Description: The benefit of 7 age fighting treatments in 1 bottle. Total Effects cream provides the benefits of 7 anti ageing treatments in one bottle – think line minimization, nourishing hydration, improved skin tone, gentle exfoliation, pore refinement, antioxidant protection and subtle lifting, all in one cream.

New Olay Total Effects provides the benefits of:

1. Line Minimization: Reduces the appearance of wrinkles
2. Nourishing Moisturization: Soothes dry skin
3. Tone Enhancement: Evens skin tone for more balanced color
4. Gentle Exfoliation: Smoothes and evens skin texture
5. Pore Refinement: Minimizes the appearance of pores
6. With Antioxidants: Helps protects skin’s moisture barrier
7. Subtle Lifting: Hydrates for firmer skin appearance

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Isosteartate, Polyacrylamide, Zinc Oxide, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose Polycottonseedate, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Stearyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Dimethiconol, Benzyl Alcohol, Ethylparaben, Laureth-7, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylparaben, Oleth 3-Phosphate, Ammonium Polyacrylate, Vitamin B3, Pro-Vitamin B5, Vitamin E

After staying away from most drugstore moisturizers for quite some time now, I’m glad I decided to give Olay’s Total Effects Cream a go. I have read so many wonderful reviews about it from beauty blogs everywhere across the globe and when In Style voted it as Best Inexpensive Moisturizer and it even received the A-Okay from Paula Begoun, I thought I’d better give this product a go. I must admit, I’m impressed and completely taken by it.

I purchased the Normal and Fragrance Free version of the product. The texture is quite thick and creamy and is absolutely amazing on my skin. I use this as my night moisturizer as the cream seems like quite a rich and potent cream. Very, very emollient.

Despite its emollient properties, this cream absorbs pretty quickly onto my skin. It also fixes my dry patches very effectively. Skin feels hydrated but not too drenched with moisture. After using this product for about a month and a half now, I’d certainly say that my skin has improved quite markedly. Whatever previous little rough patches I had on my skin has dramatically vanished and my skin certainly looks more plumped, feels definitely smoother and very, very nicely hydrated and moisturized.

Packaging’s slightly bulky, but the pump system certainly is more hygienic and is good to protect the ingredients of the cream as well rather than dipping into the cream as is the case with jars. I usually use a third of a pump on my face as a full pump would really be too much for anyone, I’d think.

Since I started using this when the cold weather started, I really don’t know how this would fare in summer or hotter weather. However, for winter, for me, it’s absolutely perfect. Combined with my new reborn interest and love for Clinique’s DDML, this regime works great for me and for $40 a bottle, why would I complain?

Description: “Anti Dark” area whitening eye essence. A fresh essence especially formulated for fragile skin around the eyes. Formula combines the whitening properties of bio acid with the soothing powers of Pure Extract of Thermal Plankton. The essence helps clarify the skin around the eyes and visibly diminishes dark circles while ensuring optimal tolerance. Micro-pearlescents instantly illuminate the eye area. Ascorbic acid limits melanin production (in vitro test) and detoxylase neutralizes epidermal toxins.

Ingredients: Bio-acid (ascorbic acid), kiwi water, licorice extract, detoxylase, oligo-minerals, Pure Extract of Thermal Plankton, mineral micro-particles.

For a product that I paid $92 for, I’d really expect much more than what I got with this eye cream. At best, Biotherm White Detox Yeux is a substandard eye cream. Whilst the description promises a great many things, it is unfortunate that it doesn’t seem to deliver the goods for me. Also, whilst most eye creams last forever till you’re practically sick of it, this one only lasted me for 4 months with regular day and night usage.

The texture is nice and creamy and absorbs well onto the skin. A third of a pump is enough for both eyes for me. The packaging is good as you’re not dipping your hands into the cream, so I’d say is definitely more hygienic. However, aside from that, sadly, this product really does not deliver at all.

