With Australia Day tomorrow, there’s no better time for the BD team to trial some iconic, and up and coming, Australian brands’ hero products.
From candles and foundation to sunscreen and supplements, here are our thoughts…
Editor’s Pick: Peppermint Grove Around the World Sydney – Persimmon & Lily Candle – Georgie
What it is: A limited edition collaboration between Peppermint Grove Australia and UK based illustrator Livi Gosling, this candle captures the pristine beaches, vibrant nightlife and spectacular harbour of Sydney. Top notes are persimmon, grapefruit and bergamot; middle notes are cassis and lily of the valley; base notes are vanilla and musk.
My experience: It felt like a real treat to test a candle this week – I am an avid collector of them after all. This limited edition Peppermint Grove offering is especially beautiful with its illustrated packaging and fresh, familiar scent. When lit, it gives off a subtle fruity fragrance but one that isn't too pungent or citrusy. The base notes of vanilla and musk lend an almost creamy smell to it - the perfect compliment to a light and airy bedroom with freshly-washed linen. The custom glass container and silver lid lend a really polished feel to this candle, so it can be kept on surfaces as a novel display piece too.
Nude by Nature Flawless Liquid Foundation – Zoë
What it is: a liquid foundation that offers a smooth, second-skin finish.
My experience: I’m always on the hunt for a new foundation, and this natural liquid foundation by Nude by Nature ticks all my boxes. It has a medium coverage so it’s light enough for every day wear, but can be built up for a full coverage look at night. Providing long wear, and leaving a satin matte finish my skin looks smooth and practically airbrushed all day. Plus, being oil and fragrance free it’s suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Lanolips Hand Cream Intense Coconutter – Janet
What it is: A rich and nourishing 98.59% natural hand cream
My experience: I love the packaging, and coupled with the scent of this hand cream – lovely fresh coconut – which is evident as soon as the lid is unscrewed, I know this is going to be a favourite. Just a small amount of this super-rich, all natural cream is all I need to hydrate my papery, dry hands (even in humid weather!). Although it is described as an intense cream, it absorbs really well leaving my hands feeling soft and supple with no stickiness at all.
Neon & Co Body Polish is a body polish – Grace
What it is: A super granular body polish, with a formula full of essential oils, cucumber extract and shea butter.
My experience: This body polish is exactly what I need in my life! I fake tan once a week and from this my skin is always quite dry and flaky. I have been looking for a body polish to not only remove dead skin but reinvigorate it’s dull complexion and this is it! I applied it on damp skin in the shower and rubbed in circular motions. My skin was left so smooth, radiant and hydrated and left with a light sweet scent. This polish will now be a staple in my weekly skin regime.
Le Tan Uber Dark Green Base – Emily
What it is: A tanning foam for all skin tones that provides a dark olive-brown tan.
My experience: I’ve been wanting to find the perfect olive based at home tan for a really long time now since I have naturally olive undertone skin, so when I had the chance to try the Uber Dark Green Base tan from Le Tan I was more than willing. I hate sleeping in my tan so I need something that develops quickly. After applying this and then washing it off 3 hours later I was left with a perfectly dark, streak free and natural looking tan!
Kosmea Daily Facial Exfoliant – Vanessa
What it is: A gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and impurities, including make-up.
My experience: Love this natural exfoliant from Kosmea! It smells absolutely divine (formulated with rosehip and chamomile flower) and it does a wonderful job at effectively cleaning my skin, removing dead skin cells, make-up and leaving my skin feeling and looking soft, smooth and clean! I like to use this every morning as I feel like it ‘wakes’ my skin up and it’s soft enough to use everyday.
ELEVEN Australia Dry Powder Volume Paste – Laura
What it is: A styling paste that adds volume and texture to the hair.
My experience: I am obsessed with finding products to use when styling my short, fine hair so I was thrilled to be able to try this dry powder volume paste. I found that after massaging the product into my scalp and ends, it absorbed any excess oil while lifting my roots to make my hair look fuller. This is great for those who love a tousled, textured look!
LUMA Tinted Beauty Balm – Steph
What it is: A beauty balm that offers a glowy, sheer-to-medium tint while hydrating skin.
My experience: Looking for the perfect product to throw in your handbag for those rushed mornings when your skin is looking a little less than? You’ve found it. This tint is super lightweight on the skin while evening out and brightening the complexion (thanks to the crushed pearl in the formula). A great go-to for those no makeup makeup days.
Uspa Rejuvenating Micro-Exfoliant – Amber
What it is: A lightweight micro-exfoliant that restores clarity and freshness to your skin.
