‘Camu Camu Brightening Serum’ Review

Camu Camu.  Ok.  Sounds exotic.  30x the Vitamin C of an orange.  Right.  But what does this actually mean, and is it any good?  Well I have been trialling this for several months now, and am pretty impressed.  I had never tried Peter Thomas Roth before, and am now curious about the rest of the range.  Prior to starting this serum, I had been regularly using a Vitamin C serum for 3 weeks, so my skin had a bit of a headstart with Vitamin C effectiveness.  Usually Vitamin C takes a few months until results can be seen.  This serum contains Vitamin C from the Amazonian Camu Camu superfruit, said to be “a highly concentrated Vitamin C with superior absorption, equalling boosted collagen production, brighter, firmer and smoother skin”.

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Price: ( $$ ) $76.95 for 50ml, available from Mecca Cosmetica and Mecca Maxima stores.

Product Plus: The nifty airtight pressure pump keeps it super fresh and dispenses enough in one pump for face and neck.

Application:  Morning and/or night, underneath a moisturiser.  I have only been using during the day. 

Thoughts:  While it took me a few weeks to adjust, I am suitably impressed. The serum is lightweight, and quite liquid.  I couldn’t photograph it properly on my hand – it kept running off!  It has the most amazing orange scent, and absorbs into skin fairly quickly without residue or stickiness.

One would think this makes it an ideal textured serum for anyone with oilier skin… BUT, I have combination skin, and since using this I have a lot of excess oil and shine halfway through the day.  Now, this could just be because it is super super effective at boosting collagen, which causes the excess oil production (which realistically isn’t too much extra), and therefore is a fantastic and wonderful thing that I am happy to combat with a little extra powder throughout the day.  This might not suit everyone, but I am ok with it.  I lean towards this explanation because my skin has in fact become a lot smoother, my acne scars have begun to fade and generally I have really loved the way my skin looks since starting this.  I guess if I switched to only nighttime use, I wouldn’t have this issue… but I have other things I prefer to use in the evening.  Where I don’t have acne scarring (ha! where is that?) my skintone has been very even.  I have noticed a big difference in the amount of concealer I’ve been using – YAY!

Conclusion:  Deliciously fragranced and lightweight serum ideal for those needing a brightening bump, especially in these colder months.  I do feel like my skin is also… plumper. Like that feeling baby skin has, that soft cushiony feeling.  For this reason I feel this could be a great anti-ageing serum for someone wanting the antioxidant benefits of Vitamin C.

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I would love to hear from anyone else if they have tried anything from Peter Thomas Roth, especially from the Camu Camu range.  I really liked the CC cream in the range, and think that may be in my future spoils…

Bon Appetite!

Fyn Land

Hi all 🙂 I am in the middle of exams and essays, so haven’t had time to compile any blog posts worth posting lately.  BUT, if anyone is looking for cute jewellery, or amazingly adorable gifts, check out the Etsy page for Fyn or their Facebook page here!  The designer is Rachel, who I now know through work.  I can’t get enough of the handprinted fox pillow.

Hope everyone has had a great weekend!

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Bon Appetite!

NARS Blushes – New Favourites

There should probably be a disclaimer here to begin, that I should not be held responsible for this post because I know nothing of make-up other than I like it. With that said, I have developed a real appreciation for the wonders of a good blush.  Seeing as my face is, at the best of times, a pasty lifeless sheet, I have been in search of a few different colours to perk up my dull complexion.  My only other blush at present is MAC in Peaches, but to be honest it is anything but peachy, instead being quite pink on my skin, which is why I went in search for something new and fancy!  The two fantastic recent finds are NARS Blush in Gina and Orgasm.

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Price: ( $$ ) $45, available from Mecca Cosmetica. (Pricey, but I think this is going to last me years).

NARS Blushes. Left: Gina. Right: Orgasm.

Application:  Gina needs barely a touch of my brush to pick up enough colour for one cheek.  Gina glides on really well and doesn’t need much effort to build the colour. Orgasm on the other hand, requires me to mash my brush into the pan in attempt to loosen just a little of the powder.  It doesn’t show on my skin very well at all.  Not sure if just unlucky… but I have to say I am a bit confused as to why everyone raves about this -_-

Thoughts:  Both these blushes are great – but for entirely different reasons.  Gina is this gorgeous, deeply peachy, tangerine matte, while Orgasm is more pink with flecks of gold shimmer.  I have always shied away from shimmer blushes – or shimmer anything – as I have firmly believed that shimmer should be reserved for my eyelids alone.  I am slowly coming around to the idea of slight shimmer on the cheeks, but for me, I just use Orgasm as a highlighter at the top of my cheekbones to get the desired effect.  Gina is the perfect tangerine for my skin, and the soft, powdery formula is a breeze to work with so it is foolproof even for a fool like me!

NARS Blushes. Left: Gina. Right: Orgasm.

Conclusion: It is only quite recent that I learnt that make-up is in fact a lot of fun and not at all scary. What a thing to learn at 24! What I have now learnt about blush, is that if it is good quality, the colour and texture are far superior AND the product will last longer.  Gina fades during the afternoon, so it isn’t something I could wear all day into the night, but it still lasted well considering my combination skin.  Orgasm isn’t a shade I would purchase myself, but I would definitely purchase other NARS blushes. Hooray for blushes!!

