The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream

8/10 overall rating

Helps reduce appearance of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles
All skin types

Firstly, let me apologise for the long post, but I assure you this is going to be worth it if your under-eye area is a concern.

Over the past three years, my sleeping patterns have been fairly irregular, and late nights have left me with stubborn puffiness beneath both eyes. For this reason, I have tried a number of eye treatments - creams, gels and lotions - ranging from $10 to $30. I will give a brief description of each.

The first I tried was Garnier UltraLift Anti-wrinkle Roll-on. The only benefit of this product is the cooling effect created by the stainless steel roller ball, which soothes the under-eye area. No lasting reduction in puffiness. The next I tried was Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum, which is the next best that I've tried after The Body Shop Vitamin E Eye Cream. The serum is creamy and hydrating, and has a subtle yellow tint and shimmer, which helps to brighten the under-eye area. The largest downfall for this product is the price. I bought it on sale for around $22, but when it's not on sale, it can be around $28 to $32. It comes in a tiny (15mL) pump bottle. Buyers take note: when you run out of product, unscrew the pump lid! There will be plenty still in the bottle. I would have repurchased this product, however the steep price lead me to try other brands. Next I tried Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel for sensitive skin. I had high hopes for this product, because of cucumber's infamous association with eye care. The gel is clear and cooling, with a subtle cucumber scent. It is suitable if you're only looking for moisture, however I saw no difference in puffiness. Soon after, I tried Natio Eye Contouring Treatment Gel (for puffiness and dark circles), and again had high hopes, as I have been a fan of Natio's daily moisturiser in the past. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the worst product that I have tried for my eyes. Not only did it not improve puffiness, but it stung my sensitive under-eye area. I was so surprised, because Natio prides itself on using only natural, plant-based products. Next I tried L'oreal Men Expert Vita Lift for Eyes. 'Men's' facial products tend to be identical to women's, only packaged and scented for men, but usually without the hefty price tag! So I gave this one a try. No effect, just slightly cooling (contains a metal roller ball) and hydrating. The final product that I tried before heading to The Body Shop, was QV Revitalising Eye Cream. To be honest, the only reason that I bought this was because I felt pressured by a pharmacy assistant, after asking her whether she could recommend any successful or popular eye treatments. She had no idea and just read product descriptions to me straight from the packaging. Of the products she showed me, I chose QV because it was the cheapest. QV is known for making natural, no-nonsense products for sensitive skin. I found this product to be very hydrating and easy on the under-eye area, but again, not very effective for puffiness.

It was then that I visited The Body Shop. I usually avoid TBS, because I know I will end up spending way too much money on products that are generally ineffective anyway, but this time I had a voucher. I asked the shop attendant to show me their eye products. After deciding that I had combination type skin, she showed me the Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel. She smeared a small amount on my hand. It felt hydrating, but I had had too many bad experiences with eye gel to trust it. Next she offered Aloe Eye Defence, which I remembered using a number of years ago, unsuccessfully. I then clarified the fact that I was looking for help with puffiness, and she showed me the Vitamin E Eye Cream. Again, she smeared a small amount on my hand, and after a few seconds, I began to feel a cooling sensation, that was almost like a subtle tingle (in a good way!). This gave me an inkling that perhaps this product would actually work. The shop attendant noted that it is one of their most popular skin treatments.

This product, plus a combination of sleep regulation and increased water consumption has finally reduced my under-eye puffiness! Hooray! Whilst I do believe that this product is effective and well worth a try if puffiness is something that you struggle with, I cannot stress enough how important regular sleeping patterns and adequate water consumption is. I use this product every morning and night, and I can't wait to see how my under-eye area is looking in a few weeks' time with continued use! Will keep you posted! 

Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer

 10/10 overall rating 

Waterproof

This is probably my favourite cosmetic product of all time. I have been using it for about a year, and I will not stop buying it until Maybelline stops making it - which hopefully will never happen! This product first caught my eye when I was in my local Kmart, looking for a new foundation. For so long I had been trying new foundations each time I ran out, because I just could not find one that I loved. I saw Maybelline Cover Stick, and it appealed to me all because of one line on the packaging: 'Austalia's #1 Concealer'. Okay, so I'm a bit of a sucker for marketing ploys, but thank goodness I am because I found an excellent product that day! I purchased the Cover Stick in 'Light/Ivory', for around $10 (it varies depending on where you buy it, but it's usually around $10).

My supply for this year so far.
Need to buy more!

At first I used the product just as a concealer for blemishes, but I quickly developed a love for it and began using it like a foundation. So, my foundation routine for the past year has been to apply Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer to my entire face, and then seal with loose powder foundation. I used to use my fingers to apply the concealer, but for the past few months I have been using a brush, as I found that it creates a more flawless look.

