Arbonne RE9 First Impressions

Arbonne RE9 Advanced Set - First Impressions

A friend decided she wanted to become an Arbonne consultant, she had been using the products for over 12 months and was pleased with the results. Her skin is quite dry, fine lines were appearing and I have to say I saw positive results for her too, but I was still skeptical. I have the opposite issue with my skin, my skin is quite oily and a little bit acne prone (I touch my face too much). My main issues are enlarged pores, black heads and the oily finish that makes me look plastic. 

If you don't know anything about the company here is a quick introduction: Arbonne is an international company developed in Switzerland in 1975 and released in the United States in 1980. Since then it has been released in numerous countries around the world. 

On their website it declares "At Arbonne, we are all about being green — always have been and always will be."

RE9 Advanced Set 

"A comprehensive anti-ageing skin care regime for a youthful appearance. The set offers six products for face, with Restorative Day Crème SPF 15 "

I attended her event. The thing that swayed me was the promise that this will balance out the PH levels of all skin types. Challenge accepted I say.

I have been told it can be returned for a full refund (minus shipping) if I'm not satisfied with the product within 45 days. 

The price was not fun. I paid $360  for The RE9 kit. Ouch and that was on special. The full cost is around $464 (as listed on their website)  ...Double Ouch!  

I have read multiple reviews for and against Arbonne. If you have used please comment and let me know your thoughts. *Please comment on the products not the experience with the consultants*

I have been using the products continuously for a month and am liking the results. Less puffiness around the eyes, my skin has tightened up a little and I have no lines (not that I had many before). The only con I have found is I think the moisturizer is too oily for my skin so I might substitute Innoxia's - Shine Free moisturizer instead. Unfortunately it hasn't done anything for my pores so I think I need something to target that area, maybe Estee Lauder's Pore minimizer. 

Best Places to Shop - Worldwide

Ever wondered where you can buy some of the best quality UK and American Makeup brands online? Here are some of the stores I use or have been highly recommended to me by family and friends.

*Note I always read shopper reviews before shopping in a new online store.

Look Fantastic "Founded in 1996, lookfantastic.com is the original online British beauty boutique. The ultimate Mecca for hair, beauty and all things gorgeous, lookfantastic.com offers over 14,000 products from more than 400 brands across hair, make up, skin care,nails, electrical, fragrance, health , home and organic." Free Worldwide Shipping

 Beauty Bay, is based out of the UK and sells some of the top brands at good prices. They sell skincare, makeup, haircare products and accessories.  Free Worldwide Shipping

ASOS
"Established in June 2000, ASOS is the UK's largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer, offering over 40,000 branded and own label product lines across womens wear - including dresses , shoes ,jewellery , lingerie and beauty - and menswear, including jeans , t-shirts , shoes and shirts."
Also Free Shipping to Australia :)

Makeup Geek - MUG Founded by Makeup artist Marlena Stell and based in the USA
They make their own brand makeup to rival some of the best in the business. They also have a variety of videos: reviews and tutorials on their website.
The shipping to Australia could be better but their products are worth it, the quality of the products alone make the shipping less of a problem.
I have done a review on their starter eye shadow palette (They have made a few changes to the palette since the review)


Note: To get the best deals buy when the dollar is good.


If anyone has any suggestions, comment and let me know. Must be open worldwide :)

Avon - Ideal Flawless BB Cream

I like this product, it's smooth  and blends well into the skin with a fairly decent coverage (for a BB cream). It has a illuminating finish and is SPF 15.
I still use a mattifying primer and set with powder as I find it to be a bit oily for my skin type. If I want extra coverage and an all day look I apply Skin O2 Mineral Compact over the top.

What Avon Says
"Luxurious moisturiser, foundation and sunscreen infused with vitamins and minerals to transform your skin."

Regular Price is $19.99 form 30ml but Avon have a lot of sales and now you can buy on-line, no consultant needed.

Acne Be Gone - DIY Aspirin face mask

*Warning do not use if you have allergies to Asprin

I have already done Acne Be Gone - Honey and Cinnamon Mask  but now its time for an alternative, The Aspirin Mask.  If you find that the Honey and Cinnamon mask just isn't working for you, or if you have allergies to those ingredients this mask may be the alternative you are looking for.

