YouTube Video: My February favourite products

Today I wanted to show you my February 2012 favourite beauty products video I did for my You Tube channel. Some great products that I am really loving!

Hope you enjoy this video!

What are some products you are enjoying at the moment?

Get the 1920’s inspired celebrity and catwalk style with GHD - Guest post by GHD

In recent years it seems that every decade has had a fashion makeover from the 1940s to 1980s, but if there is a decade that is having a fashion moment now, it is the 1920s.

Baz Luhrmann is currently filming a remake of the 1920s set, The Great Gatsby -  and with programmes such as Broadwalk Empire taking television by storm, the 1920s is incredibly popular right now.

Plus if you need proof that the era is 'oh so chic' you only need to look at the weddings of Kate Moss and Lily Allen.

Both women had more than a nod to the 20s for the look on their big days.

Lily opted for a lace Karl Largerfeld dress with a very 20s style lace cap, and if there is one fashion house that screams 20s style it has to be Chanel.

Super model Kate had an all out Great Gatsby look for her big day: like Lily she had a lace 20s style veil while her John Galliano designed dress wouldn't look out of place on the set of the new Baz Luhrmann film.

What's more, it is not just the small and big screen that is taking inspiration from the roaring 20s, the autumn/winter 2011-12 and spring/summer 2012 catwalks were also full of the 20s looks.

Designers like Ralph Lauren and Holly Fulton showcased looks with more than a little nod to the 20s in their autumn/winter collections. In spring/summer there were a number of looks that could have come straight from the jazz age.

At Gucci the models were sent down wearing beaded black and gold flapper dresses, while Ralph Lauren the models were seen sporting wearing cloche hats and at Sonia Rykiel there were a number of preppy sportswear looks.

However, it is not just clothes that are getting all 1920s, hair and beauty is also taking on the trend, and one easy way to get a chic 20s look is with the GHD limited edition Scarlet styler.

The gorgeous styler was used to create a number of 1920s style looks for GHD babe Katy Perry and its sexy red plates even look the part for the era.

You can check out the styler on the official ghd website at http://www.ghdhair.com/au/ or in your local ghd approved salon.

What is your decade of inspiration for hair or beauty?  Have you tried ghd products?

Best Beauty Products of 2011 - by guest post Coupons.org

Guest Post: This post was written by Ella Davidson of Coupons.org. Coupons is a charitable couponing website that strives to save consumers money while bettering the world.

The market is flooded with beauty products, making it easy for us to spend millions on our appearance throughout our lives. Every year a multitude of new creams, powders and colors are developed, promising always to recapture what has already disappeared. Some of these products are nothing but snake oil and dreams, but every once and a while something that actually works comes along. Happily, 2011 seemed to have been inspiring for the hardworking beauty scientists, yielding a delicious crop of new items to help us look our best.

Cleansers

Budget: Neutrogena Oil-Free Face Wash

This iconic amber fluid contains highly effective ingredients for what is often over looked as a ‘drugstore’ cleanser. The 2% salicylic acid is potent enough to have a visible effect on clogged pores and fine lines, while the cucumber and aloe work to reduce redness.

High-End: Aveda ‘Green Science’ cleanser

Containing ceramides to restore your natural moisture barrier, this cleanser works to both exfoliate and moisturize your skin. What’s more, it includes a revolutionary cactus compound that works to rebuild lost collagen while you cleanse.

Moisturizers

Budget: Cetaphil UVA/UVB SPF 50 cream

Without the false glamour of other more ineffective (and pricey) potions, this lightweight cream moisturizes deeply while supplying your skin with 50 times its natural protection from sun damage.

High-End: Chanel Ultra-Correction Day Cream SPF15

It isn’t just the status appeal of this product that has beauty editors addicted. It is one of the few creams that deliver a reparative moisture boost without the heaviness that generally accompanies creams of this caliber. This powerful concoction absorbs in under a minute while intensely moisturizing and repairing at the same time.

Night Cream

Budget: Olay Regenerist Deep Hydration Regenerating Cream

For less than twenty dollars a bottle, the cream promises to replace lost moisture and firmness while working to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Unlike most drug store creams, this one has many leading dermatologists applauding the ‘real science behind it’

High-End: Skin Media: TNS Essential Serum

This highly touted product is so effective that few people bother to complain over its 260-dollar price tag. Containing anti-oxides, peptides and intense collagen builders, this serum claims to not only help prevent skin aging, but actually reverse accumulated damage. That’s more than enough for most women to consider paying more than their grocery bill on a tiny vial of serum.

Foundation

Budget: Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse

Pat McGrath, celebrity makeup artist, formulated this product to deliver high-end results for less than a quarter of the price. She succeeded. This foundation goes on smoothly and creates an ultra natural finish for less than ten dollars.

High-End: Cle de Peau Cream Compact Foundation

This is possibly the most expensive foundation available. Strangely enough, it’s worth it. Like many of the products from this brand, the foundation has a much-deserved cult following for its longevity, color quality and ease of application. Just be sure you have enough in your account to keep your supply coming – you may never be able to go back to drugstore again.

