Long Weekend Pamper!

A few weeks ago I posted the above picture to Instagram and captioned it "Perfect way to start a long weekend" and it was absolutely divine! So I figured it'd be fitting to do a post on it considering this weekend is another long weekend in Australia! So I hope all you Aussies get to have a fun and relaxing long weekend.

Here's what I did for some quality 'me' time to prep for the long weekend!

1. Run a bath and put your bath bomb in. I used 'Cinders' from LUSH - I love this one because the scent is delish and it makes a crackling sound that sounds like a fireplace - so relaxing!

2. Wet face and hair and remove any make-up. Apply face mask liberally over your face avoiding the delicate eye area. I used one by Avene (it was good but not great). Apply hair mask liberally on the ends of your hair and work it up to your scalp. I used Macadamia Natural Oil which I highly recommend! Let it sit while you relax in your bath for at least 15mins. I recommend turning off the lights, lighting your fave candle and listening to some mellow music or reading your favourite book!

3. Rinse off hair and face mask. Exfoliate your skin with your favourite exfoliant. I, of course, used Frank as my body scrub and for my lip exfoliant I used one I made myself :)

4. Pat skin and leave slightly damp. Apply moisturiser! Do your usual facial skin care routine.

5. Now, it's up to you if you want to apply a fake tan or not. Personally, I love fake tan! If you know how to apply it properly it can really liven up your appearance but with that said some people just look devastatingly beautiful with pale skin, I wish I could pull off pale skin :( life would be easier that's for sure!

Well, that's basically it! I hope this inspires you to take some 'me' time this weekend, be it a long weekend or not!

With love,

Char x

The wonder seed: Chia!

Chia seeds have been all the rage and with good cause, they're freaking amazing. I tend to sprinkle/add chia to everything be it on top of my avocado toast, over my veggies, in my smoothie or whatever I'm eating/drinking it's probably been added for the hell of it! Kidding, it's added for the HEALTH of it! 

Check out my top 5 reasons YOU should incorporate chia seeds in your diet!

1.     It contains three times more iron than spinach and more calcium than milk

2.     Chia are the highest known plant source of Omega-3, with 8 times more than salmon!

3.     Chia seeds expand and line your stomach making you feel fuller for longer!

4.     It has a positive impact balancing blood glucose levels (which is awesome for people with diabetes).

5.     Chia provides a slow release of energy which can sustain you for longer.

What's your favourite super food?

With love,

Char x

Wish List!

Can somebody please tell me how it can be March already?! This year is flying by and I've been super busy moving, sleeping, working, eating and playing! It's been a pretty fab year so far, I'm in the middle of organising a mid year rendezvous to Thailand with the BF which we should be booking this weekend! So exciteeeddd!! I might do some posts on travel soon if anybody is interested? I've never been overseas before so it'd be from a different perspective than the usual "I've been everywhere man" travel blogger. And next year I plan on doing a big USA trip so have put a self imposed spending ban in to action so I can save, save, save! It's so hard and I have definitely failed but from March it gets serious!!

Just to tease myself I thought I'd do a fun little post that shows you all the things that I want from the cosmetic world but am not buying :'(

Tiffany - piCture pOlish

This little gem was found courtesy of Laura - my all time fave blogger (http://www.buynowbloglater.com/2014/02/notd-picture-polish-in-tiffany.html)! Not to mention this is Australian - I neeeed.







GLAMGLOW - Super-Mud Clearing Treatment


This face mask just oozes amazing-ness. I've seen so many rave reviews!







Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Powder

This was recommended by my bestie so I'm uber keen to get my hot little hands on this to dust it all over my face!







YSL - Babydoll Mascara

I just want this because I do. And the packaging is pretty. That's not a crime, right?

Sephora - Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation

After watching itsjudytime's first impression video my first impression was - I need!!!







So that's just a little sneak of my wish list, let's see how long it takes me to crack and purchase something!

What's on your wish list?


With love,

Char x

Beauty Secret: Sorbolene Cream

If there is one thing that I swear by, it's definitely Sorbolene Cream - and I know my eczema/psoarisis sisters are out there saying hell yeah! Let me break it down for you.

So, what is sorbolene cream?
It's pretty much a basic, all-purpose cream that has been sent down from the heavens above. 

