'Get to know me' tag!

Hi everyone!

Phew! What a busy last few weeks it has been. I moved out of home on the 4th of March up to Auckland, NZ to start my Bachelor of Business degree! The degree consists of three years full-time study, and then hopefully I will find an amazing job at the end of it. I am hoping to major in marketing or management or both! I think studying business will also be really beneficial for my blog too. At the moment, I am still adjusting to traffic noise and the sheer amount of people, but I am sure I will get used to it soon.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has submitted an entry into my international giveaway. I love seeing which products and brands you (and your family) enjoy using. For those of you who don't know, I am running a really awesome giveaway at the moment in which you can win a prize pack full of gorgeous natural and organic skincare and beauty products. All the details including how to enter, prize list, rules etc. are discussed in my previous blog post, so check it out! Bare Faced Beauty by Caitlin is also on Facebook. Simply 'like' the page for updates, extra posts and Facebook giveaways, I look forward to seeing you there!

So you are probably wondering by now, when is she going to talk about the 'get to know me' tag.  Basically, it is a list of questions which I will answer, so my readers can get to know me a little better. I thought it would be a cool way to interact with you guys a bit more, and show my personality etc. :)
So let's get started!

1. Who is your favourite super hero? Why?
A: I was never really into comics or super hero's, but my favourite would probably be Spiderman (and Super woman of course!)

2. What is your favourite magazine?
A: Which magazine I read really depends on my mood! I enjoy reading magazines that have a bit of substance and interesting real life articles. One that never lets me down is NZ magazine 'NEXT'. I also quite like reading home interior magazines, and occasionally food magazines too.

3. Have you ever lived abroad?
A: Nope. I have never lived abroad. I think I would like to live in America for a couple of years when I am older, just for a change, but I think I will always come back to living in New Zealand :)

4. If you could wear one accessory (bracelet, earrings, necklace etc.) for the rest of your life, what would you wear?
A: This is a really tough question, but I would probably have to go with earrings. They can finish off an outfit perfectly, and always look feminine and pretty! I feel naked without wearing earrings!

5. Do you own any animals?
Of course! I love animals, and have grown up with pets, so I think I would feel incomplete without having any animals! At home we have three cats (two boys and a girl) and some sheep. I got one of the cats for my 16th birthday. His name is Leo and he is the cutest little cat I have ever seen! He never fails to make me laugh or smile :) I have included a photo of him at the end of this post!

6. As for perfume... floral, fruity, foodie or other?
A: I have always liked light, floral scents, as I think they are perfect for wearing during the day. I think lighter scents are more suitable for younger women too. My two favourite perfume's are Daisy by Marc Jacobs (the original) and Scarlett by Cacharel. I love wearing Daisy during summer, and Scarlett in the evening or during Autumn/Winter.

7. Do you have a favourite store to shop at for clothes?
A: My all time favourite store is called 'Forever New', I believe the store is also in the states under the name 'Ever New'. Their style is sophisticated, glamorous and chic. All their clothes are gorgeous, particularly their tops and dresses! I would definitely recommend shopping there for a date night/ evening dress.

8. What blogging habit gets on your nerves?
A: This hasn't happened to me personally, but it really annoys me when people advertise their own pages/businesses etc. through the comment section of someone's video or blog post. I understand that they want to get more fans, but there are better ways to do so!

9. What type of music do you like listening to? Any favourite artist's or songs?
A: I enjoy songs from a range of different genres. I enjoy good pop music, soundtrack songs, classical piano, old school jazz, Latin American, Rock, Alternative, all sorts! Some of my favourite artist's/bands are Red Hot Chili Pepper's, Paramore, Lady Gaga and Adele.

10. What are your ambitions for the future?
A: I would love to become a successful marketing manager for an international organic skincare or make up brand. I would love my blog to keep growing and perhaps become my own business! I would like to have a family, travel around Europe and just live a healthy, long and successful life!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reply to any of the questions in the comment section below. I hope you have had/are having a wonderful day, wherever you are in the world! I love my international fans!

I will be posting a new review later in the week xx
-Catie @ Bare Faced Beauty by Caitlin

Here is a recent pic of me from a
beauty pageant I competed in. The
dress is from my fav store
'Forever New'!

My gorgeous fur-baby Leo!

Competition Details + How to enter!

Hi everyone,

If you are a fan of Bare Faced Beauty on Facebook, you would have noticed that the 'Competition Album' is now up. I decided to put together a giveaway to thank my fans and supporters. Please feel free to share the page with your friends and family.

