Review: Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream

So like all people interested in beauty stuff sometimes I can be a complete lemming sheep and try something just because others have said how great it is without any research of my own. Case in point is Oilatum which I purchased after watching a video of the Fabulous Pixiwoo sisters talking about their favourite items. Now Sam mentioned Embryolisse, while Nic favoured Oilatum - and if Embryolisse was easier to obtain I would probably be doing a review on that instead. *hangs head in shame*

Prior to Oilatum I had been using Lancome's Primordiale moisturiser and something in that was making my skin pissy so I wanted a cheap alternative and that's what Oilatum was. In a nutshell I used this product day and night for nearly a month and my skin recovered. Now currently using my second tube I am ready and more importantly motivated to write the review.

Packaging: I love a good plain packaged tube - no issues from me.

Smell: None that I can smell- whoo hoo!

Texture: For me this is somewhere between a cream and a lotion. It is both creamy and light making it very easy to absorb into the skin. I tend to double my moisturisers as eye creams and this did not irritate my eyes in anyway. I love the smooth feeling to my skin once it has absorbed -which happens almost immediately.

Performance against its claims:
 They say:

• penetrates deeply to intensively nourish irritating, dry and sensitive skin
• free from fragrances, preservatives and emulsifiers
• helps to repair your skin's natural barrier

I say:

• I did feel that this was nourishing to my skin and certainly calmed the irritation I was experiencing
• as I said I cannot smell anything 
• not sure how I could prove that, all I can say is that this helped with the issues I was having after using my new Lancome moisturiser

Value for Money: You get a 50ml tube and I paid about $23 AUD including postage from a UK seller both times. I used my first tube of this day and night for over a month before it finally gave out. I think it is a great product but for me the exchange rate and postage costs are reason enough to look around closer to home or even make my own - which is what I have been learning about on other blogs.

Have you tried any Oilatum products?

Empties for June 2011

I've seen a few people do these posts and I love reading them so thought I would give it a try as June was a month where I finished a few items:

Matrix Biolage Volumatherapie Shampoo and Conditioner - I purchased larger sizes of these from Strawberrynet and consider them some of the finest products I have used for my hair which is fine and limp. These made my hair feel fuller and stronger without any weight or gunky feeling. I adore them and will probably purchase them again in the future - I am currently trying Amplify which I have been interested in for ages.

Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser - I LOVE THIS CLEANSER. It is a HG item for me as it removes all traces of makeup without making my skin feel dry or greasy. However I have consciously decided not to purchase it again as Neutrogena test on animals according to beautypedia. I purchased Sukin's creamy cleanser and I hope to report good things after testing that out.

Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream - I heard about this from Nic on Pixiwoo and decided to try it as they both have dry skin. I purchased mine from eBay and when I got it my skin was in the process of going off the rails after I was using a new moisturiser that it didn't like (and cost me a fortune). I used it day and night and my skin got back to normal in no time at all (I used this in conjunction with Palmers Gentle Daily Cleanser). I am on my second tube and am using this as my daytime moisturiser. Love, love, love it.

MAC Prep and Prime - Ok the product itself is gorgeous. Hands down this is the best primer I have used however there a couple of things I have an issue with. Number 1 - black container means you have no freaking idea how much is left and even full this thing is as light as air. Number 2 - 6 month shelf life for a 30ml primer that is completely sealed seems ridiculous to me. Neither of these are deal breakers but if they were addressed this would definitely become HG for me. It's almost HG now.

Hope you are all having a lovely Sunday

Jac x

Favourites April 2011

When I went looking for my last favourites post I realised I haven't done one of these since OCTOBER. I think with summer and each emergency that happened (the floods, the cyclones, the earthquakes, the fires, the nuclear emergency, now tornadoes etc...) and specifically because of the nature of my 'real job',  my focus has been everywhere except here. Lucky for me I eventually come back to seek comfort in my stash (or try increasing it) when times get tough.

April has been a craptacular month for me personally, I've spent it battling the stress of a starting a new job, finishing my old job, constant hay fever (pick a season already Adelaide!), sinus infections, laryngitis and attempting to eat my weight in chocolate. As you can imagine this doesn't scream out "you look pretty" and my favourites really reflect that this month - think comfort and wanting to look less like death warmed up.

Foundation: This month I was testing FOA's Liquid Mineral (review done) and Bourjois' Healthy Mix (review coming) Foundations but when I had a choice I sought comfort in Maybelline's Dream Smooth Mousse (review coming).
Blush: MAC's Tenderling.
Powder: Rimmel Silky Loose face powder - I am yet to use a foundation this doesn't work with.

Eyeshadow: I was all over the place this month, often wearing no eye makeup so I could freely rub my eyes but my favourite look was from Physician's Formula Eyeshadow Trio in Baked Spices (review coming).
Mascara: MAC Opulash ( you guess it ....a review is coming)

Blush: MAC's Tenderling
Lipstick/Product: Hands down this was FOA's Mineral Lip Shine in Twilight Glow - such a comfort product and I just love them (a review is coming very soon but for now a swatch)

Skincare: Oilatum Natural Repair Face Cream (review coming)
Hair: Was too tired to care - sorry but as long as it was clean it was good enough for me.
Perfume: Oh perfume I remember you...I was completely scentless this month. I was very much looking forward to trying Su's fragrances but was too irritated to wear anything at all. I even had to switch back to a scentless soap from my usual body wash. MASSIVE SAD FACE!
Other: This is the Zoya month. After obtaining their Intimate Collection from eBay I have done a few orders for other shades from nails etc (I have a problem!) and I am very impressed. There are some NOTD pics to come from this collection very soon. This collection can be split into two groups for me - the purples and the others.

  From left to right: Dove, Gemma and Jules (the others)

  From left to right: Dannii, Marley (my fav) and Caitlin (the purples)

What were your favourites of the month?