Wednesday, January 30, 2013

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


Monday, January 28, 2013

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.


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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.


 

Monday, January 7, 2013

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