Aspirin contains  salicylic acid, which helps to fight acne 

Note: Aspirin is not the same as Paracetamol tablets (Pandol/Panamax) or Ibpurofen (Advil/Nurofen). It has to be Asprin!

Using two - three plain, un-coated  aspirin tablets (coated do not break down as well as un-coated and contain additional ingredients) mix one - two teaspoons of water, mash the tablets until they are a paste.

Using a foundation brush apply evenly to the face, avoiding eye areas and mouth (this stuff tastes disgusting)

Leave on for 20 mins and then rinse off. Pat dry face with a clean towel.

This recipe can be used with honey, lemon juice, aloe-vera, green tea, all these ingredients are good food for the skin.

Nyx Mascara - Doll Eye

I was looking for a new mascara, one that wouldn't cost a bajillion dollars (slight exaggeration), a mascara that was inexpensive and gave a great result. I don't remember exactly how I came across it, I think Cherry Culture was having a sale, anyway I found Doll Eye by Nyx, the description went a little like this:

"Hello doll-face! For irresistible, fluttery eyelashes, try this mascara on for size. Doll Eye Mascara uses a unique blend of natural oils, Vitamin E and nylon fibers to extend eyelashes to almost faux proportions. Choose from lengthening, volumizing or waterproof versions."

I looked up some reviews, mostly positive so I gave it a go. I think I paid $6.00 (usually $9.00) and I have to say it was money well spent, I'm sold,  I love this mascara!

I brought it in the waterproof version, I find that a lot of non-waterproof mascaras smudge. I was a little worried that being so inexpensive that the fibers would shed throughout the day but I need not worried as this was the perfect mascara. I love how easy it is to apply and remove and I love that it doesn't smudge. Yep! that's right, you heard me, no panda eyes!
I loved this mascara so much I have recommended it to all my girlfriends. I give this baby a  5 out 5, A++ and a thumbs up.

I brought mine from Cherry Culture $9.00 in the United States, they have really good shipping rates to Australia. You can also buy from Crush Cosmetics $13.95 or Lipstick Republic $12.00 in Australia 

If anyone else has tried this mascara I would love to know what you think.

Bella Box May

This months products included:

What I liked:

All of it. I can use and will use every single product in this months box, some more than others but all of it was beneficial for me.

Bloom Lip-stain was a nice surprise. One application lasted a long time and was in a lovely, wearable colour: Rhubarb.

Manicare disposable mascara brushes will defiantly come in handy, you can never have too many, especially if you are a make-up artist using on clients.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel - I would like to try this for a month or so and see if it will help with my break outs, so far I have been using a week and I have not notice any new problems but time will see. It doesn't dry my skin out after use either.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo - a good follow up to the foaming gel, so far so good.

Nanoblur - not yet tried but excited to give it a go. I am waiting on a special occasion to come up, so I can test it to the max.

Sanctury Spa Brightening Facial Illuminating moisture Lotion - It feels light, smells divine and illuminates the skin with a natural looking glow. I don't feel like I have been hit with too much fairy dust

Overall thoughts for the box this month:

Mays box was full of wondrous products, most I had never heard of before. All of it was suitable for my skin-type. I got a laugh out of the Udder Cream, love the name and loved the product.

Chi Chi BB Cream

I'm in love with this product!

Chi Chi BB Cream           Price: $19.95 

It promotes anti-aging & ultra moisturizing with 14 skin conditioning agents including: Caviar Extract, Collguard, Olive Fruit Oil, Green Tea Extract, White Mulberry Tree Extract, Gotu Kola Extract and Vitamin E.

Since finding this I barely use my  Revlon Colorstay foundation, I only use it for days when I need extra staying power and extra coverage but I wear the BB Cream underneath. It makes my skin look and feel healthy.
It can be worn underneath foundation for a base or on its own for a light to medium coverage. If you have oily skin I would use a mattifying primer underneath and a finishing powder such as Palladio Rice Powder as it has can have an oily finish.

It comes in three shades: Light, Medium and Medium to Tanned

Pros

Anti-aging
Light Weight
Light - Medium coverage
Easily Blendable
Inexpensive
SPF 30

Cons

Can be oily, not as user friendly to people with oily prone skin, however this can be helped with applying a mattifying  primer and a oil soaking finishing powder (Palladio Rice Powder)

Only three shades

It can be brought from Myer, Target or their Website
Note: They often have sales in-store make sure to take advantage of them.