Of course, I highly recommend this product. I am looking forward to trying the 'Yellow' shade for dark circles some time. I will keep you updated. 

Natio Little Treasure Nail Colour

Natio Little Treasure Nail Colour in 'Crimson'
(Looks lighter than it actually is with a few coats)

Recently, whilst applying my 'Excite' nail colour by Natio after months of using Revlon nail colours, I realised just how great Natio nail colours are. They are the perfect consistency and the brushes just seem to guide the colour so well. So, I decided that I should check out the rest of their nail colour range next time I was shopping. So, I did! I went to Myer, as they have the largest Natio range that I know of. I had been thinking that I needed a really dark red colour for winter. I picked up 'Crimson' and also a 2-in-1 clear base and top coat, both from the Little Treasure range for only $5.95 each - plus Myer had a '2nd item half price' deal, so it worked out to only around $8.90 for the two.

I am enjoying my Natio colours and highly recommend them, particularly if you're like me and you have trouble applying nail colour neatly - it seems to be easier with Natio. Both 'Excite' and 'Crimson' have a shimmer effect, and I noticed that even the top and base coat has a light shimmer, it's really nice!

My Sweetopia, South Bank

My choc hazelnut cupcake

As I mentioned in my previous post, last weekend I got to try out My Sweetopia in South Bank.We walked into the cute little shop at around 2.30pm on a Sunday afternoon, half an hour before closing time. Even then, there was an impressive range of cupcakes to choose from; white chocolate, cappuccino, turkish delight, choc mint, passionfruit, chocolate mud, berry and many more - but of course, I couldn't go past choc hazelnut. Cupcakes ranged from around $4-5 and were all so beautifully decorated. 

It turned out that I had made two great choices that day; iced vanilla white tea from Tlicious and a choc hazelnut cupcake from My Sweetopia. The cupcake was so moist and chocolatey, the choc hazelnut frosting so rich and creamy. I could have eaten many many more but luckily I had only bought one! I am dying to go back to My Sweetopia and try some of the other delicious-looking flavours!

Tlicious, South Bank

Last weekend I had the pleasure of visiting two cafes for the first time - Tlicious and My Sweetopia - with a lovely group of girls from church.

It was only recently that I discovered a love for flavoured green teas, so I was super excited when we arrived at Tlicious and browsed the huge range of options. It was a hot day, so it was great to know that the entire range could be ordered as iced tea. I ordered iced vanilla white tea ('Vanilla Pearls') with one sugar for $4.

Within 5 to 10 minutes all of our orders were ready (about 8 drinks). I took a few sips, fell in love, complemented the owners of the store, and then purchased a packet of the same tea to take home ($3.50). It was so delicious and perfect for a hot day, although I could easily drink it everyday!

I highly recommend Tlicious, I will be back (very soon hopefully).

Gelatissimo

I recently blogged about Re Del Gelato, and mentioned that Gelatissimo is still my favourite place for gelato. So here's a review of Gelatissimo.

Everyone has GOT to try this place at least once (I guarantee you will be back!). Unfortunately (but fortunately for my waistline), I have only had the pleasure of visiting Gelatissimo twice. The first time I ordered white chocolate gelato topped with melted Nutella (an extra 50c), and it was so delicious, that when I returned, I ordered the same combination with the addition of choc-chip gelato. Yummmmmm. It's just so good, you have to try it.

That's really all I have to say about Gelatissimo: Yum. They have a huge range of flavours and I'm sure every single one would be delicious. I can't wait to go back and try some different flavours! They are a company of chain outlets, so find the nearest one to you and get going!

Re Del Gelato, New Farm

After a great meal at Majo's Casual Italian dining last weekend, my brother, my partner and I crossed the road for dessert at Re Del Gelato. I had read about both venues on urbanspoon.com. One reviewer even wrote that it was the best gelato in Brisbane. My response to that is soon to come...

I ordered a $5 cup of strawberry gelato/sorbet and mars bar gelato. Both were nice - the mars bar wasn't as chocolatey as I would have liked, but the strawberry tasted like real, fresh strawberries. My partner also ordered a $5 cup, but he opted for panna cotta and butterscotch/honey comb flavours. He enjoyed his, although I didn't think the panna cotta had enough flavour, it just tasted like vanilla. My brother ordered one scoop of boysenberry gelato/sorbet in a waffle cone, which he really enjoyed. I had a taste and thought it was a little too tangy for me, but that's fairly common for boysenberry I guess.

