Sew is Life is written by E. It is a little space of blogging bliss inspired by art, design, craft, fashion, beauty and wellness. Based in Perth, Western Australia. Read about the daily ramblings of me being a mother of three and wife to an amazing creative man. The second me makes fresh skincare at SELF Organics. These are my stories sewn together with love.
Winter has arrived! The mornings are so dark and the wind cuts through me so sharply. And the colour palette for everything seems to have darken a shade or two. But I like to keep the bright trend moving through the season as long as I can :)
Not too long ago, long-wear lipsticks got a bad wrap for being dry, lifeless and dull. They were the ones that you would stay clear from because they were associated with being ancient and boring.
However the formulas in the current long-wear lipsticks on the shelves at the moment are getting a revamp in marketing. The younger generation is catching on, and well all the better for it because ‘long-wear’ is an excellent marketing ploy for us time-poor, who want high impact and minimal effort when it comes to our beauty routine.
I was so excited to be able to purchase Lime Crime’s answer to the long-wearing lipstick, The Velvetine’s. The thought of the lipsticks travelling over countless seas just to land into my letterbox was pretty awesome. The first batch of Velvetines was sold out before I could blink. So I had to get my paws on the next batch.
The packaging so gorgeous, it reminds me of Moulin Rouge during the peak of burlesque. The design of tassles and heavy curtains over a frosted glass-appearance. Though I think it is actually a plastic tube. The top of the cover is embossed with a red unicorn and is a red foil finish. I’m in pure packaging heaven!
I decided to go with both, Red Velvet (a classic, timeless bluish-red) and the Suedeberry (a coral red). My favourite of the two would have to be Suedeberry, because I like a radioactive colour, plus I am partial to ‘orangey-red’ tones at the moment.
And now for the swatches…
One application of Red Velvet, for a deeper red apply a second coat.
The formula glides on wet and glossy but dries to a matte colour. It takes about 30 seconds for the colour to stay leaving a soft and ‘velvety’ feel to the lips. I found the colour began to fade as I ate and drank during the day but only from the centre of the mouth, it did mention oily foods will affect the colour. There is no distinctive smell and it feels ultra luxe and gorgeous. The colour may not be for the faint hearted, but I love a classic red lip :) Though there is current speculation on their Facebook page that new Velvetine shades will be out soon.
And all Lime Crime Velvetines are vegan and cruelty free. Very easy to remove with make up remover wipes.
Some tips before applying the Velvetine.
1. Shake well before application
2. Exfoiliate and moisturise lips
3. Create desired lip shape with a lip pencil
4. Fill in colour
5. Let dry for 30 seconds
6. Add a second coat to increase the richness of the colour.
Voila! Instant pin-up hottie!
You can pick up a Velvetine from the Lime Crime Online Shop for USD$16.99 or AUD$21.99 from Australian stockist Makeupnet.
But be quick, they will be sure to sell out AGAIN!
Which Velvetine shade takes your fancy?
E x
*These items were purchased by me and this is an honest review by me.
You may also want to check out my other write-ups on:
Photo sourced from huffingtonpost.com
This week the topic of breast cancer has been highlighted by actress Angelina Jolie who wrote a piece called ‘My Medical Choice’ in the New York Times. If you haven’t heard about the buzz, she writes about her experience of choosing a double mastectomy here.
Straight away I knew, that this decision was not made easily and it was not made solely on her interest alone. I could feel her selflessness and the concern of her children living without a mother that made her decision a necessary one. Even though her breasts were healthy, she was carrying the cancer gene and there was a high risk due to family history.
Thank you Angelina Jolie, for sharing your piece. It is such a deep and personal choice and your family’s story, I’m so glad I was able to read your piece. You have surely beaten that terrible disease that claimed your beloved mother’s life.
Breasts are tissue of the body…they are not connected to the soul. They are flesh. A woman’s beauty should not be based on the physical, but of her heart and character.
Bless all those women who have ever had to make this decision.
E x
These days, I rarely shop at overseas websites for beauty products especially when it is a brand made overseas. I guess it may have something to do with my cautiousness when it comes to putting products on my skin.
