Basic hair care

Hey everyone,

This post is on haircare, which to be honest is not something I am particularly well-informed in.  Not going to lie, I have very low maintenance aka boring hair. Its long, wavy, layered and naturally black. I don't colour or perm it. I don't even have bangs. So take this into consideration as you read on.

My basic routine is shampoo and condition (usually some inexpensive supermarket brand, no favourites), apply a heat protectant/conditioner, let air dry or blow dry if i feel like it, tie in pony tail next morning for work. I will straighten or curl it on occasion.

What I can be sure of is that the texture and ends of my hair appear to have improved with the use of these two products (not necessarily in conjunction with one another):

1. Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique:
This is essentially a leave in conditioner and heat protectant in one. It says that it is for "dry to very dry hair" which, although my hair is not, it still works. My hairstylist recommended me this product about 3 months ago when i went for my usual trim and she was right, it is impressive. I use this after every wash of my hair prior to blow drying (and if I know I will be curling or straightening my hair).  Before using it you need to ensure you shake it up well because it has a mixture of a cream and serum inside it that need to be mixed for the best efficacy. It doesn't have an overpowering smell at all, just smells...clean.  Overall it has definitely reduced the number of split ends hiding in my hair and I notice when I do heat-style after using it, my hair is much softer and silkier than if I didn't use it.

2. Moroccan Oil:
This is one super over-hyped product. I'm not saying it doesn't work, but for what it is and does, I'm sure, there are a number of less expensive alternatives. It states it provides "instant shine and long term conditioning without leaving residue." It certainly provides shine (and like any oil you only need to use a tiny amount). But I'm not so sure about the long term conditioning claim. This is my second bottle of Moroccan oil (I'm clearly a sucker) and I cant say my hair is any healthier or stronger because of it. I guess the reason I keep using it is as a product to disguise to split ends. Moroccan Argan oil (the legit substance) has been used for years by women in the Middle East/Asia as a conditioner however this product contains a larger proportion of synthetic ingredients (dimethicone, cyclomethicone etc). So its "conditioning" potential is probably better described as "glossing" potential. In its defence, despite being an oil it does absorb very quickly into the ends of hair.

The above picture is my hair about 3-4 months after my last trim, no split ends!! PS: how cute is the rabbit necklace by Karen Walker (reminds me of my late pet bunny, RIP Shadow)

Other tips for healthy hair include the common-sense-wisdom i.e. what your mother always told you:
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat a balanced diet that includes healthy fats
- Regular trims keep split ends away (even when trying to grow out hair)
- Try not to wash your hair everyday as it can dry it out
- Keep colouring/perming to a minimum
- Use a heat protectant when styling

Leave me any suggestions you have for hair products that have worked out for you, I'm looking forward to trying out new things! Also on that note I'm considering balayage highlights in the near future. Anyone had any experience with this on dark hair?

xo
Beauty Doc

Quest for the perfect eye cream

Hey Everyone,

For the longest time I have had a tumultuous relationship with eye-creams. I thought I'd share my experience with these products and let you know the ones that have worked out the best for me.

L-->R Nivea Aqua Sensation Anti-Shadow Eye Cream, Tebe Gentle Eye Cream, Origins Eye Doctor, Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Concentrate, Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado.

My first ever eye cream at age 16 was the the Nivea Aqua Sensation Anti-Shadow. It was perfect for my main concern at the time which was dark shadow's under my eyes. It worked well to improve these and I continued to use it until my university years when I found it was discontinued in NZ. I was devastated (maybe an exaggeration) but this meant I had to find an alternative. I tried the Clinique All About Eyes which worked okay for a month until I began to get severe eye lid eczema and this seemed to only worsen it (so much for an "allergy tested" brand). After that I used the very gentle Tebe Eye Cream which didn't do much more than provide my under eye area with some moisture. After that it was the Origins Eye Doctor. This like the Clinique worked okay until once again i developed under eye eczema. This finally led me to my two favourite eye creams to date, both by Kiehl's

Here's what I think of the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (CETWA):

This is a superb moisturising eye cream. It comes out of the tub like any other cream (except it's avocado green);  it then emulsifies into a silky gel that in combination with warmth from the skin glides on incredibly smooth. It keeps my under eye's moisturised well overnight and throughout the day. It can be greasy if you over-apply and you only need a tiny amount. It does prevent dark circles and puffiness but it will not get rid of them. The best part about this eye cream is it wont migrate into your eye and cause irritation.