I would just like to say a huge, gigantic thank you to all the companies that have generously donated some products into the Giveaway so far. These include Scarlett & Greene, Oasis Beauty NZ, Oxygen Skincare, Dr.Hauschka Skin Care.
It is wonderful to have you all on board as supporters, and I really value your generosity and eagerness to help my blog succeed!

What will the winner receive?
1x Oasis Sun SPF+30 Broad Spectrum Sunscreen 250ml- $39.95
1x Scarlett & Greene Under Cover Moisturizer- $28.95
1x Scarlett & Greene Zit Zapper- $30.99
1x Oxygen Skincare Teen Mini Pack- $25.00
6x Madre Bees Organic Beeswax Lip Balms- $7.00
1x Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk- $59.00
1x Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream- 39.00
1x Dr. Hauschka Clarifying Toner- $59.00
1x Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream- $65.00
1x Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Light Cream- $65.00
1x Blue Earth Rotorua Mud with Orange & Patchouli 90mg Handmade Soap- $5.50
1x Badger Company Sleep Balm- Lavender & Bergamot- $10.70
1x Badger Company Baby Balm- Chamomile & Calendula- $10.70

These are the prizes so far, there may be more to come. I will inform fans of any new additions through the 'Bare Faced Beauty by Caitlin' Facebook page.

How to enter:
1. Leave a comment this blog post telling me which product you would love to win the most.
2. Send a photograph of you, with OR using your favourite natural skincare or make up product. I am looking for creative entries, so some ideas could be a makeup look you create using natural cosmetics, a photo of you using your product at your favourite place etc. You can even send a video if you like! (2 mins max.)
Please send all photo entries to: caitlinharsant@hotmail.co.nz. With the words 'BFB Competition' in the subject line. Include your name and contact details in the email as well.
I can not accept entries via Facebook, as this is against their competition and promotions policies. I will send you an email confirmation as soon as I receive your email to let you know you are successfully in the draw!

Rules:
1. This competition is open internationally, so absolutely everyone is welcome to enter. I will ship the products to you!
2. You must complete steps 1 and 2 as stated above to be in the draw.
3. If you are underage, please ensure you have your parents permission to enter. If you do not want your photograph put on Facebook, please let me know in your email entry.
4. All entries must be received by 8pm on the 20th March, as that is the final day to enter.

All the entries will be uploaded on Facebook in an album called 'Competition Photo Entries'. Please note, this is NOT a popularity type contest where you must get the most likes on your photo etc. I will never be running competitions like that, as I believe it is  unfair. Entries will be judged purely on creativity and effort. I am just uploading the photos so all the fan's can see them!

- This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Blogger.

I look forward to receiving your entries!

-Caitlin @ Bare Faced Beauty

Sukin Australian Natural Skincare: Body Scrub

Hi everyone,

I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has joined the Bare Beauty by Caitlin page on Facebook. I am just thrilled to see the amount of people, young and old, who want to learn more about natural products, and who are making small changes, such as switching to natural face wash, shampoo, cosmetics brands, in order to live a healthier, and in many cases, more eco-friendly lifestyle.  I am so excited to begin announcing more details later this week about the huge giveaway which is coming up soon. The amount of support I have received from New Zealand based companies and organizations has been overwhelming, and I can’t wait to show you all the products that one lucky winner will be receiving! If you have not joined the Bare Beauty by Caitlin community on Facebook yet, please feel free to head over to the page HERE! I will be running competitions throughout the year, and will also be posting my reviews and guest interviews here too. I look forward to hearing from you!

 Okay, so let’s get to the review!

Recently, Health 2000 was running an awesome promotion in store. If you purchased one of Sukin Australian Natural Skincare’s new ‘Sunless Bronzing Gel’, you could get a full-size body scrub free! I was keen to try out both products, so I took up the offer. Today I will be reviewing the gorgeous purifying scrub!

 Sukin is an Australian based natural skincare company that bases its values on being chemical free and environmentally conscious while caring for your skin, hair and body. They create natural products that are effective and affordable, and that only include high quality ingredients. ALL Sukin's products are free of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), synthetic fragrances, animal derivatives, harsh detergents, propylene glycol, artificial colours, triethanolamine, mineral oils, EDTA and parabens. As well as this, Sukin Skincare is a 100% certified carbon neutral business. All their products are packaged in an environmentally friendly way and are also recyclable. Sukin products are 100% VEGAN.

 I will be the first to admit, I often forget about exfoliating my body. I do use a facial exfoliant once or twice per week; however, I usually just use my regular shower gel instead of using an actual scrub product, therefore, I was interested to see how my skin felt and looked after using it.

