​Botani, a 100 percent botanically based organic skincare range using olive derived plant extracts including their signature ingredient olive squalene.  Formulated in Melbourne by the founder of Botani by herbalist and naturopath Barbara Filokostas.  

I’ve been using Botani products for quite a while and the reason I stick with them is because they feel so fresh, clean and  pure, but they still work.   I would recommend Botani products to anyone who has very sensitive skin, everyone in the family can use Botani without fear of any skin reactions.     

Botani also use modern science to test the performance and safety of their products,  combined with using all natural skincare, this is a perfect combination for modern natural skincare.  
  
They use a blend of potent superfoods, herbal extracts and Australian native plants and are of course vegan and cruelty free. 

For our followers there is a unique discount code where you can get 10% off your purchase!   
Use the following code Beauty2018 at check-out at Botani.

​PhytoBody Wash 

​This is truly a beautiful body wash, it is so gentle that even those with serious skin conditions can use it, such as those with psoriasis, and those who are undergoing chemotherapy.

The formula is gel based and it lathers up nicely, enough to be able to shave your legs and underarms with confidence, no nicks or grazes.   It contains moringa protein, which is loaded with amazing antioxidants, it's high in vitamin A (retinol) which is one of the best anti-ageing ingredients, along with olive squalene.  

It also contains anti-bacterial Lemon Myrtle and Orange Peel Oil and Chamomile and Calendula to soothe skin. This also gives it an amazingly fresh, soft and clean scent.  

It is multipurpose,   it's great economically and for the environment as it can also be used as shaving gel , shampoo or bubble bath.

​​Purify facial cleanser

This is a really nice, simple and gentle gel based cleanser.  It balances skin without using any harsh ingredients, just pure ingredients from nature.   This wins hands down over any chemical facial cleanser around today and many other natural cleansers, especially for balancing skin.    It improves skin tone and keeps acne at bay.   It feels so refreshing and beautiful, it removes make-up easily (which I wear every day).

It contains the nourishing calendula and French lavender and Australian lemon scented tea tree oil.   
 
Suitable for all skin types, from dry to oily, I have combination skin and felt as though it left my skin feeling really soft and smooth.    
 

Olive skin serum

I have been using this delicate olive skin serum daily, it contains the skin saving ingredient olive squalene, which resembles the built in moisturiser in our skin.   Squalene decresases as we age, this is why this amazing little ingredient is so important in our  skin care routine.      

​This serum is non-greasy and really seems to just melt into my skin very quickly, so can also be used in the morning before applying make-up.

It seals moisture into skin for 24 hours, so even if you just apply once in the morning you’re obtaining some amazing anti aging benefits without too much effort!   

The organic Mediterranean olives used in this serum are from their heartland in Greece.  The extract from the olive pip is a skin-biocompatible ingredient which is almost identical to the squalene in human skin.  It treats skin conditions, such as Eczema, Psoriasis & Rosacea.

What is great about this serum is that although  it is an oil,  it doesn’t feel oily, so it’s fantastic for every skin type, even oily skin.  It has a subtle light lemony scent.   

I also love the amber bottle. 

Botani is a beautiful organic and natural skin care range,  when I use it I feel like I'm really taking care of my skin the right way.    I get a very forest fresh feeling when I use it.    Because all of the ingredients are so safe, I would recommend this range to people of all ages,  especially those with extra sensitive skin who have trouble finding effective, but gentle skin care.

​Available at Botani. Remember to use this unique discount code Beauty2018 at check-out to receive 10% off! ​

Guest post by: Jordan Klee 

​Shea butter is a natural product with various benefits. Its versatility allows you to use it for health and beauty purposes and DIY cosmetics. When searching for the ideal shea butter, I look for products that satisfy my personal needs. I prefer a shea butter that contains only one ingredient, is 100% unrefined, not too thick in texture, is grade A, organic, and blends well when mixing with other natural products. I personally use shea butter to make a whipped body butter. Therefore, it is necessary that the product contains these components. Out of the raw butters that I have tried, the unrefined ivory shea butter by Better Shea Butter is my favorite.
 
