Rosehip oil has been very popular in recent years, largely owing to its anti-ageing and pigmentation-fighting properties. It's derived from rose bush seeds, commonly found in Chile, South Africa and parts of Europe. Because it's so high in Vitamin C, which stimulates collagen production, it's an excellent-anti-ageingproduct. it's also high in Vitamin A which reduces fine lines and antioxidants, which improve skin texture. In summary, it really packs a punch! I've put together my Top 3 Uses for Rosehip Oil, in partnership with Natural Instincts and their amazing Rejuvenating Rosehip Oil. 

1. Face

The first, and most obvious, use for rosehip oil is as a skincare product. Because of all the reasons above, it's an excellent anti-ageing product. It's also very good at reducing pigmentation, hydrating the skin and boosting the overall appearance of dull skin. Natural Instincts Rosehip Oil also contains Seabuckthorn extract to help rebuild skin cells and Rosemary extract, which contains antioxidants to help repair skin damage caused by free radicals.

I like to use 2-3 drops about twice a week before bed, and massage them in using my Julisa Opalite Roller before applying my moisturiser.  

2. Body

While rosehip oil makes a great general body moisturiser, I have been using it to tackle my stretch marks. Unfortunately, I seem to scar very easily and my stretch marks are no exception. Nati=urak Instincts Rosehip Oil contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids which help to repair damaged skin and reduce the appearance of scars. 

I've been applying a few drops nightly to my legs, the area with the most noticeable marks, and I already feel like they have improved. I have really high hopes for the future.

3. Hair

I have always suffered from an insanely itchy scalp and nothing I've used seems to help, until now. Because rosehip oil is absorbed so easily and is non-greasy, it's great to add to hair as it won't weigh it down. Vitamins A, C and E also give a boost try dull hair, injecting shine back into it and repairing damage.

I've been applying a drop or two to damp hair, them combing through and drying and styling as usually. You can also warm a little more than a few drops and use them as a hair mask overnight for the silkiest, softest hair ever.

Bonus tips

As a little added bonus, Natural Instincts Rejuvenating Rosehip Oil is Australian made, cruelty-free and vegan. They are an amazing brand, working towards sustainability and and away from over-packaging of products, both big wins in my books.

Dani XO

This product was provided as a PR sample but, as always, my opinion is my own.

If you'd asked me a year ago whether I would ever consider Botox, my answer would have been a resounding "hell, no!". Visions of old ladies with too-tight faces would swim before my eyes. Flash forward to today's blog post and here I am to tell you all about my experiences with cosmetic injectables. 

First of all, a little disclaimer. I understand that cosmetic injectables aren't for everyone and that's fine. As always, this is just my personal experience. I completely get that some people don't want to change the way they look, and that's also fine. I'm not saying you have to use cosmetic injectables to look beautiful or age well or whatever. So please don't think I'm trying to push my values on you, I'm not. I'm just letting you know what my experiences have been. 

Now, onto the important stuff! I've now had anti-wrinkle injections twice, to counteract the annoying wrinkles I get on my forehead. I've had them for years and they always annoyed me during the day when makeup would settle into them. They weren't pronounced but I noticed them and I wanted to see what I could do to get rid of them. 

My first experience with anti-wrinkle treatments was at Injex Skin Clinics. The ladies there were lovely and happily explained every little step. I had also been a tiny bit afraid of the pain but it was really just a tiny little pin prick each time. My initial results lasted around 4 months, which is apparently pretty normal. 

My second, most recent, experience was at Evolve MediSpa in New Farm with the lovely Carlie. I was lucky enough to win a voucher at the spa opening and decided to put it towards some anti-wrinkle injections as my last results were almost gone. The experience was very similar, but also involved a Skype session with the doctor to make sure everything was fine before moving ahead. You have to remember that this is still a medical procedure and the injections are always prescribed by a doctor and administered by a nurse. 

So what do anti-wrinkle injections feel like? As I mentioned, the initial injecting feels like a tiny pin prick. There's pretty much no down time afterwards, my skin looked and felt completely normal. Some people may experience redness or bruising but I didn't experience either. You're advised not to massage your face, wear makeup for the next 12 hours or sleep on your front. After a day or so, the freezing effect comes along. It does feel odd and depending on how much you get injected, brow movement might become non-existent! 