 The first thing that impressed me about the purifying body scrub was the scent. The combination of aloe vera juice, chamomile, rosehip and jojoba made this product perfect for early morning starts. The tangerine and mandarin orange oil, also gave the product a really refreshing, zesty smell without being too overpowering, which I thought was perfect for an invigorating body scrub. Another thing I liked about the scrub was the consistency. The granules of crushed walnut shell were not too harsh on the skin, and because the scrub also had a creamy based lotion in it, it made my skin silky smooth for atleast a couple of days after using it.

Rating: I really loved using my Sukin purifying scrub. After just one use, I noticed a considerable difference in the way my skin felt and looked. This product made my skin feel silky smooth, even around my ankles and knees, for at least a couple of days, and it looked great with the Sukin fake tan applied over top. I also noticed that my skin absorbed body lotion and oil a lot faster, which also added to the result of having silky, smooth legs. Because this product does have to be applied to damp skin, and massaged in thoroughly, it did add a couple of minutes to my shower time. However, that didn’t bother me, as you only need to exfoliate your legs 1-2 times per week, and the results that you get from using it are fantastic! I am giving this product a 10/10! It has been one of my favourites so far, and I will definitely be re-purchasing in the future.

Where can I find it?
Sukin is available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand! However, if you do not live in any of the listed countries, it can be purchased online. Please follow the link below to find a retailer near you!

Stockists: http://www.sukinorganics.com/stores.asp
Website: http://www.sukinorganics.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SukinNaturalSkincare
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Sukin_HQ
 





Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant
Please Note: I purchased this product with my own money. All opinions are my own.
I do own the image used.

Facebook Page Announcement + Giveaway!

Hi everyone!

The last few days have felt like a whirlwind, with so many great opportunities flying my way!

Firstly, New Zealand youth magazine 'Tearaway' has given me the wonderful opportunity to write a natural and organic skincare and beauty column each month in their magazine. Not only will I be reviewing products, but I will also be offering make up and skincare tips! I can not express how excited I feel. This will give me the opportunity to reach a larger audience, and will give me invaluable experience in the journalism industry.

My second announcement is that my Facebook page is now live! I am wanting to interact with my readers more, and I think this will be the perfect way to do that! So please head along to my page HERE! and be sure to 'like' it! As a thank you to all the fans that like the page, I will be having a huge giveaway competition! The giveaway will include products I have reviewed, as well as some new ones! Already the value of the prize pack is over $150 NZD, and that is only the beginning! Details on how to be in to win will be posted on my Facebook page as soon as the prize pack is ready. I am aware I have a few readers from the US and UK, so the giveaway will be open internationally!

I look forward to hearing from you over Facebook!

-Catie

Oasis Sun SPF30+ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Hi everyone,

As many of you will know, it is currently Summer in New Zealand. I am very lucky to live in the Coromandel Peninsula in the north island, where getting to a beach is literally a 10 minute car drive away. Though I do love spending time in the sun and surf, I also happen to have very pale skin. This means within minutes my skin will burn if I do not use sun protection. Due to New Zealand having very high sun exposure (directly under the hole in the ozone layer!), it is vital that kiwis wear sunscreen each and everyday, therefore, I am always on the lookout for a natural alternative. This Summer, I discovered a new brand by the name of 'Oasis'. Here are my thoughts!

Oasis is a New Zealand made, completely natural, broad spectrum UVA/UVB face and body sunscreen suitable for the entire family, including those with sensitive skin. Free from parabens, artificial colours and fragrances, and nano-particles, this sunscreen is designed to protect your skin against all the elements. Rest assured, Oasis Sunscreen will not discolour or stain your clothes, nor will it whiten your skin. The professional skincare brand also prides itself on being 100% animal cruelty free and does not use any animal-derived ingredients in their products. They support the work of both SAFE and WSPA.

The first time I used Oasis Sun Sunscreen, I was quite surprised by how thick the formula was, however, I liked that it acted as a sun protection and a moisturiser all in one, which added a luxurious touch to the product. After applying a thick layer, I headed down to the beach for some serious sunbathing. The sunscreen maintained its non-greasy consistency even after I had spent 30 minutes in the sunshine, and my skin was free from any redness or irritation. The sunscreen also continued to keep my skin burn-free even after dipping my legs in the ocean.  

Rating: Oasis Sun has exceeded my expectations! Not once has my skin been burned whilst wearing the sunscreen. Enriched with certified organic shea butter, Vitamin E and organic soy lecithin, my skin was left smooth, moisturised and protected. Perhaps the only thing I didn't like about it, was how hard it was to rub into the skin. However, after using the sunscreen a few more times, I found it absorbed best if you used small amounts, and applied in a circular motion. I give it a 8/10!

