#nss loves

Achieve lustrous, well-defined curls with Spray Gel for Curls from the Tony & Guy Hair Meet Wardrobe Classic Collection.

Giving hair a natural feel (rather than that awful sticky texture caused by so many curl defining products), Spray Gel for Curls holds curls with impressive frizz control.

To use: spray lightly over towel-dried hair before styling or, to retouch during the day, spray over dry hair and work through with fingers, sculpting curls as you go.

Personally, I apply the spray to my towel-dried hair before I turn in for the night. In the morning, I awaken with soft, glossy and wavy locks reminiscent of summer holiday hair - sans the sea-spray frizz effect!

- Michelle, Editor xx

A good eye cream is often hard to come by and yet it is the single most important product in any woman’s beauty regimen. Being so delicate and thin, the skin around the eye area tends to show the first signs of aging. For this reason, it’s important to keep that area of the skin well moisturised with a good eye cream.

 I have been on a quest for the 'perfect' eye cream since my early teens, finding many to be quite greasy or too heavy for my eye area.  But, alas, I think my journey may finally be over.

 I was recently given a sample of Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Power Firm for the Eye and Lip Area and I am almost a sworn convert.  The cream contains a concentrated dose of essential vitamins A, C and E, grape seed oil and red seaweed extract, which work to prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin.  It is also infused with extracts of licorice, chamomile and green tea to calm and protect skin.

I’ve been using Dermalogica’s cream both morning and night for the past few days and though it hasn’t worked miracles (i.e. I still have dark circles and some fine lines), my eye area feels a lot smoother and more hydrated. The cream acts as a good primer for my concealer too.

Dermalogica’s Multivitamin Power Firm cream absorbs easily and gently into my skin without causing any irritation and is, thankfully, fragrance free. I once used an expensive eye cream that smelt like sour milk; needless to say I didn’t buy it again!

I am going to persist with this one and might I dare recommend you try it too?

- Michelle, Editor xx

I generally find the idea of self-tanning a terrifying concept. What if I apply too much solution? What if I don’t apply it evenly? What if I end up resembling an orange? Tanning is risky business, to say the least.

Admittedly, I have had a bottle of Asyana Natural Sunless Tan sitting in my bathroom cupboard for a few months now, having agonised over whether I should use it. Last week, I finally made what I consider an incredibly BRAVE decision to have a go at applying it to my porcelain, white skin. Why now, you might ask? Well, as the saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures! I had an event to attend and the salon I planned on swinging by for a quick spray closed a bit earlier in the day than I anticipated! As the idea of looking like a white whale in a sequin dress panicked me more than the possibility of resembling a piece of citrus fruit, I decided to give self-tanning a go.

Asyana’s Natural Sunless Tan comes in an easy to use pump bottle with handy plastic gloves (to avoid staining hands and the appearance of having some sort of bizarre skin pigmentation condition).  After stripping off my clothes and pumping some of the glorious solution into my gloved-up hands, I proceeded to rub the cool, gooey substance in circular motions all over my body. My heart rate slightly elevated when I realised it was ‘going on’ green. I wasn’t exactly doing a pro job at applying it evenly either! By the time I finished, I was a true sight to behold – think ‘incredible hulk-esque’.

My mind was racing with thoughts as I realised that for the next 4-6 hours I would have to sit on a towel, on my couch, alone, in my apartment while waiting for the green solution to work its magic (and hopefully convert me from green vegetable / hulk figure into bronze goddess / beach babe).

After about 3-hours, I chickened out (fearing I might have permanently stained my skin spinach green) and washed off the tan. The result: pure relief in the form of a surprisingly even, light tan. Let’s just say I was happily floored. No permanent green skin and no streaks! Instead, my skin was lightly coated, and might I add positively glowing, in a pleasant, natural looking bronze colour. A week on and the tan has faded naturally, sans patchiness – hooray!

Another awesome thing about Asyana’s natural sunless tan is that it is free of nasty chemicals. Made with DHA, erythrulose and walnut extract, the tan is infused with hydrating and nourishing ingredients including aloe vera, green tea, grapeseed, chamomile, vitamin E and coconut oil.

But what is DHA and erythrulose you might ask? DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a non-toxic ingredient derived from sugar cane which reacts with the amino acids in the dead layer of the skin to form brown-coloured melaninoids. Erythrulose is a natural keto-sugar, which prevents the development of an irregular and streaky tan (say what?)! Containing these ingredients, it’s no wonder Asyana’s solution is the tanning equivalent of liquid gold!

I’ll definitely be using this tan again; leaving it on longer next time to achieve a deeper bronze colour!

At NSS, we’re always on the lookout for new and affordable beauty products to try; so when a few products from Indeed Laboratories landed on our desk to road-test, I gladly accepted the challenge!

To achieve a brighter complexion and even out skin-tone, I tried Indeed’s ‘Pepta-bright’ cream (RRP $34.99). Pepta-bright is marketed as a lightweight moisturiser which helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation and stimulate cell turnover.  I’ll gladly admit that, for a 30 year-old, I have pretty good skin – no dark spots and fairly even skin tone – so I didn’t expect to see a radical improvement in my skin’s appearance. After using the cream, as suspected, I didn’t notice a marked difference, but my complexion is a touch brighter and nicely hydrated – a pleasing result!

‘Nanoblur’ cream (RRP $29.99) promises to make you look 10 -years younger in 40 seconds or less by erasing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, crow’s feet, enlarged pores and sagginess. Since I am still asked to produce ID at restaurants, looking 10-years younger isn’t a present concern of mine! As a consequence, I tried this product on my mum who is in her mid-50s. [Also, I’ll confess to being a skeptic; it would be a miracle cream if it could actually achieve this result!] Her verdict: Nanoblur does not, as it claims, erase the appearance of wrinkles, but it does fade them out. The formula is quite sticky so it seems to separate and hold the skin tight to achieve an anti-wrinkle effect. She wouldn’t call it a ‘miracle cream’, but my mum thinks it’s worth a try for the price!