I personally think that my face still looks very natural, just without those lines I've always hated. To me, it's worth every penny to be able to wear makeup and not have it crease up on my forehead during the day. I look and feel fresh and I don't regret taking the plunge and trying out anti-wrinkle injections at all. 

Have you ever thought about or tried cosmetic injectables?

Dani XO

I feel like a pretty terrible beauty blogger for admitting this but I've never really had a proper facial. I've had a couple of the generic spa type facials (which are lovely) but I've never ventured into the world of high teach skincare before. The team at Harbour Day Spa have just launched Harbour Skin Clinic and when they invited me down to try everything out, I jumped at the chance.

I've been to Harbour Day Spa before (check out my review here) and I love how comfortable the staff make you feel. The whole experience is really all about making you feel good. I was a little apprehensive about letting all those high tech gadgets near my face but the entire experience was amazing.

My treatment started off with a cosy robe and a cup of raspberry and lime tea. My therapist, Jordan, started by taking some pictures of my skin to take a close look at any potential issues. They looked terrifying up close and under different filters but she assured me everything looked normal. My main issues were some congestion and just generally wanting a brighter skin tone. We decided to go for the Specialty Skin Treatment for Age Defense. We also added in some LED light therapy and microdermabrasion as well as an enzyme peel and a sonophoresis cleanse to tackle my congestion.

I was worried that the treatments might be painful but it was a very relaxing experience. I really enjoyed the LED light therapy which Jordan explained as basically being like a little cellular recharge for your skin cells. The microdermabrasion definitely felt the strangest, like having your face vaccuumed, but my skin felt amazing afterwards. The sonoporesis was also a really interesting one. It uses low frequency sound waves to help treatments penetrate the skin better. 

Now here is a very flattering before and after shot of my delightful face for you. I definitely felt like my skin felt clearer and brighter afterwards as well as being very plump and glowy. These photos are unfiltered and unedited, just so you can see how nice my skin actually looks post-treatment.

I would highly recommend checking out the new Harbour Skin Clinic. They also do vouchers and with Christmas coming up, a day at Harbour Skin Clinic sounds like a pretty good gift to me.

Have you tried any high tech skin solutions?

Dani the Girl XO

This experience was provided free of charge but, as always, my opinion is my own.

If I could recommend one skincare product that has really changed my skin for the better, it would be the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads ($34.99).

Nip + Fab is an American brand that has recently launched in Australia. One of the brand ambassadors is Kylie Jenner so it's obviously pretty hot in the beauty world. They specialise in products that smooth, boost and firm the skin. 

The Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads are favourites of mine because they're quick and easy to use AND they actually work. Personally, I like to use them at night after cleansing and before applying serum and moisturiser. 

I noticed a huge improvement in my skin in about a week. My skin was smoother and breakouts were less frequent too. Glycolic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant meaning that all of the dead skin is removed really gently and effectively. 

Dani the Girl XO gives the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads:

Have you tried anything from the Nip + Fab range yet?

Dani XO

Although it's hard to tell in Brisbane, winter is on the way! Cue a change in skincare routine to banish flakes, bring back that summer glow and generally, try and look semi-respectable. Here are six of my current favourites to keep your skin in top condition in the coming cooler months.

1. Glam Glow YouthMud Mask ($28.00 for 15g)

This is the Holy Grail of all face mask, and with good reason! You can actually SEE the mask drawing out all the gunk from your face, leaving your skin smooth and blemish free. It is a very expensive little pot of goodness but, it's well worth the price tag and a little goes a very long way. I find that you only need to use this on your problem areas, meaning that even the 15g tub lasts ages.

2. Sneaky Squirrel Body Scrub ($17.95)

Coffee scrubs are all the range right now for removing tan, getting rid of cellulite and generally, giving you soft, smooth skin. Sneaky Squirrel is my favourite because it's affordable, smells like coffee cake and leave my skin amazingly smooth, soft and hydrating. All of that mean that this is the perfect shower companion for winter to quickly get rid of dry skin. 

