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    • This is the second time I've chatted about Obagi's products (see the first post here). This brand are a specialty pharmaceutical company with products that are designed to tackle a range of skin issues including hyperpigmentation, acne and sun damage, and also help to minimize the appearance of premature skin aging. Now you won't just find these guys sitting on the shelves at your local Priceline or supermarket because they contain 4% prescription hydroquinone, so they are available only through physicians, medical spas and other skin care and medical professionals. If you see them being sold anywhere online then be cautious, because they are most likely not genuine OBAGI products. In my previous post I checked out their Nu-Derm System range but today I'm taking a closer look at their Obagi-C Rx System range.

    This range has been formulated for normal to dry skin and contains products with 4% hydroquinone which helps to reduce hyperpigmentation in the form of dark spots and melasma. The products also contain a number of other ingredients which help with anti-aging, which is mostly where my interest lies (remember it's all about being proactive and slowing the ageing before it sets in).


    C-Cleansing Gel
    This gel does what any good cleanser should. As well as helping to clean your face of any dirt or makeup morning and night, it will also help to clarify your skin as it cleans out all the muck. I love the pink colour of this gel - I think it's nice and unique touch. This product gives a medium lather on my face and has a really mild, but nice clean scent - so perfect for anyone out there who isn't a strong fan of scents.


    Obagi Professional-C Serum
    You know I'm all about having a serum in your skincare routine and if you're looking for something to start you out that can really help get your skin looking good, this Obagi one isn't a bad place to start. This serum contains 10% L-ascorbic acid which helps the Vitamin C in the serum get sucked straight into your skin to help prevent ageing and protects your skin from environmental damage.


    C-Exfoliating Day Lotion
    The description of this mositusier says it is lightweight, but I personally prefer to use this one at night as I find it a little intense for having under makeup - but that will all depend on your skin type and what you personally prefer. This lotion not only helps to hydrate your skin, it has a light exfoliate to keep your face fresh and give you a brighter complexion. Again I feel the scent of this is quite mild but I do enjoy it - I find it hard to describe but I feel it's almost on the sweeter side.


    C-Balancing Toner
    If you've got normal skin or skin that is a little on the oiler side, this is a great toner for you. First great thing about this toner is that it's alcohol-free and won't dry out your skin. It also helps to balance the pH of your skin and give it a Vitamin C boost which will help with the anti-aging and reduction of hyper-pigmentation. There is also witch hazel and aloe inside which will help to soothe your skin. I find the scent of this to be a little more pharmaceutical - almost sun screen like and I love the pump system so you don't waste product and only use exactly what you need - so you really get bang for your buck.



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    posted by . 7/13/18 . / / / /
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    posted by . 7/10/18 .


    Last time I chatted to you guys about my Picosure laser treatments at Skiinsure Laser Clinics here in Newcastle, I had completed my first two treatments.

    Since then I've had my third and my fourth treatment (just last Saturday), so I wanted to come back and chat about how I've been going with it and my feelings on it now I've completed all my sessions.

    A quick little recap on what Picosure is and does;

     This treatment can tackle a range of things including pigmentation, tattoo removal, scarring, acne, fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots and enlarged pores. For spots, other pigmentation and tattoo removal, Picosure is the fastest technology on the market. By delivering ultra-short pulses of energy to the skin, it shatters the ink or pigment particles and allows the body to quickly absorb the pigmentation.

     As with my first two treatments, I had a great experience at the clinic during my last two visits and I'm going to miss seeing the girls at Skiinsure every month.

    Each time I went in they would cleanse my face first and then apply a light peel/exfoliant which is why my skin can look a little red in the pictures as they were taken after the exfoliant but before each laser session.

    If you're looking for more information about the laser treatment itself, what it feels like during and after and all the bits, bobs and facts the girls told me during my first session, go check out my first blog post here.

    As I mentioned in the previous post, after each session, usually the following day, I would get a few congestion breakouts usually for me around my temples and a little on the forehead. With my last treatment I also noticed a few popped up on my cheeks which are all usually areas I don't break out in, however this congestion is completely normal and it will go away within a day or two without any intense treatment - I generally just leave mine alone and they easily and quickly go away on their own.

    So how I am feeling about my skin after my four treatments?

    As I mentioned previously, my results will continue to improve over the coming months so I will have to check back in six months time or so and see what further improvements I've seen.

    I didn't head into Skiinsure Laser Clinics with any major skin concerns - no major pigmentation or fines lines and wrinkles, so for me it was about making the skin I have look healthier, plumper and have a more natural glow - I also see it as a good preventative measure in terms of anti-aging.

    A lot of laser treatments work by burning away the top layer of your skin, but Picosure does all the work internally under the layers. The laser promotes the growth of collage and elastin which is what helps to fill out any fine lines, wrinkles and generally help plump up your skin.