Majority of the time I prefer to use organic, natural and vegan products but it can be tricky when you are looking for a particular colour or texture where a organically made beauty product cannot produce the same outcome or effect.
So I decided to try the Korean brand, Etude House after I stumbled across fellow Etude House lover Tulips & Me Blog. Thanks to Tulips, I was able to find the Ebay seller that offered free worldwide shipping. So I actually bought a couple of items and will review them for you as I continue to trial them.
The Golden Ratio looks at symmetry of the face and maps out what is aesthetically pleasing and attractive to others. Some celebrities who are said to have the ‘Golden Ratio’ face are Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox and Jessica Simpson. There weren’t many asian celebrities I could find who have the Golden Ratio Face, so I think this formula is deeply flawed if it fails to include the beauty of other races.
But first I shall review the the Golden Ratio Face Glam in #02 Pink. The purpose of this product is #1 an illuminator, however used in the correct areas of the face it can accentuate facial contours to make it appear more ‘precise’. It is meant to help the face achieve symmetry which is explained by the mathematical theory of ‘the golden ratio’. Marketed at those from Asian backgrounds, this product is supposed to help asian women achieve this beauty ideal…
The Golden Ratio Face Glam has two compartments. The top lid flips open to reveal an eye brightener and mini mirror, and the bottom part screws off with a mini ‘paddle’ applicator. There is 40ml of the illuminator and a little goes a long way! Because the formula is so shimmery and concentrated, I noticed it was all over my fingers by the end of application. So start with a little and then build up your preferred shimmer-level!
The best way to apply this product is the dot it along the T & C Zones and along cheekbones. Then apply to upper and lower eyelids to open up the eye area. Becareful the bottom formula is very runny, so it is easy to go overboard..
I got the pink toned one because I thought it would suit my fairer complexion but it is very light! It does give my face a healthy, peachy glow though, but I wonder if I should have got the gold face glam instead. However, I read in other blogs that this might suit a tan or olive complexion that is why I decided on the pink tone in the end.
The contours weren’t too noticeable, so I thought of going over some areas with a bronzer to make the light and shadows more pronounced. So did I achieve the Golden Ratio? I think not. But I did have a gorgeous after glow!
There is a slight perfume smell, but it isn’t too strong. The packaging is quite well designed, and I was surprised at the little mirror too. All the materials are made of good quality. I doubt it will break if it hit the floor…but I don’t want be the one to find out!
Have you tried Etude House products before?
Wishing all Mums a Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow :)
E x
*Etude House Golden Ratio Face Glam was purchased by myself and the review has been written in accordance with this blog’s disclosure.
Yay for the weekend! How I have longed for you… this week I took the final leap and launched my very first business online. All was revealed in the previous post. SELForganics has just been 2 years in the woodworks and to release it to the world was an amazing feeling. I hope you approve and buy something from my little shop.
Moving on…I have a new beauty review for you! As I edge closer to my thirties, I find that my skin is no longer as oily as it used to be. There are less pimples popping up, but there are more fine lines appearing around smile creases and expression lines (eyes and forehead). I was looking for a simple skin cleansing routine that would keep my skin refreshed but not strip away the oils that I so desperately need to keep!
So it was ultra fab when two items were sent to me for trial, from the New Neutrogena Blue range, the packaging of this range is a pretty pastel blue colour. And the appearance spoke to be as a no-fuss and simple skincare product.
Neutrogena® Fresh Foaming Scrub 125ml (RRP $11.99)
Firstly, the daily foaming facial scrub tube has a tiny hole from where it is dispensed. I want to discuss this feature because it suits the flow of the product. Sometimes these things can be left out during the design process! So the perfect amount always comes out. A little goes a long way. I like the flip top cap too as it makes it easy to use in the shower.
The foaming scrub is quite gentle, the microbeads in the solution appears to be an orange colour so you can actually see them floating around. There is also another ingredient that helps with the exfoliation which is super fine, that I can’t really tell. But it works very well at polishing my skin because I have noticed a soft glow after use. It is not too foamy and it has a refreshing citrusy smell. I have been using this everyday because the exfoliation of the beads aren’t too abrasive which I feel is perfect for daily use.
