Wednesday, January 15, 2014

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

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

♥ 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