with my hair. Then I looked over the last year. I wonder what I should do next?

What is the worst hair do you have had?

It's no secret that I love my hairdresser. I have been seeing her for a few years, before I started blogging and before they were sponsors and advertisers on Redcliffe Style. My high opinion of them hasn't been bought but has been careful nurtured.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty

4 Duffield Road, Margate
07 3284 6463
www.beautifulu.com.au
beautifulu@bigpond.com

Top 5 stands at Spa and Beauty Expo Sydney 2012

I don't know how, but I ended up joining my wonderful sponsors Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa on their annual trip to the International Spa and Beauty Expo in Sydney.  I don't think it's possible to plan a girlier weekend than this.  Four females, beauty products and ice-cream.

My favourite discoveries and moments:
1. By far my favourite discovery of the weekend, the Image skin care range. They gave me a peeling facial and my skin has never felt so amazing (I am caressing it as I write). I bought a few products then and now I am obsessing on getting my hands on all the other products.

2.  After my facial I would have been happy to let my gorgeous new skin glow, but we were heading out to dinner so I followed the facial with a makeover by Youngblood. They were so generous with their time and made us all look beautiful.

3. Smiink lashes. I wasn't sure about strip lashes. I thought they may look fake (Kardashian like) and pull out my natural lashes when they came off. Anyhoo, I pushed my concerns aside and let them lash me up. They look fantastic and natural AND you can re-use them another 20 or so times. Bargain!! They came off with a little makeup remover and water. No pulling required. I have always doubted my ability to apply lashes at home but I had no problem applying them again for the flight home. Flutter, flutter.

4. I needed to buy my girls at home a gift each. When I came across the Tangle Teezer stand I knew I had to buy them. I had heard these were excellent for long hair. I managed to resisted opening them to try. My girls love them. I have never seen them brush their hair so much.

5. OPI and Nicole. This, of course, was the busiest stand. All the polishes were $10 and $7. We bought up big time. I may have made some rash decisions. In fact, someone (Danielle) mentioned that my toes look fungal. Thank you!

Great news, Beautiful You will be stocking Image Skin care, Smiink lashes and OPI. They already have Youngblood. You will be able to buy these products in the salon or online.

I want to thank the wonderful Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa for sponsoring me for this trip. These products are my favourites from the expo and my opinions have not been bought, not with money, hotel accom, flights, peanut butter M&Ms or ice-cream.

And an extra special thank you to Penny xx

I am linking up with SAHM for IBOT x

Polynesian Spa Ritual

One of my close friends suggested we have a girl's day and go for a couples Polynesian Spa Ritual at Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa. I had been to the launch a few weeks earlier and it looked amazing but I was a little concerned about how someone as prudish modest as me would go and I am also not good at relaxing, 2.5 hours seems like a long time. But, after a few nights with limited sleep thanks to the insomnia fairy, I was really looking forward to some pampering and forced relaxation.

The therapists greeted us, introduced themselves (we had one each) and then lead us to the spa retreat. The room was warm, candle lit and smelt divine. There were plenty of large towels and disposable bra and undies for the modest lady. After I changed and wrapped myself in the fluffy towel my therapist returned to start my experience.

First she place a special warmed water balloon under my stomach. This adds to the massage because it gives you a gentle rocking sensation.

1. Exotic Island Body Scrub
A combination of coconut shells, Bora Bora white sand, marine salt and Tahitian vanilla is gently rubbed all over your body, including your feet. It's gritty and gorgeous. You know how good it feels when you scratch an itch. Imagine it all over.

My therapist then decided to throw in a head massage here. I die for head massages. I think I may have snored around this point.

2. Lagoon Water bath
The spa is on raised platform. The water is warm, deep, bubbly and enhanced with essential oils. It felt like I was sitting in a witches caldron, and I loved it. The jets were hitting all the knots in my back.

3. Mahana Massage
This is a traditional massage from Bora Bora. They have two small warmed bags of Bora Bora white sand. These are gently pummelled all over. Amazing!!!

4.  Sacred Oil
An amazing scented oil was then massaged into my skin. My skin has never felt so soft. Finished off with an oil that has mother of pearl in it. I felt and smelt like a shimmering goddess.

The time flew by and before I knew it, it was over and at no time did I feel that my modestly was threatened.

This was by far the most relaxing day I have had for a long time. It was so much fun to do with a girlfriend pity we were too busy falling asleep to giggle and just for the record, she snored louder.

Beautiful You Hair and Beauty Day Spa

Shop 1, 4 Duffield Road, Margate

3284 6463

Redcliffe Style was gifted this experience and the review is an honest opinion of it.

Here comes the Brides...

Early this month I helped a friend. Beautiful You wanted to put together a photo book for brides showing them hair and makeup. They did all the hard work, hair and makeup and I took the lovely ladies down to the beach to take photos. Here are a few of my favourite snaps of the day.

PS: I am joining up for Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys.

Prep work for Blogopolis

I wasn't planning on going to Blogopolis in Sydney. I knew it was on and I was watching the excitement grow.

