Brunette Beauty

I've noticed more brands releasing cleansers, masks and scrubs containing Charcoal. It was brought to my attention through the hyped Glamglow Super Clearing Mud Treatment. Unfortunately as far as I know, this brand is only readily available in America, making it hard to try out. On my recent trip to America I picked up another product by Origins. It wasn't until a recent 40% off skincare sale at Priceline that I noticed more affordable options out and triggered this quarterly 'what's new' post. I admit I might be behind on the 8 ball but some items are new in my world. Origins Clear Improvement Mask Much more affordable high end mask. It's gentle but effective and fast working. Garnier Charcoal Scrub You can see the list of claims this does. What I found interesting is that this is the first charcoal related scrub I've found. It's not as grainy as I was expecting so would be gentle enough for all skin types. Bioré Deep Pore Char...

Packaging: Heavy, palm sized round, smooth metal jar with a plastic screw on lid with a metal embellishment. The jar has a white and silver/ grey colour scheme. The lid features a silver star to match the silver text. There is a product stopper that lifts out which can be either thrown away or kept. It feels considerably heavy compared to a moisturiser jar but the packaging is thick when you see how much product it holds. This could have something to do with keeping the natural ingredients/ acids fresh. It comes in this octagon shaped white cardboard box matching the jar. The lid is a sleeve that lifts off, revealing the jar in a cradle from the cardboard, covered by a 'Hello Sexy' flap. I thought this was a unique way to present the jar and it was nice to have my sexiness reaffirmed! Smell/Taste: Faint liquorice that is quite powerful. Colour: Dark grey and dries white. Formula/ Texture: It's a thick and slightly smooth consistency. It...

Bioderma is as far as I can tell, the cult and most loved water based micelle solution. Garnier has recently been the first mass market consumer brand to bring out their own version of this. Of course the two will be compared to each other but which works better? Let me explain a little bit about what micelles are, as I had never heard of it before and had no idea what it was I wanted to know what results are to come from this so I can see this when I use it compared to what the packaging is claiming. Micelles are molecules that are formed in high concentration in water. Each molecule is made up of two parts; the inside of oil and outside of water. Know you may be aware that water and oil repel each other so a micelle molecule is able to be formed the water 'head' sticking outside with the water 'tail' inside. This is the basic formulation for most soapy detergents as when the molecule is split open the oil is released and able to do its work in breaking do...

Another NEW skincare product that's hit the shelves. First thing I noticed is the 'micellar' word that is popular with Biodermas' Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution. So how does a non French skincare brand stack up? Packaging: Clear, slim plastic bottle. The sturdy baby pink cap matches the pink writing. I do feel that the hinge on the cap is a little thin, that if it's opened with force it'll break off. The opening of the small but the liquid doesn't run out and I have control of how much I want. The packaging is simple and clean matching the major benefit of the product. I find it to be very durable with the plastic having a little give when it's squeezed. I am also a fan of being able to see how much product is left, though this is easy determined from the weight. Smell: None. It is perfume free but that doesn't necessary fragrance free.  Colour: Clear. Formula/ Texture: This is a thin, lightweight liquid. It is e...

This is a NEW product range from Olay that is targeted at acne prone skin to late 20's women. Packaging: White plastic squeeze tube with a big sturdy cap. The white is complimented with swirly blue, green and yellow theme. The opening is a little bigger then average but thats to accommodate the thicker consistency. I don't find the product to shot out, yet I can easily control how much product I want. Due to the opaque packaging I can't easily tell how much is left, though I can cut it open to get the last of the product out. Smell: Fresh soap. Colour: Metallic grey with no shimmer that doesn't transfer onto the skin. Formula/ Texture: Thick, smooth cream like consistency. It is easy to apply squirting from tube. It's oil free and dermatologically tested which is great for me. It's formulated with kaolin clay to help draw out impurities and minimise shine. I have combination skin which likes more liquid cleansers. With thi...

