Wednesday, February 5, 2014

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Hello beauties,

I have some very, very exciting news to share with you! I have a brand spankin' new website!

http://www.barebeautybycaitlin.com/

Creating a new website had been on the cards for some time. Due to the incredible support for my blog, I made the decision to create a new self-hosted website. This means I now have total control over my website layout, design, content, and I will have more visibility through search engines etc. Expect to see regular new content, competitions, recipes and much more!

I have transferred all the content from this blog, over to my new site. I will be closing down this blog by March the 1st, so I encourage you to head over to my new website!

http://www.barebeautybycaitlin.com/

I would like to thank you all for reading and supporting my blog. I feel very fortunate to be able to share my love and passion for living a holistic lifestyle with you all.

I hope to hear from you via my new website. Any feedback is welcomed!

Love and light,
Caitlin

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Regime!

Hi everyone!

Over the past few months, I have had the pleasure of trying out some wonderful facial care products from the highly regarded brand, Dr. Hauschka.

Dr. Hauschka Skin Care are an entirely natural skincare range made using selected medicinal herbs, flowers and other high quality ingredients found in nature. The products are designed to bring harmony, balance and rhythm to the skin. All of their products have the 'Certified Natural Cosmetics' seal of approval from the German Industry association BDIH which means their products are free of synthetic chemical fragrances, colours and preservatives, parabens, mineral oils, silicons and PEG (polyethylenglycol).

Dr. Hauschka products are not tested on animals, nor are any of the raw ingredients that are included in their products.
 
Cleansing Milk:
This is a beautiful, light cleanser, gentle enough to use both morning and night. I loved how this product instantly softened the skin and balanced my complexion. The look of my skin improved, appearing instantly brighter. I liked how the cleanser thoroughly cleaned my skin without leaving it dry and tight feeling. The size of this product is quite generous (145ml), therefore the product will last you a long time. I have been using mine since February and have only used about 1/8th of the bottle. I think this cleanser would be suitable for people of all ages, as it is non-drying, and does not aggravate skin conditions such as acne. It is also a gentle make up remover.

Clarifying Toner:
The 'Clarifying Toner' is definitely my favourite out of the four face care products I tried. It has dramatically changed how my skin looks and feels over the course of a few months. Designed with problematic skin in mind, the toner ensures skin is balanced throughout the cleansing process. Purple cone flower, Witch Hazel and Daisy extracts help to heal and soothe inflamed and/or blemish prone skin. This product can also be used by men as an aftershave. The toner is refreshing, soothing and is my go-to Dr. Hauschka product as it works well when used in conjunction with not only the Dr. Hauschka products, but also other brands cleanser's etc.

Cleansing Cream:
The cleansing cream was another favourite product of mine. The whole ground almonds gently exfoliate the skin providing a deep cleansing experience, while the calming ingredients such as calendula and chamomile soothe the skin and refine pores. For best results, I used the cleansing cream after removing my make up with the 'Cleansing Milk'. I found that this really improved the effectiveness of the products.
Another unique feature of this cream is the way it is designed to be applied. This is called the "press and roll" technique. The product is pressed into the skin by the palm of the hand, then rolled in an upwards motion into the skin. This motion ensures the skin is not scrubbed harshly, which can disrupt the skin's natural cleansing processes.

Rose Day Cream (Light):
The 'Rose Day Cream (Light)' is a beautiful lotion. Delicately scented by fragrant fresh roses, the soothing lotion will leave skin feeling soft, rejuvenated and smelling amazing! This cream was developed  after customers were asking for a lighter version of the regular 'Rose Day Cream' for their daughters. I really love the way this moisturizer makes my skin look. It is nice and matte (perfect for those with oily skin!). True to it's name, this lotion is really light and is easily absorbed by the skin.

I asked my gorgeous mum to try out the 'Rose Day Cream' as I found it a little too rich for my skin. Here are her thoughts!

"Firstly the smell is just divine, it smells exactly like an old-fashioned freshly picked rose, and does not have a harsh synthetic rose scent.
 
I just needed two tiny blobs about the size of two peas to cover my whole face and neck - the formula is quite rich so a little goes a long way. I also had no qualms whatsoever using it around my eyes as it is very gentle.
 
Overall the product delivered moisture to my skin all day long, is a stable base for my other makeup products, and gives me a soft dewy complexion without being overly greasy"
 

Contact Details:
Website: http://www.drhauschka.co.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrHauschkaNZ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrHauschkaNZ
Email: info@drhauschka.co.nz 

Subscribe to the Dr. Hauschka e-news to be the first to know about promotions, new products and more!
http://www.drhauschka.co.nz/News-and-Events/Subscribe-to-our-e-newsletter/

 
Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant.
Please Note: These product  were kindly given to me by Dr. Hauschka New Zealand to review.  All opinions are my own. I do not own the image used. Bare Beauty by Caitlin logo copyright to Caitlin Harsant.