 Here's what I think of the Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye Concentrate (MREC):

After using the Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado I was well impressed. About 4 months ago I started doing a Surgical Rotation which meant I was constantly sleep deprived and as a result had horrendous puffiness and dark circles under my eyes. So in my hunt for a de-puffing and anti-circle eye cream I came across reviews for the Midnight Recovery Eye. Having used the serum in this brand, (see this post: beautydoctor25.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/kiehls-midnight-recovery-concentrate.html) I had high expectations. They were all met. This is a very smooth soft cream that somehow manages to reduce puffiness and dark circles almost overnight. Like the serum, you wake up looking like you've had a restful sleep, even if you haven't! It does have a slight scent of lavender but hardly noticed once its blended into the skin.
On a side note I was reading Cosmopolitan Magazine the other day and found that this concentrate won the 2012 Cosmopolitan Beauty Award for Best Eye Cream. So clearly I'm not the only one in love.

I alternate use of the two Kiehl's eye cream at the moment. If I know I wont be getting a decent sleep, MREC comes in handy. If I'm having a sleep-in the next morning I got with the CETWA. I cant recommend Kiehl's products enough (and I promise I'm not paid to say this either)!

Fine lines are not yet a concern for me so I cannot comment on these cream's as anti-wrinkle agents; but I do think that starting use of an Eye Cream at a young age works in preventing wrinkles years later. As we know prevention is far better than cure.

Let me know what your favourite eye creams are!

xo
Beauty Doc

The Cinnamon Room in Parnell

Hey Everyone,

This is entirely a non-beauty related post. I just had to address the fact that I have found the most amazing Indian Cuisine in all of New Zealand. The Cinnamon Room only recently opened but I already anticipate the hype that there will be for this place.

Stand out dish was the entree the "Bullets" as pictured below. They are a unique and delicious deep fried vegetable finger food served with a spicy vinaigrette that I have never seen at any other Indian restaurant. What I love is the authenticity this place has, having eaten Indian food in India, I can safely say this food is LEGIT!

The location, service, presentation and quality of food is, in my view unsurpassed by any other Indian food restaurant in Auckland. Highly recommended. 

Check it out at www.thecinnamonroom.co.nz

xo

Beauty Doc

Barbie nails - OPI Shorts Story

Hey everyone,

I am not going to lie, I was a barbie fan as a little girl and so clearly barbie-pink was my favourite colour during these years.

OPI's Shorts Story is essentially the barbie-pink that i adore. Its not warm or cold, its a "neutral" pink, if that makes any sense. One coat is more than opaque and as OPI nail-polishes usually do, it lasts a number of days with no chipping.

As you can see it also matches my phone case which is no coincidence!

Will be posting about eye-creams very soon, stay tuned!

xo

Beauty Doc

Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer Review

Hi Everyone,

I know I haven't been posting very regularly lately but consider the next few posts an apology.
This review is on a product that I have been using for the last 6 months and that I hope to be using for the next 10 years.  It is the Origins A Perfect World Antioxidant Moisturizer with White Tea.

New pot on the left, used pot on the right!

So a little background on my skin type and previous experience with moisturisers first. For about 10 years I used one moisturiser only, that was the Nivea Face Hand and Body Creme. Occasionally I would change things up and try other drug store brands but I would always return to Nivea. The Nivea creme had served me well through high school and university keeping my skin well hydrated and plump.

However about 6 months ago I was having a particularly bad time with dry patches of skin on my cheeks as it was starting to transition into winter, so I did a little bit of research online. I found a number of positive reviews on the Perfect World White Tea Moisturizer for people with dry to combination skin. As I had previously tried an Origins eye cream I knew they were a trusted and (mostly) natural brand. So I popped into Mecca Cosmetica in New Market and bought the cream.

When I initially saw the product I thought it was odd that it wasn't white like all the other moisturisers I had used before. But I disregarded this quickly and applied it. It went on smoothly and while initially leaving a dewey tinge to the skin, within a few minutes had completely sunk into my skin. It smelt amazing on application, but not so strong that the scent lingered.

