Products Review

So I have been trying a few new products and continuing with some old products and thought I would write a review to tell you what I think. Most of these products I am happy with but I will certainly tell you the positives and negatives that I have found while using them.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: (Retails for $74.00 AUD/125ml)

(http://www.clinique.com.au/product/2752/5047/Skin-Care/top-rated-skincare/Dramatically-Different-Moisturizing-Gel/with-pump--Combination-to-Oily-Skin-Types/index.tmpl)

So as a back story, I have been using Clinique products for about 2 and a half years. I started with their Anti-Blemish Solutions 3-step system and was really happy with the results. It didn't completely get rid of all my blemishes, but certainly reduced them and at the time I had lots of stress related blemishes and was breaking out prrreeettty badly!

As My family got on to it that I was using Clinique, I was given lots of gifts of different products, toners, lotions, face washes and was left with a a fair amount of products that I could use, but they never really worked as well as the Anti-Blemish stuff did. SO I used the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel for a really long time and like the results so when I was given the lotion, I thought it would be great too.

I don't dislike this product, but I don't feel it works well for me. The great part about Clinique is that they have a nice range of products that suit your particular skin type, I've just been using the wrong stuff for a while!! This lotion would be great for someone with Normal to Dry skin, and that just isn't me.

So in summary, I really like Clinique, I like this product, but I'll be heading out shortly to get the Anti-Blemish solutions again instead of this! (it is a little pricey, but this stuff goes a long way, you only really need two quick squirts to cover your face. My boyfriend uses this after he shaves and loves this stuff as he has very normal non-oily skin - i'm so jealous!)

Visine Clear Eye Drops for Red Eyes: (Retails for $9.95 AUD/15ml)

(http://www.chemistaustralia.com.au/products/visine-allergy-eye-drops-15ml.html)

I used to think the only people that used this stuff were the stoners in high school, but I have been using this product for a very different reason, and not for my eyes!

I heard about the use of Visine to reduce redness on my face (from my little sister) and thought that there would be no harm in trying it out. I sometimes will get a very red blemish and it becomes really hard to try and cover it up so the ability to reduce some of the redness before covering it was very alluring!

This product is very watery, so I usually put a few drops in the general area I'm looking to un-red and rub it in. I wait a few minutes and see a significant reduction in the red pigmentation in the area that I have rubbed.

I would really suggest trying this if you suffer from a similar problem!

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Medicated Gel For Acne: (Retails for $10.59 AUD/25g)

(http://shop.priceline.com.au/health-products/medicines/medicated-skin-products/thursday-plantation-tea-tree-medicated-gel-for-acne?p=42503)

I have used pure Tea Tree on my face before and really loved it but found it a little harsh and drying, even for my oily skin.  I was in Priceline searching for something to treat some blemishes when I came across this and thought it would be a great product to try.

I like using essential oils as they are natural and usually effective! This gel is no exception! It has the same great cooling effect as the oil had, but it is a lot less, can I say oily?!

This products can still be very drying for someone who doesn't have oil skin, so I would be mindful that over use (if you use the product on an effected area and not just the blemish itself) or continued use could cause significant drying.

In summary, I love this stuff, will buy again or look into other products by Thursday Plantation with Tea Tree Oil.

Lacura Face Care Purify Make Up Removal Wipes VS. Johnson's Face Care Daily Essentials Wipes: (Retail for $2.99AUD/30 wipes vs. $6.99/25 wipes)

(http://shop.priceline.com.au/skincare-products/face-care/facial-cleansers-products/johnsons-3-in-1-wipes-combination-skin?p=39795)

(http://www.smartershopping.com.au/productsearch.aspx - you can search "lacura")

Without even mentioning the price difference on these two I will take a moment to talk about Johnson's product. I was excited to get these as I ran out of the last wipes I was using and was in need of some make-up removal wipes for days when I am wearing LOTS of make-up. I have basically not liked this product at all. It does its job removing my make-up, but stops at that. I am left with a slight stinging feeling on my face and it has a sticky consistency that makes me need to immediately wash my face with water. The product says it is an oil balancing facial cleansing wipe, I wouldn't use these on my face again :s

Which lead me to pick up these Lacura wipes while at Aldi today (I love Aldi). I basically got them because of the price, $2.99! Bargain! I was pleasantly surprised when using these as well. They smell a lot more mild then the Johnson's wipes. They easily remove my make-up and leave my skin feeling clean and fresh!

SO fellow facial wipe lovers, don't be shy of what Aldi has to offer, these are a great item for a great price! Don't waste your money, shop at Aldi!

So that was just a mini review of just a few items that I have been using. Hope it was helpful and am happy to answer any more questions you may have. Let me know how they work for you!

Good luck!

My Favourite Things!!

So I thought it would be really fun if I shared with you some of my favourite things. These are products and items that I use all the time and that I really love. I didn’t choose everything but these are a few notable items that I just love. 

The first is my leather Jacket. Its brand is Minkpink. It is an Australian brand that is mostly incredibly affordable and has interesting and trendy clothing, if you don't know Minkpink, I would highly suggest checking it out (that said, I saw it on ASOS and its heaps more expensive, Australian prices for this line are MUCH cheaper). I found this jacket at a surf shop that my boyfriends little sister works at. I went there when my beautiful friend Veronica (miss you Vee!) was visiting me from Canada. I saw this Jacket and put it on and was so excited at how perfect it was. The price was actually not bad for a leather jacket, but I was very poor at the time and immediately wrote it off as too extravagant a purchase (was I think around $250). Veronica convinced me to get it basically by telling me that if I didn’t get it, she would. Am boy am I glad she said that as I love this Jacket, wear it all the time and have never regretted buying it!