Sorbolene is a simple combination of purified water, paraffin and glycerin. This cream is lipid free and non-alkaline making it suitable for those of us who have sensitive skin. The glycerin in sorbolene creates an effective barrier on the skin enabling the body to retain and continue to absorb moisture after application; glycerin is a perfect natural source of moisture for the quick relief of dry skin. 

The simplicity of this product is what makes it so great. It is free from thickeners, colourings, fragrances, parabens, lanolin and excessive preservatives. This means it is unlikely to irritate your skin and doesn't clog your pores with nasty stuff!

What can I use it for?
Oh you know, only like, EVERYTHING. It is a wonder cream! I use it for different purposes almost every day and it provides the best moisture possible. 

Skin specialists recommend this cream for treating dried and cracked skin for immediate relief. Sorbolene acts as a barrier between the skin and allergens, preventing the skin from being irritated due to its long wearing abilities.

 Here’s a little list of its uses I've compiled:
-         Body moisturizer
-         Soap
-         Face moisturizer
-         Hand moisturizer
-         Shaving lubricant
-         Face mask (apply a thick layer and let it sit for 5mins and wash off)
-         Treatment for dry skin and skin conditions (use in conjunction with your prescribed cream)
-         After sun treatment
-         Relief of itchy skin

How will my skin feel?
Prior to application your body will feel smooth, supple and radiant from regular use. The moisturizing properties of this cream will leave your skin feeling fresh and hydrated for a long time! 

Is there anything bad about this product?
The only issue with this cream when applying as a moisturiser is that it can take a few minutes to absorb. I tend to apply it straight after the shower, pat my body over with the towel leaving my skin damp to touch and rub it all over and let it soak in while I dry my hair and apply my face skin care. 

What brand should I get?
Irrespective of the brand, the composition of this product generally remains the same, which is why most other moisturizing creams (high-end) are developed using this composition for skin hydration. For just a few dollars you can pick up a litre of this bad boy to last you quite a while from supermarkets, priceline and chemists.

This is a product everyone should have at home! It may not be the most glamorous of the moisturizers but in my opinion it definitely wins best on field!

Do you have any beauty secrets?

Let me know in the comments below!

With love,

Char xo

♥ 2013 Favourites ♥

Let me preface this by saying I'm a bit late in the game, but I've been on holidays from work and haven't been doing much but shop, eat and shop. Let's be honest - I've been straight up lazy and loving it! I've been more on the reading side of blogs than writing the past few weeks and have been loving all the 2013 favourites posts so had to join in despite my tardiness!

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New Year break and that it was filled with special memories. I had the best break with friends and family and feel so grateful for the time I had!

Let's get into it. In no particular order, here are my favourites for 2013!

 

1. Macadamia Natural Oil - Deep Repair Masque RRP $39.95 http://bit.ly/1iga3ZU
I wanted this product for the LONGEST time. I constantly hesitated due to the price. I can't tell you how many times I would walk in to Hairhouse Warehouse and pick it up only to put it back down again. Until one day when my BF (clearly frustrated by my constant um-ing and ah-ing) bought it for me! Now, I've used a hell of a lot of hair masks in my time and this is by FAR the best! After shampooing I take a handful and work it through the bottoms of my hair and work it up to my scalp (use sparingly the closer you get to the scalp as it may make your hair oily). I let it sit for as long as I can be bothered waiting (usually 5mins) and rinse. Follow up with conditioner, and voila - amazing, silky smooth hair. Absolute LOVE.

2. Sally Hansen - Airbrush Legs RRP $26.99 http://bit.ly/KCZIfs
This is a long time favourite and I don't think there will ever be a time in my life when I don't have a bottle in my cupboard. This is leg makeup enriched with palmaria extract completely covers any scarring, sores, pigmentation issues, freckles - pretty much any imperfection you can think of to provide flawless looking legs. So easy to apply and it's water and transfer resistant aka perfection in a bottle. I think I may dedicate a whole post to this soon. Let me know if you'd be interested!

3. Lush - Angels on bare skin RRP $16.95 http://bit.ly/KxqiWA
I'm going to be honest here, the smell doesn't really do anything for me - Lavender reminds me of my Nan's house - but the product itself is beautiful. It leaves your face feeling smooth and hydrated. It's a gorgeous product albeit, a little messy to use!

4. MAC - Lady Bug Lipstick RRP $36 http://bit.ly/1a7vIOE
I bought this early in 2013 when I was wearing a lot of black to work and wanted a red lip to give my overall look a bit of colour. I went for Lady Bug as its an easy to wear red that is great for daytime use but with a few extra applications can be built up to be more bold. It's a beautiful understated colour that is a prized gem in my collection.