Here's how I rate it:

• Packaging - It comes in a light green glass pot with a plastic screw on lid. Its basic and I really do  like this. I guess the only negative some people might have to say is that since its not in a squeezy tube, its not the most hygienic way of dispensing a moisturiser. I counter this by only ever using it with cleanly washed hands. Also department stores do carry small disposable plastic spatula's (very La Mer esque) that you can use if desired.
• Smell and consistency - To me this moisturiser has a very distinct citrusy smell to it; I am told that its the white tea. Either way I like it. Its a fairly thick light peach (not white) cream that sinks into skin easily.
• Performance - I cannot say enough good things about this moisturiser. After using it for about 2 weeks I noticed a definite improvement in the tone and texture of my skin. The dry patches are no longer a problem, the redness around my cheeks has improved and the most amazing thing about this moisturiser is that in 6 months, I have not had a single significant zit or breakout. The years that I had been using my Nivea creme I could almost guarantee a zit every month (around that time) but since using this cream, I haven't had any such thing. It may be that my hormones have sorted them selves out coincidentally at the same time I start using the new moisturiser, but regardless, I'm sold on this creams efficacy. Its selling point is as an antioxidant (which in the cosmetic industry, is synonymous with anti-ageing properties). I obviously can't comment on this as have only used it for 6 months, but I know that my skin has never looked younger than it does these days. I did notice while I was in Thailand and using a different moisturiser (the Vitamin E Moisturiser by The Body Shop) my skin was definitely not looking or feeling the best it could have. On return home I switched back to the Perfect World Moisturizer and there was a silent sigh of relief from my skin.
• Price - I bought mine from Mecca Cosmetica (New Market) however I believe you can order it online at www.meccacosmetica.co.nz or even nz.strawberrynet.com (when they have it in stock). It cost $NZD 77 which I think for a face cream, that does so much, is a bargain. I like to think of my skin care products as an investment towards my future skin (which is the largest organ in the body). 

Overall I rate this moisturiser a 9/10

I have always been hesitant to try new skin care products on my face due to how sensitive my skin can be (particularly with fragranced products). However this moisturiser has become my holy grail. If I were on a deserted Island and told i could only bring one product, this would be it. 

Hope this gave you some info on, in my opinion, a relatively under hyped product. let me know if you have any questions that I may not have answered. 

xo

Beauty Doc

Duty Free: YSL, MAC, Gucci

Hey everyone,

So as you know I went overseas recently. One of my favourite parts about travelling is the duty free shopping in international airports. Its amazing how much you save buying products without tax!

This time I was able to demonstrate partial self-restraint as I only had one unplanned purchase. Here's what I got:

1. Perfume: Flora by Gucci in Gorgeous Gardenia

Since my Eli Saab perfume recently finished, I was on the hunt for a new scent (although I love the Eli Saab so much that I will probably re-purchase that one too). This Gucci perfume is a heavily floral scent with top notes of red berries and pear. It is extremely feminine and so if your someone that prefers tougher muskier scents, this is not for you. Cant deny I'm looking forward to using this in the upcoming Spring months. I have been using it for a few weeks now and have to say it is severely addictive. I spray it on in the morning before work and by the time I'm home there is still a faint scent left on my scarves/coats etc which I love.

I had been tossing up between this and the new Marc Jacobs Dot Perfume. The reason this won out was because it felt a lot more sophisticated than Dot (which in all honesty reminded me of a less intense Britney Spears Fantasy). The only down side to this perfume is the packaging which is kind of boring (but practical).

Price: Duty free this was about $110 for 50mls

2. YSL Vernis a Levres (Glossy stain) in colour Rouge Gouache

This is marketed as a lip gloss that stains. It is a phenomenal colour, texture, product. I appreciate when products can multi-task. The colour if applied with 2 coats is a bright berry red-magenta however if very lightly applied and blended in well (as in the picture below) becomes an incredible rosey colour. It truly is a stain because after applying this in the morning and then going about my usual day with eating, drinking, talking etc the colour was still visible. The glossiness does wear off after a few hours but the stain that remains is preferentially more natural. I cant recommend this enough and I'm looking forward to getting the coral-orange version of this stain in the future. 

Price: Duty free was about $45

YSL Vernis a Levres in Rouge Gouache

3. YSL Faux Cils Volume Shocking

This was my impulse-buy. I saw it next to the touche-eclat I was contemplating getting and realised that I needed a new mascara more. I'm not sure what to make of this mascara and don't think I have used it enough to make a fair judgement call. It has a proper "brushy" brush (as opposed to the new plastic type brushes) which I have not yet decided if I like or not. It does do wonders for my lashes in terms of volume and delivers some length. My main issue is the heavy scent of roses it has, I can smell it on each application and I'm not going to lie, it annoys me. I haven't tried the original YSL Faux Cils so cant really compare, but from what I have heard, most people prefer the original. I'll keep you all posted on what I think of it after further use. I have to admit if I apply any more than one coat it turns into a clumpy mess!