So, was it the best gelato in Brisbane? No, I don't think so. I really love Gelatissimo which is in the Brisbane CBD (corner of Queen and Albert Street) and also I've heard that there is one at Chermside. To be honest, I would recommend Gelatissimo before Re Del Gelato, but if you're in the New Farm area, certainly give it a try.

Majo's Casual Italian Dining, New Farm

Last weekend, my brother, my partner and I tried Majo's at New Farm. I discovered it via urbanspoon.com (possibly the best website ever), so we decided to try it out because of its many positive reviews. We arrived at around 6.30pm, and were shown to our table promptly. The restaurant is quite spacious and comfortable. We decided to order a pizza from their authentic Italian pizza menu (apparently they are made according to Italian pizza regulations...). We ordered the 'Mamma Teresa' pizza - Tomato sauce, Italian pork sausage, roasted onion, oregano - to share. We each ordered an entree size main (they were still huge). I ordered creamy chicken and mushroom penne and my partner and brother both ordered chianti beef and mushroom ragu (brother had fettuccine and bf had gnocchi).

We received our meals quickly, but unfortunately I was served creamy chicken and avocado penne instead. Not being a fan of avocado, I told the waitress about the mix up and my meal was quickly replaced and 10% taken from the price of my main. We all dug into the pizza which was delicious - thick puffy base, mouth-watering topping. My main was nice... but nothing spectacular. I probably could have made it at home with just some chicken, mushrooms and some cream... The boys' mains, however, were delicious. That ragu was very impressive, great flavours. My partner was in love with the gnocchi, even stating that it was the best he'd ever had. I tried some and he's right, it was sooo good - light and fluffy without that overpowering potato taste. My brother was also impressed with the ragu and his fresh pasta - although he had not expected to receive multi-coloured fettuccine (not that it affected the taste in any way).

With big full bellies we then wandered across the road to Re Del Gelato for dessert.

All up, one pizza, three entree sized mains and three drinks cost around $90. We will definitely be returning. Next time I will order the ragu, and without a doubt my partner will order the gnocchi.

The Spaghetti House, West End

Gnocchi in butter sauce and pappardelle ragu

A few weeks ago, my partner and I tried The Spaghetti House at West End, Brisbane. My partner is a huuuge lover of Italian food, so you can expect many of my reviews to be of Italian restaurants. The venue is quite small; the inside area is very narrow and other than that, there are just a few tables outside on the footpath. We made a booking for 8pm, and even by then people were still coming and going, the place was packed! We were shown to our table, which unfortunately was right in front of the kitchen. We had a lovely waiter who was very very Italian (he had a thick accent that we sometimes found hard to understand). He seemed to know the menu very well, and easily rattled off about eight different types of pizza that were the special of the night. We ordered a small potato and rosemary pizza for entree, I ordered pappardelle ragu and my partner ordered some sort of gnocchi in butter sauce. For dessert I ordered tiramisu and my partner ordered panna cotta with berry coulis.

Panna cotta with berry coulis and tiramisu

Entree was nice, but a little bland (I guess we should have expected that from a potato and rosemary pizza though). My main was beautiful; the meat was so tender it just fell apart, the tomatoey sauce was delicious and the pasta was fresh and lovely. My partner was not as impressed with his main, the butter sauce definitely needed something added to give a little more flavour. The gnocchi was okay, but quickly to be surpassed by the gnocchi at Majo's Casual Italian Dining. Dessert was a great experience - we both loved our choices. I had expected the tiramisu to be served as a cake (due to past experiences), so I ordered a scoop of chocolate gelato to go with it. On the menu, gelato was served in portions of three scoops, so I asked our waiter if I could order just one scoop with my dessert. He was very accommodating, and when the desserts were brought to our table, he told us that he had included the gelato free of charge - how lovely! We were very thankful, and dug into our delicious treats enthusiastically.  Both were a delight and a great way to finish the meal. On our way out, my partner tipped our lovely waiter. All up, one entree, two mains, two desserts and two drinks cost us around $90. We will go back someday, but we have plenty of places to try before that. I do recommend this restaurant, and especially recommend the ragu, tiramisu, gelato and panna cotta.

Garnier Tanning Products

 9/10 overall rating 

I am reviewing two Garnier tanning products:

Garnier Ambre Solaire No Streaks Bronzer Self Tanning Mousse + Golden Shimmer

Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion Sun-kissed Look in Medium to Dark Brown

The reason that I am reviewing them together is because I love using them together - they are a perfect match!