Whilst the cream itself is fairly moisturizing and hydrating for my under-eye area, I didn’t feel that there was any effect at all in terms of lightening dark circles or reducing puffiness. I completely understand that eye creams often perform one or the other function, however, this eye cream promised to illuminate and clarify dark circles, but that it definitely didn’t.

Instead of doing a once in a while collection post on my regiments, I’ve also decided to follow suit on the latest hit wave hitting most beauty bloggers out there – the Beauty Profile. I agree and think that it’s useful for readers to have a reference as to why I choose certain products and why my experiences are as such and may differ to theirs due to differing skin types. Like Tine, I also intend to put it as a page as well so I could easily change and update as and when I change products in my regiment. However, I do intend to go a step further and include body care and hair care in here as well since I quite regularly review those products in my blog.

~~~~~***~~~~~

Age: 27

Skin Type: Very Dry

Main Problems: Very dry, parched and dehydrated skin. Under-eye dark circles and puffs (basically makes me look like a Panda without the aid of a wonderful concealer)

No-no Ingredients: Fragrance, Alcohol

Holy Grail Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Dimethicone, Glycerin

SKINCARE

Morning Cleanser: The Body Shop Aloe Facial Wash

Night Cleanser: Biotherm White Detox Polishing Clarifying Foam

Makeup Remover: Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Milk for Face and Clinique Take The Day Off Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips

Toner: The Body Shop Moisture White Toning Essence

Scrub: The Body Shop Vitamin C Micro Refiner

Peel: Alternate between Skin Food Chlorella Peeling Gel and The Body Shop Vitamin C Re-Texturising Peel

Mask: Alternate between The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink In Moisture Mask and Clinique Moisture Surge

Day Serum: Olay 7 in 1 Total Effects Anti Ageing Serum

Night Serum: Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector

Weekly Serum: Clinique Turnaround Visible Skin Renewer Concentrate

Day Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Clinique Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defence Moisturizer

Night Moisturizer: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion and Olay 7 in 1 Total Effects Anti Ageing Cream

Eye Cream: Clinique All About Eyes

Sunscreen: The Face Shop Natural Intensive SPF 50 Sun Cream

Lips: Vaseline, Ego QV Lip Balm

MAKEUP

Foundation: Clinique Supermoisture Makeup in Warm Caramel (M)

Powder: Zuii Organic Foundation Powder in Almond

Compact Foundation: Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup in Shade 26 (MF – M), Benefit Some Kind A Gorgeous

Favorite Blush Colors: Peachy pinks, plums, corals

Favorite Eyeshadow Colors: Neutrals

Favorite Lip Colors: Mauves, Nudes, Berry

HAIR FACTS

Long. Naturally curly. Thick. Frizzy. Coarse. Damaged and Dry due to many many years of rebonding. Right now aiming to grow it out naturally curly again. Don’t want to do any more rebonding.

Shampoo and Conditioner: Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Shampoo and Conditioner 

Detangler: Schwarzkopf Oil Nutritive Express Repair Leave In Conditioner

Leave in Conditioner: Day – Beaver Leave in Conditioner, Night – L’oreal Elvive Re-Nutrition Night Elixir

Treatment: V05 Hot Oil Moisturizing Hair Soak, Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor, Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator, Schwarzkopf Liquid Silk Gloss Hair Therapy Mask – to repair dull and brittle hair and add shine

BODYCARE

Bodywash: Alpha Keri Fragrance Free Wash

Body Lotion: Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Body Lotion

Anyone ever tried and failed the ongoing and seemingly endless battle with cellulite? I know I have…Many products tried and tested, some seem to work wonders, some worked okay, some not so much, some not at all. Cellulite creams are one and plenty in every cosmetic or beauty counter out there, pharmacies and drugstore. There is not one brand in the world from low end to top end which does not attempt an all cure for this incredibly troublesome thing that affects many women in the world.

