I was fortunate enough to receive a package around April/May containing skincare items from an all natural brand - Antipodes Skincare. My skin at the time was very problematic so I decided to stick to using these three products daily to really put them to the test. Keep on reading to hear my thoughts and to find out which product CHANGED my life!

The products I kindly received and put to the test were:

1. Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser

2. Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser

3. Skin-Brightening & Tone-Correcting Serum

Background
I have very dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin, to the point where even a "gentle" cleanser can irritate my flaky dry patches. When I first started using these products my cheeks were covered with acne due to my hormones being unbalanced however now I have no acne, just redness and scarring.

About the brand
Antipodes is an all natural skincare company from New Zealand which can be found online or in store at Priceline. All their products are dermatologically tested and approved so they are safe for sensitive skin-types and a range of their products are certified organic. Not only do they produce high quality skin care but they have also have a natural beauty range consisting of foundation and lipsticks.

Their prices are on the higher end compared to other skin care brands that can be found at Priceline however, you really are paying for quality and you will notice a difference in your skin.

Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser

About:
A face and body moisturiser that provides a high shield of defence by filtering UVA (Ultraviolet A) rays and blocking UVB (Ultraviolet B) sunlight.

My results:

• Contains SPF 15 which is a natural, milder and safer form of SPF - perfect for sensitive skin-types!
• Can be used on your face and body, got to love those two-in-one products
• Gives a slight white cast when immediately applied however this fades as it soaks into the skin. I found this only happened when I applied a lot of the product. Although, a way to combat the dreaded white-cast according to Antipodes very own Beauty Expert is to warm up the product between your hands prior to applying it to your face.
• It can leaves a sticky residue however this makes it a perfect base for your foundation to stick to!
• Only need to use a small amount at a time so it will last you a very long time. 
• Only downside is that I did experience some itchiness with this moisturiser, this only occurred if I applied a thick layer.
• Lightweight formula
• Squeezy tube which is a bonus in itself! This prevents you from getting bacteria into the product which would happen if it were in a pot.

Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser

About:

A gentle cleanser which clears impurities and removes makeup.

My results:

• This really is a gentle cleanser perfect to use both morning and nightly
• Does not leave a greasy film
• Removes any left over makeup, especially when paired with my Clarisonic
• Has a thick creamy texture that leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated
• Did not irritate my skin

Of course I had to leave the very best of the lot last. Which is, of course, the

Skin-Brightening & Tone-Correcting Serum

About: 

A water based serum which helps to correct dull, blemished or uneven skin.

My results:

Very rarely do I find a product that actually makes me notice a difference over-night. Yes I said over-night. I even got my brother to try it out to see if it was just my eyes playing tricks or this stuff was magic in a bottle! 

This serum dulls redness and brightens your skin tone like no other product I have ever tried in my life. After 7 stressful, embarrassing and upsetting years of acne you can only imagine how much redness and scarring one would have. I tried rosehip oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey and absolutely everything else that people have suggested and none of them worked as fast or as well as this product. Sadly I am completely out because my brother decided to use this nightly too, and he never usually applies anything to his skin! I will definitely be picking up another one because I cannot live without it and neither can my brother. When I told him it was empty he told me to go buy one because he wants it lol.

My redness has not completely gone away and neither has my scarring but I know that will take time. This product is just speeding along the process and has really helped boost my confidence. You know a product really works when your family members start commenting on how much your skin has improved and you can go out in public without makeup on!

This brings me to the end of my long over-due review. Overall I am very impressed with this brand and I would like to say a massive thank you to Tiarna for introducing me to this brand and Antipodes Skincare for allowing me to try out their products. As always opinions are always 100% honest and let me know if you have tried out any Antipodes products!

Website: www.antipodesnature.us

To purchase in Australia: Priceline

Instagram: @AntipodesSkincare 

Facebook: Antipodes Scientific Organic Beauty

I apologise in advance because this trash talk is going to be a long one, I recommend you grab a warm drink and a snack for this weeks post!