Finally the well known French skincare line I have managed to get a hold of! I've heard great reviews about this cleanser. Great for removing makeup and cleansing on sensitive skin. I've been using it for over a month now and wanted to share my thoughts. Packaging: Flexible clear plastic bottle. The cap is tinted pink plastic that matches the text on the bottle. The opening is quite large for a cap product but in saying that the solution doesn't pour out or get dispensed fast. Smell: None. It is fragrance free and I'm not sensitive to scents in products unless they are  really  overpowering  so this wasn't an issue for me. Colour: Clear. Formula/Texture: This is a thin, lightweight liquid. It is easily absorbed into the skin. The micelles in the formula micro-emulsify impurities with no irritation to the skin or eyes. It also contains soothing ingredients as it's formulated for sensitive skin. Wait it gets better, it's hypoallergenic. Let...

Packaging: Small, palm sized, glass container with black screw off lid. I think it's quite a cute size but it's a little worrying against the price. Smell: None. Colour: Clear. Formula/ Texture: This is simply a gel consistency. It's easy to apply and absorb. The formula does contain cucumber extract which adds a refreshing feel to the eyes. It is lightweight and doesn't leave any film on pillows. You do need a pea sized amount for both eyes, which worries me that this eye gel will be use dup quickly. I decided to try this for the reduction of puffy eyes and dark circles. I do believe the cooling feeling from the cucumber extract is the only reason why this works well in these areas. I find it to be quite hydrating. I wouldn't say this is an awesome eye product it does alright. For $19 I'm sure there is another eye cream that is good. Available: From Priceline, pharmacies and discount department store...

Packaging: Matte almost rubberised finish plastic spray bottle with a clear protective cap. There are accents of pink text/ images that pop against the black background. The spray pump isn't hard nor get stuck. I find it very durable and portable and would be suitable for travel. However it's hard to immediately distinguish how much product is left just by looking at it. This can be felt by the weight of the bottle. Light, wide spray. Smell: Floral. Formula/ Texture: The first thing I noticed is how quickly this spray dried and 'set' on my face and this translates through to the cooler months of the year. It's not a major difference but these small things do add up and it's nice not have to wait the 15 or so seconds for the spray to dry. The spray itself is very light to the typical strength of a spray product that I would automatically think of. Again a nice change but does get used to the adjustment as at first I felt as though I had t...

Packaging: Metal white squeeze tube with a yellow screw lid. The packing is quote heavy and large for what I was expecting it's larger than a usual or typical moisturiser tube. The metal packaging does get all crumpled when getting down to the last of it and makes it hard to squeeze out. I think that the reason for the metal packaging is because the Vitamin C brightening component is concentrated at 5% and this helps keep at a optimum temperature. Smell: Metal/ fake tan smell on your hands after application. Think this is the Vitamin C complex. Colour: White in high density but clear when applied and absorbed onto skin. Formula/ Texture: I had no hopes for this being a miracle worker in terms of completely removing blemish marks. Especially not in the 4 weeks it was meant to show the greatest results. This gel like moisturiser is easily applied and absorbed onto the skin. There is defiantly no greasy feeling or residue. I did find some reducti...

Packaging: Brown glass bottle with dropper cap. This dropper is better than a pour lid as you are able to control how much or little product you get depending on the area your using it on. Smell: Rose oil. I know, how can I tell but if I imagine what rose oil would smell like-this would be it. Colour: Bright yellow but rubs in clear. Texture/ Formula: It's a think and slippery consistency. It's not so much greasy just shiny and not sticky which is surprising. There's no product transfer onto clothes or pillows. It's super easy to apply and blend with fingers. It does take a few minute sot be absorbed into the skin. Rosehip oil in general is formulated from 100% natural organic ingredients to help improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and wrinkles. Trilogy recommend 2-3 drop...

