How to: Facial At Home...

I love going to the salon, but I also love pampering myself at home. For most women it's not feasible to get to the salon whenever they please so here is my mini how-to: give yourself a quick facial at home!

Step 1:
Take off your make-up. I used Australis 3 in 1 make-up wipes. I really like them. I have found other make-up wipes make me break out in the past where-as these ones remove my make-up quickly and easily. 

Step 2:
Cleanse. Now there are two options for cleansing, one: do a deep cleanse and apply cleanser and massage into skin for two minutes and then leave for three minutes to absorb into skin. Or two: to do a double cleanse and this is two quick cleanses after each other (either using the same cleanser or two different cleansers). Rinse.

 

Step 3:
Exfoliate. Depending on your skin type and schedule you can give yourself a light scrub and a more abrasive scrub. Rub exfoliator of choice onto the skin in circular motions for two minutes and rinse with warm water.

 

Step 4 (Optional):
Steam. A home steam can be done by filling your basin (or bowl) with boiling water (and adding essential oils i.e. tea tree optional). And then standing over the basin with a towel covering your head you allow the steam  open up your pores. Warning: don't stand too close to your basin start almost standing straight and slowly lowering your head to where you feel comfortable. To close you can breathe in the steam to quickly or can cause burning so please be cautious if doing this step***

Step 5:Mask. Now every skin type is different and even skin on different areas  your face can be different. Sometime I’ll apply up to 4 different masks at one time concentrating each mask on different areas of my face. (For the photos I only did a clay mask) And leave on as per directions (usually 10-20 minutes). 

Notes:
My hair looks odd because I have a conditioner mask in my hair. Before I started my facial I put conditioner into my hair dry and concentrated on the ends and put into a bun. This was left for 30 minutes while I had a facial.

Apologies for the state of my eyebrows. I am a firm believer that your eyebrows are one of the most important parts to your face, they frame your face. I am due to have them done this weekend, by my eyebrow specialist. I have very curly eyebrows and won’t touch them myself. I am in the process of growing them out and hence they are very messy. I will post before and after photos to show you the difference. I recommend you see an eyebrow waxer at least once to discuss your eyebrows and their shape. What might look good on your favourite celebrity, may not suit your face.

After I applied my mask, I sat and enjoyed a bath for 20 minutes before rinsing out the conditioner and washing off the mask.

I try and to this treatment at least once a week, maybe twice depending on what my schedule is like. I change the products depending on how my skin feels or what events I have on. If I have a big event on Saturday night I won't give myself a facial with a scrub on Friday. However I might just do a deep cleanse and a hydrating face mask with an eye treatment.


After my facial I spritzed my face with Jurliques Rose Water mist, and then applied UltraCeuticals Ultra A Eye Treatment Serum under my eyes, Mirenesse (high power )Gele to my neck, and Mirenesse High Lift to my face, and Mirensse Eyebrow serum to my eyelashes and eyebrows. 

 

Love for your mitts!!

Lanolips – Rose Balm Intense for very dry hands and nails:
Along with the lip ointment I also got the hand balm for very dry hands in Rose from Santa. I do get dry hands. I always wash my hands and use hand sanitiser and therefore always use a hand cream. This is such a rich formula you don't need much to cover your hands. If you use too much it wont absorb and can leave your hands feeling greasy. The product is not greasy at all if you use the right amount. You really don't need much. And it leaves my hands feeling nourished for hours. It doesn't smell like roses more of a clean soap so this is good for people who aren't keen for synthetic smelling products and just want a good quality product. It contains rose oil and vitamin e which are both known for their moisturising properties. It comes in a small container perfect size for your hand bag and to whip out on the go. 