Lipstick

Budget: Maybelline Color Sensational

These lipsticks give the kind of ultra hydration and pigment that is expected from luxury brands. Thanks again to make up ‘super genius’ McGrath, you can get the impact of a thirty-dollar lipstick for the price of coffee and a muffin.

High-End: Nars

Women have been known to collect these extraordinary lipsticks like sports cards. The textures are outstanding and the colors so unique you can expect to be stopped on a regular basis to be asked, “Where did you get that!!” Nars lipsticks are truly a blessing for the color obsessed.

Mascara

Budget: L’Oreal Voluminous Millions Mascara

With a unique tube that wipes the excess off the brush, this mascara promises plump, clump-free lashes. It delivers. One layer gives your lashes volume and intense color without creating the dreaded ‘poker lash’ effect.

High-End: Dior Show Mascara

Since it’s inception at a fashion show, no other mascara has offered this kind of impact. Lashes are curled and darker than pitch with a noticeable increase in both width and length. Fair warning-this mascara gives both instant impact and instant addiction!

Although, in our heads, we are just as young as vibrant as we were at twenty-four, our bodies are slowly winding down with every moment that passes. The key is to sit back and enjoy your own unique, aging process. Of course, finding products that you trust to work hard for you is crucial as well. Obviously a cream or a lipstick isn’t going to help you reclaim the last ten years of your life but with the right application (and some good lighting) you can always get a few years back on loan for a night.

What was your best beauty product of 2011?

Check out Coupons.org for great discounts!

Why exfoliation is good for your skin

Many people forget about exfoliation. Why should I exfoliate? you may ask. There are some really good reasons why exfoliating is good for your skin.

When you exfoliate you are removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. It removes the flaky skin you may have so when you apply your moisturiser or serum, it is absorbed better and your foundation glides on smoothly on your skin.

Exfoliation stimulates blood circulation whilst removing dead skin cells and increases the cell renewal rate. This then makes your skin look and feel softer and smoother and you will have a healthy glow.

If you get pimples and blackheads they are caused by a build up of oil, dirt and dead skin cells that are usually in your pores. Exfoliating will help to remove the buildup, as our skin is sensitive ensure you are gentle when using a exfoliator, just rub gently in circular motions on your face.

Exfoliating at least two to three times is great for the skin, but it depends on your skin type so try a few different options to see what works for you.

Body exfoliation is good as well, I usually use a exfoliating glove for the body and it works really well, leaving the skin softer and smoother.

Do you exfoliate your skin? How often is best for your skin type?

Glossybox- beauty products delivered to your doorstep!

Want to receive five high end beauty miniatures every month?

Glossybox has just released their first box (November) in Australia and it is definitely a great mixture of products to try. Glossybox is very popular in Europe already.

It costs $14.95 per month delivered to your doorstep!

Once you register and complete your beauty profile, this allows them to match as best as possible products to your personal beauty and styling requirements. That is a fantastic service! You can also earn 20 glossydots for each product you review on the glossybox website and once you reach 1000 glossydots you get a free box. So here is a look at the first box that I was sent to show you.

The glossybox packaging is adorable, a dusty pink sturdy box, that can be reused which is great. All contents are neatly presented with a bow and a card explaining what the products are inside and their retail prices.

The November Glossybox contained five beauty products and a packet of pink jelly beans. As you can see above (right picture) the contents were:

Lily Loves Pearl Eco Mascara - I think this is the full size 6g which retails for $36

Bio Oil - It came with the 60ml bottle which retails for $14.95

Jurlique Purely Age-Defying Ultra Firm and Lift cream sample 5g size - a full size is 50ml and retails for $90

Essie Nail polish in the colour smooth sailing the sample size 5ml  - a full size is 15ml and retails for $18.95

Mirenesse 3D forever gloss in the colour geisha - this one was the full size 14g which retails for $39.95

And there were yummy pink jelly beans which were eaten quite quickly by my kids and of course I had a few!

As you can see the products are excellent and the samples provided are very good sizes, some of which are full size products (that definitely exceeds the $14.95 per month )

As listed on the Glossybox website they have many great brands that they are working with such as Clinique, Australis, Bobbi Brown, Shiseido, YvesSaintLaurent, Sally Hansen, Essie, Calvin Klein and many more.

Overall the Glossybox November box is really good value and great products. I like that there was a mixture of makeup and skincare products, and great brands. If your wanting to try a variety of beauty products then definitely Glossybox is a great way to do that - checkout the Glossybox website !

Have you tried a box like Glossybox? Do you like the concept?

Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream Review

Eye creams are one of those products that I keep on searching for continuously. However I think I have found a eye cream that I love now, the Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream.

I bought this a few months ago, as I was looking for something that will help strengthen the skin area under my eyes as it was very weak, help to hydrate my under eye area, as I can get dry under my eyes and help to diminsh my fine lines that are starting to appear.

Clinique says: Potent anti-aging eye cream focuses skin's energies on repair. Targets the appearance of eye-area lines and wrinkles. Contains antioxidants. Strengthens vulnerable skin for a brighter, vibrant, refreshed look. Ophthalmologist Tested. For all skin types.

The Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream comes in a tub 15ml, with a screw on lid. The texture of the cream is a thick creamy consistency. When I apply it to my under eye area and pat it on, it feels soft and absorbs into the skin quickly. It does not leave a greasy feeling but rather a really nice smooth, soft and hydrated feeling. Just what I need for my weak undereye area skin and this is what I love about it - it really has repaired my weak skin, it feels firmer.

Clinique advises to use this every morning and night. Initially I only used it at night. When I do use it morning and night, I really do feel the results so much better. The cream has softened and hydrated my fine lines, so when I use a concealer it doesn't sink into my fine lines.

This is definitely a eye cream that has given me great results to my weak undereye skin. Overall I am really happy with the hydration and repair it has done to my under eye area.

The Clinique Repairwear Intensive Eye Cream comes in a 15ml tub which lasts me about 5 months and retails for $65AUD. I usually purchase this when Clinique have a gift with purchase offer, great way to try other Clinique products too.

Have you got any under eye issues? Have you found a great eye cream you like?

Groomy - toiletry and cosmetic cases review

I love toiletry and cosmetic cases, they are great to store items and excellent for travelling.  I was introduced to Groomy products recently and was sent some products to review.

I was very interested in Groomy as they are adorable vintage inspired cosmetic and travel cases. They have lots of great compartments to fit many products and accessories, which is a feature that makes Groomy products stand out from other cosmetic cases.

The Groomy collection features 12 styles ranging from the carry all toiletry bag, travel case, makeup pouch, beauty tool wallet, travel bottles, hair ties and more. Be spoilt for choice with three exclusive signature prints, Babushka, Woodland and Carousel, available in each style.

Left picture: Overnight bag Right picture: Beauty tool wallet

The Groomy cases are waterproof inside and out. The designs are cute, unique, lots of compartments and very adorable looking which makes them special!

Founder and creator of Groomy, Tania Fittkau started Groomy after travelling the world and becoming frustrated at having to rummage through her bag to find sunscreen. Tania credits her mum Julie for inspiring Groomy’s aesthetic, “I grew up around sewing machines, porcelain kilns, pottery wheels, or whatever the next crafty phase my Mum was having.”

Each month Groomy introduces a new and special handmade item crafted by Julie to pair back with the core collection. Handmade items include hair ties, shower caps and a pocket tissue holder.

Groomy donates one per cent of all sales to the Lord Smith Animal Hospital. The range is priced from $6.95 for a hair band, $11.95 for a pair of travel bottles, to $89.95 for a set of five toiletry bags.

Groomy is definitely a great range of toiletry and cosmetic cases, excellent for travelling, storing products, cute designs and would make a great gift for any woman!

Groomy is available online and they ship international and within Australia (shipping is free within Australia only).

*******************************GIVEAWAY********************(CLOSED)

I have ONE Babushka design, Beauty Tool Wallet valued at $16.95aud to giveaway. (CLOSED)

For your chance to win, let me know what is the one beauty product you must take with you when travelling? in the comments below.


Terms and conditions:

1.Open to Australian residents only.

2.Be a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect

3.This giveaway finishes 8th of October 2011 at 10pm. (aest)

4. Please ensure that I can email you, if you are the winner.

****Optional.........( let me know in the coments below if you have done an extra entry)

•For an extra entry, 'Like' my facebook page DanniiBeauty

The winner of this giveaway is:

The Aussie Mommy

Thanks to all who entered, keep checking back again, there are more giveaways to come soon!

Lust Have It - premium samples delivered to your door!

The first of it's kind in Australia is Lust Have It - premium delivered samples from professional, high-end and boutique brands. Sounds great, right? It really is!

I joined up at $14.95 per month and received the first box in August. So I wanted to tell you all about it.

Lust have It is a monthly subscription service which delivers five to six haircare, skincare and makeup samples right to your doorstep. I love receiving parcels- what a great treat!

There are lots of prestige and boutique brands that are a part of Lust Have It. It is a great opportunity to try samples of prestige and professional products.

The first box that Lust Have It released was the August box, it contained:

1. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant ( which I have tried and love, read my review here)
2. BioEffect EGF Serum
3. Giorgio Armani Sport Code sample for men
4. Mirenesse Velvet Lip Lift Moisture Shine
5. Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme ( really interested in trying this out!)
6. Naked Tan Self Tanner

I was very impressed with the quality of products in this box. A great variety and some great products that I have never tried before. The concept of this service has been around  in the USA for a while (Birchbox) and highly popular so it's great that Lust Have It have started this great service here in Australia.

I think it's a great way to try products through Lust Have It - check out their website.

Have you heard of Lust Have It? What sample brands would you like to try if you could choose?

Video: Products most reached for in the month of July!

Today I wanted to show you my July favourite beauty products video I did for my You tube channel. In this video I show you the products I have been reaching for the most -  for the month of July.

Hope you enjoy!

What is your favourite product at the moment?