Want to have an idea of which ones work and which doesn’t? Total Beauty’s latest How To’s and Quick Tips post might have the answer for you.

Total Beauty.com – Cellulite Creams that Actually Work

Just three days to go for EDM Blushes Giveaway…..:)

Recently Paris B put up a challenge on her blog for herself – 1 blush, 1 eyeshadow, 1 month. It’s a great idea, in my opinion. I’m sure it’s the same for all of us – we spot, we tempt ourselves, we buy but do we really reap the value of our purchase?

For me, finishing skincare is easy. I finish them like running water, easily. Fragrances, I used to finish easily too till I got really sensitive to strong fragrances and had to tone down the spraying a notch. Makeup, hmmm….foundations, powders, primers…yeah, I finish them eventually. Lippies, mascaras – takes some time, but I use them and can finish them, especially if I really like it.

Blushes – I’ve just got too many of them that it’s becoming incessantly hard to finish any of my blushes. As for eyeshadows, I hardly ever use them, though I buy and am constantly tempted to obtain more but really never make an effort to use them.

So I accept Paris B’s challenge and I’ve chosen two of my older products which should probably be binned by end of this year for this challenge. 1 Blush, 1 Eyeshadow Kit, 1 Month – How much goes??

Up for the challenge, I’m putting my Bloom Hibiscus Blush which I had frequently used as it was my one and only blush before. I’ve since neglected it ever since I started beauty blogging and expanded my blush collection. So, I’m revisiting and reloving this blush this month.

I’m also putting my Benefit Big Beautiful Eyeshadow Kit to this test. This was one of my first few eyeshadow palettes and despite the fact that I hardly ever use eyeshadows, I kept on buying. So, this is my attempt to make full use of this product and reap the value from it.

So, let’s see how much value I can reap of these two products and I’ll report back in a month’s time which from today’s date will be the 24th of June.

It’s finally hit Australia! MAC’s Rose Romance Collection is what I’ve been lemming after since seeing posts of it in so many US beauty blogs. I had a play with it at Myer and DJ the other day and my, oh, my, they’re just gorgeous! Now I’m really regretting not getting a friend of my sis to get it for me on her recent trip to the US. Could have saved a few dollars here and there! Sigh….

I’m most interested in two of the Lip Glasses in Virgin Kiss and Steal My Heart…

Just A Pinch Gel Blush (so, so gorgeous)

and of course, the Rose Beauty Powder, which serves as a highlighter or a blush. I’m probably more prone to using it as the latter and both shades are equally gorgeous. However, I’m lemming more towards the Blush of Youth shade…which is the slightly peachy pink looking shade on the very right…love, love, love this!

View Full Album

MAC Rose of Romance is definitely on my next month’s makeup budget wish list! Just hope I get to have them in my makeup collection before it finishes…

Having the first giveaway was such an exciting and amazing venture for me that I’ve decided to do another giveaway again. In this new and exciting feature for Indulgent Reviews, I have managed to get a few sponsors. There’s a series of giveaway coming up in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

So what’s in store for you all this giveaway?

Let’s get on with it shall we?

Everyday Minerals has kindly sponsored THREE FULL SIZE BLUSHES for three very lucky readers.

A giant THANK YOU to Everyday Minerals for their kind and generous sponsorship!

The three shades I’ve got to giveaway are:

Snuggle – Radiant pink with a flattering peachy undertone.

Apple – Stunning matte rosy pink shade with a delightful autumn apple undertone.

All Smiles – Matte yet radiant, this rosy peach blush deepens to coral at the warmth of your skin.

So, choose your favorite shade and follow the guidelines to enter below!!

HOW TO ENTER

1. Subscribe to my feed. You can click on the link at the top of this page to Subscribe.

AND / OR

2. Broadcast this giveaway in your Blog, Twitter, Facebook, online forums or whatever other Social Networking Community you’re a part of and link back to this post. Leave me an email at telling me that you’ve done this and include the link in your email as well.

AND

3. Email me at with the subject header Everyday Minerals Blush Giveaway (then type in the shade of the blush you want) i.e. Apple.

