We're celebrating Australia Day the best way we know how...trialing products from some of the country's most-loved brands!
endota spa Organics - Lilly Pilly & Lime Gradual Tanner – Emily
What it is: A moisturising face and body tanner that builds a gradual, natural looking tan with each application.
My experience: I love using a gradual tanner during the summer months to top my natural tan so when this landed on my desk I was super excited to try it out. I love the smell of all Endota products and this one is no exception. Beautifully scented with lime oil, lilly pilly and aloe vera, this tanner feels super light and hydrating on the skin. It is buildable and leaves you with a healthy looking glow all year round!
Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF50+ – Sam
What it is: Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF50+ is a moisturiser that protects the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays to help reduce the signs of premature skin ageing. The moisturiser works to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven texture and loss of firmness.
My experience: I have been a long time lover of Ultraceuticals products so I jumped at the chance to try this Ultraceuticals Ultra UV Protective Daily Moisturiser with SPF50+ and I was not disappointed. This everyday moisturiser is a beautiful creamy consistency that easily absorbs and leaves no oily residue. The slight matte finish also ensures my skin isn’t left looking greasy as sometimes is the case with sunscreen infused moisturisers. The consistency of my skin after application was smooth and even and allowed for easy makeup application without having my foundation slip and slide. This product is a definite win for my fair and oil prone skin.
Goldfield & Banks Wood Infusion Perfume Concentrate Natural Spray – Steph
What it is: A unisex fragrances inspired by the diversity of wood species found in Fraser Island, Queensland. This tropical combination of ingredients features lavender, sweet orange, spicy notes, iris, sandalwood, agarwood and musk.
My experience: This is a very suave and bold fragrance. The notes really compliment each other to form the illusion of tropical getaways and sundrenched hinterland. While being a touch more on the masculine side for me I found this fragrance to be very refreshing and light. A lovely fragrance to include on the vanity to mix up the floral and fruity scents.
Aussie Bombshell Gradual Tan – Jess
What it is: A gradual tan, designed as a moisturising cream that can give you a light glow or build a tan in a few days.
My experience: I haven’t had a lot of experience with gradual tans so i wasn’t too sure what to expect. This one goes on like a moisturiser and sinks in really quickly, which is lovely. It doesn’t have that really strong fake tan smell which is another bonus, nor does it stain my sheets like most other tans do. I slept in it overnight and i woke up with a lovely, all over bronze colour. I thought it was going to be really light and take a few days to build up, but the colour was lovely, deep and natural. It left my skin looking hydrating and glowy and i will definitely be using this one again.
ELEVEN Australia I Want Body Volume Spray – Caitlin
What it is: A lightweight finishing hairspray designed to create dry texture and volume.
My experience: I am a sucker for a texturizing spray as I have straight fine hair which has absolutely no volume. This spray was quite different to the ones I have used before, as it has powder in it which you shake to activate with the liquid. I love the fresh smell of the product and when sprayed on I noticed it gave texture and held my hair in place all day without going crispy and was so easy to brush my hair out at the end of the night. One of the best ones I have tried and will keep using.
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist – Tiarne
What it is: A hydrating, conditioning and protecting mist that helps hydrate the skin surface, leaving it soft, smooth, refreshed and dewy.
My experience: I couldn’t be happier with this face mist! As well as smelling beautiful, it also delivers refreshing benefits that are great for those hot summer days. It sits nicely on the skin, doesn’t ruin makeup and absorbs quickly and easily. My skin can get quite dry from working in an office all day, so this product has been perfect for adding some much needed moisture. Its fragrance is Jurlique’s signature rose scent with marshmallow extract, which I find divine and not at all overbearing. The bottle is also easy to hold and spray – plus, it fits perfectly in my handbag. Definitely one of the best mists I’ve ever tried!
INVISIBLE ZINC Sheer Defence Tinted Moisturiser SPF50 – Tam
What it is: A lightweight, mineral facial moisturiser that is SPF50. It is paraben and fragrance free and creates a barrier to stop UV Rays affecting the skin on your face all whilst nourishing your skin (and giving you some colour if you are using the tinted options).
My experience: I really love that the Invisible Zinc Sheer Defence SPF50 product comes in tinted options because it meant that I could head out for a day in the sun while looking natural, but with a light amount of coverage to keep my skin looking even and sun-kissed. It is a fantastic product that moisturises the face and has a high SPF to ensure that I have great protection from the sun. The 50g tube size meant that it was great to throw in my bag for top ups throughout the day. For a zinc based product, it wasn’t as zinc-y like I would have expected - It is lightweight and was great with my sensitive skin.
BLAQ MASK TUBE – Jamie
What it is: An activated charcoal mask formulated to target toxins and draw and impurities from the skin. It is a liquid formula that you spread onto your face, let set for 15-20 mins and peel off.
My experience: This is the mother of all masks and not for the faint hearted! I love the sleek matte black packaging and the tube is easy to use and mess free. The product is a deep black, spreads onto the skin easily and dries down over 15-20mins. It also makes for some hilarious selfies! However the real fun begins when it’s time to peel this guy off. I could literally see it stripping away blocked pores and excess oils, it left my skin the smoothest it has ever been and I also found my moisturiser sunk into my skin so nicely afterwards.
Kosmea Clarifying Facial Wash – Tash
What it is: A gentle SLS free foaming cleanser to remove makeup and skin impurities without over drying the skin.
My experience: I was on the hunt for a new cleanser to change up my routine and this clarifying facial wash from Kosmea did not dissapoint! It is a beautiful creamy texture with a fresh subtle rose scent. It lathers easily into a thick foam that is not too bubbly and still creamy, presumably due to the SLS free foaming agent derived from coconut. The formula is also enriched with Australian lilly pilly and quandong to clarify and tone along with Australian macadamia oil. This cleanser left my skin feel clean, soft and comfortable, a pleasure to use.
Raww Remove-ME Micellar Cleansing Water – Rach
What it is: Micellar Cleansing Water with WildBerry Harvest™, Coconut Water, Kakadu Plum & Witch Hazel
My experience: I love trialling natural beauty products and this Micellar Cleansing Water worked perfectly at removing my makeup at the end of the day. The formula enriched with WildBerry Harvest™, Coconut Water, Kakadu Plum & Witch Hazel felt really soothing and refreshing on my skin, I truly felt a difference in the firmness of my skin straight after using it. I also love the fresh scent and the packaging of both the box and bottle. This is an all round great, natural product everybody should include in their skincare regime!
