Mother's Day Gift Ideas

She gave you joy, she gave you memories, she gave you protection and she gave you wisdom. For all the things our mother’s have given us, that is why we celebrate mother’s day. Of course we’re conveniently overlooking the not so positive physical attributes we inherited from her (anyone else get a funny shaped nose?)

So how do you show this woman who is such a vital part of who you are that you care? How do you really show her she’s appreciated? And how do you get one over on your siblings or her friend’s children and prove that you are in fact the best and favourite child?

Chocolates too fattening, flowers die, and earrings are tricky to choose. For your ease and comfort, check out our fabulous Mother’s Day gifts below; and remember, this woman gave you life.

ASAP Mother's Day Gift Pack     Ecoya Mother's Day Gift Set     Elemis Little Superstars

    Aura by Swarovski        Naked Tan Starter Pack    Clarisonic Mia Lavender

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The 10 Commandments for Healthy Skin

When it comes to your skin, it’s important to follow your regime religiously. As such, there are certain do’s and don’ts when it comes to caring for your skin, either for health or aesthetic reasons. Read on, and indoctrinate yourself into the temple of enlightenment.

Thou shalt not…
…go to bed without washing off your makeup. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been partying ‘til the dawn hours, or if you just can’t be bothered…I’m telling you now, be bothered! If you fail to, you risk drying out your skin, blocking your pores and increasing skin sensitivity. The result? Breakouts and premature ageing.

Thou shalt not…
…forget to drink lots of water! This one is a given. Drinking water helps to boost circulation and stimulate the kidneys to flush out harmful toxins, which otherwise may escape through the pores. This can cause breakouts and congestion, a definite no no for healthy skin. Proper hydration will also help to reduce sunken eyes and dark circles for a more youthful gaze.

Thou shalt not…
…leave the house without applying sunscreen! Even on the most overcast of days, the sun is still beaming down harmful UV rays, which contribute towards premature ageing, hyper pigmentation, and more frightfully, cancer. A broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 is ideal.

Thou shalt not…
…sunbathe. See above for the reasons why. In any case, there are a great deal of natural looking sunless tanners on the market these days that promise a healthy, glowing tan, without the dangers of UV exposure.

Thou shalt not…
…rub or squint your eyes. The skin around the eye area is very delicate, as it not only thinner than the rest of your skin, but it doesn’t produce the same amounts of moisture. The result? Reduced elasticity. This means that if you pull at or rub your eyes, they will wrinkle, and it will not be reversible.

Thou shalt not…
…renounce moisturiser. A number of people, in particular those with oily skin, tend to neglect daily moisturisation through fear of becoming oilier. Bad idea. After cleansing, your skin can often feel tighter because it is dry and has been stripped of natural oils, and so moisturisation is necessary to replenish your skins hydration. If you don’t? Your skin overcompensates and produces even more oil, leading to breakouts and blackheads...eek.

Thou shalt not…
…buy a product just because your friend likes it. All skin is different, and just because something works well for her, it doesn’t mean it will work for you. Try to sample products before buying when you can, or else discuss your options with a trained professional.

Thou shalt not…
…smoke! Besides the obvious downsides (yellow hands, black lungs), smoking constricts blood vessels and deprives cells of oxygen and nutrients. Plus, no one will want to kiss you.

Thou shalt not…
…use soap instead of cleanser. The harshness of soap upsets your skins natural barrier, stripping it of natural oils. This makes it susceptible to damage via environmental factors, as well as increased sensitivity and exacerbated skin concerns.

Thou shalt not…
…forsake your 8 hours sleep. It’s called beauty sleep for a reason you know. Sleep is the time when your skin heals and regenerates; by denying it ample time, you’re just inviting premature ageing and dark circles.

Lou

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Integrity Cosmetics

As the trend for organic beauty products continues to soar, legions of skin-savvy consumers, like us, prefer a safer alternative to traditional skin care. A ‘holistic’ approach with the focus on natural ingredients presents innovative products that are gorgeous to use and good for us, without compromising sensory experience and efficacy.