MOR- hand and nail cream in Marshmallow... yum.. This wonder product is divine. Very nourishing hand cream with a sweet smell. I don’t think it smells exactly like marshmallows but it definitely has a yummy aroma that smells good enough to eat. I have dry hands because of my line of work. And I got this after hearing how good it smells and I wasn't disappointed. I love good smelling products and this one ticks the box. It’s a great rich formula that leaves my skins smooth. And you just want to keep smelling your hands after you have applied it because it smells so good! It really is sweet. Its top fragrance notes are white carnation and marshmallow. With a base of vanilla and sugar hence it’s so sweet. It’s a product that when I use it makes me smile :)  (The packaging has had a fair beating, I use it all the time and it lives in my handbag, so the poor thing is a little worn out FYI)

Natio- Wellness Hand cream with SPF 15+. I am so happy to have found a good hand cream with SPF. In Australia our UV factor is high, and so when driving I am honestly so conscious about my hands being directly in the sun. I can feel the heat permeating through my skin. So when I found this I was one happy girl. I leave this in my car and as so as I go for a drive a pop a bit onto the backs of my hand. Its super soft and nourishing. I just have to make sure I really rub it in before driving because I don’t want slippery hands on the wheel. As far as hand creams go I like it. It gives my hands the moisture it needs and lasts well. But its definitely the added SPF in it that makes me a lover of this product....

An Apology!!

First of all Thank-You to everyone who follows my blog I am so grateful… As most of you are aware I am super new at this only been blogging a week, so I’m still learning all the ins and outs… Please email me with any tips and advice J

Now… I am sorry for the terrible quality photos… I have been taking them with my i-phone… My poor sister cringes and scolds me every time I ask her to look at my blog… Telling me, I should be embarrassed of the quality of my images…. Sooooo….. **drum roll** I just bought a new camera online, with her money $$, woops…. So hopefully this will = better pictures. Hahaha  really soon I will be able to take ‘blog-worthy’ pictures… But in the mean time, because I love blogging so much you will have to put up with my lame excuse at photography….

I hope it will make my blog a bit more user friendly….  Thank-you beauties for being so patient..

Lots of love and kisses

xox xox Miss Pampered Princess xox xox

Mirenesse!!

I was introduced to Mirenesse through Beauty Heaven and I'm so glad I was. I am now a VIP member and love their products. I can't get enough. Their cleansers, masks, serums they are all so great..

Their D-Blemish Gel Cleanser was sent to me as a VIP gift as part of the Power Clear range. It’s a clear gel cleanser and you only need smallest amount for deep cleansing. It’s a very runny product and applies easily. It leaves my skin a little dry because it’s a blemish clearing product (& I'm prone to dry skin). It leaves my skin feeling so clean and tight which I like before applying my serums. It has a sweet peppermint aroma to it, and I know the formulation really works deep into my pores. I have really enjoyed using it. And find it an easy shower product to wash away the days dirt of my face. 

Mirenesse Power Clear Thermal Pore Mask is a great product. I got mini samples of these and knew I wanted the full size. You leave it in hot warm for two minutes to activate the product before scrubbing onto your face and then it keeps warming up as it is activated with your skin. This sticky formulation really gets into the pores of your skin, and the warmth of the product is so revitalising. I was enjoy this fun product I lie waiting while it warms up and rubbing it into my skin. It’s a little stocky to rinse off, but I usually do it in the bath while I have a hair mask in and then rinse it off under the shower. But it really prepares my face for a mask. I sometimes get small break outs after using this product, but for me I like this because I know its removing dead skin cells and allowing impurities to be drawn out of my skin.

  

Mirenesse Power Clear Hydration Serum:

This little wonder product is fabulous. I use this daily on my décolletage. I am so concerned about my chest looking 80 when I'm 40 so I make sure I am taking care of that area now when I'm 24.... Prevention is key for me... So I love this for this area. I know it’s exposed to the sun more than it should be and because I live in a country with one of the highest UV ratings in the world and make sure that the area’s most prone to sun damage are taken care of. So really feel this wonder serum is assisting me with my endeavour. It’s a really rich thick formula that is easily absorbed into my skin and I can’t instantly feel results from this serum. Another winner from Mirenesse.. 



