Organic Care // Normal Balance [v] [CF]

Hello to our darling mermaids,

Now I'll admit, I'm not the best at bargain hunting. I've never been great at finding little gems in sales, markets or thrift stores. I'm always drawn to the "New In" section of stores and their disgustingly unjustifiable prices (for my poor little wallet, at least). But I can say that I'm slowly getting better, and today I've brought you a find thats below $5 that actually seems to do it's job.

We've recently made the switch to the wonderful world of cruelty-free, and finding replacements for old favourites was a hard task at first. If you, too are making this switch, don't be disheartened as I can promise you that there are thousands of hidden products scattered in some of your favourite stores that are forgiving to our animal friends, our earth and of course, to you!

Selected items from the Organic Care range can be found at your local Coles or Woolworths for very very generous prices with the most expensive item retailing at $7. Sounds a little too good to be true, right?

Organic Care products are both vegan and free from animal testing, and with bottles made from recycled plastic (RPET) and formulas that are naturally sourced, free from parabens, sles, sls, als, ales and petrochemical cleansers and are grey water safe, it's clear to see the difference you're making in choosing this brand over the other commercial brands of your supermarkets. 

With eye catching packaging and fresh, earthy aromas, this shampoo and conditioner became a point of discussion for anyone who would hear it. I somehow convinced my mother who's loyal to her MorrocanOil hairwash to make the switch as well. Unfortunately, it wasn't for too long...

I was hooked for about two weeks, until the shampoo didn't seem to rid my hair of it's grime and the conditioner didn't seem to nourish or protect it against daily wear. The amount of product I'd use in each wash had to increase for me to achieve even the slightest bit of an improvement in my hair's health.

As for the others in the range? I can't say I saw much of a difference. The Dry Nourish shampoo seemed about as effective as the Normal Balance (I much preferred the scent of NB) and as I don't have coloured hair, I can't give you an accurate opinion on Colour Shield. 

However, whilst the product wasn't overly compatible with my hair, the environmental and ethical benefits (and the insane price of $3.55 each) out weigh the negatives, especially when compared with the other nasty aforementioned supermarket brands.

We'd love to hear your opinion on these hair washes! Leave it in the comments below, or let us know of your current favourite hair wash! 

Until next time,

Dear 2016...

Dear 2016,

Hi there! You came around rather quickly. It's a little strange seeing you, after envisioning what you'd be like all year. You've brought a lot of things with you, this year: the start of uni, an increase of independence and a stronger desire to travel. We're 21 days into your visit now and I already see how different you'll be from 2015. I'm trying to work out which emotion is the dominating one. Fear? Nervousness? Happiness? Excitement? There is only one way to find out. 

This year I plan on waking up early. Not only because I've discovered that it might just be the coolest time of day at 6am (boy does it get hot these days in the land down under), but because I find I get a lot more done when I allow myself more hours in a day. Funny that.

This year I plan on working out more. Yeah I know, we all say it don't we. Well, I've actually managed to wake up at a reasonable time and do exactly this for 1 and a half weeks in a row now. Thank you Casey Ho. I both love and hate you.

This year I plan on eating clean. It's so easy to just munch on those biscuits, those tim tams or those noodles when I'm hungry, but those things don't sustain you. I want to fuel my body with better foods this year.

This year I plan on saying yes. Laziness will not get the better of me. 

This year I plan on doing more. When reviewing my accomplishments of last year, I was left a little sad. This year I'm going to plan out my goals, and actually make steps towards achieving them.

This year I plan on travelling. Wanderlust. It's not only a beautiful word, but both a depressing and wonderful emotion, depending on the status of your bank balance. Right now, mine may be a little empty from my wild habits (and by wild habits I mean eating and watching movies...I dont live that much of an extravagant life). I want to see more of the world, whether that be in other continents or within my own country. Heck, my own state or city!

This year, I plan on it being great. Don't disappoint me 2016.

Let us know of some of your resolutions, or even some places on your bucklist!

Until next time,

Skincare // Oily, Acne Prone Skin Regimen [v] [CF]

L U S H // Herbalism (v) (CF)

Once I've cleaned my face of makeup with my choice of remover, I start my routine with Lush's "Herbalism" facial cleanser. Designed for oily, acne prone skin, this cleanser effectively washes out my pores of residual makeup and dirt from the day. Whilst the smell is a tad off putting to begin with, it's definitely a product that's earned a stable place in my regimen. 

This solid cleanser requires a pea sized amount and a splash of water (mixed to form a paste) to work it's magic. Supposedly, this product is considered to be a light exfoliant, but I find with the help of the following product, my skin is left feeling smooth and hydrated and my skin tone even. 