My biggest skincare concern is dark circles under the eyes. I have had these ever since I can remember; a genetic trait courtesy of my Russian bloodlines. ‘Eysilix’ (RRP $34.99) is an eye contour treatment formulated to reduce the appearance of puffiness, diminish the appearance of fine lines and minimise dark circles under the eyes. It contains ingredients derived from peptides and botanicals to achieve both instant and long-term results. I tried this product with very high hopes and, although the results were not drastic, I did notice my dark circles had faded. I consider that winning!

Finally, I gave Indeed’s ‘Hydraluron moisture jelly’ ($39.99 RRP) a go. Hydraluron is a moisture booster intended to plump-up skin and provide superior hydration. It is to be applied in addition to a moisturiser  each morning and night. I found Hydraluron to be a solid performer; it delivers the moisture it promises and it didn’t cause my skin to break out! The product has a gel-like consistency, which is non-sticky and easily absorbed into the skin’s surface. In a nutshell, it’s perfect for providing extra hydration during the summer months when skin is more prone to drying-out.

Interested in trying any of the above products? All are available to purchase from Priceline online and in-store: https://www.priceline.com.au/brands/indeed

NSS loves Obagi medical skincare products!

Formulated in the US, Obagi products contain prescription-strength formulations only available to purchase from physicians, medical spas, dermatologists and limited authorised retailers.

Right now, we are loving Obagi's:

Nu-Derm Toner ($50AUD)… which is a toner that adjusts the PH balance of the skin to prepare it for the absorption of other ingredients. Toning is the ‘must-do’ step between cleansing and moisturising, as it removes excess oil from skin’s pores and any make-up residue. The Obagi formulation is designed to tighten pores and reduce the appearance of hyper-pigmentation.

ELASTIderm Eye Complete Serum ($104AUD)… which is a soothing topical eye treatment to revitalise tired eyes and reduce fine lines and wrinkles by supporting collagen production. The serum contains caffeine which constricts the blood vessels under the skin, in turn reducing the appearance of dark circles and under-eye puffiness!

Professional-C Serum 20% ($99AUD)… which is a supercharged formula rich in Vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant – to achieve a clearer, brighter and more youthful complexion. The 20% formulation is best to use for normal to oily skin types.

Rose hip oil has long been praised for its skin healing properties. Clinically proven to fade scars, stretch marks and even wrinkles with long-term use, rose hip oil assists in regenerating skin cells and repairing damaged skin tissue caused by exposure to the sun and nasty free radicals.

It may also provide relief for other unwanted skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

KOSMEA’s Rose Hip Oil is 100% certified organic, ethically sourced from the stem of wild roses grown in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho in South Africa.  The nourishing oil is rich in Vitamin A, antioxidants and essential fatty acids including omega-3, 6 and 9.  It easily absorbs into the skin, with only a hint of fragrance and is suitable for all skin types.

Here’s hoping with regular use (6 drops per day), my wrinkles will slowly disappear!

- Michelle, Editor xx

In Winter I develop what I call a ‘white tan’; the tan which results from an absence of exposure to sunshine and prolonged hours in a heated office environment. Although a ‘white tan’ is quite enviable in Asia, it’s NOT the look I personally aim for!

That said, I don’t like to go OTT with tanning lotion in the cooler months, but I do rely on a good bronzer to achieve sun-tinted cheeks and an overall look of health and vitality all year round.

My favourite bronzer right now is La Mav’s Sunkissed Bronzer, which is a medium-coloured mineral bronzer suitable for all skin types. It gives my skin a healthy glow and is perfect for contouring. It’s also non-comodegenic, so it doesn’t clog my pores!

As with all La Mav products, the bronzer is certified organic, free of fillers and talcs and, most importantly, not tested on animals. It’s infused with Vitamin C and Rosehip Oil, which are proven ingredients for keeping skin youthful, naturally.

I’ve bragged about my love for multi-use products many times before and this bronzer is another one to add to that list. Should you choose to use it in the summer months, it’s water resistant and contains a broad spectrum SPF15 for protection from the sun’s rays. Sorted!

To use, simply apply either over moisturiser or foundation with a kabuki brush using downward strokes for a light finish, or in a circular motion for greater coverage, to all the spots where the sun usually shines (i.e. the forehead, cheeks, nose and chin).

You can purchase this winter essential @ http://www.lamav.com/shop/sunkissed-bronzer/ for the very reasonable price of $29.95AUD.

It’s a cardinal beauty sin not to exfoliate your skin!

Exfoliating is essential for removing dead skin cells to revitalise skin and promote cellular renewal.

I’ve recently been testing a new facial scrub: La Mav’s Exfoliating Scrub with Jojoba Beads and Argan Oil. It’s a gentle but effective skin exfoliant which evens and brightens the complexion. The micro jojoba beads gently buff the skin’s surface, whilst the natural peptides do their thing to cleanse away nasty impurities.

When showering, I apply the scrub to my face, neck and décolletage massaging in a circular motion. I then gently dry my face with a microfibre towel.

Since using this scrub I can confidently say I feel a definite improvement in my skin’s texture. It’s smoother and, to my surprise, hydrated (some scrubs I’ve used in the past have severely dehydrated my skin!).

All of La Mav’s products are Australian made from certified organic ingredients.

You can grab yourself a tube of the exfoliant for $26.95AUD at www.lamav.com.au.