Plus I like seeing the ‘after glow’ of my skin…it is such an ego booster ;)
This is a soap-free and oil-free cleanser. It was non-drying and great for maturing skin, I even noticed my pores smoother and refined after each use.
Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes (RRP $7.99)
One of the greatest inventions in beauty history, in my opinion, are the makeup remover towelettes. This is one of the lazy girl must-have items, because no one should go to bed with makeup on. The Neutrogena® Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes have 25 wipes in the pack, they are alcohol-free, dermatologist tested and allergy tested. The fabric of the wipes are soft, stretchy which makes it gentle for use around the eyes. Even the formula is non-stingy when it comes to removing eye makeup and it easily removes waterproof mascara without harsh rubbing.
There is no heavy residue leftover from the wipes, so I didn’t need to follow up with washing my face with the cleanser. I like this one a lot. Thumbs up from me, this is a great product for busy mums!
However, walking through the beauty aisle of the supermarkets, this product would not have caught my eye. The colour, the appearance of the product isn’t very appealing or exciting. But after this trial, I have turned 180 degrees and promise to never judge a skincare product by its cover…
Have you tried the Neutrogena Blue range before? What did you think of it?
E x
This is it! The day has finally come where I launch my own skincare range online. It is very surreal, because a lot has happened since the idea was first planted. SELF Organics has been 2 years in the making. With the arrival of Leo and Luna into our lives, things have been turn busy tenfold. Then with 2012 venture of running a newsagency with my family SELF Organics was pushed to the back of my mind. However, it was never forgotten…
All our products are packaged using eco-friendly materials
It has been a dream to create organic skincare for others who feel passionate about fresh, good-for-you ingredients. The initially plan was to make it for my babies and for my Mother, who have sensitive skin. And then my love of making skincare grew and grew! My love of DIY, beauty and well being all came together in one moment and with the encouragement of my Hubz and children, I decided to listen to my heart and GO FOR IT!
You can visit the online store here: http://selforganics.com
And SELF Organics is now on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SELForganics
Come over and take a look at the new site (share it with friends and family) and pick up some goodies for yourself or gifts for Mother’s Day.
Freshly curing ‘Lavender Fields’ soap, available for pre-order. Ready 30th April. Smells a little like Provence..
All the products are made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients, as certified by the ACO http://www.aco.net.au/ .However the next step is to apply for the certification to obtain the special ‘bud’ logo for the products themselves.
The range is vegan friendly (unless otherwise stated) and not tested on animals. They do not contain parabens, chemical sulfates, parabens, petrolatum, dyes, phthalates or artifical fragrances.
To all my lovely readers, I will still be blogging at ‘Sew is life’ about my lively adventures..but you can also follow SELF Organic on Twitter (@selforganics) and on the Facebook page to see what I’m up to.
Please help me to share and tweet about the new online store! I’m counting on you social media hehe…
Thank you from the bottom of my organic heart :)
E x
Writing this review has got my muscles tingling and dreaming of when my next massage and facial will be! I could very well become a spa addict, and there are some people out there who just hang out at spas. The reason why they are so addictive, is probably because of the amazing feeling you get once you walk in and out of one.
I specially booked this spa appointment at Endota Spa, Hay St, Perth for a pre-birthday treat and also because my body was lacking its lustre. Every day I would wake up with a sore neck, shoulders, back and getting up from bed was something I didn’t like to do. I was a pretty lucky girl, to have hubz look after the kids whilst I escaped for a couple of hours. The place is located up a flight of stairs, so this may be difficult for those who are disabled or have trouble with stairs.
This was my first time going for a full body massage and I was a little shy as to how this would work. Thankfully, the ladies at Endota were really lovely, made the experience so enjoyable and comfortable. Lucky there was a towel covering all the nudie-rudie bits, and of course my undies stayed on! This was the most exposed I have come to anyone besides hubby…
Since I was new to the salon, I was given a short questionaire to fill out accompanied with a cup of chamomile tea. This questionaire was such a great way of communicating all my body and skin concerns without being shy. I feel more confident writing my thoughts down than verbalising it. Plus there was a section saying ‘Would you like more talking, normal talking or as little as possible?’, that was awesome because I didn’t feel like talking at all…I just wanted to concentrate on my relaxation because in the past I have found it extremely difficult to zone out.