Special mention to Dr. Hauschka New Zealand for generously providing these products mentioned above to one of our recent giveaways. Also a big thank you to Janet Southern (Marketing Manager NZ), for her kindness and support in helping me with my blog.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the review.
Join the Bare Beauty by Caitlin community on Facebook for updates, competitions, giveaways and more!
 
 
 



Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Tease Botanix Skincare Range!


Hi everyone,

Today I will be reviewing four products from New Zealand based natural skincare company ‘Tease Botanix’, that I have been busy trialing over the past few weeks. Owner and founder of the Tauranga based company, Teena Cooke, first developed a passion for herbal gardening, nutrition and wellbeing after her body suffered from a toxic ‘overload’ due to her work environment. This wake-up call prompted Teena to completely change her lifestyle (eating organic, home-grown produce, being selective about beauty products she used etc.) Tease Organix Ltd. was born in 2006. In 2011, the company was rebranded and redesigned, and is now known as ‘Tease Botanix’. The company has continued to grow and become more and more successful, picking up two runner-up awards in the 2013 Oh Natural Beauty Awards, as well as being a runner-up in last year’s NZ Women’s Weekly Beauty Awards for Best New Natural Product Range!

Here are my thoughts on the fabulous Tease Botanix range…

Manuka Deep Cleanser:
This is my favourite product out of the four that I tried out. The cleanser is very creamy and luxurious, and left my skin feeling super soft and clean after just one use. This product works really well to remove any make up residue that is left behind after using a makeup wipe, and helps clear up any blemishes overnight. I like the fact that this product works effectively when applied to both damp and dry skin. This makes it my go-to product when coming back from a long night out, dinner etc. when I don’t feel like spending a long time cleansing my face. This product does not have a particularly strong scent, which I find quite pleasant. The botanical ingredients which include calendula, chamomile, lavender, rosemary and manuka make this deep cleanser perfect for those with oily/problematic skin types, as these ingredients help to nourish, heal and protect the skin. I personally liked to use a little more than the recommended 1-2 pumps to really cover my whole face. I also asked a friend of mine for her thoughts I on this product. Over all, this cleanser really helped to improve the look and feel of my skin after. Use in conjunction with the ‘Jojoba Facial Polish’ once or twice a week and expect to see improvements in your skin.

Rose Spritzer:
The ‘Rose Spritzer’ is designed to use after applying your day serum and/or cleanser. This product is used like a toner to refresh and hydrate the skin before moisturizing. Made from purified New Zealand water, the spritzer refreshes and energizes your skin. Perfect for those early morning starts, this product awakens your skin, and leaves skin feeling dewy and fresh. I don’t usually like rose water in facial products as sometimes I find it to be a little overwhelming and strong, however, this spritzer literally smells like freshly picked roses. LOVE!


Jojoba Facial Polish:
This  product was another highlight for me. The Jojoba Facial Polish ticks all the boxes for me. After using it just once, my skin felt a lot softer and smoother. The exfoliant helped to remove blackheads and unblock pores, while still being gentle enough for those of you have sensitive/acne prone skin. This product is like an amped up version of the cleanser, perfect for those times when your skin needs deeper clean.


Camellia Anti-Oxidant Lotion:
This lotion is light, refreshing and delicately scented, designed to nourish the skin and protect it from free radical damage which can lead to premature ageing. The lotion hydrated my skin and left it feeling silky soft. I did find my skin looked quite shiny after using it, but aside from that, it did not make my skin breakout nor did it make it really greasy.

Rating:

I have really enjoyed trialing my new Tease Botanix skincare regime.  I wasn’t disappointed with any of these products, but my favourite was definitely the ‘Manuka Deep Cleanser’. I adored how these products were packaged when they first arrived on my door step (see photo below). All the products are packaged in little frosted glass bottles (let’s hear it for being environmentally-friendly!), with little labels. Cute and sophisticated. Price wise, these products are not so kind to your bank account. However, they will last you a long time as you only need to use a little. Tease Botanix is suitable for all skin types and all different ages. I have been lucky enough to be given a voucher for their signature facial too, which I am totally looking forward to! 8/10!
Tease Botanix is available for purchase from selected professional beauty therapy clinics and spas, or via their online web store here!

 













Contact Email: teena@teasebotanix.co.nz
Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant.
Please Note: This product was kindly given to me by Tease Botanix to review.  All opinions are my own. Photographs courtesy of Tease Botanix. Bare Beauty by Caitlin logo is copyright to Caitlin Harsant.