I have collected heaps of empties between my last trash talk and now. Again, skincare produces are most dominant as I seem to use skincare products up super duper fast however there are a few makeup items. I have no idea what order to go in so I will discuss each product randomly as I pull them out of a bag. I will also give each product a rating out of 5 so if you don't want to read everything you can just look at the ratings!

Neutrogena Naturals - Purifying Pore Scrub

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

I really enjoyed using this exfoliator. It didn't irritate my skin or cause any issues whatsoever. I do feel like it is a little on the harsher side but it removed any dry skin I had really well. I have opted for a gentler exfoliator now so I won't be repurchasing this one, but if you prefer exfoliators that actually feel like they are exfoliating your skin give this a go!

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner - Eastend Snob

❤ ❤ ❤

This lip liner is the perfect light pink. The reason it loses 2 ratings is because it is not a cruelty free brand and the actual liner kept snapping off. To resolve this I did leave it in the fridge but it was a little annoying. The liner lasts really well on the lips and is not drying at all.

Skinstitut Products

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

About two years ago I was assigned a skincare regime which consisted of all Skinstitut products. Back then my skin type was more on the oily acne-prone side and now my skin is on the dryer side with a lot less acne. Here I have used up the Enzymatic Micro Peel, Retinol Serum and their normal Moisturiser. I feel like these products don't work as well as they used to for me. I went back to the skin clinic and spoke to them about how I felt like these products were either burning my skin (I am very sensitive to facial moisturisers lately) or drying out my skin. The reasoning is because my skin has changed and I don't really need those products no more.

I still give these products a 4/5 rating as they worked AMAZINGLY back in the day. They really helped my pimples to dry up and go away so fast. I recommend these products if you have oily, combination or normal skin. The moisturiser is also good for dry skin and absorbs really fast. I have no complaints however my skin has been playing up so I cannot use this no more.

Desert Essence 100% Pure Jojoba Oil

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

This stuff is amazeballs for dry, dehydrated, sensitive skin! This was the only "moisturiser" I could use on my face for months that didn't irritate it. Jojoba oil also has heaps of benefits for your hair, not only your skin. I highly highly recommend this product!
I now alternate between this and rosehip oil because both work so well for me.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula - Creamy Cleanser & Makeup Remover

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

This was my go-to shower cleanser. It really is a creamy cleanser that removes makeup. This product always left my skin feeling soft and hydrated. There is nothing negative I can say about this cleanser and I think it would work for any skin type. I will most likely repurchase this one day once I use up other cleansers I have.

Jurlique - Nutri Define Facial Serum

To be completely honest I cannot give this product a rating because I didn't actually use it. I mean I did try twice but I could not get over the scent. I have no idea how well this works so you will have to look up reviews if you're interested. It is supposed to be anti-aging and has a lot of other benefits but the smell was so overpowering that I just couldn't deal with it.

Avalon Organics - Lavender Luminosity Daily Moisturiser

❤ ❤ ❤

This product is actually two years old. It was my moisturiser before I was put onto the Skinstitut products so I ended up putting a stop to using this. I remember it being a good basic moisturiser however it is now out of date so I didn't really want to put it on my face and continue to use it. I will have to repurchase a new tub and see how it goes.

L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

I am actually upset/mad that this product has been used up. I won't be repurchasing it as I've decided not to support brands that test on animals anymore but this is such an amazing full coverage foundation. I really need to find a cruelty free alternative!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Why do good things have to be so damn expensive? This primer smooths texture like no other and it creates a flawless base to apply makeup to. I would purchase the full size but I'm not ready to spend that much on a primer so I just pick up samples whenever I can lol. If you have the budget you NEED this in your life! 

Sephora Honey Mask

❤ ❤ ❤

This was one of those last minute buys just to get my total over a certain amount to receive a freebie purchase. I love honey. I love eating it, drinking it, smothering it all other my face and fun fact, my grandfather actually has bee hives and makes honey so I always have a never-ending supply. Anyway, back to the product, I love honey masks because they're antibacterial and have healing properties. I slept in this mask a few times and it was good but it wasn't great. It did give my skin an extra glow when I woke up but for some reason it just didn't amaze me. I feel like 100% natural honey on your face works so much better.

