Merry Christmas!

So, I totally had plans to do posts about Christmas gift ideas, but I got crazy busy doing things like making my own wrapping paper (well, I didn't actually make the paper itself, I made the pattern on it), and those posts never happened. But I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and I'll be posting again after Christmas, on things such as my favourite products of 2011.

Note: The picture above, while lovely, is not quite what your typical Christmas scene in New Zealand would look like, it being summer here and all.

Ecostore Baby Bubble Bath

Ecostore have added a bubble bath to their baby products range. It is gentle on young skin, and is scented with essential oils. It is $10.95 for 200ml; see www.ecostore.co.nz for stockists, or buy it online at www.ecostoredirect.co.nz.

Peppermint magazine

I've been on the hunt for an eco fashion/beauty magazine that comes from my part of the world, and have not been successful - until now! I recently discovered Peppermint, an Australian eco fashion/beauty/lifestyle magazine. It is published quarterly, and can be bought at Borders, Magnetix, Starfish stores, and www.endemicworld.com for $11.95 (it costs a bit more at Starfish, $12.25 I think).

The current issue is focusing on cruelty-free fashion, and has an in-depth article about the fur industry, plus loads of other cool features, including info about various resuable water bottles, instructions on how to pretty up plain tank tops using doilies, and an article on palm oil. I think it's an awesome magazine, and I'll buying it every season from now on.

Evolu 3D Eye Care

New to NZ brand Evolu is the 3D eye care range. The products are:

De-stress Soothing Eye Gel 25ml $49.95
Daylight Firming Eye Cream 30ml $59.95
Decrease Eye & Lip Line Serum 15ml $62

Stuff that smells like grapefruit

For a yummy, zesty, scent, try these grapefruit-scented products.

Methven Uplift Shower Infusion 37ml $19.95




Giovanni Grapefruit Sky Hydrate Body Lotion 250ml $23






Ren Neroli and Grapefruit Shower Gel 200ml $62

New Trilogy products

New to Trilogy’s Age Proof range is Triple Action Line Smoother, $49.90 for 30ml. It contains nourishing ingredients such as jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and avocado oil, and is formulated to target fine lines and deep wrinkles.

New to the Body Care range is Ultra Hydrating Body Cream, $29.90 for 150ml. Moisturising ingredients like honey, sunflower seed oil, and olive oil nourish the skin, and mica gives some shimmer.

Favourite product of winter

Spring has begun, but it has got off to a shaky start, literally. New Zealand’s second largest city, Christchurch, has been struck by a major earthquake, causing severe damage to the city. There have also been a lot of aftershocks. People in Christchurch have been helping each other out, and several charity appeals have been launched. To anyone reading this who is from Christchurch, I wish you all the best, stay strong.

Anyway, my favourite product of winter is The Body Shop Delipscious Tinted Lip Balm in Papaya, $24, made from 100% food grade ingredients. It is super moisturising, thanks to the Community Trade Cocoa Butter, and it gives a subtle nude/peachy tint and shimmer to the lips. It’s also great to layer on top of a matte nude-coloured lipstick for some sparkle and shine.