5. Lush - Bubblegum Lip Scrub RRP $9.95 http://bit.ly/1iSZW00
Everyone's heard of these and all I'm going to say is it's absolutely amazeballs and if you don't own one already go and get it right now. Seriously. GO.

6. BareMinerals Concealer - Well Dressed RRP $24.94 http://bit.ly/1huXf4j
Beautiful product that brightens up your under eyes in a way that is unbelievable. Incredible.

7. YSL Rouge Volupte #13 Peach Passion RRP $55 at YSL counter in Myers
This lipstick has the most beautiful formula - so creamy and opaque. I need to expand my collection ASAP. Not to mention, this colour in particular is absolutely gorgeous and will compliment most skin colours.

8. Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara RRP $3.59 http://bit.ly/1dff3yy
Quite possibly my favourite find of the year and the cheapest too! This mascara has been raved about all over YouTube so I decided for under $5 what's the harm in trying it? I am so glad that I did! It actually makes my lashes so long and I always get compliments when I use this mascara!

Well there you have it, just a smidgen of my favourites from 2013. Let me know if any of your favourites were on my list! Or if there's any products I should try in 2014!

I hope each and every one of you have the most amazing year this year! I can tell it's going to be a great one!

With love,

Char x

Mani Monday: I Scream Nails - Leopard Print

I am an Instagram-a-holic. There I said it. Whether I'm posting or just flicking through I am always on it! A couple of months ago I discovered I Scream Nails after stalking Tully from this years Big Brother and I immediately followed them! They create the most amazing little pieces of art on your finger tips! 

After months of stalking I finally booked an appointment on their Tightarse Wednesday night at the Collingwood studio - which is absolutely fabulous! It's a really cool small space with graffiti art on the wall. They had a selection of nail prints to choose from for the special so I chose the leopard print and swapped the red for white and wow, I loved them! For the special they only cost me $20 which was great! For their normal bookings depending on what you get the prices start from $25 but my design would have cost me $40. 

They use normal nail polish for their designs from a variety of brands like OPI and Model's Own. My nail technician was wonderful and took good care of me during my visit even giving me a bag full of delicious goodies! I was so pleased with the end result and received so many compliments! They're definitely an icebreaker! The only bad thing I would have to say is they only lasted 3 days for me which was kinda disappointing but it's more my fault - I work in an office so constantly typing away at the keyboard. 

All in all, I would definitely recommend checking them out! Even if it's just for a stalky stalk on Instagram! 

What do you think of them?

With love,

Char x

Stocking stuffers for her!

Just thought I'd do a super quick post on some last minute stocking stuffer ideas!

I've been super busy the past week finishing up work for the year (and only just starting my Christmas shopping eek!).

I'm going to head out to look at Christmas lights with my BF, mumma and little brother soon but thought I'd get this up quickly to help all those who are struggling for some last minute, small gifts. These range from affordable to premium but all are as amazing as each other!

1. Fake Bake Golden Faux Glo Perfection Instant Tan Spritz RRP $29.95

This product is perfect for all the seasonal parties coming up! Instant wash off tan is the perfect accompaniment to any outfit!

2. Lush Bath Bombs RRP $3.95 - $8.95

This one featured is called Cinders - it's my favourite to get me in the mood for Christmas time! It smells so delish and has popping candy inside that crack like a fireplace when in the water. Absolutely amaaazing and affordable!

3. YSL Rouge Volupte RRP $55

A little bit of luxury is a perfect find in any stocking - this will have your GF/friend/mum/sister squealing! Beautiful formula and phenomenal selection of colours.

4. Frank Body Scrub RRP $15

The world's best scrub for $15. Need I say more? Check out my review here: http://withlovechar.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/product-rave-lets-be-frank-about-frank.html

5. Essie Nail Polish $16.95

Pretty colours and great formulas! I am loving pastel nails for this summer!

6. Pandora Stackable Rings RRP starts from $49.95

You can create your own ring by stacking different ones together! Totally cute!

Hope this was somewhat helpful in the final countdown for the big jolly man!

I am going to get changed and put on some comfy clothes for my drive around Melbourne tonight - this is a tradition we do every year and I absolutely love it! Do you have any Christmas traditions? Let me know in the comments below!

Merry Christmas!

With love,

Char x