Price: About $45 duty free

YSL Faux Cils Shocking Mascara - one coat

4. Mac Paintpot in Rubenesque

This is what Mac say is basically a cream shadow that can be used on its own or under eye-shadows to prevent creasing and intensify shadow colour. I have not yet used it under eye-shadow but have used it on its own on my eyelids. It is a gorgeous peachy gold shimmery creamy eye cream that looks great with brown (and I can imagine with blue) eyes. Its not the most opaque on its own so if your looking for intense colour I'd suggest using an eye-shadow on top. One swipe on my wrist (as in the picture below) is a good representation of the colour payoff. Again I'll let you know how it goes after further and more frequent use.

Price: Cant exactly remember but approximately $35 duty free

Rubenesque Paint Pot 

Thanks for reading everyone, I hope you enjoyed. Let me know if you would like more in-depth reviews on any of these products.

xoxo
Beauty Doc

Vacation in Phuket

I'm back everyone!

I had an incredible time in Phuket, Thailand and would definitely recommend it as a great holiday destination. Here are a few pics which don't even come close to describing the beauty in Thailand.

Specific things I recommend include:

1. Staying at Merlin Beach Resort -

The staff were super friendly and so accommodating, the facilities are equivalent to a 5 star resort and the room-maids place your towels in the shape of animals! It doesn't get any better than that!

I'd definitely recommend their spa in which I got a a full body polish + massage and manicure. My skin and muscles came out feeling amazing! And for such a reasonable price too!

The pool-bar is a definite must while visiting, its always playing great music and the staff are so fun!
http://www.merlinphuket.com/merlinbeach/index.html

2. Going on an Elephant Trekking tour -
This was probably the biggest highlight of my trip. It was a half day tour in the rain forest where you experienced Thai culture first hand AND got to ride elephants! The website for the tour is www.siamsafari.com and I highly recommend tour guide "Joy" who was an absolute pleasure to have leading us through the forest. If I ever return to Phuket I'm going on the trek again.

3. Get on a Phang Nga speedboat tour -
This was a serendipitous find. Our initial tour was cancelled due to high-tide/weather conditions and so we were on the hunt for another tour to James Bond Island. We found this tour on the Internet which turned out to be surprisingly brilliant. The weather was perfect and because we visited bay's with rock surrounding, the boats were somewhat protected from the weather anyway. They took us to secluded beaches and small lagoonas where we were able to get onto canoes to get closer looks. It was beautiful.
www.andamanspeedboat.com

4. Shop at Patong Beach/town markets -
This was certainly an experience. There were hundreds of small stalls selling (mostly) knock off designer bags, watches, sunglasses, clothes, shoes and much more. At times this was slightly overwhelming but was also very fun. The key here is to keep bartering friendly and always with a smile on your face. Don't expect exceptional quality as you do get what you pay for. The experience is worth more than any material purchase!

5. Get a Fish Spa -
Supposedly these little fish eat the dead skin and debris off your feet to leave them feeling smooth. I can't say I experienced these benefits fully because I didn't last the whole 15 minutes. To say I was grossed out would probably be an understatement. It felt like hundreds of nano sized suction pieces attaching to your feet. But if you're going to Thailand, its a definite once in a life time experience.

I cannot say enough good things about Thailand and its people. I felt so welcomed and looked after on holiday that I cannot wait to visit again. Unfortunately it's back to work and reality for now.

Stay tuned for a Duty Free shopping post with reviews on new beauty products!

xoxo
Beauty Doc

Sweetest Present

Hey Everyone,

So this isn't really beauty related but, I just had to show you all what my little brother got me for my birthday this year. Its such a thoughtful, innovative present and I absolutely love it! It was handcrafted and ordered from www.1minime.com

Last post before vacation! Bring on the beach!

xo
Beauty Doc

Travel Series: Whats in my makeup travel bag

Hey Everyone,

Here is my final post in the Travel Series; contents of my makeup bag! I am someone that doesn't wear makeup everyday, however since I will be on vacation, which means lots of fine dining (lol), partying and excessive picture taking; I will certainly be wearing make up more frequently. The products I will be taking with me are my truly tried and tested items. They are no-fuss and more importantly no-mess products.

Lets get straight to it.

1. Random sample sized body moisturiser  (Nivea) - This isn't really a makeup item, but its something I'll carry with me on outdoor excursions to keep my skin hydrated (along with sunscreen).

2. Elf bronzer compact - In medicine the word for when you use something (usually a drug) for something other than what it was originally intended for is "Off-label". Well I will be using the elf bronzer "Off-Label." I don't particularly like the actual powdery/chalky bronzer powder but I love the large compact mirror it has in it. This will be used for doing makeup on-the-go.