When the Facial Company introduced an Australian certified organic skin care range by Integrity Cosmetics, I received an invitation to test-drive the products at home. YAY! Boasting the first energetically tested and aligned certified organic skin care range in the world, they utilise methods such as kinesiology (the study of movement) during development practices. Therefore, using these products prompts us to feel happier, healthier and more relaxed.  Wow, sounds good doesn’t it!

These products are better than good, void of undesirable toxic ingredients, petrochemicals and other synthetics, Integrity Cosmetics is classified Australian Certified Organic, giving peace of mind the range is bona fide organic (you know, the ‘real deal’) and not just some fake that’s loosely labelled to mislead everyone. It’s suitable for all skin types to achieve and maintain optimal skin health.

My favourites include the rich, creamy Purifying Cleanser with gentle exfoliating beads that helps remove debris and oil deep within the pores. The moisturisers are indulgent, flaunting a crisp, refreshing signature scent, prominent throughout the entire range, whilst the lightweight, non-greasy formulations are ultra hydrating. I am especially fond of the Protecting Moisturiser, infused with vitamins, antioxidants and sun protection properties, which nourish, nurture and safeguard my skin perfectly.  

Integrity Cosmetics proffers integrity ensuring we needn’t choose between either natural or effective skin care products! They deliver the best of both worlds. Go ahead and try it yourself! I know you want to.

Mel xxx

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Valentines Day

Valentines day; you either love it or you hate it, but regardless of which category you fall into, there is no denying that it's a day for a little extracurricular beauty boost.

For The Lovers
This day is all about you and your other half. Flowers, chocolate, poems and jewellery are all very well and good, but it's looking your best that really counts today. You want bright eyes that smoulder, pouty lips that pop and a clear, radiant complexion, right? So get creative, try something new. Sultry smokey eyes, shiny red lips, a touch of blush on the cheekbones, and your ready to wow your respective partners.

For The Others
What is valentines day? A commercial gimmick to sell cards and chocolate? An excuse for loved up couples to be openly tiresome? Whatever your views, today is a day that should be all about you. Give yourself a little pampering, something fun and treat-like to celebrate being fabulous in your own right. Have a bath with delicious scented oils, apply a refreshingly hydrating masque, then sit back and give yourself a manicure whilst watching your favorite movie (preferably with a dishy male lead - after all, you're not made of stone).

Whether you're a lover or an other, take some time this Valentines day to be your very best self. For a little extra helping hand...

Click the picture to visit the product page.

Lou

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In regards to your hair

What’s going on with your hair, hmm? What’s happening, what’s it all about?

Of course if your hair is perfect, shiny and strong as a horse’s leg, by all means, move along. Or keep reading for the lolz, whatever.

For everybody else, repeat after me: shampoo matters.

That’s right, shampoo matters. A simple concept one assumes...

Okay, so I was getting a lift in a cab once, and was just talking to the cabbie about dying my hair and whatnot, when clearly eager to offer something to the conversation, he starts talking about shampoo. Saying that its only purpose is to remove grease, that any old swill will do the trick and salons are just out to rip people off. He suggested I pop down to the local 2 dollar store and get a litre of unlabelled "hair cleanse”.

Now naturally at this point I started laughing like a mad thing, assuming he was having me on. Imagine my humiliation when my good natured cackling was met with a blank stare. Oh good lord, the man was serious.

In an effort to rectify the situation I begin rambling on about non water soluble silicon content and whatnot, at which point he kindly asked me to get out of the cab (in his defence, we had reached the destination.)

Now I won’t go into a mad rant like I did then, but I will say this. The wrong shampoo, that is, a cheaply formulated brand (I’m naming no names lest I’m lynched by angry people) can actually cause damage to your hair. They can corrode it and strip it of moisture. They can cause silicon to build up on the hair shafts and coat your hair. Pretty much, they can do a number on your hair that leaves it dry, brittle and weak, and nowhere near approaching the strength of a horse’s leg.

So, keep it in mind. Shampoo matters.

Lou

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