I just recently received the Mirenesse Power Clear Treatment Gel as a VIP gift and use it after applying my serum. I really feel that this compliments the serum and gives it an extra powerful kick. Again I just use this product on my décolletage is it is one of the most sensitive and important areas of skin on the body. And I want to ensure if it really well protected and covered and with these two products I know I'm right :)

                      Mirenesse, Velvet Maxiscult Collagen Gele (Elastic Reshape Filler)

I this I use on my neck. I noticed light lines around my neck area they go horizontal across my neckline and I can't stand them. I bought this product as a solution as its description say is does what I want to minimise on my neck. And in the first week of using this product and have noticed a decrease in the appearance of the lines. They are less noticeable and appear to have thinned out. I am so happy with the results of the wonder gele. I will definitely purchase again when I run out. It is so soft and easy to apply. It’s clear leaving no residue. Its key ingredients are Maitake Mushroom, Gold Hesrt Extract & Collagen Hyaluronate and this little gem has done wonders for my neck line. 

Mirenesse Power Lift Super Line Peel 24 Hour Gel.

This came as part of a power face package I ordered.  tingles when you first put it on, and it gave me a little fright but within 3 minutes the tingling subsides. You leave this mask on overnight and wash off in the morning. Result smoother tighter skin. It leaves me with a slight glow, and I feel my morning products are better absorbed into my skin. At first did give me little spots but I didn't worry because I think it will be just dirt trapped that the product has removed. It’s a clear gel and doesn't rub off on your pillows, you can barely feel it when its only if you think about it. There is mornings I forget it’s on, until I wash my face. It’s still early to tell the long term benefits of the product but I'm satisfied with its results and will keep using it. 

Mirensse Endless Youth Ocean Milk Mousse Mask

This mask is amazing, it definitely is a unique product. You apply a thin, even layer of the runny gel over your face and within 10 secs it begins to foam on your face. It is fabulous, a truly amazing mask. Once the initial tingling subsides which is the activation of the product on your skin, it relaxes into a calming deep penetrating mask. My skin feels completely renewed after I wash it off. You feel as if it has lifted your face. I adore it and recommend to those who what a mask that assists with the reduction of fine lines. 

 

My Nails!!

At the moment I have this really cute tangerine colour on my nails from She… It lasts really well, and just glided onto my nails. The colour on the label says SNOW. Which I think is odd for this colour. I have emailed She to see if this is correct, and tried to research on their website but am yet to receive a response. So I don’t personally understand why you would call this colour snow?? But that’s what the label says! But whatever the name is, the colour is so lovely. xox

SWEET TREATS! xox

Products that smell so yummy, you will want to eat them...

I have to tell you about one of my favourite shower gels, & I only get this for the fragrance. I don't care about its washability or cleanability only its aromability. Its Lush's Snow Fairy!!!! (**Drools**) It smells like candy. Literally it’s like washing yourself in lollies. Its divine, the down side it is only available at Christmas :( so I stocked up this year I bought 3 x 500 grams bottles. I love it that much its pink and has sparkles in it and is fun fun fun... Like I can't tell you how much I love this wash.. I also use it as a bubble bath and it turns my bathroom into a lolly store but without the calories. It's also vegan which I think is cool. And Lush has a picture & name of the person who made the product as well as the date which I think is really great. But at Christmas time if you want a special gift for a friend or yourself, Lush's Snow Fairy will not disappoint.

In Essence; Tahitian Monoi- Body Bar... One of my favourite flowers in the world is gardenia. It has the most magnificent fragrance that words cannot describe. A friend knows how much I adore them and come December she brings me cuttings from her garden. So when I found this body bar that smells as good as the real thing I got excited. And got a second one to put in my underwear drawer.. Its rich formula does wonders for my skin. I love using this on my exfoliating glove or before I exfoliate. I smother and lather my skin with this creamy soap and then exfoliate into my skin. It leaves my skin feeling really nourished and smooth. It is very indulgent, but if you enjoy bathing as much as I do then spoil yourself. It really creates a wonderful bath experience.

<**Tip** put nice smelling soaps or finished fragrance bottles in your underwear & sock drawers!!>

Premium Spa Coconut and Vanilla Body butter.. Yes yes & yes. Yes it's nourishing, yes it smells good and yes I will buy it again. I purchased this product because I loved their sugar scrub so much so it had big shoes to fill. And boy has it filled them. I love rich body creams. I slather this on my semi wet skin after exfoliating and robe up for at least 20 minutes. It absorbs well into my skins and works well as a nourishing skin saviour. The sweet coconut flavour adds to my joy, and I feel it complements the coconut from the scrub. I love products with tropical aromas, it reminds me of beaches and holidays. If you don't like lots of cream (unlike me) this product is fine, it absorbs easily and leaves skin smooth. It’s free of artificial colours and animal derived products. It’s also made in Australia :) yay...

