Polished & Nude

I selected my favourite nail colours for you!
All of them are vegan, toxin-free (-ish) and made by local awesome brands.

I love toxin-free nail polish and Sienna Byron Bay's colour selection has been a long favourite.
My colour for this Summer has been "MUSE" it seems to really suit my skin and is so pretty on toes. I really love the longevity & quality of these and also wore them on my wedding day.

I am a sucker for a good nude, especially in my pro-kit it's what I mainly use and I love a nice nude nail for myself as well, it's low maintenance and just chic. The newest kids on the block are the nail polishes by Ere Perez.
Ere Perez "Ballet" & "Soul" are just perfect. They also strengthen the nail. They have promising bright colours too, which I haven't tried yet, but I am smitten with the nudes for now and they are the latest addition to my kit.

Another really great Australian brand with a really cool selection of colours is Kester Black.
I have owned really quirky & stunning shades in the past and have always been happy with them.

If you get your nails done at a salon, look for a toxin-free & cruelty-free one, or simply bring your own products with you.

Sweet Serenity - A Vibrant Treat For My Skin

"You look wonderful! " said the lovely random lady, stopping me on the street staring at my face. Well, I definitely felt very good and radiant while running errands with little Faye in tow.

I can't say that it was the skin care that led to this compliment but I know that Max&Me Oils have this very therapeutic effect, they somehow uplift my soul and put me in a great mood.

Is it the beautiful packaging with Elf illustrations or the organic & wildcrafted ingredients? There is surely some magic involved when it comes to this luxury skin care brand! 

I hinted that this month is a little over-scheduled (to avoid saying stressful, which is just a little too negative) for us and on top of everything my kitchen flooded today, but that's a story for another time. Or actually hardly worth telling. Ever. 

To change things up from my usual skincare routine, this month is asking for some extra treats:

I have been oil cleansing with Purity&Grace and moisturising with Sweet Serenity Beauty Balm. And what can I say? Magic! 
Both are balancing for all skin types and can be used day & night, which came in handy when travelling.  

The magic happens when you inhale the aromatic Oils prior to massaging the balm into the skin. They are both vegan, organic, and packed with luxurious natural ingredients. 
Highly recommended!  

I will share some more about this line and a few surprises over here soon. Stay tuned.  

Beauty Hacks For New Mums - MASKS

Masks are like a mini facial at home. They are so fun and give your skin a boost.
While finding time to mess with a traditional clay or creme mask can be tough, I have found some clever next generation masks that are perfect for new Mums. Or at least they work for me :)
I have been drafting on this Beauty Hacks post for a while and I always end up adding more and more tips and content...
This is not just for Mum's but for everyone that is time poor but feels in need for some special treats and boosters :)
I am in no way suggesting that Mum's need to look good at all times. I personally love to pamper myself a little bit and do something healthy for myself. Nutrition, rest, movement and meditation are most important as self care! But there is nothing wrong with Masking either :)

So: I was deciding to turn this into a little series instead!

1. Overnight Masks - Think Sleeping Beauty
While we miss out on a little bit of our beauty sleep we can help our skin by using night time masks. The next generation of these combines cleansing actions of clay masks with hydrating and regenerating oils for the perfect balance. Of course, you can use them during the day too.
I put mine on the evening when we sometimes get to watch a movie (or Star Trek Episode... we are totally addicted guys! How good are all these old Star Trek Episodes?) or read or chat. By the time we go to bed it has absorbed enough so I can leave it on over night without making a mess. It actually happens pretty quickly but I don't want to risk smothering my pillow cases.
If you want to apply it right before bed, use a thin layer instead.
The next morning my skin glows! I then wash my face as usual and am fresh for the day.

There are two new masks that I like:

Divine Ultra Perfecting Mask
Ultra Perfecting is a pretty high claim. What is perfect anyways? I surrender to the imperfect beauty of things these days...
But: This mask does really balance the skin. It's a clever combination of White Clay (cleansing), Hyaluronic Acid (hydrating) & a combination of nourishing oils. It's certified organic and without nasties.
 