Andalou Naturals - Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Now this is a mask that WOWED me. I will link the post where this mask features because I don't want to be repetitive about my love for this. Click here if you're interested in hearing all about my love affair and why it is so so good. Already repurchased this!

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula - Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

This was the first cleansing oil I ever tried and it has taken over my obsession with micellar water. It is so gentle and does not leave my skin feeling dry like some other makeup removers can. It does leave a slight oily residue so you do need to follow up with an additional cleanser but it works so well and melting off all your makeup. A+ for dry skin types, will be repurchasing!

Garnier Pure Active Micellar Cleansing Water

❤

Speaking of makeup removers that leave my skin feeling tight and dry, this one did that. I only gave it a 1/5 rating because it did remove my makeup but my skin was never happy afterwards. This is mainly my fault because this formula is for oily skin types and I am not oily whatsoever. If you have oily skin then disregard anything I say as you will probably love this! 

LUSH - Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Again, I don't want to go on too much about this as I recently wrote a review all about this so I will link it here. But I do love this cleanser and I will be repurchasing it.

Daiso - Puff and Sponge Cleaner

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

If you need an affordable cleanser for your makeup brushes or sponges then look no further. Here is some photographic evidence of the amazingness this cleanser does:

In saying that its nothing dishwashing liquid or a bar of soap can't do so its really up to you if you want to buy a product for your cleaning or use what you already have.

Bioderma Micellar Water

❤ ❤

This works just as well as any other micellar water that I have tried. I won't be purchasing it because it is on the pricey side and is not cruelty free.

L'Oreal Nude Magique Foundation

❤ ❤ ❤

I've always had a love-hate with this foundation. Some days I really like how it sits on my skin and other days it clings to every dry patch I didn't even know I had. It is a very lightweight and liquidy foundation that can be built up to a medium coverage. If you have a lot of dry patches I would steer clear otherwise it would probably work for anyone.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Really good concealer, it has good coverage, isn't cakey if you build it up and it is hydrating. Unfortunately I have to say goodbye to Maybelline until they 100% say goodbye to animal testing.

Nude by Nature - Translucent Powder

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Love this stuff! It makes an amazing setting powder that doesn't emphasise dry patches and it doesn't cause any flash back if you use it to "bake". If you can't find the Face of Australia Translucent Powder definitely get this one!

Australis -  Mascara

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

I just realised Australis don't sell this mascara no more and I threw it out so I can't even remember the name. I liked this mascara for an every day natural look to my lashes but its off the market now haha. I do remember that it was a lengthening mascara so they may have an equivalent.

The post is finally over. That is all my empties that I gathered and I feel like this time around I either loved the products or did not like them. I just want to throw it out there that if something didn't work for me then it may work for you because everyone's skin type is different. I hope you enjoyed this post and if you actually got this far congratulations. Let me know if you read the entire thing!

My next empties will most likely feature a lot of makeup because I am using up any products that aren't cruelty free at the moment. Have a lovely week and thank you for reading.

There are so many masks on the market and I have tried my fair share. This week I will be sharing with you the face masks that I've actually noticed to have made a difference to my skin.

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

$7.95

purchase here

A few years ago I heard about this mask through the amazing KathleenLights. Nowadays it can be difficult for this mask to be in stock, especially on iHerb. If you can get your hands on it I highly recommend it + I have a discount code for iHerb here.

This is the only deep pore cleansing mask that actually brings all the gunk to the surface. You literally 'feel your face pulsate'. I have sensitive dry skin and it has never irritated or dried out my skin. Beware, this is a very intense mask so it does leave your face a little red afterwards for roughly 30 minutes. This mask also brings out all your acne at once, but the saying goes: it has to get worse before it can get better. I try to use this mask twice a week to detox my skin and it really helps to clear it like no other.