3. Perfume - I'm taking my Dior travel sized Le Parfums. These are nice to travel with because they don't take up a lot of space and if you lose/break one of them, its not a huge loss.

4. Utensils - eyelash curler and tweezers.

5. Moroccan Oil - this is more hair product than make-up but hey, it fits in my bag. It makes my hair super soft and smell nice. But I have a feeling with the level of humidity in our destination, no amount of oil will be able to tame the crazy hair-mess that will appear.

5. Mac eyeshadows: "Woodwinked" and "Bronze" are favourites in my collection because they're neutral, metallic and very complimentary to tanned skin.

6. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup - I will probably not be using this very much because of how hot it will be and the potential to look like a melting plastic doll in that instance. But its there for reassurance. In case you're wondering I wear the colour 40 Beige.

7. Concealer - Mac Select Moisture cover is my main under-eye concealer I will be taking; but once again, I don't know how much I will be using this because its consistency is not great for sweaty skin, but its pretty good on the eye lids as an eye shadow primer instead. The YSL Touche Eclat will definitely be my "concealer" of choice instead. I say "concealer" because its actually a high-lighter and doesn't cover up a whole lot (e.g. Blemishes). But boy when you put this on under your eyes, it looks like you came out of an 8 hour luxury spa.

8. Lipsticks: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Ravissante is my favourite reddish-orange matte lipstick and goes with me everywhere. I am taking the Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Coral Crush as a bright alternative.

9. Blushes: Mac Peaches is my powder blush of choice. Mac Something Special and Bobbi Brown Cabo Coral are the Creme blushes that I prefer. I presume I will be reaching for powder rather than cream blushes because of the humidity.

10. Mascara and Eyeliner - My trusty Black Track Fluidline Gel Eyeliner by mac will be coming with, along with Mac Smolder Eye Kohl for when I want a smokey look. Covergirl Lashblast Mascara delivers volume to my sparse lashes and Loreal Telescopic delivers the length. To be honest I probably wont even wear mascara based on all the water activities we will be doing. Maybe its time to invest in a waterproof version?

11. Makeup brushes - eyeliner, eyeshadow and blush brush. I apply my foundation with my hands so wont need a foundation brush.

12. Other random stuff that fits in my bag: Spray tan (because you don't want to be pasty on day 1 of the vacation hehe) and Lucas Paw Paw ointment for pretty much ANYTHING (chapped lips, dry patches of skin, sunburn, glossy eyelids etc).

Somehow all of that fits into this one zip up bag, the design of which I love:

One last thing. Since this is my final in the Travel Series posts I thought I would add in a extra. This is my "Important stuff travel wallet" which I highly recommend using. Its a wallet that has separate compartments for cash, passport, travel documents, cheques etc. Its convenient and very cute! Thank you to one of my girlfriends from whom this was a birthday gift, perfect timing!







I hope you all enjoyed this Travel Series and I managed to give you all some idea's for your own travels. I will be returning to the world of blogging after my vacation!

Let me know if there is anything you have seen in these posts that you would like a more in-depth review on or if you have any questions.

Bon Voyage

xoxo
Beauty Doc

Travel Series: Whats in my medical travel kit

Hey Everyone,

As a follow on to the previous post I thought I would show you whats in my medical travel kit.

1. Insect repellent (body and environment): This is a must if your travelling to tropical or warm climates. Staying away from the outdoors during sunset (when mosquito's are most active) is almost impossible while on holiday so having a quality insect repellent for your skin is handy.

2. Sunscreen: I have used Neutrogena SPF 85+ for the last 5 years with no complaints. Although sunscreens may say they are waterproof its important to apply after being in water anyway.

3. Hand-sanitiser - cant have enough of this stuff

4. Electral powder sachets - this is a powder that is full of electrolytes and all you need to do is mix one sachet with about 200mls of water. This is useful if you end up with diarrhoea or vomiting and need to replenish your electrolytes.

5. Soov Gel - this is a moisturising, partial local anaesthetic and partial soothing gel that you can use if you do end up with insect bites. It prevents you from scratching the shizz out of your skin and then ending up with infections/scars.

6. First aid kit - you can buy or make your own. Mine just has essentials including sterile gloves, bandages, cleansing wipes and scissors.

7. Imodium - this is Loperamide which is a medication that you can use to reduce diarrhoea. Be careful though because sometimes letting the diarrhoea flow is whats best for your bowels in the long run. This medication can cause you to turn the other way and become constipated so its important to read the instructions carefully when using.