& Sleeping Beauty Purifying Mousse
This has made me waking up radiant, which is pretty amazing. It's a real treat to use in the evening especially since this has the most luxurious natural scent of Rose Otto! But besides that it feels good for the soul the ingredients are top notch.
 Australian Pink Clay and the volcanic mineral Zeolite purify the skin, removing impurities to prevent breakouts whilst at the same time support skin cell renewal and rejuvenation. Avocado Oil (5 Alpha Avocuta) reduces excess oil production and soothes whilst Acai and Snowflower Seed Oil hydrate and nourish the skin, promoting flawless radiance.

2. Sheet Masks

I can't get enough of sheet masks. Easy-Peasy, rinse free and immediate results. Can be used any time of day! These are best for an immediate glow effect.
My favourite is this one, which I have already told you about.
Make sure not to use Sheet Masks on very dry skin though, you want to moisturize and treat your skin first. Sheet masks are hydrating boosters but they don't offer the richness or comfort of a cream mask. That's why I love them most in warmer weather! Also perfect for holidays, for plane travel and to bring to little getaways.
If your skin is dry/flakey you want to use a balm or right night cream as a treatment instead and use the sheet mask when your skin is back to normal.

I hope you got inspired! Mask On Mamas!

Video: My favourite Hair & Body Products

Hey guys, I made a little Video:
 

One thing upfront:

This is in no way a sponsored post. All products mentioned are my own favourites that I keep buying again and again. I get asked A LOT about what I am using and while I know that what works for me might not necessarily be your cup of tea, I am happy to share my thoughts and recommend the things that I genuinely love to use myself.

I hope you enjoy...

I have been meaning to record videos for ages, but then this wonderful pregnancy popped along and changed lots of plans. Also, it does feel a little funny, talking to the camera all by myself, trying not to make a total fool of myself. Ah well.
My pregnancy brain also made me forget to use my external mic, so the sound isn't as good. Same with my posture...(don't get me started, but I am close to 37 weeks pregnant after all...)
Let me know what you think!

Pregnancy & Perfume

Pregnant women are famous for their sensitive noses that can smell unpleasant things from a million miles away.
 Add some morning sickness and food aversions to the mix.... it makes fragrance a complicated matter.

Pretty much all conventional fragrance is synthetically derived and usually contains phthalates, which have NOT to be listed on the label, so my advice for any human being is to avoid them at all times.
If you are trying to conceive and/or are in your childbearing years it's especially important not to use them.
They have shown to be responsible for many shocking side effects. Personally, I have not used any products containing phthalates for years, when I started learning about what's actually in my "luxurious" perfume, it went straight into the bin.

Instead, I use natural alternatives. Now, those are tricky during pregnancy as well, as they contain a high amount of essential oils, which can be very potent and are absorbed into your bloodstream. While some selective essential oils have really positive effects during pregnancy others have to be avoided. So unless you are an aromatherapy expert, you want to go easy on the oils, especially in your first trimester.

So what's a Mama-to-be going to do? Vanessa Megan, the genius behind the beautiful Australian natural perfume, skin and body care line has thought about this! Thanks, Megan!

"Garden Wonderland"
She has developed a pregnancy perfume, which also helps with morning sickness and it's safe to use during pregnancy & breastfeeding, as well as around your baby. Now, I didn't use this when I was still constantly nauseous, so I can't comment or judge if it helps with morning sickness. (Mine was so severe, nothing was helping, but it might do something for mild cases?) BUT I can tell you, that it smells delicious! I am a huge fan and enjoy wearing it! I was skeptical that it wouldn't last on the skin, as this one has a lower concentration of essential oils so that you can use it during pregnancy. Well, I was wrong, it lasts beautifully on my skin and leaves a deep warm scent, hours after I applied it.
I am going to stick to it for the rest of this pregnancy and once baby girl is born.

It feels very uplifting and calming at the same time, just what I need in the midst of all these hormones going wild.