My experience: Uspa products provide a spa-like experience at home, using local botanical ingredients like Lilly Pilly and Gotu Kola. This micro-exfoliant smells fresh and zesty. It has a nice smooth texture with no grit, as it is designed to be kept on the skin and not washed off. Immediately I felt the salicylic acid at work exfoliating and purifying my skin. After two uses in combination with my regular cleanser and moisturiser my skin feels brighter with no dryness. I also love the elegant packaging of this product.
Blessed by Nature Purifying Face Masque – Tash
What it is: A face mask enriched with natural oils and antioxidants to revive dry, tired or damaged skin.
My experience: I was excited to try this face mask with its key ingredients of kaolin, macadamia and cocoa, and it did not disappoint! This mask is incredibly light and silky when applied and then super easy to remove with a warm face cloth. My skin was noticeably softer and immediately more hydrated, my skin loved it.
Chi Chi Liquid Lipstick Set – Rachel
What it is: A set of five full coverage liquid lipsticks in a range of neutral shades
My experience: Nude lips are my fave, I always look out for liquid lipsticks like these that don’t dry out my lips and feel tacky. The creamy formula of the liquid lipsticks enriched with Vitamin E makes them super comfortable to wear - I even get away without balm underneath which is great for quick application! I love that it’s full coverage, leaving a beautiful stained lip at the end of the day. Also the range of neutral shades in the set perfectly complements all skin tones.
Billie Goat Intensive Eczema & Psoriasis Balm – Julia
What it is: A gentle yet intensive eczema and psoriasis balm.
My experience: I am very happy with this balm. It has a nice light creamy texture and absorbs into the skin very easily and keeps the skin feeling hydrated and smooth. I applied it to my skin where I have minor eczema and it cleared it up in no time so I am very impressed. I’m not sure how it will go with severe eczema but it is very good at keeping minor eczema under control. I would definitely recommend this product!
Nutrimetics Ultra Care+ Youthful Beauty Supplement – Nadine
What it is: A beauty supplement that promotes healthy collagen formation and helps reduce the signs of ageing.
My experience: I was so excited when this product landed on my desk! I’ve been wanting to try a beauty supplement for a while now as I’ve only heard good things. The pack comes with 20 sachets, one per day, all you need to do with the sachet is add ¼ of a cup of water, stir and drink straight away. I was pleasantly surprised with the taste, not strong at all and super easy to drink. I have only had 7 sachets so far but am excited to continue using this this product which makes you feel good on the inside as well as the out.
Raww Coconut Splash Lipgloss – Samantha
What it is: A rich and moisturising lip gloss with a natural finish and made with more than 95 per cent natural ingredients, including coconut oil and mango butter to nourish and refine the texture of the lips.
My experience: With such unique ingredients I was intrigued to try a natural alternative to my normal lip gloss options. I tried the colour Barefoot which is a gorgeous natural pink with a hint of sparkle. The formula is smooth, non-sticky and lasted well into the morning without reapplication. I also loved that the brand doesn’t test on animals as that’s a big one for me!
endota spa Organics - Deep Hydration Face Moisturiser – Kristy
What it is: a rich facial moisturiser.
My experience: I absolutely love endota in-spa treatments so I was excited to try this product. I’m also a big fan of rosehip oil which is one of the key ingredients. Since it is quite rich and intense, you only need to use the tiniest amount to avoid looking greasy. I rubbed a pea-sized amount between my fingers so it was easier to apply. Afterwards, my skin looked dewy and moisturised. And the cream has a beautiful soft scent that’s quite refreshing. Since hydration is key to anti ageing, at night, I actually applied a bit more than my AM routine to give my skin a good drenching.
INIKA Organic Certified Organic Liquid Foundation – Deb
What it is: a medium-coverage, hydrating foundation
My experience: I haven’t used a lot of organic foundations as, in the past, they generally haven’t sat well on my skin; but I have to say I’m really enjoying using this INIKA foundation! I think the main difference is the hyaluronic acid in its formulation, which not only means it applies like a dream, but it also keeps my skin hydrated and so doesn’t leave my face looking dry or cakey. It’s a medium-coverage foundation, so I just apply a little at a time (I’ve been using an INIKA foundation brush to apply), building it up on areas that need more coverage. I find a little goes a long way and it gives my skin a natural, luminous finish that lasts throughout the day.
Bondi Scrubs Coconut Coffee Body Scrub – Bubblegum Certified Organic – Bree
What it is: A body scrub that deeply exfoliates to stimulate and renew skin, leaving it smooth.
My experience: Perfect for summer, this organic coffee and coconut scrub has renewed my skin and made it beach ready. The formula contains roasted and medium ground coffee beans to exfoliate old skin cells; caffeine to stimulate circulation and eliminate free radicals and coconut oil to nourish dry skin, heal infections and reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, as well as raw sugar, which leaves the skin cleansed, soft and glowing. A new staple in my shower I couldn’t recommend this divine smelling scrub enough.