Ingredients

​With so many versions of raw shea butter, I read the labels to ensure that I am purchasing a quality product. Better Shea Butter is my favorite because it is 100% pure shea butter and happens to be vegan-friendly. There are no added chemicals or additives. This benefit is a plus for those who use shea butter for skin care issues such as acne and eczema.
 
How to use

​This product has a nice feel when applied to the skin directly. Some butters are too thick and heavy to mix with other ingredients. I have not had that issue with the Better Shea Butter brand. It also comes with an eBook that provides recipes for skin care. I love how soft and light it is and how it melts easily in my hands. If preparing homemade cosmetics such as lotions, creams, butters, lip balms, or a hair treatment, the consistency of Better Shea Butter makes blending a simple task. Unlike many other shea butter brands, this one comes in a block rather than a jar. I personally prefer this because reaching into a jar to use the product can be messy. When it is time to use the product, I simply slice a chunk off and apply it as needed.
 
Quality

The brand promises quality, handmade shea butter from Ghana that is easy to use. Some of the other products on the market contain additional ingredients that take the purity away from the shea butter. I’ve personally noticed that this product feels more pleasant when applying it straight to the skin. Some other brands are too thick and sit on top of the skin’s surface.
 
Product Features

​Since this shea butter is a natural, organic product, its color can vary from gray, beige and off-white. It does have a slight scent, but it is neither potent or repulsive. Its consistency has a rich texture but is still light enough that it doesn’t leave a residue.
 
Additional Benefits

Some of the other key attributes are that the product has anti-inflammatory properties, contains vitamins A, E and F, relieves severe skin damage, targets common skin problems, protects against environmental exposure, and is safe for everyone, including children.
 
Customer Reviews

​Some of the most common reviews on the product include the light smell, the benefits it provides for natural hair, the fact that it is not greasy, and how a little bit of the product can go a long way. The majority of the Amazon reviews are 4 and 5-star ratings and is a popular search item on the site within its category. Granted, Amazon reviews can be a bit of a seesaw. So it’s best to take them with a grain of salt.
 
How to Store

The product lasts approximately two years after the purchase date. I consider the temperature and humidity levels when storing the product. It should be kept in a cool setting and in its original packaging or a sealable glass container.
 
Purchasing

​I order this product from Amazon. It costs roughly $15 and I receive a 16-oz. bag of the ivory shea butter. In my opinion, many of the other shea butters on the market don’t compare to the quality and benefits the Better Shea Butter offers.
 

​Jordan is the beauty and brains behind Beautifully Alive! She loves eating healthy and trying new recipes.The self-proclaimed Zumba Queen has a passion for beauty products and loves reading new books. She's always down for a DIY project

Lqd BODY coffee scrub 
​
This coffee scrub is super effective, the fine grittiness cleanses skin thourougly and leaves it feeling vibrant. It contains activated charcoal to absorb toxins and two powerful exfoliators, Organic Fair Trade coffee and Australian Ocean Mineral Sea Salt.      It polishes skin and removes debri.  

Exfoliate, smooth and hydrate your skin with this super gritty, coffee scrub.
With activated charcoal to absorb and trap toxins, grease, pollution and sweat. And two powerful mechanical exfoliators, Organic Fair Trade coffee and Australian Ocean Mineral Sea Salt, to remove the debris while polishing the skin.
 ​

What I love about these products is that they are so effective, but also very mild when it comes to my sensitive skin.  The scent is subtle, yet I can still smell  a hint of premium coffee.  
 
I think it’s great to see a natural skincare brand designed for men,  I love the packaging, black and white, stylish and suits any bathroom.  
 
Lqd products include high levels of AHA’s, BHA’s, Anti-Irritants, Anti-inflammatory agents, Vitamins, Anti-Oxidants and anti-aging peptides.
 
Lqd can be used by guys (and gals) with even the most sensitive skin conditions, including rosacea, dermatitis, eczema and keratosis.
 
They have excluded commonly used ingredients that are known skin irritants icluding sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), sodium dodecyl sulphate, parabens, paraffin, phthalates, menthol, colourings, and fragrances.

I think it's a great addition to any skin care routine and if you have a partner who is also into natural skin care you can share these products in your bathroom! Although you might end up fighting over them and will have to buy your own!

​Available at Lqd.