My Name Necklace. My boyfriend gave this to my as a gift for my birthday (champagne birthday! 24 on the 24th). We were living and Teaching in South Korea at the time, so he had my name transliterated into Korean and sent to a jeweller in Australia (I think he did this because he wanted to be sure that he got exactly what he wanted and sometimes, even with a Korean that has excellent english or with a person who can translate for you, you just have some miscommunications!). I wear it all the time, get heaps of compliments, but most importantly, I just love it and think it was one of the most thoughtful gifts! 

Next, My Coach Purse. This brown tote is so classic and goes with so much as it has a nice dark brown colour and therefore goes well with both black and brown. I was given this bag as a gift and love it so much. I’ve had it now for at least 4 years and still love it as much as when I got it. I think it retailed for near $500.  It is big enough to easily hold A4 paper and my computer, so its super handy. It holds a lot but isn't very thick, so it doesn't look like I am bringing out a massive bag, when sometimes I wouldn't want one...if that makes sense.

Continuing with the theme here, my Coach gum boots! I got these while in South Korea because when it rained in Korea, it really rained! I got them online and they cost about $140 plus postage. I know that’s a little much for gum boots, but wellingtons cost over a $100 so I justified the purchase with that in mind. Plus, they are so cute and I always have someone mention how they like them when I wear them! Another reason I would suggest them is, when it rains, I am not all that upset as it gives me an opportunity to wear these beauties!

My Wilfrid Sweater (from Aritzia). I wanted this for a long time and when I got it I was not disappointed. This is the most comfortable sweater while still being really stylish and nice. I am all for wearing daggy clothing around the house, but this sweater is so easy to through on and nice enough to wear out too. You can wear it upside down as well and it wears more like a shrug then a long sweater. It retailed for just about $100 dollars.

My Lululemon everything! I only pictured two items, but this store is my absolute favourite, a must in this post. I pictured two of my newest items (update: not newest anymore, just got some newies last week that you can see on my youtube video under - Laura1224Jane). I own about 5 pairs of lulu pants, two tanks, two sports bars, two pairs of socks, 3 hair bands, 2 scuba sweaters and a t-shirt. I think thats it but It is still not enough. This is the most comfortable athletic wear. It is really flattering in its fit and most importantly, it uses fabrics that are perfect for yoga, its purpose essentially. I love this stuff. I pictured my newest scuba sweater in the special edition with silver speckles throughout. The other picture is of my new grey t-shirt. It has a lot of really nice details and is extremely thin and so comfortable. If you look closely, it even has inspirational writing on the bottom seem! Love this stuff!

My Alexander Wang Rocco Mini Duffle Bag. This is a bag I wanted for years, but couldn’t really afford it. It retails for around $900 and I got it for LOTS less on ebay! I love love love it. I think for a high end bag its not as expensive as a lot of designer bags (even new that it) and it is really great quality. Because of the studs at the bottom it is really wearable and has an edge to it that I really like. It is extremely soft and has a slouchy quality to it. It is also HUGH, you can literally fill this thing up with so much, which does make it a tad heavy. It is a bit heavy already re: the studs, would say that's a negative. Mind you the newer version comes with a strap, and that kind of eliminates the heavy bag problem!

My Vans checkered shoes.  These shoes might look pretty daggy here, and these are even my second set. I love them and wear them so much that I just ended up buying a new pair when my old ones wore out. I love these shoes because they just get better and more comfortable as they get worn in. I slip these babies on whenever I have a more casual outfit on. They are wicked. They retail for around $70, i think, I can’t remember. 

My Macbook. My computer is like my little friend. I use it everyday and have rarely had any problems with it. I upgraded it in the first year that I got it, which cost me about $500 and I recently had to buy a new battery charger for $90. Over the now 4 years that I’ve had this guy, that’s pretty good! (Update: Found out that you can't actually buy these babies new anymore, its a sad day...)

My favorite haircare product is Moroccan Oil. I have two products by this brand and swear by this stuff. The Moroccan Oil Treatment Original is amazing. It smells so good and keeps my hair so conditioned. I have naturally curly hair, so when I use this oil with towel dried hair, my curls are so much nicer and less frizzy.I have been using this hair treatment for about 4 years now and I have continued to re-purchase it over and over. It has an amazing smell that lingers nicely in your hair. It helps to keep frizz at bay, helps your hair to dry quicker (allowing you to blow dry your hair quicker and use less heat!), and it lasts SO LONG (and I have very long very thick hair!) This oil has done wonders for my hair! After continually using this I looked into other products within their haircare line and tried the Intense Hydrating Mask, and I dare say I might like it even more! The mask doesn't last me as long as the oil does and I think its a little expensive, but personally, I like to invest in my hair and it has loved me for it!  It has been so good! I got it about 6 months ago and still have quite a bit left. I use it as a mask at least once a week. With wet hair I leave it in for at least 15 min (usually more like 45 min, cause why not?) and it makes my hair feel like its just been cut, so conditioned and great. I even use some in a spray bottle with one part mask and two parts water and spray it in to use as a leave in conditioner. Before using Moroccan Oil products I would try and grow out my hair and get frustrated at how dry and unruly it became as it got longer, I would end up cutting it all off! I don't need to do cut my hair all off to keep it looking great anymore! A must buy!

So there you have it, a fair few of my favourite things! I hope you enjoyed and hopefully I was able to describe just a little of why I love these things! 

Are any of these things your favourites?! 

A New Trend I love…

Pattern with Pattern. I think this is going to be a common trend we will see on the road soon and I am all for it. I think done well that this could be a really cool look. I love how Lauren Conrad is showing this trend in this new picture in the upcoming Glamour Magazine. I love the high waisted skirt with the crop top, both in different patterns, looks so good!