Wednesday 23 April 2014

Mothers Day - Cruelty Free Beauty Gifts

We love our mums and our furry friends so this year we have rounded up our favourite cruelty free beauty items available to purchase for Mum this Mothers Day - Sunday 11 May (set those reminders on your phones peeps!)

Team any of these items up with a cute bouquet of flowers and you are good to go.





1.  She Lives For Mums Pack - Purchase from www.shelivescrueltyfree.com for $55.00
2.  LUSH - You're The Best Gift - Purchase from www.lushnz.com for $22.50
3.  Kester Black Nude Nail Polish - Purchase from www.kesterblack.com for $17.00 AUD
4.  Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask - Purchase from www.trilogyproducts.com for $35.90
5.  Karen Murrell Lipstick - Cordovan Natural - Purchase from www.karenmurrell.com for $30.00
6.  The Herb Farm Pamper Bath Salts - Purchase from www.herbfarm.co.nz for $18.50
7.  Antipodes Deliverance Kowhai Flower Hand Cream - Purchase from www.antipodesnature.com for $34.20
8.  Kiri Organics Indulgence Set - Purchase from www.kiriorganics.co.nz for $39.95

Thanks for reading guys and remember to check us out on Facebook, link in the side bar.


Sunday 20 April 2014

Pore Problems

Anyone that owns a magnifying mirror will tell you of that unforgettable moment when they got up close and personal with their pores and discovered whiteheads, blackheads, or in my case both!  If you are anything like me you sit there and poke and prod at them until you think you have removed them all.  The satisfaction of removing blackheads is pretty magic, what is not so magic is the red inflamed mess left behind,  it's not a pretty sight and quite often your skin is left worse off than if you never touched them in the first place.

There is a huge selection of skincare products out there that claim to do everything from fighting blackheads to decreasing the size of your pores and even making both disappear!  With this in mind,  I have gone an a fact finding mission to see if there is such a way to minimise the size of your pores and also if there is a way to reduce or completely remove blackheads and whiteheads.

What are pores?
Pores are the openings of hair follicles.  Each follicle contains a sebaceous gland which is a tiny gland that produces your skins oil.  On certain parts of your face like your t-zone your pores are more noticeable as the sebaceous glands are bigger.

What makes pores larger?
Pores take on a larger appearance when they are clogged with oil, dirt or dead skin cells, they also get larger if you, like me squeeze your blackheads/whiteheads or pimples.  Pore size is generally determined by two things; your genes, and skin condition.  Fair skinned people tend to have smaller pores while people with darker skin tones have larger pores.  People with dry skin tend to have much smaller pores than those with oily skin.

What is a blackhead/whitehead?
A blackhead is an overactive oil gland that has become clogged up with oil, dead skin cells, tiny hair strands and sometimes bacteria, that combine to make a plug. When light and air come into contact with the opening of the pore it oxidises it turning it black.  Whiteheads are very similar however they do not turn black as they have only a small microscopic hole in the skin- as air and light don't come into contact with the contents within the pore it can not oxidise.

Can I permanently reduce my pore size?  Laser treatment seems to be the only option here, the procedure is designed to increase collagen which tightens pores.

What can I do to diminish my pores and stop blackhead appearing?
The most effective and natural way to diminish pore size is to keep them clear!  It makes sense really, the less dirt/oil/dead skin in your pores the smaller they will be!  .

I am by no means a skincare expert, however from all that I have read it appears that natural products are the way to go and being scrupulous with your skincare regime.  It is also very important to follow a healthy diet low in fatty and oily foods, drink plenty of water and exercise frequently! 

I am going to be testing out a few Skinfood products, they will be listed below.  As Skinfood does not make a toner I will be sticking with my usual holy grail toner - Dermalogica Age Smart Antioxidant Hydromist - Its pretty fair to say I am addicted to this product.  It is amazing!

PORE/BLACKHEAD MINIMISING SKINCARE ROUTINE


Cleanse - Every morning and night, cleanse cleanse cleanse! 