First of all, the mousse. First step is to exfoliate your whole body with special attention to ankles, knees, elbows and under the bust. To do this, I use an exfoliating glove with body wash in the shower. When I'm dry I apply moisturiser to the above mentioned areas (make sure it is a fairly plain, non-oily moisturiser). For best results, these two steps should be completed the day before the tan application. The next step is to shake the mousse bottle and apply it to either thin rubber gloves or a tanning mitt, one pump at a time. Rub the mousse into your skin in circular motions until it is all absorbed evenly (I usually begin with my lower leg). Continue this process, making sure you blend each new section into the last. When you've covered your whole body or just the desired areas, allow to dry by wearing loose fitting clothing (avoid bras!). I would usually do this at night and then wear a loose black night dress to bed. It usually doesn't colour my sheets, but if it does it always washes off in the washing machine. In the morning you will awake with a beautiful sun-kissed glow! If you find that you've missed a patch, or if any wears off from coming into contact with water, use the Summer Body Lotion to correct it. Also, you can use the Lotion to maintain your tan after the initial application (apply once per day).

As is to be expected with Garnier, these products smell fresh and fruity - none of that horrible chemical smell that is usually associated with tanning. The colour is great - natural looking, not orange.

Just as a side note, I would like to mention that I have very pale skin and these products still look natural on me. In regards to choosing a shade for the lotion, I chose medium to dark brown purely because it was recommended to me by someone who also has fairly pale skin. I am so glad I did not purchase the light shade - it would have taken so so many applications before it became visible! Don't be scared of the darker shade, it is lovely and still very gradual.

The mousse sells for around $13.95 and the lotion is around $6.95.

Sun Rice Multigrain Square Thin Cakes

Multigrain and Rice&Corn varieties

Introducing the newest product from Sun Rice: Multigrain Square Thin Cakes! I picked these up yesterday from my local Coles after searching the savoury snack isle for something remotely low in carbs and high in nutrients. This product's ingredient list was what sparked my interest - it even included puffed quinoa! (I will add the ingredient list when I can find a copy)
Here are the nutritional facts for one Thin Cake:

Calories	17	Sodium	0 mg
Total Fat	0 g	Potassium	0 mg
Saturated	0 g	Total Carbs	4 g
Polyunsaturated	0 g	Dietary Fiber	0 g
Monounsaturated	0 g	Sugars	0 g
Trans	0 g	Protein	0 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Vitamin A	0%	Calcium	0%
Vitamin C	0%	Iron	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Not too shabby I reckon. If you know of any crackers/thin cakes that are far superior to this, please let me know in the comments. My only concern is zero dietary fiber... It would be nice to see some digits there. In regards to taste, these aren't too different to normal puffed corn or rice thins, just a bit more crunch. I will be buying them again and I recommend them.

Coles Simply Less Dark Chocolate

Yum yum yum - you are about to hear about a delicious new product! You may have noticed that Coles has brought out a whole range of products as part of their Simply Less line, for the health conscious. I've tried a few products from the range, including their Low Fat Sour Cream and Spicy Roast Pumpkin and Harissa Hommus dip. All have been excellent products and certainly don't compromise on taste. Yesterday I was checking out the health foods section of my local Coles when I came across the Simply Less range of dark chocolate. There are four choices: Plain Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate with Peppermint, Dark Chocolate with Coffee Beans and Dark Chocolate with Sweet Orange flavour. I'm a huge sucker for chocolate, and mint is one of my favourite flavours, so I picked it up and had a look at the nutritional info. I then compared it with the Well, Naturally brand of Mint Dark Chocolate, and found that the Coles Simply Less brand came out on top (84 calories per serve). So I decided to give it a try.

The taste is great! Creamy chocolatey goodness with delicious green mint chips throughout. The texture is not quite as creamy as full fat chocolate but that is to be expected.

The product consists of 5 individually wrapped bars which are 20g each. Each bar consists of 4 squares. The box of 5 bars sells for $3.99.

BNRG Proto Whey

100% pure hydrolyzed whey protein
Rapid and complete absorption technology
Rich and creamy

This is the first protein powder that I have ever used, so I'm certainly no expert, but let me tell you about it. I purchased a 910g (2lb) jar of BNRG Proto Whey Vanilla Creme flavour for around $80. It was recommended to me for three main reasons:
1. It has the smallest protein molecules of all protein/whey powders on the market, making it quick and easy for your body to absorb.
2. It contains very low levels of sugar and carbohydrates compared to other powders.
3. It tastes incredible compared to other powders.

I have been told that the Double Chocolate flavour is delicious, however, I opted for vanilla for its versatility. I use this powder on its own with water and skim milk, in smoothies with fruit, in baking, and (my favourite) to make protein pancakes. For this, I mix 2-3 scoops with a few tablespoons of cacao powder, some granulated stevia, an egg white and a dash of almond milk. Beat it all together. While it's frying in the pan push some chocolate chips into it and voila - yum!