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment

$98

purchase here

This is another mask that helps to clear out congested skin. It is not as intense as the previous mask mentioned however it does work wonders. Being so expensive I used this (a sample, haha) mask as a spot treatment overnight to dry out those annoying under-the-skin pimples. It helped to shrink them a lot faster than anything I've ever tried. If you have the budget for this mask then go for it, if not the one above does work better (in my opinion) at a more convenient price.

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

$39

purchase here

Something for all my dry skin sufferers now!

This is the first ever hydrating mask that actually leaves my skin dry-patch free. Previously I tried the one by GlamGlow but it did nothing for me. This mask is a lot more intense and leaves my skin feeling amazing. I have featured this mask in my flawless foundation routine here. 

Basically to sum this mask up it is 2L of water for your face!

Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask

$17.13

purchase here

A year ago I was having skin treatments done on and off for two years at a skin clinic and they used this amazing pumpkin mask on my skin. Instead of continuously paying them I thought why not see if I can find something similar and then I stumbled across this little miracle worker. This mask literally looks, smells and feels the exact same as the one they used. The only difference is probably the strength of their mask compared to this one.

This mask makes your skin tingle so you may need to use a small fan to cool yourself while applying it however once it is on that goes away. The tingling is bearable though, so don't let this put you off. The results this mask gave my skin is removing dead skin cells and evening out my skin texture and appearance. Other benefits are reducing redness and scarring, helping with pores and smoothing out your skin. It has a strong pumpkin and cinnamon scent which I like and should probably add in.

That is the end of this weeks post. I will continue trying out masks and update you when I find some more good ones that actually make a difference!

Last night before going to sleep I had to stay up and watch Jaclyn Hill's new tag she created - the Ride or Die Makeup Tag. When I finished the video I knew I had to write up my own!

The tag is simple when you first think about it, name your favourite products from each beauty category, however it is a lot more complex when you sit down and decide which products you would actually take away with you on a deserted island. Here are the products that are my 'ride or die'.

PRIMER

Becca Backlight Priming Filter - $65

buy here

This is amazing for dry skin types as it gives you a luminous glow while leaving your skin feeling hydrated.

FOUNDATION

Nars Sheer Glow - $67

buy here

Medium/buildable coverage with a natural, skin-like finish. This lasts all day on me and always looks good!

CONCEALER

bareMinerals bareSkin Serum Concealer - $29

buy here

I have FINALLY found my holy grail concealer! It doesn't go cakey under my eyes and keeps them looking hydrated all day long. Once set it does not crease either.

FACE POWDER

Face of Australia Translucent Loose Powder - $11.95

buy here

If I had to set my face (I usually skip this completely) this powder is what I go for. It adds no coverage but helps any other powders blend well on top of it.

UNDER EYE SETTING POWDER

Australis Fresh and Flawless Pressed Powder - $12.95

buy here

I actually 'bake' my undereyes with this powder. I always find that translucent powders create a white-cast in photos so I opt for a coloured powder. 

BLUSH

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes - $38

buy here

I can't choose one because they're all amazing but I would survive with any nude/pink shade from this range. If your blush does not last throughout the day you need this!

BRONZER

Urban Decay Naked Flushed - $52

buy here

This is actually a blush, highlight and bronzer trio but it contains the best bronzing shade for my skintone. It is pigmented, yet buildable and blends super easily.

HIGHLIGHT

Urban Decay Naked Flushed - $52

buy here

Again, my favourite ever highlighter is from this trio. I use it daily + it is compact and perfect for travel!

MASCARA

Chi Chi 3D Magic Lash Mascara - $22.95

buy here

I still have not yet found my ultimate favourite mascara but out of my current collection this is my go-to.

LIPSTICK

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Barbara - $48

buy here

LIQUID LIP

Colourpop Satin Lip in Magic Wand - $6

buy here

GLOSS

NYX Butter Gloss in ÉCLAIR - $9.95

buy here

LASHES

I don't have a specific eyelash brand or style that I am obsessed with as I'm not a lash wearer. If I am I opt for half lashes or individuals and any brand does the job.

EYESHADOW PALETTE

Too Faced Natural Eyes - $54

buy here

It has every shade I ever need for a daytime or nighttime look.