Here’s the important part. In the email:

Tell me where you’re from.

Tell me what makes a blush important in your makeup routine.

The contest will run until May 31st, 2009 at midnight local Melbourne, Australia time (UTC/GMT +10 hours)

GIVEAWAY T&C

• Follow the rules in order for your entry to be valid.
• Make sure you clearly tell me which blush giveaway you’re after.
• Please use a valid email address as I will use this to contact you for more details should you win and if there is no response within 48 hours, I will draw the next winner.
• Contest is open worldwide and I am happy to post it for you no matter where you are on this planet!
• One entry per person. Please do not use multiple emails. This is a form of cheating. Let’s all be fair, shall we?
• Doesn’t matter if you’ve won before, you can still enter.
• Please only submit your entries through my email address and not through the comments section.
• You can increase your chances of winning by broadcasting this post. That basically gains you another entry into the contest.
• I will randomly pick the winners for each blush via Random.org and it will be announced here on June 1st.

Feel free to spread the word! I’d really appreciate it! Good luck and take care!

Thank you, all!

Description: A light, dense, gentle mousse with exfoliating micro grains to erase melanin filled dead cells and remove make up for perfectly clean skin. The formula is enriched with bicarbonate ions and five oligo minerals to revitalize the skin. The skin is instantly cleansed and clarified and skin tone is more unifie.

I’ve been using this cleanser at night for almost 3 months now and it has been a pleasant experience. I love this cleanser as it has micro granules which softly and gently exfoliates the skin on a daily basis. I feel really well-cleansed after pulling off all my makeup and cleansing with this one. Though I have dry skin, this cleanser is gentle enough for my skin that it is not abrasively tugging at my skin. In fact, my skin does not feel patchy or squeaky after cleansing with this either, which is great.

The color is white, texture is creamy yet slightly sandy with bluish micro granules in it and it foams up a bit once you rub it with a little bit of water. It feels nice and light on skin. The granules are really light and not rough against skin at all.

I don’t know whether this makes my face brighter, but I do notice that my skin looks more clarified. Bottomline is, I do love this cleanser a lot as a night time cleanser as I often prefer to use a more “scrubby” cleanser for my night regime. Unfortunately, it is quite expensive for a cleanser costing $50+ for this tube, but after 3 months of using this religiously, I’m nowhere near finishing it, so it’s ok, I guess. However, I doubt I will repurchase coz it is quite a price to pay for just a cleanser.

Last week I mentioned that I went to the MOR Cosmetics Warehouse Sale. This is the first time I’m trying MOR Cosmetics’ products but I’ve always, always been wanting to try them. Boy, am I glad that my husband just happened to walk past the warehouse sale venue and told me about it.

I went there a couple of times throughout the week coz I just can’t get enough of the products. Throughout the week that it was held, I’d keep on thinking of something I should have bought and would run off again to the sale and buy some more. Sigh….so much for budget control.

Anyway, I felt that it was pretty worth it as MOR Cosmetics isn’t exactly cheap retail. I’m quite pleased with my haul (this is what I purchased for myself, I also purchased a whole bunch of other stuff as gifts)

• Two Boxes for makeup storage
• Jasmin Tea Body Butter
• Lavender Periwinkle Body Butter
• Three MOR Lip Delights
• and also…………
• Two Scented Candles – Oolong Tea and Lavender Periwinkle

Compared to other people’s hauls, my haul is well and truly small. People came and bought in the hundreds. I’ve been very, very happy and pleased with their products thus far and will definitely keep on the lookout for more MOR warehouse sales!!! It’s certainly well worth it to purchase it at 80% off the value and these events are definitely a great time to stock up on prezzies for family and friends. After all, who doesn’t love a little indulgence of scented products every now and then right?