If you are going to the gym or doing any sort of activity where you are likely to sweat more than normal cleanse your face before and after.  Sweat can carry dirt/makeup further into your pores, a quick and easy option here would be to carry some cleansing wipes in your workout bag!

What I'm using:  Skinfood Cleans All - Purchased from www.skinfood.co.nz for $13.99



Exfoliate - A gentle exfoliant that you can really work into your skin is the best option here.

Massage your problem areas to remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil.  If you have normal skin exfoliate daily, people with more sensitive skin 3-4 times per week.  Removing dead skin cells makes your skin more sensitive to UV light - remember to apply sunscreen!

What I'm using:  Skinfood Exfoliating Scrub - Purchased from www.skinfood.co.nz for $13.99


Tone - Choose a toner that is free from alcohol or peroxide and these can really dry your skin out. 

A toner is generally used to clean away anything that your cleanser left behind, as I am going to be cleansing and exfoliating each day I prefer to use a toner rich in antioxidants that is hydrating as well as having anti aging ingredients.

What I'm using:  Dermalogica Age Smart Antioxidant Hydramist 150mls - Purchased from www.dermalogica.co.nz for $91



Mask - Masks that contain clay/mud are great for drawing out oil from the skin.

How it works:  As the water in the mask evaporates the clay pulls away from your skin and takes dead skin cells and debris that clog pores with it.  I will be applying this mask twice a week after steam cleansing. 

What I'm using:  Skinfood Mud Masque - Purchased from www.skinfood.co.nz for $13.99




Moisturise - Choose a moisturiser that is light and contains natural products. 

If you wear makeup on a regular basis always moisturise your face first as this acts as a barrier between your skin and your makeup. Moisturisers that contain ingredients such as retinol increase cell turnover so they unclog the pores, making them appear smaller! 

What I'm using:  Skinfood Light Moisturiser - Purchased from www.skinfood.co.nz for $13.99




Steam Cleanse - This is something I usually do when I am congested but will give it a go if it will help clear up my skin, you boil a pot of water on the stove, take it off the heat and place on a heat resistant surface.  Then grab a towel and place over your head creating your own little facial steam room!  This will aid in opening up the pores to release all those nasties trapped under the skin!  I will be doing this twice a week before I apply my face mask.

Over the next few weeks I am going to be religiously sticking to the above skincare routine in a bid to reduce my pore size and get rid of my whiteheads.  Check back in a few weeks for an update of how I am going.



Thursday 17 April 2014

Party Planning - Girls Birthday Party For Under 5's

Happy Thursday guys!  The weather is miserable but it is the last day of the working week for me and our household is very much looking forward to long weekends and the Easter Bunny making his annual appearance!  This time 4 years ago I was heavily pregnant and counting the days till my youngest was due!  With less than a month till her fourth birthday I've started the ball rolling on birthday party preparations. 

Below I have gathered a few images from Pinterest that have inspired me, along with where you can purchase some products and a few helpful tips along the way!


Party Table:  This year I will be using wrapping paper for the table runner, not only is this cost effective and super easy when it comes to clean up time it is a great way to change up birthday parties each year rather than using the same tablecloth!  There are also so many different varieties of beautiful wrapping paper to choose from when compared to traditional tablecloths/table runners.  To add some dimension to the table runner I will glue a selection of white paper doilies down the middle to set the scene for the centrepiece.
 

Silver Chevron Wrapping Paper

Buy from The Pretty Baker

$7.99 - 3m


Round White Paper Doilies

Buy from PopRoc Parties

$1.50 - $4.50 - assorted sizes - 12 pack



Centrepiece:  I will be painting some glass jars and using these to house straws, flowers, and marshmallow pops.

Decorations:  To fit in with the pink, white and silver theme I will make an assortment of tissue paper pompoms - these are incredibly easy and cost effective to make yourself!  These will be hung from the ceiling along with some white streamers and balloons.


Party Food:  This will be an afternoon party on a day after school/preschool so I will be making up little snack boxes for the children for their afternoon tea with an assortment of sweet treats, mini American hot dogs and fruit.  These will also double as their goody box to take home -  after they have finished eating I will put their party favours in the box to take home.