8. Gauze and chlorhexidine wash - this is if you end up with cuts/scrapes you have an antiseptic to wash with. Detoll does the trick too.

9. Eurax cream for itch - this is another cream like Soov that is useful if you end up with lots of insect bites. As you can tell, like everything in my life, I like to have options.

10. Pupil torch - this is not because I'm anticipating the worst and thinking I will need to assess my friends pupils because they end up unconscious. This is just a torch I keep with me at all times in case we ever need some light.

11. More Kleenex and Time Of Month essentials.

Other items to consider:

• Vaccinations - I think these are important to have up to date. If your a youngin (born in the late 80's) in NZ, you're likely to have had most of the essentials. Note though that certain vaccines require boosters every  5-20 years. It's worth talking to your doctor before you head off to make sure you are covered.
• Antibiotics - I  always feel safer having a stash of these on me just in case I get a cold, wound infection, sinusitis, infected eczema etc. But then again, if your unwell enough to potentially require antibiotics you should be seeking medical advice in the country you are in so they can provide you a script for the appropriate antibiotics. 
•  Inhalers - if your an asthmatic I cant stress enough how important inhalers are. You never know how your lungs will react to a new climate and so its important to have some on you even if just for prophylaxis.
•  Antihistamines- again if you have hay-fever its worth taking some Loratadine or equivalent because your immune system may go bonkers in a foreign climate. 

So there you have my medical kit. It may seem over-kill for some and that's probably due to a mixture of my profession and my paranoia. I like to think its better to be prepared than be sorry, but each to their own. If I don't end up using a lot of this stuff I may even discard some of it on the way back because of weight limitations.

Hope you found this post a little bit useful. Let me know if there's anything I should be adding to the kit.

xo

Beauty Doc

Disclaimer: These are just ideas and items I chose to carry with me, obviously this is not my medical opinion. If you are planning to travel and need medical advice regarding medications/vaccinations please see your family doctor.

Travel Series: Whats in my on-flight cosmetic bag

Hi Everyone,

I'm heading off overseas to a lovely warm tropical location in about a weeks time. Cant wait to leave this dreadful winter!

I thought I would show you what skincare and hygiene products I will be travelling with, to give you all ideas for your own travels.

The title of the post is somewhat deceiving because for one thing I don't actually carry a cosmetic bag. It is a clear pouch. This is important because it saves you having to open up everything in your bag at security checks. If its not already in a clear pouch, they will give you one anyway. Secondly, I don't actually carry cosmetics onto the flight (except for stuff I have bought duty free - stay tuned for that exciting post). I tend to only carry a few skin care items. Wearing makeup on flight is not only unnecessary but can be damaging to your skin, causing breakouts and dryness due to the environmental temperature and humidity changes.

So onto my pouch:

1. Hand Sanitiser: this is a necessity no matter where you are going. Airports, aeroplanes and public bathrooms are great breeding grounds for bacteria. Its inconvenient and sometimes impossible to go to the lavatory every time you want to wash your hands before touching your face/eating/applying creams. So carrying a sanitiser is highly recommended.

2. Kleenex tissues: You never know when you might need some Kleenex for sinuses, allergies or that tear-jerker-rom-com you watch on-flight.

3. Time of Month Essentials - enough said.

4. Moisturiser: The one I am choosing to fly with me is the Vitamin E Moisture Cream by The Body Shop. I have not had a chance to use it very much yet. But I have heard great things about it. Qualities that an in flight-moisturiser needs are: hydrating, less than 100mls container, can use for face and hands and non-offensive smelling to other passengers. I think the Vitamin E Cream has all of these properties. I will keep you posted on what I think of it.

Note: I may purchase the Origins Drink up 10 minute mask at the airport in which case I will be using this instead of a moisturiser.

5. Eye cream: My under-eyes have a tendency to become very dry in air conditioned environments, particularly flights. So a basic eye cream that is moisturising is key. The one I am taking is the Rebe eye cream with olive leaf extract. Its nothing fancy, just does the job and is one of my many products I need to use up.

6. Lip Balm: Like my under-eyes, my lips are just as likely to flake out. Nivea is my tried and tested balm of choice. I have used it for the last 10 years and like a great pair of jeans, nothing compares.

7. White Glo Flossing sticks: I had some of these lying around my drawers so I thought I would take them with. I will be relying on the airline to provide a toothbrush, otherwise plan B includes a lot of gum.