SETTING SPRAY

NYX Dewy Finish Spray - $14.95

buy here

PERFUME

Narciso Rodriguez | Narciso - $88-160

buy here

Scent - Floral woody musk with notes of Bulgarian rose, gardenia and woods.

Those are all my ride or die makeup products and I tag everyone that has read this to do the tag! Either comment below or write up your own post and leave the link below so I can check it out :) 

I picked up a sample of the Too Faced Born This Way foundation from my local Mecca after hearing so many positive reviews on it. If you read my blogposts regularly you will know that my skin type is dry and has a lot of redness so full coverage is a necessity. So, let's get into my thoughts on this hyped up foundation.

The Born This Way foundation retails for $58 AUD at Mecca Maxima which is quite a reasonable price for more of a higher end foundation. You receive 30ml of product and guess what, it comes with a pump!! Mecca states it is

A complexion perfection foundation that provides natural looking medium to full coverage. Oil free, hydrating makeup.

Straight away I can agree with natural looking medium to full coverage. I have A LOT of stubborn redness and scarring on my cheeks that it seriously takes a lot of colour correcting and layers to disguise. With this foundation I only needed the tiniest amount to immediately have a medium coverage. It was easy to build upon and in no time I had full coverage minus the cakey look that you can sometimes get. This foundation is lightweight so you don't even feel it on and as it is oil free I do see it working with people with slightly oily skin. Although I cannot speak from experience so still do some research if you are oily!

For some reason I was always under the impression that it was a matte finish foundation however it has more of a satin finish. It is comparable to NARS Sheer Glow in terms of the natural finish it gives your skin. When I used it for the first time I paired it with my Becca Backlight Priming Filter and it did not cling to any dry patches and my skin had more of a dewy appearance.

With my dryer skin this foundation did start looking a little powdery and cakey on my cheeks after the 8 hour mark. Mind you I did not set it with powder so if you have very dry skin keep in mind that it can cling to dry patches after some time or maybe immediately depending on your skin. In saying this, for majority of the day my skin had a healthy glow and did not look cakey. After 5 or so hours it did begin to settle in my smile lines which happens with every foundation in the world. It didn't happen as bad as usual though and I only had to blend it out using my finger before it was good as new.

When I use up more of my current foundations I will most likely purchase this one. I still need to wear it more to see if my opinions change however at this point in time I love it! I'm not sure if it will beat my Sheer Glow but at the moment it is up there with my favourite foundations.

Comment your thoughts on the Born This Way foundation below!

Welcome to my first skincare post in August! Even though there is only one month on winter left we can't forget to properly care for our skin. The cold weather may have taken a toll on your skin leaving it dry, dehydrated and dull. This weeks post will include a bunch of tips and products I suggest to use to combat any issues you are experiencing.

The first tip (which I personally struggle to give up) is to avoid hot water. A lot of people probably turn the heat up in the showers because its cold but this can actually dry out your skin (and your hair!). Try to keep your showers at a warm water temperature to allow your skin to keep its natural oils and still hydrated. This is such a simple change that can provide you with amazing results!

Provide extra hydration to your skin - three products I recommend to achieve this is either a hydrating face mask such as the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, a facial oil such as Rosehip oil or Jojoba oil and last but not least the Boots Laboratories Optiva Nourishing Night Cream. 

I just wanted to include a short review of the Optiva range products throughout this post to give you all an idea on how they worked for me rather than just slotting in products with the different tips. The nourishing night cream is a thick, but not heavy, moisturiser which absorbs quickly into the cream without the greasy and sticky feeling. In the morning my skin did not have that tight feeling which you may be familiar with if you suffer from dry/dehydrated skin. I believe this night cream is suitable for all skin types as it is not too heavy or oily feeling.

In terms of cleansing in the winter-time opt for a creamier or hydrating cleanser rather than a foaming cleanser which can strip your skin. Three cleansers which I notice to be the most beneficial and are all 2-in-1 products include: LUSH Ultrabland Cleanser, BL Optiva Skin Balancing Cleanser and Palmer's Ultra Gentle Facial Cleansing Oil. All three cleansers are either creamy or in Palmer's case, an oil cleanser, which gently remove makeup as well as leaving your skin clean without stripping any natural oils. 