Mini Pink & White Hearts

Buy from The Pretty Baker

$4.95 - 60gram container


White Paper Cake Pop Sticks

Buy from PopRoc Parties

$5.00 - 50 pack - 11cm


Drinks:  Pink lemonade has been requested so pink lemonade it will be!  I will serve these in mini milk bottles with a silver paper straw.  The best mixture I have found is 60% lemonade and 40% raspberry fizzy drink.  Each individual bottle will have the child's name attached to a little flag on their straw so the don't get mixed up.

Mini Milk Bottles With Gold Lids

Buy from PopRoc Parties

$2.00 each


Metallic Silver Stripe Paper Straws

Buy from PopRoc Parties

$4.00 12 pack - 20cm


The Cake:  I am opting for an easy but elegant cake this year - in the past I have spent hours fussing over fondant and piping elaborate decorations on to cakes only for them to be destroyed in seconds!  This year I am baking a chocolate cake and piping pink swirls on the top with buttercream icing.


Party Games:  Every girls party I have thrown has included traditional games such as pass the parcel, musical chairs and a piñata - These games almost always end in tears in some way or another.   To minimise mini tantrums and the fear of missing out we will be having a treasure hunt - there will be various clues hidden around the house/property with treasure (a bubble wand each) at the end.  

After this we will play musical statues where at the end of the game the winner gets to go to the punch box and punch through the tissue to get their prize.  All other children will then follow and collect their prize.  I will be making up lolly bows as part of the prize as well as a can of mini play-doh and a few other knickknacks.

Small Candy Cello Bags 

Buy from PopRoc Parties

$0.20 each - small size 11cm x 13.5cm


Mega Bubbles with 118ml of solution Assorted

Buy from The Warehouse

$1.00 each - currently on special


Goody Boxes:  I will be reusing the boxes that had the party snacks in them and will give them to the children to put all their goodies in (excluding the bubble wand for obvious reasons!)  I will also place a cupcake or piece of cake in the box for the children to take home with them.


Kraft Window Favor Boxes

Buy from PopRoc Parties

$1.00 - $1.70 each - assorted sizes


I am very much looking forward to getting these plans into action - it is so rewarding seeing the looks on the children's faces when you take the time to create a beautiful ambiance for them to enjoy time together to celebrate a birthday party.

I will keep you updated and will be posting some images of the finished product!

Have an amazing Easter break and enjoy time with friends and family.





Monday 14 April 2014

Product Review - April Favourites

Happy Monday everyone!

Hope you all had a fab weekend!  I had a 3 day weekend and spent Friday in Hamilton at appointments, spent far too much money in between appointments but I have some awesome new products to show for it - so I thought I would give you a run down on what I have been loving lately.




Batiste Dry Hair Shampoo Tropical 150ml
Purchased from The Warehouse for $6.00
I have heard/read great things about this product so thought I would jump on the bandwagon and give it a go.   This product claims to refresh hair between washes leaving it feeling clean and fresh with added volume and texture and it certainly lived up to its promise.  I loved it - I wear my hair up almost every day and get very oily roots so between washes I distribute a small amount through the roots of my hair and work it into my hair with my fingers - worked flawlessly for me!

Pros - removes oil from hair (even when really greasy) - adds volume - freshens up hair with the unmistakable tropical scent of coconut.
Cons - Be careful not to spray to close to the roots of your hair as the spray is quite powerful and you will end up with a big white powdery mess in your hair! (learnt that the hard way!)
Repurchase - Yes, ticks all boxes and I will be repurchasing this as soon as my bottle is empty!

Garnier Youthful Radiance Caffeine Eye Roll on
Purchased from The Warehouse for $17.99
I purchased this product as I suffer from horrible bags under my eyes, they aren't hugely discoloured but they are there and no matter what I try I can't seem to get rid of them.  The product is a roll-on eye cream infused with caffeine that claims to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes, energising tired skin and relieving fatigued eyes.  I have been using this product for a week and apply directly after showering before I put anything on my skin - I let it dry and absorb while I get dressed.