Monday, May 13, 2013

Living Nature Cosmetics: Morning Sun Lipstick

Hi everyone,

Wow, I can not believe how quickly the year is passing by! Many products have landed on my doorstep over the past few weeks, and I am so excited to share them with you.

I am going to let you in on a secret... I have found the perfect Autumn lipstick!

Who are they?
Living Nature is a New Zealand company, based in Kerikeri which is located in the Bay of Islands region in the North Island. They believe that when it comes to beauty, nature has the best answers. Living Nature prides itself on being 100% safe and natural. The company was first founded by Suzanne Hall. She was inspired by the powerful healing properties of New Zealand's native plants, which had been successful in helping her own skin conditions, so she decided to start her own company. Twenty four years on, and Living Nature is at its most successful, exporting to 14 countries and gaining recognition worldwide. The brand features skin, body and hair care products as well as a cosmetics and a range for men. Living Nature products do not contain any of the following:
  • Ethelhexyglycerin
  • Hydroxymethylglycinate
  • Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
  • Methylchloroisothiazolinone
  • Methylisothiazolinone
  • Unigerm
  • Suttocide
  • Neurotoxic preservatives like phenoxyethanol
  • Harsh surfactants like sodium, ammonium and lauryl/laureth sulphates
  • Petrochemicals, including PEGs, paraffin and other glycols
  • Silicones, Mineral oils, artificial fragrances, grain alcohols
  • Phthalates
  • Bisphenol-A (BPA)
  • Genetically modified or irradiated ingredients
  •  Parabens

  • The product:
    Velvety, creamy and highly pigmented, this lipstick in the shade 'Morning Sun' is a beautiful, crisp, warm lipstick colour, which will complete your Autumn make up look perfectly. I would describe the colour as a burnt orange, almost tomato red. When I first looked at the colour, I didn't think it would do any favors for my fair complexion, as I normally wear deep reds. However, the colour worked really well for me, and it also looked great on my friend who has a much more olive skin tone. The colour pay off is incredible not to mention long lasting. I do not wear a lip liner underneath the lipstick, yet it still stays put (even after my morning Starbucks fix!). I have tried other natural lipsticks and have been disappointed as I often find they have a grainy texture which can sometimes build up on the lips. However, Living Nature has really perfected their lipstick formula. It glides effortlessly onto your lips and is incredibly smooth to apply.

    Like all the other Living Nature products, this lipstick has a pleasant scent, and is packaged in a simple, yet chic, little black box. Price wise, this lipstick is a little more expensive than what you would pay for any other mainstream make up brand coming in at $40 NZD. Considering it is 100% natural, and you do not have to constantly re-apply it, I think it is definitely worth the price tag, and it is no more than what you would pay for other make up brands such as MAC.

    Rating:
    I am in love with this lipstick! It looks amazing when used in conjunction with Living Nature's 'Soft Lights Illuminating Tint' and a bronze eye shadow palette. The product's staying power is great, and I think this particular shade will compliment a wide range of skin tones. I really have no complaints about this product. 10/10!

    Where Can I find it?
    Living Nature has stockist's nationwide. Click here to find one close to you!
    All products are also available for purchase online. Check out their website for more info here!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingnature
    Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/livingnature

    
     
    Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the review.
    Join the Bare Beauty by Caitlin community on Facebook for updates, competitions, giveaways and more!
     
     
     
     
     
     Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant.
    Please Note: This product was purchased with my own money. I am not affiliated with the brands mentioned in any way. All opinions and images used are my own. Bare Beauty by Caitlin logo is copyright to Caitlin Harsant.

    Sunday, April 14, 2013

    Be Beauty Smart: SAFE Shopper!

    Hi everyone,

    Recently, I have been brainstorming ideas for new segments of my blog. Though reviewing products is my main passion and focus, I would also like to create some new segments of my blog such as beauty/make up tutorials, information about newly released products, interactive forums and other more exciting opportunities to interact with readers. I was recently contacted by New Zealand charitable organization SAFE which is an organization which fights for animal welfare, to ask if I would like to chat with you guys about their new Safe Shopper initiative. This gave me the idea to launch a new segment of my blog called 'Be Beauty Smart'. These blog posts will be aimed at informing and educating my readers about issues such as animal testing etc. I am completely against animal testing, and believe this is an issue which needs to be recognized, especially by the beauty and cosmetics community. If you would like to learn more about the work SAFE does, and it's Safe Shopper resource, please visit http://www.safeshopper.org.nz/. You can also head over to their Facebook page here.

    New Zealand charitable organization 'SAFE- the voice for animals' have created a really fantastic resource for consumers to use when they are out and about shopping at the supermarket, pharmacy, or online shopping. The downloadable resource fits perfectly in your handbag and wallet, and provides a list of companies which do not conduct or commission animal testing of any cosmetic or household products or ingredients. Ultimately, the guide will help you become a much more caring consumer, and will also help you identify which products do not test on animals if you are unsure.