8. Hair ties and bobby pins: self explanatory.

Other tips

•  If you have samples or testers, on-flight is a great time to test them out as they will be tidy to travel with. Be careful though, because if you have sensitive skin, on flight may not be the best time to test out a skin care product for the first time in case you end up with severe allergies or breakouts.
• A face mask is a great idea, particularly for night time and long haul flights. Only thing is to ensure they are moisturising masks rather than "deep cleaning" or "mattifying" masks. The air on a plane, due to pressure and air-conditioning is hugely drying, so keeping skin as hydrated as possible is key.
• If you cant bare to go out in public without a bit of eye makeup, keeping baby wipes or makeup wipes in your hand bag is useful.
• If you have an expensive moisturiser or face serum that is in a bottle >100mls and you want to use it on-flight, decanting it into a small sample container or travel container (that you can pick up from any department store) is always an option. 

Let me know if there is anything else that you would recommend I carry that I may have forgotten!

Stay tuned for further travel series posts, including my medical kit and makeup bag contents.

xo

Beauty Doc

Diminishing Cellulite? Plus Mini Forme Spa Review

Hi everyone,

I have personally had cellulite since I was 13.  in that time it has increased and decreased in appearance depending on my weight, fitness level and diet. While I have not yet seen a *cure* for cellulite (although technically it is not a disease, and 90% of post-pubertal women have it); from what I have read and personal experience, it can be diminished

Cellulite is due to factors including:
1. Genetics - probably the largest contributor
2. Distribution and size of fat cells
3. Age
4. Hormones

Now of the above 4 factors, we can only change one of them and that is the size of fat cells. Basically in order to diminish the appearance of cellulite you need to:
1. Reduce fat intake in diet
2. Exercise to promote blood circulation
3. Massage cellulitic areas to improve lymphatic circulation

I went to a spa about 2 weeks ago with some girlfriends for a "body polish" which in layman terminology is a full body exfoliation. Let me tell you...It was HEAVEN. I came out of it feeling so refreshed and my skin was amazingly smooth. My girlfriends felt much the same. They used some sort of cocunutty-lime-yummy-smelling granular scrub and exfoliated my arms, legs, back and decolletage then rubbed in some even better smelling moisturising cream.

The lady who did my body polish was very helpful and advised me that doing a dry body brush every day before showering can leave your skin looking smooth consistently AND it can even help with cellulite.

So, almost religiously I have been doing the dry body brushing daily. It has certainly improved my skin texture on my upper and lower limbs and acts as an exfoliant. I don't know if its just this (or the fact that I have attempted to improve my diet and started Pilate's again) but I feel my cellulite appearance has decreased on my buttocks/back thighs. Can you say PLACEBO! I know, but still I will continue to use this brush because *I think* it works.

FYI - I went to www.formespa.co.nz. Their staff were so very friendly and knowledgeable. The whole experience has made me look forward to future visits to them.

If all else fails, you can always learn to live with your cellulite. Or try liposuction.

xo
Beauty Doc

PS: This is not my medical opinion, this is just my own personal experience. I have never researched or studied Cellulite.  See your family doctor for legit medical advice.

PPS: If you would like further information on cellulite, one of my favourite websites for dermatological conditions is www.dermnetnz.org Its always fun looking up random conditions and seeing gross pictures. *Maybe thats just me?*

Marc Jacobs Too Hot To Handle Hobo Review

Hi everyone,

So I recently received my package from www.shopbop.com and boy was I excited! I had ordered the Marc Jacobs Too Hot To Handle Hobo Bag and since its has come, I have not stopped using it/loving it/admiring it. I have used it everyday whether its for work or play and can safely say it will be a staple in my wardrobe for a very long time.

Functionality:
I love versatility in a bag and that's exactly what the Too Hot To Handle delivers. You can wear it up to 4 different ways
- As a Cross-body bag with the long strap
- On one shoulder with the long strap
- On the elbow with the small strap
- On the shoulder with the small strap

Size wise, this bag is perfect. Its large enough to hold EVERYTHING including, wallet, phone, keys, toiletries pouch, stethoscope, pager, file/folder, scarf, drink bottle etc etc. But at the same time its not so large that it looks like you've packed your entire life up and are travelling to the other side of the world. It also doesn't strain your shoulder/arm, even when full.

Aesthetics: 
This bag is beautiful, it works with pretty much any outfit due to its versatility and neutralness (I made that word up). Its got gold hardware which suits my skin tone and most of my clothing/jewelry. However I think on the Marc Jacobs website it comes in Electric blue and black with silver detailing and Green with gold detailing as well.