Premium skincare artisans, Herbs & Heart, have created a stunning line of natural skin care products, which are made purely from organic fruit and plant extracts and natural botanicals.  I have been using their Face Mud, a nutrient rich cleansing mask, it smells sooooooo amazing, good enough to eat and the ingredients are so pure you probably could! ​

​I love this mask!, it’s so different and unique to other masks I’ve tried. The Face Mud is blended with 3 main ingredients, which are manuka honey, orange peel and sandalwood.   Manuka honey is a top ingredient of mine, it's derived from the Manuka bush found in New Zealand, it's soothing and healing and helps to promote the structural integrity of collagen in skin cells, healthy collagen is what we want more of as we start to age!

Orange peel is a natural astringent, high in vitamin C which prevents oxidative stress in skin cells, it helps to cleanse and renew skin.  It detoxifies and exfoliates. 

Sandalwood evens out skin tone and brings out a natural radiance, it actually has special properties to relieve skin of prickly heat, which is inflammation of the skin in hot weather.   Sandalwood gently takes care of skin, leaving it feelings soft and smooth, it is one of my favourites, I actually wear sandalwood every day as a scented oil, I love it that much. 

​With this mask, you mix it up with a bit of water so it turns into a paste, apply all over face and wash off after a few minutes, it is a  combination between a cleanser, scrub and a mask, so your getting 3 in the 1 product.  Honestly, it feels amazing.

It has a cooling action to it and makes me feel very calm, maybe that’s the sandalwood coming through with it’s relaxation properties.    

​So far, I’d say this is my favourite mud mask, my face feels soft and radiant and I feel like I'm putting so much healthy goodness into my skin.    I am heavily into herbal remedies and feel that this company have really tapped into using the right herbs to help with healing skin.   The ingredients are full of B vitamins and vitamin C.     It also contains walnut shell powder which helps with the exfolation.

Other ingredients include coconut oil, dead sea salt, aloe leaf, apricot kernel oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon bark extract, thyme, lavender extract, citrus lemon peel and  mentha leaf extract.   It's no wonder this smells so divine. 

​Herbs & Heart are proudly cruelty-free, vegan and use only ethically sourced ingredients in their fully recyclable range of products.  Australian made and absolutely no nasty ingredients.  I love the glass jar this comes in, I always prefer products in glass jars.  I can't wait to try their other products.  

Available at Herbs & Heart.
 

​Deluxe Shea Butter  is an A+ grade certified organic shea butter.  The fact that it is unrefined, which means it is completely pure, no bad chemicals, just 100 percent natural, makes this such a pleasure to use.

This particular shea butter is extracted from the fruits of the shea tree which grow along the west Africa savannah, this ghana gold is referred to as nkuto butter by the locals and has been used traditionally for it’s cosmetic, nutritional and medicinal purposes.  
  
Deluxe Shea Butter is fair trade practice and sustainably harvested.  It sources its A-grade ’nkuto butter' directly from female co-operatives that operate within the Kumbungo district of Ghana. The process, which draws upon traditional methods, involves the collection, cleaning, segregation, drying, and pounding of the Shea nuts into a paste where it is then mixed with water and agitated by hand to produce a form of curd. This top layer is collected and then purified into an oil and left to cool and solidify, resulting in unadulterated, pure Shea butter.  

Deluxe Shea Butter is rich in so many vitamins including vitamin a, e and f, stearic and oleic acids.   It can be used on all skin types and is very helpful in  treating eczema and psoriasis.    Can also be used on stretch marks and wrinkles and even on sore muscles, as it has natural anti inflammatory benefits. 

This is my new go to product for my feet and especially cracked heels, it might save me a few trips of having to get so many pedicures!

The business began operations in 2007 when the two founding brothers formed a partnership with their mother and Auntie, the late Nana Adubea Yeboah II, Traditional Chief of Aduamoa in Kwahu, Ghana.  Initially supplying Shea butter to the Ghanaian community in their adopted hometown of Adelaide, South Australia.  Increased conciousness of the benefits of Shea Butter has seen Deluxe Shea Butter Australia grow steadily from local roots to be an international presence. 

A wonderfully soothing and effective salve, I love the natural scent of it too.