The Skin Balancing Cleanser is a thin, liquidy cream cleanser which is so gentle when you are working it onto your skin. I used this cleanser with my Clarisonic and my hands and both methods left my skin feeling soft and hydrated. This cleanser is suited to normal to combination and dry skin types.

Use SPF! Most people avoid using SPF in winter since the sun generally isn't out, however it is important to be protected all year round! My favourite ways to incorporate SPF in my winter skincare routine is to use moisturisers that have SPF within them. My two favourites that don't irritate my sensitive skin at all are Antipodes Immortal SPF 15 Face & Body Moisturiser and BL Optiva Daily Protecting Cream (suitable for oily and combination skin) or their Comforting Day Cream. 

The Boots Laboratories moisturisers also contain SPF 15. They have a lightweight formula that provides the hydration your skin needs. These moisturisers also work well under makeup!

Last but most importantly is to drink 2L of water each day. You have probably heard this tip a lot but it really does help the most. You can apply as many creams and cleansers to your skin but if you are not internally hydrated your skin will still show it! I find that keeping a water bottle with me at all times helps to encourage me to drink water. When you are hydrated it also will reduce puffy eyes, fine lines and any dullness your skin may have.

That brings me to the end of my Banish Dry Winter Skin post and if you are interested in any of the products mentioned just click the links! If you are specifically interested in the Boots Laboratories range here is more information:

The Boots Laboratories Optiva range can be purchased from Amcal or Guardian Pharmacies. Prices range from $14 - $22 (AUD) so you can combat your dry, dehydrated skin at an affordable price!

Disclaimer - this post was in collaboration with Boots Laboratories as they sent me products to trial and include in this post. Opinions are 100% truthful and my own. I only included products in this post that I actually notice to improve my dry skin and I did use the Optiva range for 3 weeks prior to writing this post up. I would just like to thank both Jade and Boots Laboratories very much for giving me this opportunity.

Since A Beginners Guide: How To Take The Perfect Flatlay is continuously my most viewed and most popular post I thought I would do an updated one. To read my first post regarding flatlays click here. 

My first post was more focused on how to edit the image to get the perfect white backdrop and lighting so today I will touch on props, enhancing the colours in the image and any other tips I think of along the way. These tips can be used for pretty much any sort of flatlay and are perfect for blogposts or your Instagram feed!

1. Pick a theme

You want your flatlay to be cohesive and have a certain theme to the image. Whether it be a certain brand you want to feature or you wish to play up a certain colour. This tip can make your flatlay look more visually appealing and catch the viewers attention.

2. Placement
How you place items is also key. Do you want your flaylay to feature one certain product? If so you could do a close up or blur any surrounding products to draw the attention to that specific item. You can have an organised mess or a scattered mess. An organised mess is those flatlays where all items are in line with one another and it looks very neat and clean otherwise a scattered mess is exactly as the name suggests. You can also take your flatlays on an angle, centre the items or have them going diagonally across the image. It is really up to your own preferences and what look you are going for.

 

3. Props
This is the part where you really get to have fun with your flatlay!
Paint sample cards from your local hardware store, such as Bunnings, is an easy way to add a pop of colour to your images. Alternative props you can use are coloured paper, brushes, phone cases, flowers, plates, lollies, chocolate or chopping boards. Anything really! You can really get creative with your pictures and make them unique.

 

 

4. Enhancing colours and contrast

If your flatlay is looking a little dull play around with the saturation when you are editing your image. This will enhance the colours and make everything look a lot brighter.

You can also create a contrast with your flatlay, for example contrasting grey or white against a black backdrop and vice versa. I've started playing around with food flatlays lately so I thought I would include those as my examples for this tip.

I hope these tips help you out and are useful to you. If you have any questions please leave a comment below or on my Instagram. Happy flatlaying!