By itself as a protein shake, I find this to be quite enjoyable. I've never had it with water alone, only with skim milk or a mixture of both. It is very sweet despite its lack of sugar, and dissolves well in liquid. The only downfall to this product it the reaction it has when it is added to liquid - it fizzes slightly. I'm not sure if this type of reaction is common amongst protein/whey powders. The price is also a little disappointing, however, it is not unusually high compared to other powders on the market, and you are also paying for the absorption technology, so it's probably worth it.

I do recommend this product, and will repurchase (probably Double Chocolate next time).

Tetley Decaf Green Tea Range

Decaffeinated naturally & rich in antioxidants

I've never been a fan of tea - especially not green tea - but I have discovered this new range from Tetley that I absolutely love! The range includes plain decaf green tea, decaf green tea with mint and decaf green tea with pomegranate. The mint and pomegranate flavours soften the bitterness of the green tea, without overpowering the taste. Mint is my favourite!

Ingredients are:
Decaf Green Tea – Naturally decaffeinated pure green tea.
Decaf Mint Green Tea – Naturally decaffeinated pure green tea, natural mint flavour (12%).
Decaf Pomegranate Green Tea- Naturally decaffeinated pure green tea, natural pomegranate flavour (15%).

These are actually the only decaf green teas on the market in Australia, so they're certainly worth a try if you're looking to decrease your caffeine intake. If you're interested in the health benefits of caffeine (for weight loss) however, I would recommend Lipton Green Tea with Vanilla or Mint.

Pick up 10 teabags for $1.75 at most supermarkets.

Clean & Clear Essentials Moisturiser

  8/10 overall rating 

Original Formula

Oil free - won't clog pores

My all time favourite facial moisturiser for daily use!
I have been using this moisturiser for around five years. I originally purchased this product in a package which included a foaming cleanser and a toner. It was the moisturiser that stood out to me, so I have been purchasing it individually ever since. In recent years, this moisturiser has also been available with an SPF 15, so naturally when I saw this for the first time, I gave it a try. Unlike many other SPF moisturisers, Clean & Clear Essentials is not overly thick or cakey, nor is it oily. In fact, there is no significant difference in texture between the version with the SPF and the original without.

SPF 15 Formula

Obviously, this formula is purely designed for moisture; there are no anti-aging properties or claims. Therefore I can confidently say that it does exactly what it is designed to do - moisturise skin and leave it soft, without being oily. My partner often comments on how soft my skin is - and I have no doubt that this product has contributed to that (after all, they both came into my life at roughly the same time!).

So if you're looking for a good quality yet inexpensive daily moisturiser, give this one a go. Find it at your local pharmacy or supermarket for around $7.99.

Garnier Pure Daily Pore Purifying Toner

 9/10 overall rating 

Salicylic Acid + Purifying Zinc

This is the first toner I've ever used that has actually made a difference to my skin. It removes every last trace of dirt! Even after I've cleansed and exfoliated my face, this toner still manages to find make up that has been left on my skin. Not only does it cleanse pores, but it tightens them as well. I have slightly enlarged, open pores around my T-section due to past acne breakouts, but one swipe with this toner lessens their appearance and creates a smoother surface - what more could you want from a toner!

With a subtle scent and non-oily feel, this toner is ideal for oily and combination skin types. If you have sensitive skin, however, I would warn you to be cautious with this toner as its cooling sensation could possibly irritate your skin.

At around $7.99 for a 200mL bottle, this product is great value. I will definitely repurchase, and I recommend others give it a try.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to 'À mon avis'!

Inspired by the French phrase meaning 'in my opinion', this blog is a collection of analyses, reviews and comparisons. From lip sticks to lotions, from recipes to restaurants, from eating plans to exercise regimes; you will get my view on a wide range of products, places and lifestyle routines. If I'm trying it, you'll hear about it!

I am new to the blogging world, so let me introduce myself.
My name is Kellee, I'm a full-time university student studying Occupational Therapy. I love all things girly; dresses, shopping, make up, nails, handbags, shoes. I'm a self-confessed pharmacy junky - I could spend hours looking through beauty products and cosmetics. I have a love for travel, animals, the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. My partner and I love exploring restaurants and cafes together, and there's always bound to be an "Out of ten, what would you rate it?" conversation afterwards. I have recently developed an interest in clean foods, and am endeavoring to improve the way I treat my body.

I hope that you enjoy reading my blog, and find my reviews useful.
Thank you for visiting 'À mon avis'!