S P I N for perfect skin

There are plenty of electronic face brushes out on the market today. The most popular being none other than the og, Clarisonic, or the Foreo "Luna Mini" for an everday clean. If either of these products are out of your preferred price range or unavailable to you, look no further than to the "Spin for perfect skin" face brush. You might of heard of this little guy through the plethora of insane discount codes given out to youtubers (seriously guys, keep those codes, as you can save yourself up to $80 on this product with the RRP of $100).

I use this face brush with the cleansing head possibly every other/three days, depending on my skin or the events of that day. The exfoliating head works a treat also, but I find myself using that every other week.

T B S // Aloe Calming Toner (v) (CF)

 Once my skin has been cleaned to perfection, I move onto prepping my skin for the day/night ahead. The Body Shop's Calming Toner from their Aloe line is one of the best. Perfect for those struggling with sensitivity and acne, this product aids in refreshing and preparing the skin for makeup, or simply calming the skin by wearing it overnight. 

P A L M E R S // Moisture Rich Night Cream (v) (CF)

After a toner, I will apply one of two moisturises. Either my Cetaphil Lotion (mentioned below) or my Palmer's Moisture Rich Night Cream. A small amount goes a long way (too much can leave your skin feeling greasy) with this aromatic, non-comedogenic product. I guarantee you'll wake in the morning with skin smoother than a baby's butt. The vitamin E in it works a treat for acne scarring, too. 

C E T A P H I L // Moisturising Lotion

If my skin is feeling a little icky and not up for a thicker cream, I'll reach for this guy. After being recommended to me by my doctor, the Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion had become another staple to my skincare routine. It's wonderful under makeup and keeps my skin hydrated over lengthy periods of time. 

L U S H // Grease Lightning (v) (CF)

This is a very new addition to my skincare routine. Lush's Grease Lightning has always been on my wishlist, and only recently did I finally get around to purchasing it over some umming and ahhing. Made with aloe and witch hazel, Grease Lightning is a spot treatment that is applied to affected areas. I found that over the space of two days, any problem areas had been completely fixed. 

I N V I T E // Vitamin E oil (v)  

 Finally,  I finish my routine with a very small amount of vitamin E oil to prominent acne scars or flaky areas/spots that need some tlc. 

What products are in your everyday skincare routine? Let us know below!

Until next time,

(v) = vegan
(CF) = Cruelty Free

Aesop // Fabulous Face Cleanser and Parsley Seed Toner [v] [CF]

 Aēsop. The store that nobody ever pronounces correctly or can justify spending $60 on watery cleansers chock-a-block of herbs. Well, that's what I thought to begin with, at least. 

I could be slightly biased on how I found these products as I did receive them as a gift and, well, free stuff is always going to be fantastic. It's like those cheap bags of popcorn you receive at university open days that are the best things your taste buds have ever had the privilege of being acquainted with. Yes, I just compared a 100ml bottle of cleanser to a bag of popcorn.

Enough rambling, lets get down into the nitty gritty details of Aēsop's Fabulous Face Cleanser and Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner.

Despite every drop being too precious for my empty wallet to even consider, the cleanser wasn't an overly exciting product, as it didn't really seem to do the best job at cleaning my face after a day out.

I might consider this as being more of a morning cleaner, with it's pungent citrusy scent and cool, watery formula being rather refreshing. It's definitely fit for sensitive skin, too. It doesn't strip your skin of it's natural oils, and whilst it isn't non-comedogenic, it didn't seem to clog my pores either. 

It surprisingly lathers up quite nicely too. I still don't know if I could justify spending $40-$65 on 100ml-200ml of this stuff. 

As for the toner, I definitely may consider splurging. I've had mine for over a year now (I know, I'm terrible) and it's still going strong as  little goes a long way with this toner. I apply this straight after a shower and allow for it to dry into my skin before moisturising. The next morning I find my skin to be soft and primed for makeup. It's soothing on angry flare ups and helps to reduce inflammation. It's also surprisingly hydrating as well. 

Will I be repurchasing these products again? Most likely not on my student budget as there are better drugstore products out there for a quarter of the price, but they certainly are luxurious products to use after a long week. 

What do you think of Aēsop products? Do you have any favourites you swear by? We'd love to hear!

Until next time,

Essence Eyeliners...cheap as pencils [v] [CF]

Cheap eyeliners. Now now, stop with the mental cringes. They can sometimes be alright. See thing is, I can never quite justify splurging on glorified eye pencils... I understand that with a higher price comes a heightened staying power, increased pigmentation etcetera etcetera, but eyeliner isn't too bad with staying on the old eyes for me so I'm perfectly fine with buying $2 liners. 

Liquid liners are definitely a different case for me with factors such as flaking, colour pay off, ink quality and the like. 

I've found a brand where quality isn't overly compromised with a cheaper price. Essence has been talked about within the Australian blogger community before, and I thought that it was time for me to jump on the bandwagon and see what all the fuss was about.