The atmosphere of dimmed lights, candles, aromatherapy and fluffy towels were conducive of my senses giving into the experience. The massage was slightly painful and hard, but it made all the tension built up inside disappear. It is really a personal thing because a caring therapist will check the pressure with you before going ahead with the massage.
I chose the ‘Endotarama’ package which included a 1 hour massage, a 30 minute facial plus a billabong foot bath. All together, the spa session went for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. The whole session went by too quickly!! I had only begun to shut the thoughts up in my head, and by that time it was all over!
The complimentary mints were a nice touch and so was the freebie calendar! This has been sitting on my desk ever since so can check out the monthly specials.
The decor is very minimalist, with clean lines, tones of brown, white and greys. A very organic feeling to the room which is great because their products also include organic ingredients.
I really enjoyed this spa, I tried many but I would definitely recommend Endota Spa. They also stock Dermalogica skincare, and they so happened to be having a 20% off sale. I bought the UltraCalming Super Sensitive Shield SPF 30 because I needed to stock up on a daily moisturiser. I shall review this for you guys and share it on the blog soon.
Have you been to spa? Would you try out Endota Spa after hearing this review? Would love to hear about your experiences.
E x
You may also be interested in the following posts:
Natural Skincare Launch - Aesthetic Beauty Skincare
La Prarie Advanced Marine Biology Collection and my first La Prarie facial
Nail Art seems to be the craze now a days. And there are some very impressive work done by creative individuals who I admire for their patience, dedication and talents. I could say I’m responsible for driving up the traffic on their websites…
But who am I kidding? I should stick to my day job! This is my first attempt at nail art using a kit I bought from Daiso in Malaysia in 2011. From a pro to a beginner…care to share some tips?
The first step, I painted my digits with two coats of Essie High Maintenence. Next, whilst the polish was still drying I clumsily dusted a coat of pink glitter using the tip of a cotton bud. Then I gave it a coat of Essie’s Super Duper Top Coat and stuck some hearts over the top. I tried to add a little finesse when placing the hearts, but it was no where to be seen. To finish, I applied a second coat of the top coat.
At the end I took a couple of photos to admire my work and then within the first hour I lost around 5 hearts…just from carrying the baby, changing nappies, folding the laundry and washing the clothes. It was bound to happen…
Although I heard the trick is to wear rubber gloves. But I’m not so sure about my sweaty palms and the after-smell of latex lingering.
This could well be my first and last attempt at nail art…*turns away with deflated ego*
Have you caught on to this nail art craze? Maybe stickers and fake nails are the way to go..Any suggestions?
Hope you all have an amazing Friday and even more amazing weekend :)
E x
That went rather quick didn’t it? Back to work again or still on holidays? I hope you all had a lovely Easter, catching up on the things you love. For me it has been a mix of catching up with family, working at the shop and hunting for Easter eggs. So it was a nice mix of everything, work rest and play!
A few weeks ago I was invited to my very first beauty bloggers meet up courtesy of Cosmecology at the Green House. It was the perfect setting because Cosmecology philosophy is all about creating skincare that is well researched and using active ingredients extracted from plants, oils and butters. Needless to say, I was super excited to meet fellow beauty blogger
All their products are not tested on animals, GMO free and paraben free. They do not contain any artificial colourants or fragrances. At the moment the Cosmeocology range is only available in salons, this is so that their products are recommended by trained therapists who can match the correct skincare routine for the individual.
And it is so affordable too. All their products are under $30! Not bad for skincare out of France.
The Cosmecology range includes the following:
Body care - 3 invigorating shower gels
Face care - a make-up remover, cleansing milk, toning lotion, exfoliating cream and hydrating face mask.
Hair care - 2 shampoos and a conditioner
I was excited to receive two products to review. To read my review on the Energising Shower Gel and Mask Hydra just click below.