3. Natio 10 Minute Moisturising Mask ($19.99)

Another winter wonder mask, this one is designed for getting moisture back into poor, dry, wind-chapped winter skin. In just ten minutes, this baby will have your skin feeling fresh and plump, it's a great morning mask.Even better, Natio is an affordable Australian brand that is perfect for sensitive skin.

4. Softsole Express Exfoliating Foot Peel ($8.75)

Everyone has heard of the weird beauty trend of sticking your feet into little plastic bags of fruit acid then waiting 2 weeks for your feet to peel and then having amazingly soft feet, right? Well, if you haven't, Milky Foot has been the go-to brand.....until now. Softsole is just a fraction of the price and gives the same amazing (though slightly disgusting) results. Goodbye, scaly lizard feet!

5. Bioderma Hydrabio Serum ($45.99)

I've talked about this product a LOT on the blog before, simply because it's a winner! It' packed full of hydration and absorbs in moments, without leaving skin greasy. Despite being amazingly lightweight, it's perfect for dry skin in need of hydration or combination skin that needs a helping hand.

6. Purasonic Classic Facial Cleansing Brush ($99.00)

I absolutely cannot recommend the Purasonic enough! Cleansing brushes are the perfect winter skincare companion because they're extremely gentle yet amazingly effective exfoliators. It comes with a timer so you can't over-exfoliate and three speed settings to target those problem areas. This is probably what has made the biggest difference to my skin over the years. I didn't notice how much of a difference it made until I stopped using it for a while and saw how much worse my skin was. Definitely a Holy Grail skincare product for me!

What are your favourite winter treats?

Dani XO

Products in this post were provided as PR samples but, as always, my opinion is my own.

No.1 Lush Addict reporting for duty! Lush is my weakness, my pick-me-up and my happy place.  When I heard about the new releases this year, I actually did jump for joy! I visited the Oxford Street Lush in London and managed to get my hands on a few treats but having them available so easily available was amazing! Here are a few of the latest treats:

1. Life's a Beach Shower Scrub ($19.95)

So you know that delightful layer of skin that builds up a; over you in winter? Well the solution to having summer skin all year round is Life's a Beach! It's an in-shower scrub that has the texture of beach sand and foams up really nicely in the shower too. I've found it also works really nicely as a scrub for dry feet. 

2. Cup O' Coffee Exfoliating Mask (from $16.95)

I picked this up in London and fell completely in love with it! The coffee scent makes it a really good morning pick-me-up and it leaves my skin feeling so soft. I like that you can leave it on as a mask to soothe and wake u the skin and then wet it and use it as an exfoliator. Perfect for lazy girls and guys!

3. 93,000 Miles Jelly (from $7.95)

I recently started to get back into fitness and as good as I feel, my muscles are hating me! The solution is 93,000 Miles! It's perfect for a steamy hot shower or a good long bath and the eucalyptus and mint really help tired muscles recover. I personally like to open the container while the shower is heating up which fills the bathroom with minty steam and by the time I'm ready to shower, the jelly is nice and soft.  

4. The Comforter Shower Cream (from $10.50) 

 This is a spin off of the famous Comforter Bubble Bar. It's creamy, fruity and super relaxing. Perfect for the "I've Had A Really Bad Day" shower or the "Thank God It's Friday" bubble bath.

Have you tried any of the Lush new releases?

Dani XO

Products in this post were provided as PR samples but, as always, all opinions are my own.

One of the very first things I do when I walk in the door from work is take off my makeup. Don't get me wrong, I love wearing makeup but having a clean, fresh face makes me feel so much better. I've used a fair few cleansers, creams, balms and cloths over the years but this balm by Trilogy has definitely earned a place in my bathroom.

Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm by Trilogy ($36.90)

What I like most about this balm is that it's easy to use, doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or greasy and gets rid of everything, even long-wearing lipstick and waterproof mascara. The balm contains rosehip, mango and coconut oil so as well as completely removing makeup, it also nourishes skin. It also comes with a really ice organic cotton cloth to help remove the residue.