I'll begin with the kajal pencils. I found the ever-so-ingeniously named "white" shaded pencil to be a great highlighter. Not only in the inner corners and on my browbone, but also across the very tops of my cheeks. Sounds weird, but the formula allows me to easily warm up the colour on my finger, and apply any where I want to highlight. It provides a lovely brightening affect to the eyes when applied how I have above, or allows for your eyes to appear larger when applied across your waterline. I blend it in with "Feel The Mari-Time" shade which really helps to open your eyes (no no, don't put down the coffee. I'll get back to you when I do find an energy boosting liner. You know I really should consider a career in inventing).

Both shades are relatively long-lasting and generally don't need a touch up during the day. They won't bleed on your eyes either, and are very much build-able and blend-able. Both retailed at $2 each (I couldn't express my excitement at a single digit price tag. Like come on, this stuff could be bought with couch cash).

The 2 in 1 eyeliner pen has worked itself into my handbag essentials this month. With two ends allowing you to either opt for a dramatic, thick line or a thin, precise line, a variety of looks can be created. The world of cat eyes is your oyster. The only thing I'm not so big on is the formula that seems to fade as the day passes. Re-touching your work is easy and effortless though, so I'm not overly fussed. For $6, I'm really not complaining ("What $6, mum? No, I'm sure I gave that change back to you"). 

What's your take on the Essence liners? Have you tried any Essence products lately? Do you have a cheap eyeliner you swear by? We would love to hear in the comments below!

Until next time,

Have you read... A Frank Review ...?

A Frank review

Hello lovely humans of the internet, Emily here,

Let's be frank (I apologise for the pun, but it was there and there was no chance that I wasn't going to take it)...scrubs are difficult. Maybe it's just me, but I've never been able to find the perfect body scrub. They're either far too fine or uncomfortably coarse; overly oily or completely dry; horrifically pungent or not fragranced enough etcetera etcetera etcetera. Well today, I've come to tell you about the scrub I've found to check all the right boxes. 

Today I'm reviewing the well-renowned body scrub, Frank.

With Frank across every platform of social media, there is no doubt that this sweet-talking coffee scrub is sweeping across the nation, into everyone's bathrooms.

I've currently trialled two of Frank's scrubs; the Coconut Coffee Scrub and the Original Coffee Scrub. In my opinion so far, the Coconut Coffee Scrub is my favoured one. It leaves less residue on my skin,  seems to be slightly less moist and has a fragrance more up my alley. It's supposed to be the one best suited for sensitive skin, but quite honestly, other than not leaving behind as much oil as the Original scrub, it's not too much different in this department.

Both promise to target cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, varicose veins, eczema, acne and scarring with roasted and ground robusta coffee beans. I went ahead and did a little extra research to find out the benefits of coffee for the skin. I've received the following information from this site here.

What I've discovered, is that through the power of coffee, your skin's strength and facial elasticity is greatly improved, as is the production of collagen and elastin, thus classifying it as an antioxidant. Along with the help of chlorgenic acid to reduce puffiness and redness and caffeine to smoothen any roughness, lines or wrinkles, any acne or scarring of the skin is combated over a short period of time through the use of a coffee scrub.

The Original Coffee Scrub contains brown sugar and sea salt to smoothen your skin, and almond oil to nourish, repair and tone. The Coconut Coffee Scrub replaces the almond oil with grapeseed and coconut oil to hydrate and repair, and smoothens the skin with the help of coconut flakes and jojoba beads in addition to the original recipe of brown sugar and sea salt.

From my own experience, after three weeks of scrubbing my problem areas and leaving the product to dry on my skin for around ten minutes, every other day, any scarring and acne is visibly reduced in size and redness. 

As for smoothening your skin, Frank does the job like no other. After most uses, I find I don't even need to moisturise as my skin is left feeling soft and rejuvenated. 

The fragrance is rather pungent, so if you don't like the smell of coffee, you may take a while getting used to it. But I can promise you once you get used to the aroma, you'll be best buddies with Frank. 

I can highly recommend this little guy to anyone on the hunt of a high quality scrub for a low price. 

Until next time, 

Have you read...A Salty Beginning...?

A Salty Beginning...

Picture from Tumblr

After a year of  introductions and rejoicing over our passion for all things beauty, fashion, travel, food and everything in between, we’ve finally decided to create a place for us to write until our heart’s content on all of our favourite topics.

It was December 26, 2014 when Bella and Emily - full of Christmas food and Boxing Day prosperity - created the ingeniously named beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog, Sea Salt Sirens, the very website you, lovely human, are sitting on.

So may we all raise our glasses to the beginning of an exciting journey of quality content, written by two sixteen year olds who are still on a journey themselves.

All of our social platforms can be found above the website’s profile picture. If you would like to email us, you can do so here: seasaltsirens@gmail.com.

If you would like to get to know the two blondes behind the blog, visit the “Meet The Team” tab in our navbar.

See you on the flipside with our next post!