Looking for something to curl up in bed with at night? No it’s not your favourite pillow, soft toy or your lover…it can be the newest magazine to hit stands
Due to hit newsagents this Easter is the newest beauty inspo read for lovers of beauty products, services and tips. Launched in Australia, the first issue of Heart Beauty magazine is sure to wow beauty fans with full page glossy shots and profiling the work of creative talents such as Rae Morris, Nigel Stanislaus, Rachel Montgomery, Byron Turnbull and Michael Wolff.
The Heart Beauty magazine will retail for $8.95 and it is a quarterly publication.
It is available at your local newsagents including my family’s newsagency.
You may contact our shop - Rostrata Newsagency on 08 9457 2183 or rostratanewsagency@gmail.com and I can reserved a copy for you. This is a shout out to all my Perth readers ;)
Have you heard about the Heart Magazine? Will this be added to your reading collection?
E x
It has been a major pet peeve of mine that big companies weren’t able to produce a natural range and therefore I sort out making my own from home. I was glad that Neutrogena has put some funds into the research and development of inventing a naturals line with eco-friendly packaging for us earth-loving-hippy beauties. It was appropriate for me to trial their latest Naturals range and report back to you guys.
The plastic packaging is made from 50% post consumer recycled material and the cardboard packaging is 100% recycled material. I really like the look of the range, it is clear/white with lime green highlights which makes it stand out as a ‘naturals’ range. The cleansers come in a pump bottle which is very user-friendly. All the products in this range do not contain harsh chemicals, sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes or phthalates.
Neutogena naturals Lip Balm 4g
RRP$14.99
First thing I took notice of was the statement behind the packaging saying the balm contains 100% naturally derived ingredients! Well done Neutrogena! It is Vitamin E bionutrient (which are highly concentrated chemical compounds found in nature that are essential for healthy-looking skin) rich. And it has a yummy spearmint scent, but it isn’t too strong like other minty lip balms that can cause lips to sting. It is extremely nourishing and goes on very smoothly…like butter. I have developed a new habit to apply the balm every time I felt it needed a good dose of TLC. Love the list of ingredients that includes shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter. However it is a beeswax product, so not suitable for vegans.
Neutrogena naturals purifying facial cleanser 177ml
RRP$14.99
This is a foaming cleanser, so when you mix it water it forms a lather. However using it on my skin, it was very gentle and did not strip away the natural oils on my face. It contains willowbark extract (known for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, soothing and conditioning properties) to detoxify pores. Willowbark contains salicylic acid which is known to treat acne as a natural exfoliant to shed away dead skin cells. Ingredients would be suitable for sensitive skin, as 90% of ingredients are naturally derived.
It has a clean, fresh, sweet fragrance. I really really love it! It makes me feel revitalised and the scent sends me to an imaginary picturesque rainforest. So so beautiful. And I’m not usually a fan of fragranced products, unless they are natural.
Neutrogena naturals fresh cleansing + makeup remover 177ml
RRP$14.99
Now my first attempt at using this product, the ‘make up remover’ part caught me off guard. For some reason, I associate make up removers with cream cleanser. And that was what I did, slathered the lotion all over my face and attempted to remove with a cotton pad. This was a BIG no-no because to began to foam! I was left very confused…it didn’t help that there was no instructions on the back.
Although this was slightly creamy than the purifying facial cleanser. And it was especially useful at removing foundation, but not so much water proof eye makeup and long lasting lipstick. On the back it mentions it is also developed for use around the eye area, so it is mild for those sensitive areas.The key ingredient is Peruvian Tara Seed and 86% of the product is naturally derived. The Peruvian Tara Seed is native to South America and rich in Vitamins C, B, and complex sugars, Tara Seed works within the skin to boost moisture levels and prevent dehydration while strengthening skin’s natural moisture barrier.
It has the same scent as the cleanser. My skin feels well cleansed and comfortable.
I would definitely buy this again because it is something that meets my price range and the smell is just sooo relaxing, I look forward to cleansing my face everyday :) My skin really enjoyed this product, it definitely exceeded my expectations of a supermarket shelf product. If you are currently organising your beauty cabinet and opting for more natural product,why not try this range for starters.
Have you tried the Neutrogena naturals range?
Hope you are having a terrific weekend!
E x
*The Neutrogena naturals range was sent for review. This review has been written in accordance to Sewislife’s disclosure policy.