Available at Deluxe Shea Butter. 
​
 
​

By: Boris Dzhingarov 

Staying beautiful isn’t always easy, or cheap! In fact, many of us would relish any opportunity to bring down the amount that we regularly spend on beauty products. This seemingly impossible task is actually much easier than you think. You can save a lot of money by buying smarter, rather than buying less. There are also a number of ways that budding entrepreneurs can generate a little extra income to fund their habit.

Here are just some of the ways that you can drastically reduce the amount you spend on cosmetics products without sacrificing your overall look.

Use What You Have
​
Far too many of us end up abandoning makeup, lipstick, and other cosmetics without using the entire product. This is a huge source of wastage, even when we discard products because we decide that we don’t like them. In most cases, there is no need to throw the products away. Instead, have a look around for some creative ways to use them. Alternatively, you could see if a friend would be willing to swap it for something that might suit you better.

​Switch Brands

Consumer psychology is an interesting thing. It turns out that when we pay more for a product we feel, perhaps even ‘know’, that it is of a higher quality than a cheaper product. However, once you dig beneath the surface, you often find that this isn’t the case and that the cheaper ‘inferior’ product actually performs just as well. This is as true for makeup as it is for anything else. Try a few different, better priced, brands rather than just sticking to the established – and more expensive – big name brands.

Start a Fund

If you’re really dedicated to your preferred brand or retailer and don’t want to change, then you might find it helpful to get into some good savings habits. That way, you’ll always have some change on hand when you need it. There are a million and one ways that you can start a little fund like this for yourself. If you think of yourself as an entrepreneur in the making then you might want to look into how you can break into the world of investments. If you already know what you’re doing, look here to get the latest forex news.

​Buy Online

Internet shopping truly is a wonderful thing, especially when it comes to cosmetics. The big, and obvious, the drawback is that you can’t try products that you see on a website without ordering them. However, once you have a particular brand and product that you like, you can look into ordering it bulk and saving yourself quite a lot of money in the process.

Sales and Samples

The internet is a great platform for finding the best possible prices on products, whether you buy individually or in bulk. You can also often find coupon deals for individual retailers if you search online for ‘[retailer] discount codes’. Some retailers will offer free samples with orders and many high street chains will allow you to try free samples before you commit to buying.

​Buying cosmetics doesn’t have to be a massive drain on your finances, not if you follow these simple tips and try and spend as sparingly as you can get away with.

Milky Foot is an intense and extremely effective exfoliating foot pad.   This is the first time I have tried anything like this and I have to say it’s pretty amazing, these actually do work!

So this is what happens, you leave the countoured foot socks wrapped around your feet for an hour, just sit back and relax.   The pads contains natural ingredients which start to absorb into your feet, it feels very cool and soothing.  After around 3 days the dead and dry skin will start to peel off.  By day 2 I did start to wonder is this really going to happen? but by day 3 my dry skin did start to peel off!  At first I noticed it on the soles of my feet, which is where I have the driest skin and by day 4 the skin on the tops of my feet started peeling off.   At first it can feel a bit strange, but rest assured, by the end of the 7 days my feet felt so smooth and soft.  They’ve never really felt like this before.   

I found the whole process pretty amazing!    The intense exfoliating action happens because of the following ingredients, milk ferment filtrate and mandolin acid (from almond milk).

I have extremely dry feet, which means I also get hard callouses and cracks on my heels, but this process made my entire feet feel silky soft, similar to the feeling you get after a pedicure, but this is better because it’s removing the dead skin from all over your feet, also alot more affordable than visiting a salon. It’s recommended to use the pads every 2-3 months, which is what I will be doing.   

​Available at - Milky Foot ​

CameLife is a premium natural skincare line which contains camel milk.  These products really had me very curious as to how well camel milk works in skincare and what the difference is between this and other skincare.   

I have been very pleasantly surprised.  These are very effective products at keeping my skin looking and feeling super hydrated and they also smell heavenly.  Camel milk contains vitamin C, fatty acids and protective proteins which help to counter-act ageing and keep skin looking firm and healthy.   If you haven't tried it before I think you will also be surprised at how well it works.  

I tried two products from the range - ​

Restorative Night Cream

​This anti-ageing night cream with it’s unique formula of camel milk, natural skin saving oils such as jojoba, argan, avocado oils and shea butter offer a lovely and hydrating cream which targets fine lines and wrinkles .