My dream was to be better prepared, more confident, have a killer wardrobe and go next year.

My husband decided differently, He told me to book a ticket and off he trotted to buy plane tickets for the family and book a hotel. Woo hoo!!

Now I have to rush to fit in the important stuff
1. Visit Lash me for their new Lash extension and a brow shape;
2. Visit Beautiful You for shellac nails and a trim;
3. Go to Chermside and hit the shops for an outfit that screams comfort and confident; and
4. Freak out. I am so nervous with crowds.

Light v. Dark

On the spur of the moment I dropped into Beautiful You at Margate.  I have enjoyed my blonde hair and I never thought I would be able to go this light. Did I have more fun? No, because I always have fun. It was time to embrace my dark side again. Boy, I have missed my shiny dark hair.

Light

v. Dark

I am thrilled to be able to break out all my red lippies again. I wonder if my husband will notice?

Makeover...

I have been bored with my look and so sick of looking at my face and hair in the mirror. So, when Beautiful You asked if I would be interested in participating in a Redken hair show I jumped at the chance.

Toni and I discussed hair cuts, suggestions were passed back and forth and then we both agreed on the same cut. Hair colour we had no idea. I decided to let her do whatever she liked. She asked if she could put a surprise colour in with the foils I said yes and I didn't even want to know what it was. That is how we roll!

Once my hair was washed, I discovered that I had pinky-red highlights, mixed into the blondy foils.  I love it.

Here is my photo journal of the makeover.

Before

Cut

 Foiled..still unaware of the mystery colour

 On the night

10 things - My Make-up essentials for a lazy mum

I am lazy, a little vain and a mum of two young girls. The mornings are usually rushed with limited time available to make myself look slightly presentable. I have managed to reduce my morning routine down to about 5 minutes, not including my shower. My current top ten beauty items are, in order of use:

1. Olay Complete Care Touch of Foundation in medium. This is an all-in-one moisturiser, SPF 15, vitamins and with light coverage. I have tried a few of the new BB creams and this one feels the nicest on my skin. I bought mine at Woolies on special for $10, it's usually around $15
2. Revlon Age Defying moisturising concealer in light medium for extra coverage of dark circles. I think this may be discontinued but I am ready to try another concealer. I'm on the the lookout.
3. Covergirl Intense Shadowblast in Beige Blaze. I have only recently discovered this. It's an amazing cream eyeshadow and primer. I like to use it to cover the whole lid before I add any other eyeshadows or liner. It doesn't move at all...ever. I bought this from Target on special for $12, it's usually about $18.
4. Youngblood Eye-Illuminating Duo $35.50. This is a recent addition and I love it. You can use it a hundred different ways but I like to use it to line my waterline, it makes my eyes look less tired and opens them up. I bought this from Beautiful You.
5. Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner in black. This has been replaced by Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Liner. I can not wait to try this. I love the old one, it's so easy to use and delivers a nice even line. Even a tired and distracted mum can use it. I imagine the new liner will be even better.
6. Bobbi Brown Lash Glamour Extreme Lengthening Mascara in black $48. I have quite a few black mascaras but this one that seems to be within my reach at the moment. I love mascara, it must be black and not clumpy.
7. Youngblood Pressed Blush in Nectar $49.95. This is a gorgeous apricot and gives a beautiful natural colour to an otherwise pale, grey, tired mum. I am a little nuts about blush. I think it makes the difference between looking like death or looking alive. I also bought this from my Youngblood supplier, Beautiful You in Margate
8. DeLeon Lipgloss in Ambassador. At $14.50 this is a bargain. This is one of the most perfect pinks, natural and not sticky.
9 and 10. Hairbands and bobby pins. For the messy twist, braid, knot, bun or whatever other 2 second hair do I can manage.

What are your current must have products?

New War Paint

I have a few new additions to my beauty collection that I am loving at the moment. 

At the Ingot counter in North Lakes I bought a new eyebrow colour to put into my palette. I love the palettes from Ingot. They are magnetised and currently the small discs of eyeshadow are half price. They are usually $8 but currently $4.

Ojon Damage Reverse Oil $43. I was lucky enough to be sent this from Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily to try. You only need a few drops and your hair sucks it up. My dry ends squealed in delight when I rubbed the warmed oil on them.

I like that it has a dropper and I liked this photo, so I had to use it.

On the weekend Beautiful You was offering 30% off Youngblood so I bought my first Youngblood product. I couldn't resist this blush called Nectar. I usually go for pinks but decided to break away from old habits and try something new, I am completely in love with the natural, girly glow it gives me.

 Mmm, so pretty.

I also picked up some Redken Vinyl Twist from Beautiful You too. This stuff is fantastic, curl defining cream, it's pliable and adds structure and shine. I'll have to do my hair and take a photo for you.

On my wish list, I would love de Leon Cosmetics Lipgloss in Rogue demon hunter and eyeshadow in Indecent Exposure. This eyeshadow is the perfect base colour. I am in love with deLeon products. The colours are great and the textures are beautiful.