Product must haves!!

 The basics.. Hair

1.     Great Brush’s- every beauty must have some good brushes in hand. My favourites are:

Mason Pearson

Denman

Aveda Flat Paddle Brush

 

2.     Great shampoo and conditioner for your hair type.

·         I love Kerastase products they are so rich and lush and my hair just loves them. In particular their Nutri-Thermique  And VOLUMINTENSE ranges.

·         I also adore Bumble and Bumble shampoos and conditioners

·         And for deep conditioning I love big bottles of TRESemme' conditioners and put them into my hair dry and leave it for hours..

3.     Morrocan Oil girls.. If you have not tried it yet, do!! After you wash your hair you need to get some of this onto your precious locks…

 

4.     GHD straightener… Love them but make make make sure you use a heat protectant it is so important otherwise it’s like you’re putting heat straight onto silk!! Not smart girlies.. I personally adore RPR's Protect my Hair its devine.

5.     Velcro Rollers and Clips.. I know you’re thinking old school. But you get fabulous and long lasting results…



Remove the face! xox

Remove the Make-Up

Mirenesse Purify Melt and Vanish (Makeup Remover). I got this product after reading its rave review on beauty heaven. It’s a rinse off makeup remover. Its quite an oily product and assists to remove most of the make-up from my face but I find it doesn't do a complete job. I do like it, however I still find I either have to remove from product with a babywipe before or after. That being said I wear a bit of make-up when I go out at night and this is when I use the product. So for those who wear more moderate make-up this is probably better suited for you. It’s a nice product but maybe a little too oily for me.

However their Purify Dual Comfort (Eye and Lip Makeup remover) is great. You just shake and apply to a cotton pad and it swipes my eye make-up away nicely. It leaves my skin a little red, but again I wear long lasting products like gel eye liners and budge proof mascaras so most products don't remove it. But its soft and great formulation to melt away my eye make-up. And its leaves my skin nourished, which is important after wearing make-up all day..

Australis 3 in 1 Make-Up remover wipes. Now I have mentioned and don’t hide the fact that I prefer baby wipes over make-up wipes. I find that most make-up wipes make me break out! However these were on sale 3 pack of $12 (AUS) and I couldn’t resist.. I have to say I’m pleasantly surprised. If I’m wearing heavier eye make-up I sometimes find that baby wipes won’t do the best job in removing my mascaras and eyeliners and I end up with red eyes from rubbing. Now normally I’m very religious in removing make-up with my designated removers, however and girls I know I’m not the only one. If you have been out partying all night or had a massive day you just don’t have any energy to remove your make-up. So I reach for the wipes. Now back to the Australis wipes, they are not too moist that I feel left wet faced, and I like to place this on my eyelid and leave for a few second whilst it picks up my make-up. I found these effective and great at taking off my make-up. I sometimes use these on their own, or in conjunction with a toner which I actually use on the folded up wipe once I have finished with it. They don’t have a heavy fragrance which I have found with other wipes, and seriously get the job done.. They will now have a well-earned spot in my beauty drawer..

Skin 101!! xox

My girlfriends always comment on what lovely skin I have. And I thank my mum for good genetics. But I also thank my cousin for introducing me to great products. To be able to apply great make-up you have to start with a great canvas. So my top 5 tips to great skin:

       1 ~ Drink lots of water! I know it’s simple but it is true. Drinking water flushes all the toxins out   of your system allowing for a healthier insides which reflects a healthy outside.

2 ~ Certain foods are said to assist with a healthy glow

These include:

Carrots

Berries

Mango

Avacado

Almonds

Hazlenut

Honey

Green Tea

Low fat yogurt

Dark chocolate

Tuna

Green vegatables

3 ~      An effective cleanser suited to your skin type:
I have just started using Cosmedics Gentle Antioxidant Cleanser and I'm so happy. It has taken me years to find a really good cleanser that agrees with my skin, and I have found it with this wonder cleanser. I don't need a lot as it has a great formula, and it doesn't over lather which I love. I have found really soapy cleanser dry out my skin. I just need a little bit and a wash off to reveal smooth feeling skin.  I do a second cleanse if I have been wearing a lot of make-up that day. It doesn't leave my skin feeling tight at all, just very clean. I have experienced no break outs or skin issues since using this cleanser and found I don't need as much moisturiser because my skin is feeling very hydrated. I tend to have sensitive skin, but have had no issues, it’s even safe around the eyes. I really like this product and its Australian Made and Owned yay!!