It also contains vitamin c, iron and natural alpha hydroxyl and omega fatty acids. This unique blend helps to repair damaged skin as well as helping to keep it looking firm.    ​

I found these products to feel very luxurious, effective in keeping my skin looking and feeling amazing.   Very soothing, as it also contains aloe. 

​

CameLife is the first brand to be launched by The Australian Camel Milk Company.  I found the products to feel quite luxurious and effective at keeping my skin feeling youthful.

​Available at CameLife.

​

By: Jessicka Bell 

Here’s the reality about catwalk confidence: It’s all about projection.
 
Forget about what your life is currently truly like, or how your outfit itches like crazy. Your focus should always be on selling an image. Nothing else matters when you’re on the runway, you just have to be, in Tyra Banks’ words, “fierce and fabulous.”
 
Catwalk confidence does not only apply on the runway; it will also help you tremendously when you feel doubtful about a lot of things. Life can throw all kinds of curveballs at you, but if you have this kind of confidence, you can fake it until you make it.
 
Runway and print models from top modelling agencies will always tell you that the confidence they exude originated from a place of uncertainty. Very few personalities in the fashion world start off with amazing, intact confidence that radiates wherever they go and whatever they may be doing. Most of them start off rather insecure. However, over time, they develop confidence, a thick skin, and the ability to look at things objectively in a way that silences their self-doubt.
 
If you wish to develop catwalk confidence to beat frequent episodes of self-doubt, here are some tips provided by a leading model talent management agency.

​1.     Take care of yourself. 

Whenever you feel somewhat inadequate, aim to determine ways you can be better. One of the most important aspects of self-improvement is health.
 
Start eating more nutritious food, get more exercise, and meditate. These self-care efforts can do so much in improving how you see yourself. In addition, these can improve your body’s chemical composition. Eating vitamin- and mineral-enriched food can significantly improve your mood; ditto with working out and meditating.
 
Most importantly, the deliberate decision to take care of yourself is an obvious expression of valuing oneself. When you value yourself, you present a strong counter-attack to the voices of self-doubt that you hear in your head, and even the voices of people who belittle you.

​2.     Hold your head up high. 

A mere change in posture can boost confidence. When you stand tall, you create a powerful presence for yourself, which other people can be expected to respond to with admiration and respect.
 
Once you see people responding to you the way you want them to, whatever self-doubt you may be feeling can go away, even just temporarily.

​3.     Dress your best. 

Stylists from a talent agency say that dressing beautifully can have a huge impact on how you feel on the inside. Drown out the voices that prompt you to be cruel to yourself by assuming and maintaining an outward appearance that is the opposite of what those voices are telling you.
 
Also, research reveals that appearance strongly influences other people’s perception of you. Become a sharp dresser and you will be perceived as someone who is successful, intelligent, trustworthy, and has authority over others.
 
You may be feeling down on yourself, but when you dress impressively, who’ll be able to tell that you’re not quite self-assured? When others see you as “smart and in-charge,” you won’t be able to help but believe that you are.

​4.     Walk with purpose. 

​Fix that slouch and avoid the tendency to drag your feet when you walk. There’s nothing like walking and looking like you know where you’re going to make you feel like you really know where you’re heading. This simple action transforms the feeling of uncertainty into adventure.
 
Young models share quite often that when they go to casting calls in order to book jobs, they usually find themselves in a completely new place and without a proper clue as to how to get from point A to point B. However, they walk with a clear purpose – that is, to get a casting call – and more often than not, they find their way and achieve their target outcome.
 
These four tips are all organic approaches to developing confidence. You don’t need to change what you naturally have – you just need a healthier mindset. With catwalk confidence, you’ll be able to deal with moments of self-doubt appropriately and ensure your advantage in the runway of life.

​AUTHOR BIO
​
Jessicka Bell co-founded the AgenC, one of the leading model/talent agencies in the Middle East, in 2014. After just three years in the market, the AgenC now works with most (if not all) of the heavy hitters in media and fashion, as well as represents over 1,000 talents ranging from international models through to cast, kids, creatives and photographers.

We are feel good inc. have developed the perfect preservative free sunscreen which I have tried and tested on myself for the past few months. ​