 

To use the balm, you scoop about 1/4 of a teaspoon into your hands massage into dry skin. I like to spend a little extra time concentrating on my eyelashes and lips and you can actually feel your mascara dissolving. Then, after wetting the organic face cloth with warm water, you simply wipe away the residue. My skin always feels soft and clean afterwards and this has quickly become the quickest, easiest and most effective method of makeup removal I have, besides my beloved micellar waters.  

Is the Make-Up Be Gone Balm a favourite of yours?

 

Dani XO

 

Products in this post have been provided as PR samples but, as always, my opinion is my own. 

Serozinc ($23.99 for 150ml) has been around for a little while but has only just launched in Australia. Like all La Roche products, it has a thermal spring water base plus two active ingredients: zinc sulphate for oil control and and sodium chloride aka table salt which acts an as astringent.

This product is designed for oily, acne-prone or irritated skin. My skin is oily, and while it is prone to break-outs, I wouldn't say it's acne-prone or irritated. Serozinc is meant to "help mattify oily skin, prevent excess shine and tighten the appearance of pores". I did a little research on sodium chloride and found that while it can be used as an astringent, it can also cause breakouts which confused me a little. But I had no other choice than to put it to the test and see what happened.

I like that Serozinc comes in an aerosol, it makes it really easy to add into your routine. I've been using it in the morning as a toner step before moisturising. It's really refreshing and immediately makes your skin feel cool and hydrated, which would be the thermal water at work. After using it for a few weeks, I have noticed that although my breakouts haven't decreased, and  my pore size hasn't been reduced at all, my skin is definitely a lot less oily.

I'm on the fence a little about this product. I am impressed with how much less oily my skin is. However, if it doesn't have any effect on my not very acne-prone skin and my average sized pores, I do wonder how much it would do for someone who actually does have problem skin.

Dani the Girl XO gives La Roche-Posay Serozinc:

What are your thoughts on Serozinc?

Dani XO

This product was provided as a PR sample but, as always, my opinion was my own.

In the last two or three years, European-branded skincare, French brands especially, have been becoming more and more popular. Brands like La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, Uriage, Avene and Nuxe have been seeing more coverage and with good reason too! These brands are the perfect mix of science and nature and most are also based on thermal water. I find that this combination usually results in fresh, clean skincare that actually works. I thought I would share three of my favourite French skincare goodies of the moment.

1. Bioderma Sebium AKN Fluid ($25.99)

Everyone and their mum knows about the Bioderma micellar water range, and with good reason too, because it's amazing! The Sebium range is not quite as well known yet but is designed for oily skin. The AKN fluid is a moisturiser designed to combat mild to moderate blemish and help smooth the skin and control sebium production. This has been an absolute wonder product for me. I do suffer from occasional breakouts, like everyone, but using this at night has really helped keep my breakouts (mostly) under control. I also love the smell, it's clean, fresh and almost clinical. It smells like something you would find at a spa or skin clinic which is always a selling point for me. 

2. Nuxe Anti-Aging Skincare Nuxellence^® Jeunesse ($75.00)

What I love most about this is that you can use it in tandem with your regular skincare as a booster. It contains hyaluronic acid and passion flower to help plump out the skin and promote cell turnover. Not only does it help skin look fresh and glowy, but it also boosts the power of other anti-ageing and hydrating products. I use this as a morning serum in tandem with my Neutrogena Hydro Boost and my skin has never looked better. 

3.  Uriage Thermal Micellar Water ($24.99)

It seems like every brand has a micellar water on the market these days but they aren't all the same. Certain cheaper brands use foaming ingredients that do help remove makeup, but can leave a greasy residue on the face. The Uriage version has a thermal water base and effectively removes even the toughest waterproof makeup but leaves your skin feeling hydrated and cleansed. This micellar water also contains cranberry extract for a little bit of a moisturising boost. You can also buy the very convenient Uriage Thermal Water Wipes which are perfect for even the laziest among us. One quick wipe over is all you need to cleanse and moisturise. 

What are your French skincare favourites?

Dani XO

Products in this post were provided as PR samples but, as always, my opinion is my own.