Quality: 
It's made from "genuine Italian calf leather", not the most animal friendly but certainly great quality.

Price:
It cost on shopbop.com USD$438; which on the website automatically converts to your local currency. Do note that the website says it delivers with "free shipping" however be careful because you still have to pay customs depending on your country's international importing policy. This "Import customs tax" is added to your total when you go to check out. It arrived within 7 days of purchase.

I highly recommend both the bag and the website. Leave me any questions if theres something I haven't answered.

PS: I have a feeling this blog is going to branch out from beauty related posts to randomness as this post clearly demonstrates! Stay tuned for more.

xx
Beauty Doc

Essie Cute as a Button

This is just a quick post to pay homage to one of my all time favourite nail polish colours --> Essie Cute as a Button.

Its a gorgeous milky pinky-coral that can pretty much brighten up and suit any skin tone. Its particularly nice on tanned fingers/hands. I think the best thing about it is its versatility, you can wear it as a casual summer-time day colour or you can wear it with corporate-work attire as a pop of colour (obviously this depends on where you work).

Essie in itself is an excellent polish brand, the brush feels the exact right size for my narrow nails and the consistency is creamy and opaque on each application, so you dont often need more than one or two coats.

A picture says a thousand words so behold...

Let me know your favourite nail polish colours as I'm looking forward to expanding my collection!

Love

BeautyDoc

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Review

Hi there and welcome everyone to my first blog post!

I thought I would kick things off by reviewing one of my all time favourite skin care products --> Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate. 

I first heard about this about a year or so ago when it was being splashed across various fashion and beauty magazines. I didn't give in to the hype at the time but about 3 months ago I was on the hunt for a moisturising face serum and the very helpful Kiehl's counter sales assistant's bought this to my attention. 

I tried the sample size first  - This is a useful tip for those with sensitive skin. Most higher end cosmetic and skin care companies are happy to provide samples; and if they aren't then I tend to make the assumption that they have something to hide and therefore aren't worth even trying. 

So as the instructions said, I applied 3 drops to my fingers then patted it onto freshly cleansed skin. For reference I have moderately dry skin (especially in the winter time) and I applied my usual facial moisturiser on top of this.  I'm not going to lie, my skin looked slightly oily for the next half hour or so  but this doesn't particularly bother me, especially at night time as I will going to sleep. The next morning I woke up to find that my skin both looked and felt as soft as a babies bottom (a clean one obvi). I couldn't believe the magic this elixir had done in one night and so continued to try it every other night. 

How I use it:

Basically I just apply 3 drops on my fingers, rub them together then pat gently starting on my cheeks and working my way around my face. In doing this I also manage to give myself a mini facial massage which I guess isn't a bad thing since it helps the circulatory system.

Another trick that I've noticed works well is to apply 1-2 drops specifically to the under eye area and tap it in as you would any eye cream. It keeps the delicate skin under the eye from becoming crepy or dry and feels plump the next morning. I do apply my usual eye cream over this. 

I try to use the serum only about 3 nights a week because I have a fear that my skin will become immune to its effects if I use it too frequently. This a real occurrence as over time the outer layer of skin (epidermis) can develop tolerance to active ingredients in different skin care treatments, particularly moisturising oils. Its kind of like when using lip balm; the more frequently you use it, the more your lips seem to need it. 

How I rate it:

• Packaging - It comes in a glass bottle and has a pipette system to dispense the oil as drops. While the glass bottle is a little fragile, if your not going to be travelling with it, its not going to be a problem. The pipette is easy to use and makes me feel like I'm back in my high school Chem class again (Fun times). 

• Smell - Lavender is the predominant smell and this makes it an absolute pleasure to fall asleep in. There are other essential oil scents as well but the lavender is the stand out.  

• Performance - The product claims to provide a "smoother more radiant complexion by morning" while it "works at night when skin is most receptive to repairing itself from daily aggressors." In my eyes it does just this. Even after long days at work and early starts the next morning, I wake up looking like I woke up on a lazy Sunday morning, well rested after a 9hour+ sleep!  I love when products actually do what they claim to. Another plus in my eyes is that I never break out after using this (despite the fact that it is an oil). 

• Price - This cost me about $100 NZD. Kind of steep for a face oil...But you do get 30mls and considering you only use 3 drops per use, its going to last ages. 

Overall: This product gets 9/10

I will continue to re-purchase this product over and over again because of the way it works. In my eyes, its completely worth the investment. It certainly has made me want to try a number of other Kiehl's products in the future.