Packaging: Metallic teal plastic bottle with a snap close lid. Smell: Almost like fly spray but it's the Alpha/Beta Hydroxy in the formula. Colour: Butter Yellow. Texture/ Formula: The texture is thin cream that is lightweight, easy to apply and is easily absorbed. My skin looks and feels hydrated with no greasy after feel. Im not sure about the claim that the lotion exfoliates dry skin cells to uncover healthier skin, but my skin defiantly without doubt feels so much smoother and sexier. I like using this lotion to make my skin feel this way. I will defiantly have to compare this to other lotions, but so far I really like it! Available: From Priceline, pharmacies and discount department stores for $14 for 250ml/ 8.5 fl.oz

Packaging: The first thing that I notice about this cleanser is the thickness of the tube. It's different in this and in weight to a typical cleanser container. The packaging is made from a durable clear plastic throughout including the lid and pump so I wonder if this has anything to do with the weight. The opening on the pump is also quote large for a cleanser. I think this has to do with the thickness of the product itself to get an adequate amount of product out. The cleanser has a lever so to speak that pushes the product up from the bottom with each pump. This is good as you not only know no product is being wasted but can see how much is left. I think this would be good to travel with, but perhaps the initial weight when full may take up more room than expected. The ribbons of the cleanser and scrub that can been seen does make for an interesting product & unique when it sits in the bathroom cupboard. Smell:...

Packaging: Shiny blue plastic tube. The cap is very wide which makes it easy to open. Based on the width of the tube I feel like there's a lot of product. While you can't see how much product is left, it is great as it can be cut open to get the remainder out. Smell: Fresh clothes wash detergent. Colour: Grey green colour Formula/ Texture: This is a smooth thick clay liquid. I only use this for the mask side and find that it's easy to apply. Being a thick product you do have to work a little more to remove the mask then a typical one. Once removed it does leave a fresh feeling on the skin. It's formulated to reduce the appearance of marks left behind from pimples with the key vitamin B3 and then enhance the skin renewal properties from the lactic acid. It does a really good job of getting down into the pores and removing dirt and reducing the size of them too. As for the marks, I can only see a slightly reduction in the size of them. Any pimpl...

OMG OMG OMG!!! So I have seen pics of lush stuff, watched haul videos, then found an Australian sight WITH a store no far from me, which lead to more looking online and wanting, and finally today I went with a friend and brought my first ever Lush products!! :) American Cream - Hair Conditioner This is a double-strength conditioning conditioner, I wanted something that would be similar to a deep leave in conditioner. Lush say that American Cream was "inspired by a vision of 1950s US milk bars, bright red-leather-and-chrome, neon-lit cafes, where teenagers would meet and drink frothy, fruity milkshakes. Our creamy conditioner is what the girls would have used to make their hair soft before going out on a date, dressed up in their bobby socks and circular skirts."  This smells so nice, like vanilla with honey, vanilla, strawberries and oranges geez I just wanna eat it! I have used this and while my hair feels weird and rough once this has been rinsed out, when...

Packaging: Plastic tube with varying degrees of blue in the new fresh branding line by Olay with a blue cap. The opening is decent. Durable packing that can be cut open to get remaining product. Smell: Soap. Colour: White. Texture/ Formula: This is a thin, porous paste. It is oil free and I've had no irritation or breakouts. It's easy to apply from the tube and spread over the face.  My skin has a matte finish after using this. My pores look minimised, isn't over drying but still powerful enough to cleanser properly to remove any traces of make up and dirt. Basically my skin feels fresh and clean. The only thing that I can pick at it is that it does really lather like the generic face cleanser. You do get used to it, just something I noticed. Available: From Priceline, pharmacies and discount department st...

Packaging: Light blue bottle with light grey pump. Once open the pump can't close which makes it hard to travel with like is. Smell: Fresh soap. So refreshing. Colour: Tinted yellow in a large quantity but clear in normal one pump. Texture/ Formula: This liquid cleanser is oil-free which is something my skin must have so I don't get breakouts. The formula also contains salicylic acid which is the main acne fighting ingredient that helps prevent pimples and gets rid of current ones along with the dual hydroxy complex. The formula helps to eliminate excess oil and impurities that remains after removing makeup. This is lathers very well and doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy or dry after use. The way my skin feels after one use is amazing, even without my Clarisonic. It feels so clean and fresh and vibrant. I really like this cleanser, so...