Where can I find it?
Oasis Sun is stocked in a range of stores throughout New Zealand. Please click the link below to find your nearest stockist. If you do not live in New Zealand, never fear, shipping is available worldwide!
New Zealand Retailers

Website: http://www.oasisbeauty.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oasisbeautynz
Twitter: http://twitter.com/OasisBeauty_NZ
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/oasisbeauty
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/OasisBeautyNZ
Google+: https://plus.google.com/106149504823037343924?prsrc=3
Blogger: http://blog.oasisbeauty.co.nz/

Thank you for reading! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
Catie

P.S I am currently creating a Facebook page for Bare Faced Beauty, details will be released soon, plus there will be a giveaway! Is there a particular product you would love to win? Let me know!




Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant
Please Note: I purchased this product with my own money. All opinions are my own.
I do own the image used.

Badger Balm

Badger Balm was created in 1995 by a family from New Hampshire, USA. Their mission was to create high quality, natural based skincare products which aim to heal, soothe and protect. The brand prides itself on being environmentally friendly whilst also supporting organic, susutainable agriculture. They now have an extensive range of products from hair care and body care, to clothing and baby and kids care. Badger complies with the Leaping Bunny standard, which means all their products. and the ingredients they use, are not tested on animals.

Today I will be reviewing the 'Organic Lip Balm' range.

These are the ultimate luxury for all those lip balm lovers out there. They are smooth, moisturising and keep your chapped lips at bay. Available in seven glorious flavours, my favourites including 'Highland Mint', 'Lavender & Orange' and 'Ginger & Lemon', Badger Balm will leave your lips looking glossy and moisturised all day! All Badger products have the USDA tick of approval which means they are entirely organic and do not contain petroleum, artificial colors, flavours, or sweeteners.

I found these lip balms provided the perfect base for lipsticks and lip glosses. The light-weight formula meant that I could easily use a lip liner and lip stick over the top, without feeling like I was wearing too much product. I also liked the fact that all the balms contain essential oils which is why they smell so amazing! 

Rating: I absolutely love my Badger Balm, and it is now a staple item in my school/hand bag. The unique flavours and delicious natural ingredients (extra virgin olive oil, beeswax, aloe and rosehip extracts) make this one of the nicest lip products I have ever used. They provide protection for your lips all year round. The only thing that is stopping me giving the Orginal Badger Balm a 10/10 is because they do not provide sun protection. Therefore I give these a 8/10!

Where can I find it?
Badger currently has distributors in Canada, UK, Ireland, Greece and Cyprus, Belgium and the Netherlands, South Africa, Thailand, South Korea, Slovenia, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, Portugal, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, Hong Kong and Macau, Norway, Sweden, Finland & Iceland. Badger products are available from selected Farmers stores in New Zealand. To find your local stockist, follow the link below.
http://www.badgerbalm.com/t-international_distributor.aspx#ZEALAND

Website: http://www.badgerbalm.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badgerbalm
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/badgerbalmusa
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/badgerbalm
Email: custserv@badgerbalm.com

Thank you for reading! Have you tried this product? What did you think? Feel free to comment below!
-Catie




Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant
Please Note: I purchased this product with my own money. All opinions are my own.
I do not own the image used.


 

Happy New Year!

Hi everyone!

I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and New years holiday break. It has been gorgeous, summery weather here in New Zealand, which has been great, particularly because I have been spending so much time at the beach!

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to dedicate too much time to my blog lately, due to school examinations and the busy holiday period. However, with the new year comes new and exciting changes! Firstly, I will be aiming to post atleast one blog post per fortnight. Secondly, I will be doing my first giveaway this year so stay tuned, and lastly, depending on how my blog views go, I will be joining the world of youtube! I am really excited about all this, but of course I would also like your imput. What would you like to see more of?
DIY recipes? Giveaways? Make up and skincare tutorials? More reviews?
Please feel free to comment on thsi blog post, or just simply answer the poll I have going at the right-hand side of the page.

There are reviews coming for the following:
Living Nature Illuminating Foundation - Day Glow
Living Nature Summer Bronze Pressed Powder
Living Nature Lipstick - Morning Sun
Badger Balm- Highland Mint
Oasis Sun SPF30+ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
Joyce Blok Gentle Facial Exfoliant!

I was recently given the opportunity to be a guest reviewer for Oh Natural!- Your go-to place for natural beauty & wellness! I reviewed the organic skincare range for teens from the Australian company 'Peachface'. Please feel free to check out my review here as well as the many other reviews on the site!

Thank you to all my readers! I look forward to posting more frequently!
-Catie