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NARS is a great brand, but is owned by Shiseido. NARS themselves claim to not test on animals, but unfortunately Shiseido do. Just a little note to keep anyone who is interested informed.

Bon Appetite!

April Empties!

I really can’t believe I am two whole months into having my blog.  Time flies, huh?! Here is a quick empties post – pretty proud I have managed to complete a few goodies, some better than others, so slowing whittling away at the stash I’ve accumulated.

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Label.M Honey Oat Conditioner:  God this fragrance was amazing. The most delicious scent, but not moisturising enough for my hair now it’s cooler. Very softening though.

L’Occitane Angelica Hydration Cream: Hands down the best face moisturiser I’ve ever used. Now, I used to work for the company but am not biased -I am going to continue to purchase this moisturiser until the end of time.  Or until they discontinue it … which is likely to happen first.  Winter/summer/dry/humid it is the best thing for my combination skin. Super hydrating without being creamy or oily, packed full of essential oils and a lovely light and fresh fragrance.  One bottle lasts me quite a few months, but less in winter as I use it day and night and my skin gets extra thirsty.

Sample of Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu CC Cream:  I have hesitated for about a month now and am still unsure of whether I will purchase this.  I found it got a little oily after a few hours for my liking, but felt amazing and was enough coverage while keeping my skin comfortable.  The brightening vitamin C is a big drawcard for me, but I think I will try to get hold of another sample.  I want to use this for winter because it is drier anyway, but worry about being too shiny still. Hmmm.

The Face Shop Fabulous Volumising Mascara:  In-cred-i-ble. Soft, thickening, easy to take off but doesn’t ever smudge (even on the bottom lashes, even from day to night).  God I am glad I found this and I am never going back.  Except I bought two other mascaras, and now totally regret it every time I touch their thin, lifeless, clumpy brushes to my lashes. Ugh. I am going to discard those and replace this ASAP.

L’Occitane Tonic Body Oil:  I have already repurchased this. I have probably used up several bottles of this over the past year alone. Enough said.

L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil: The greatest shower product ever.  The only thing I will ever use again to shave my legs.  This was a sample size but I have one of the 500ml pumps in my shower at all times, obviously I am a little obsessed.

Ella Baché Serum Marin:  OK, this was a long story.  I bought it aggeeesss ago because it was recommended, used it a few times, convinced myself it broke me out, then placed it in hiding. Finally, I brought it back out because I knew I had to use it up, but using it consistently over 4 weeks (before it ran out) yielded amazing and unexpected results.  If you want something to firm and smooth the skin, this is it. I noticed a measurable difference just in that time alone.  My skin was so refined and tightened.  The fragrance reminded me slightly of stale seawater, but once I got past that it was love.

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I am really excited and nervous about my next post, because it is going to be my first post about make-up! It’s probably going to be terrible, so I apologise in advance for my ridiculous attempt, as I actually know very little about anything make-up related. Until then though…

Bon Appetite!

A surprisingly effective cloth facial mask!

Recently I have been lucky enough to try some wonderful cloth masks supplied to me by Larisa from Michika.  Larisa loved cloth masks so much, she created her own for when she was breastfeeding and needed something effective but gentle and easy to use.  Introducing…

MICHIKA: Complexion Synergist

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Price: ( $ ) $17.30 for packet of 5, available from the Michika website. Postage is flat rate $6.50 Australia wide.

Application:  As per a regular sheet mask, unpack and place over face, leaving for 10+ minutes.  When taking off, dab the excess serum over face and neck and allow to absorb.

Thoughts:  Michika: Complexion Synergist is a fabulous mask.  With Green Tea extract, Vitamins C and E and Hyalauronic Acid, this mask packs a punch and is chock full of goodness.  It is a gel texture that absorbs well, doesn’t drip and is not sticky once absorbed.  If you wanted to read more about synergy, and what this means for this mask, go here.

Leaving it on for just 10 minutes leaves skin fresh, bright and plump.  I felt a slight, pleasant tingle the first few times I used this mask, which shows just how effective it is.  My skin was immediately brightened, and was definitely hydrated and refined.  The fragrance is very light and fresh so this mask is super relaxing.  With my combination skin, I didn’t have to use any moisturiser after this had absorbed, but now that it is a bit colder/drier, I could happily put a moisturiser over top before bed to ensure incredibly hydrated skin.  I *love* how simple the ingredients list is on this mask, and that the Green Tea Extract is high on the list – as this is reputed to help acne-prone skin (like mine – weeeee!!!).  I had no breakouts from this mask, and can agree that it’s great for sensitive skin (although you should always do a patch test first if you are prone to sensitivity of course).

Conclusion:  Effective mask for brighter, hydrated skin.  Seems a little on the pricier side than what I am used to paying for sheet masks, but for the effectiveness, these would be worth it for me.  I tried this once a week, then twice a week, and prefer using it twice for better results.  A very light exfoliation could be good before using the Michika mask, but for my skin I tried not to exfoliate too much as I did feel that initial tingle.  With the Michika mask, I saw much better results than with other brightening cloth masks I have tried, so I would be very inclined to continue using them!

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Disclaimer: Michika: Complexion Synergist Mask was provided to me for consideration.  This review is my honest opinion based on my personal experience and has been in no way influenced.

Bon Appetite!