    With the side-by-side picture below, the top picture is before my very first treatment and the bottom picture is before my last treatment. Notice the nicer glow, particularly on the high points of my cheeks and the fuller look my skin has, again particularly on the cheek area.


    I still get some hormonal breakouts and breakouts if I don't clean my skin right or I'm not eating properly, drinking enough water and generally not looking after my body as I should and these are natural processes and reactions that no treatment will solve, but when I'm on track with my skin and it's having a good day, it's has REALLY GOOD DAY.

    I've posted some pictures side-by-side below (the only time I'll take pictures this close to my face) with a picture taken directly after my fourth treatment and the other taken today (almost three days after). As laser has an intense heat, my pores are quite open and enlarged directly after the treatment, however a couple of days following the treatment my pores have tightened up and minimised.



    Having four treatments is about the standard, however some people will also go in for a total of six depending on the skin concerns you're looking to target.

    My skin texture feels and looks smoother and I said it has a better flow and looks plumper - these are results that can be hard to see in pictures but I'm telling you on a day-to-day basis I've seen improvements. 
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    posted by . 7/5/18 .


    People talk about double denim, but what about double leather? I love me an all black outfit, so bringing together these leather pieces with some grey tones is something I'm all about. 

    I think when it comes to the double leather look, you can't be sporting to much obviously fake, cheap looking leathers/pleathers; none of this vinyl, likely to peel after three washes stuff. I've paired these faux leather pants from H&M (similar) with this genius leather motorbike-equse jacket from NEUW.

    While the leather may be the furthest thing from real, it's something you can instantly spot when you look and feel these pants. The pleather isn't shiny but has a matte finish, and the pants themselves have a decent thickness to them. I also love that their a straight leg, because I feel that sometimes skin-tight leather or pleather pants just add to the cheap looking vibe; not to mention it's not the most comfortable.

    When I picture what a leather biker jacket should be, this NEUW jacket is what I envision; to me it's the epitomny of biker leather jackets. While most jackets that call themselves biker jackets would tear through to the skin in seconds if you ever truely wore one while riding a motorbike and hit the dirt, I have no doubt this jacket would actually keep you safe. The leather is real and super thick, which its a decent weight and is quite stiff to move in at first, but the more you wear it the more it begins to give. I sized up in mine to give that classic oversized look I always love (so I always have the option to hide any food babies) and I just know this is one of those pieces I'll have in my wardrobe for the rest of my life and will probably stand the test of time to be handed down to my next generation.

    I've thrown it together with this Union Jack t-shirt which I've had from Zara for years and brought over in Europe before Zara even landed on Australian shores. I have to say for a piece that would probably be classed as fast fashion, I have been extremely impressed with how this shirt has held up. The print has always been faded and the shirt always super soft and it has neither faded any further or lost its shape or structure. The fit and sizing of this top is exactly how I wish all relaxed style t-shirts would.



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    posted by . 7/3/18 .


    I've walked through the stores many a time and been tempted by all the shelves lined with beautiful bottles and jars, but I've never actually delved into Mecca's own range of beauty products, Mecca Cosmetica. Well today that all changes as I share my thoughts on some of their very own products.



    I would say this foundation is 'almost' longwear -  while it does hold up a lot better throughout the day compared to some of my other foundations, I still find this separates a bit by the end of a working day (which I think is pretty hard to avoid). I do like the buildable nature of this foundation though, and it sinks quite nicely into the skin when you apply it.

    Eyephoria Vivid Impact Eye Palette 
    If you're looking for a palette to create a dynamic night-time look, look no further. A combination of matte and shimmery shades, this is a palette I gravitate towards - if I'm going to do an eyeshadow look I tend to stray on the darker side. The wonderful shade range means you have everything at hand to create a complete look and in terms of pigment and shimmer pay-off, this palette is not playing!



    As someone who has gone off primer for the minute and also doesn't like an overly glowy look thanks to my oily skin, I don't find myself reaching for this all to often. However, I do like to add this to my cheeks before I pop on my foundation if I want to add an extra sheen to my look. I personally wouldn't recommend completely covering your face in this because the shine is real, but then again if that's a look you like, why hold back. I think this is best used on the points of your face that you're looking to add some highlight, and if you use a regular primer, use that across the rest of your face.

    If you need a good liquid lipstick in your life, I can't recommend this one enough! Not only do I love this shade, the way this dries down is how every liquid lipstick should. It dries down nice and matte and doesn't wear off, but doesn't go super dry and crack on the lips at all. In fact once it's fully dry you pretty much can't even feel it on your lips; 10/10 recommend.

    I've never really used a banana powder before as I've always shied away from the idea of a yellow powder on my face. This powder is super smooth and gives a nice matte finish, but I don't like to use to much because my skin tone doesn't really compliment the yellow all that well If however banana powder is your jam, I think you're going to like this one.

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