Make Lizzy your new best friend

16 Mar 2011 17:43 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Every now and then you stumble across a product that goes one step above the rest. It makes your life a little bit easier, and in turn causes your eye to wander from your staple products.

That’s what’s happening right now with me and Thin Lizzy. She’s the new kid on the block when it comes to creating an even complexion, and the name to know in quick and easy make-up application.

Not sure why it’s worth your beauty bucks? Check out my video and see for yourself…

Sayonara sulphates!

16 Mar 2011 11:45 AM | Posted by Editor

If you’re currently sporting hair extensions, have jumped on the keratin hair straightening bandwagon, want to keep your colour for longer, or are simply after a less chemically-based hair care range, then you’ll know how important it is to go sulphate free.

But just in case you’re not familiar with it, let me explain. Sulfates are common detergents found in hair care products, most often used to produce foam. While they do leave your hair feeling thoroughly cleansed, they can strip your hair of its essential oils and cause your colour fade faster, resulting in hair that looks dull and is prone to breakage. Sulphates may also break down the keratin bonds in your hair, which is why it’s advised to stay clear of them if you have hair extensions or have had a keratin treatment.

While it used to be extremely difficult to find sulphate-free products, hair care companies are slowly coming to realise the importance consumers are placing on using more natural-based products. One such company is L’Oreal Paris, who has recently released Hair Expertise – a range of shampoos, conditioners and treatments that are 100 percent sulfate-free.

The range is also free from any harsh, drying salts (also commonly found in hair care products), and is instead formulated with natural botanicals such as rosemary, juniper and mint, to help revitalise and nourish your hair, while simultaneously protecting the hair fibres from future damage and colour fade.

The Hair Expertise range is split into two lines – EverPure, which is designed to keep coloured hair looking healthy and vibrant, and EverStrong, which is designed to strengthen and protect damaged, brittle hair. I’ve recently been using the EverPure Volume Shampoo and Conditioner and I’ve noticed that not only is my coloured hair looking more shiny and healthy, but my fine hair doesn’t fall as flat anymore – and the fact that it’s all thanks to a more natural-based hair care range is a definite added bonus!

Click here for our Trial Team's reviews on the L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise range...

What do you think about brands moving towards sulphate-free hair care?

The secret life of a secret shampoo

15 Mar 2011 11:26 AM | Posted by Editor

We love a bit of mystery here at beautyheaven – especially when it involves the blind testing of beauty products. After all, nothing brings out more honest reviews than when you have no idea what brand you’re trialing! And real reviews are exactly what were produced when Pantene recently sent out a top-secret shampoo to more than 1,000 women and asked them to blind test it.

That’s right beauties, despite having no idea what brand they were trialing, 83 percent of the Australian women who road-tested the product said they wanted to use it again – which says to me that it’s one pretty good product!

So what is this mystery product? Well, the cat’s been let out the bag and it’s been revealed that the product in question is the new formula Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner. It features a new recharging Pro-V formula, which restores damaged hair more effectively, giving you shiny, healthy-looking locks in minimal time.

We passed a few bottles on to our trusty Trial Teamers to see what they thought of the new formula. Here’s what our member, Bide, had to say about it:

“This is a really nice shampoo. It lathers easily and removed all the product build-up and oil from my hair quickly. I used a tiny amount on my hair, lathered it up, and rinsed it out quickly and easily, it left no soapy residue. It has a really nice smell that made it a pleasure to use and kept my hair smelling fresh a few hours after. Used alongside the conditioner, my dry, limp hair feels moisturised, soft, and full of life.” – Bide

Click here to read more reviews on Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo…

Click here to read more reviews on Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner…

What do you think about companies conducting blind trials? Have you tried the new Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal products?

Boar bristle brilliance

14 Mar 2011 17:35 PM | Posted by bh'sOlivia

Do you remember how Marcia Brady used to brush her hair 100 times on each side? Well, she needn’t have bothered with so many strokes had she just used a boar bristle brush to begin with.

You see, unlike plastic brushes and combs, boar bristle brushes are a lot softer on the hair and so are less likely to pull or damage your strands. They also help to redistribute oils throughout the hair, boosting shine in a flash! (Hint: great for any blondes out there who struggle to achieve added.)

So which brushes are the best? Check out some of the beautyheaven reviews on the best boar bristle brushes and see for yourself…

Lady Jayne Brush - 100% Boar Bristle
“This brush is perfect for my hair as its fine and can sometimes be a little static or frizzy. This brush is safe to use on fine hair as it lessens snags and breakage. I thought the price was a bit steep at the time I bought it but after using it, its totally worth it.” – Star791


Elite Cushion Brush – with 100% boar bristles
“This is one of those rare tools a curly haired gal can use, other than a detangling comb. When I want a good massage for my scalp and a brush for my hair this is what I use. It doesn't have hard brissles. The rounded edges are soft so there are no irritations or tangles.” – chattycat

What is your all-time favourite hair brush?

Keeping it simple

11 Mar 2011 12:34 PM | Posted by Editor

Beauties, I’ve got a confession to make… My name is Debbie, I’m a beauty editor, and on Saturday night I did not remove my make-up before bed (oh my gosh, I’m cringing as I’m typing this!).

It’s honestly not something I ever usually do – after all, I know exactly how bad it is to leave make-up on your skin overnight (not to mention the residual dirt from the day – oh the horror!). And it wasn’t like I’d gone out and had too many drinks, or fallen asleep by mistake in front of the TV – it was purely because I was feeling truly and utterly lazy. The kind of laziness that hits you after a particularly crazy week and causes you to do all kinds of nothing that you know you’ll regret the next day (like skipping your weekly gym class, not brushing your teeth, or as in my case, point-blank refusing to take off your make-up before bed).

Anyway, now that I’m back at work sporting a few lovely little pimples and some even-blacker blackheads, I’ve decided that I need to arm myself with something to help me out the next time I’m tempted to go to sleep with a full face of slap on.

The answer is simple – literally! All I’m going to do is take home a pack of Simple Cleansing Wipes and removing my make-up will be as easy as sweeping one of the soft wipes across my face – I could even do it in bed! Formulated with no alcohol, they’re designed to remove make-up (including waterproof mascara) and impurities, while gently cleansing, toning and nourishing your skin.

I could even add some extra radiance to my skin in the very same step, by opting for the Simple Daily Radiance Cleansing Wipes. They contain mango extract to gently exfoliate and refine tired skin, leaving it looking fresh and glowing in next to no time at all. Now that’s what I call a lazy girl’s best friend!



Do you ever use cleansing wipes? What do you do to make things easier for yourself when you’re feeling lazy?