    Every day, thousands of animals are subjected to cruel, painful experiments to test out new beauty and household products,despite the fact that as many as 8,000 ingredients have already passed safety standards before being tested on animals!  On average, around 300,000 animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, dear, fish and many more are experimented on each year in New Zealand. As consumers, we need to stand up for animal rights and be conscious and aware of the products we are purchasing. If we all take a stand and buy animal-cruelty and animal-testing free products, we are helping support animals worldwide! SAFE is working alongside the Humane Society International and Lush Cosmetics, to launch New Zealand's largest global campaign against animal testing. Show your support and sign the petition HERE! Share with your friends and family through email and social media. Together, we can make a difference!

    - Caitlin @ Bare Beauty
    <3 <3 <3

    Please note: All products reviewed on this website are animal-testing and animal-cruelty free!





    Wednesday, April 10, 2013

    Updates! + Oxygen Skincare Vitalising Moisturiser Review!


    Hi everyone!

    Autumn is well and truly upon us here in New Zealand! I have to admit, I really love this time of year, with the crisp mornings and bright, clear and sunny days. It's the perfect season for going for walks in local parks, and just generally spending time outdoors. Those of you who have or are studying full-time, know just how easy it is to spend the day staring at our laptop screens and lecture notes, and before you know it, you realize you haven't gone outside all day! So, my goal is to spend as much time outdoors as I can, because before we know it, winter will be here. Do you have any goals this autumn?

    Last month was a very exciting time for Bare Beauty! As many of you know, there was an international giveaway competition happening on my blog, where the lucky winner would receive over $420 worth of natural beauty and skincare products! I was really impressed with the quality of all the entries, and it was really cool to see which brands you guys love! Suzy was the lucky winner of the giveaway, and was thrilled with all the things she won, in particular the Dr. Hauschka products (which were generously donated to giveaway by the way!). I had such a great time running the competition, and am already in the process of planning the next one. I would love to hear your feedback as to what ideas you have for entering, and of course which products and brands you would be keen to try out! Check out the photo of Suzy with her prize pack HERE! on our Facebook page.

    Today I will be reviewing an awesome product I have been trialing over the last month or so. Oxygen Skincare New Zealand was kind enough to not only give me a product for the recent giveaway, but I also got to pick a product out for myself that I would love to try! Here are my thoughts!

    Oxygen Skincare is a New Zealand owned and operated natural skincare company. Together, Alana Riley and her husband Colin Oldham created Oxygen Skincare. They both have extensive knowledge of the organics industry with over 20 years experience in the field. Alana has a passion for advocating natural skincare, and also enjoys working with teenagers which inspired her to create a teen skincare range alongside the women's, enhanced care and lip balm ranges. I chose one of the products from the teen skincare range called 'Vitalising Moisturiser.

    As soon as I smelt this product, I knew I would love it. The ingredients which include aloe, marshmallow extract, apricot kernel oil and pina colada fragrance make this product one of the freshest, fun, unique and most delicious smelling products I have ever used! The blend of ingredients really suited my skin, and left my skin hydrated, soft, smooth and silky. I found this product worked particularly well in the mornings before applying makeup, because it provided a really nice base, and ensured my skin was hydrated enough, so that my foundation didn't stick to any dry areas on my face. 

    Appearance wise, I really liked the fact this product was packaged in glass as opposed to plastic. Firstly, I think it looks a lot nicer on your dressing table, and secondly, the product is not exposed to as many chemicals that are hidden in plastics. Glass is also a much more eco-friendly option.

    Rating: I have really enjoyed trying out this moisturiser, as I think my skin was ready for a change. I feel that this product would work particularly well for those with dry/combination skin types as I found the formula to be slightly richer than some other teen moisturiser's I have used. In saying that, the product did help clear up any blemishes I had, and I think my skin had more of a glow in the morning's after applying the product in the evening. The unique blend of ingredients including evening primrose oil, organic marshmallow extract and the pina colada fragrance made this a stand-out for me. 9/10!

    Where can I find it?
    Oxygen Skincare is available for purchase both online and in store. To find your nearest stockist in New Zealand, click HERE!

    Hope you enjoyed the review!
    - Caitlin

    Website: http://www.oxygenskincare.co.nz/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OxygenSkincare
    Contact Email: info@oxygenskincare.co.nz









    Review Copyright to the Publisher Caitlin Harsant
    Please Note: I was kindly given this product to review by Oxygen Skincare. All opinions are my own.
    I do own the image used.


    Sunday, March 10, 2013

    '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!