4 ~         A good night of zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz’s.

              Believe me, a well rested beauty really has a more glowing complexion. I know    sometimes it’s easier said then done, but if your more organised in the night times, this can give you that extra 20 minutes in bed in the morning. Also when going to bed make sure that your face is clean and make-up free. Please ladies and if you enjoy your night treatments like I do, try once to twice a week to have nothing on the precious face of yours!! & let your skin truly breath…

5 ~ Do not squeeze those pimples ladies!!

 Unless you want a permanent reminder of where it is... My advice, if it springs up in the morning put a light down of tea tree oil on the spot, or if it's just before bed a small bit of toothpaste directly onto the spot will dry out the spot.

In Essence Tea Tree pure essential oil. My girlfriends always ask me what should they put on their spots (pimples)... And I always say tea-tree oil. It's such an old remedy but a great one. Just dab a bit of the tea tree on the spot, it's really healing and will attack the bacteria of the spot. I will also use Tea Tree oil when soaking my feet. I fill a basin with luke warm water and add 10 drops of Tea Tree oil and enjoy the cleansing and healing powers of the essential oil. I also like to put a few drop of Tea Tree oil on a tissue when I have a cold or a sniffle to enhale and it clears my nostrils.

I know some of these things seem to be common sense but it's a good reminder to those like me who often forget how important the basics really are. Any advice or tips leave it in the comments section or email me J xox xox



PRODUCT RAVE

All Aboard the Napoleon Perdis Express

 I won this Shanghai Ginger Body Lotion from Napoleon Perdis and I’m one happy girl. I’m not a fan of ginger and probably would have never tried it but I’m so happy I have it. I only tried a little bit on my wrist to start with being very sceptical but I'm a total convert. It’s a sweet and subtly spicy scented moisturiser that is so lush. Great size 500 ml bottle. I never really thought of Napoleon Perdis for their body products only their make-up but I’m glad they have expanded into different beauty areas. It really is a nourishing, little wonder product. And even after application I can still smell this on myself and it's delicious! Even while applying I keep smelling my hands because it’s really yummy. And funny enough Shanghai is one of my favourite cities!! I really don't have a bad word to say about this product....

PRODUCT REVIEW:

Face of Australia Foundations Review:

Face of Australia stick foundation SPF 15. I found these little gems a few years ago and have never looked back. Sometimes I want strong coverage for night time. Stick foundations tend to be very strong, and some people don't like such strong coverage but I do. I have it in Outback Beige for winter and Outback Tan for summer when my skin is darker. They are so easy to apply with a sponge and allows really controlled application. Great for your handbag for easy touch ups. Just whip it out, touch up and done. I always have them in my beauty case. They are so great just a very easy foundation, I can’t get enough. If you don't like a strong coverage, I wouldn't suggest a stick foundation for you. But I adore this stick of beauty. 

Face of Australia Expert Finish Mousse Foundation (Tan): After bad experiences with other mousse's I had given up on them. I felt it was hard to get an even coverage, I couldn't get the right amount it was either too much or not enough. And it never lasted on my skin. I couldn't get an even look. Until I found this pot of gold. I thought because I love their stick foundations so much, they might be ok. And Face of Australia has changed my mind about foundation mouse. This is a great foundation. So smooth and light, I adore it. It gives me an even skin tone, and a really soft and polished look. I used a powder blend over the top to set it and to last longer, but its not necessary. I do keep it in my bag for touch ups (just in case), but rarely pull it out. Good if you like applying products with your fingers, but blends really well with a brush. It really makes my face feel covered but still fresh. I’m a convert now, and have a new found love for mousse.

As always the best way for me to help you is to provide me with feedback, comments or questions.. Peace and Love xox