Pros - The silver roll-on ball is always cool - it instantly makes my eyes feel awake and refreshed.  I have noticed a small difference in the firmness of the area under my eyes.  It has a pleasant scent and does not irritate my eyes.
Cons - None so far - I am loving this product!
Repurchase - Yes, I would like to try more products for the long term care of the skin around my eyes but think this product will always be a staple of mine due to the cooling effect and ease of application.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer - NW20
Purchased from The MAC Counter - Farmers Centre Place Hamilton for $40.00
I have wanted to try this product for ever, I think I must buy at least 5 concealers a year and use them once or twice and then throw them away as they are rubbish.  As mentioned above I am one of those lucky people that suffers from bags under their eyes - I was looking for a concealer that didn't crease and that would stay put all day.  This product is a lightweight fluid concealer that provides medium to full coverage with a natural matte finish that lasts up to 15 hours. It claims to help  conceal and correct the look of under-eye circles, and discolorations.  This product is amazing, I am in love, it does everything it promises to and as my 10 year old daughter put it "your eyes look like they are a different persons, they don't look so tired"

Pros - Conceals, corrects, does not crease, is easy to apply and does not oxidise.
Cons - The pump is not ideal, it disperses far to much product for what is needed.  I pump one pump into a small container I received a sample in from MAC and use it from there.
Repurchase - Yes, one hundred times over!

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick - Blankety
Purchased from The MAC Counter - Farmers Centre Place Hamilton for $40.00
I have to admit I am scared of lipsticks - I a big lip gloss wearer and have always thought that lipstick made me look like a drag queen! So I am starting off rather safely and have been on the hunt for that perfect nude that is a 'my lips but better' colour - I have tried several nudes which all appeared orange on my lips, and not a nice orange!!!  So I went to the MAC counter and found this little beauty!  The amplified formula is beautifully creamy and feels phenomenal on the lips!  I wear this buy itself or I pair it with a light pink lip gloss - I use Napoleon Perdis Lip Gloss in Café Au Lait.  Swatches below.

Pros - Creamy, good coverage, smells divine, perfect beige nude with a touch of pink.
Cons - Not that long lasting but I did not expect it to be.
Repurchase - Yes, but would love to try some different colours first.



Hurraw Lip Balm - Coconut
Purchased from The Cruelty Free Shop for $7.00
I am a sucker for lip balms and when this little package of awesomeness came to my attention I had to grab it!  I saw Shannon Harris from Shaaanxo using this in her videos and it looked like the sort of thing I would love so I brought three - one for me and two to put in my little box of goodies for giveaways.  Hurraw Lip Balm is all natural, vegan, and made from premium raw, organic and fair trade ingredients.

Pros - Super moisturising, and moisturises for longer than any other lip balm I have tried, smells amazing and the unique flattened tube fits perfectly into your back jean pocket!
Cons - None, zero, zilch.
Repurchase - Yes, I am looking forward to trying out some different flavours!

As always guys thanks for reading, I am really enjoying blogging and hope you are enjoying reading my posts - don't forget to check out thewhiteroomnz on Instagram.


Tuesday 8 April 2014

Endless Summer - Summer Skincare Must Haves

The heat today was insane,  it really does feel like an endless summer which has lead me to think of the products I could not live without this Summer that I am still using during Autumn.

Check out my top 5 summer skincare must haves below:


Le Tan Coconut 30+ Spray

I am a big time fan of sun safety... however.. I am not a big time lover of sunscreens, the majority either leave my skin covered in a white film or were far too greasy.  This summer I was on the hunt for the ultimate sunscreen that works and feels great on the skin, my love of coconut scented items led me to discover Le Tan Coconut 30+ Spray. 

It was love at first scent! It felt amazing on my skin, was non greasy and smelt divine!   After everyday use I noticed my skin was smoother and just generally felt better - Le Tan Coconut 30+ Spray 250mL is also water resistant for up to 4 hours so covers all bases - massive thumbs up for me!

Check out and buy online here:  http://www.letan.com.au or pick up from your local supermarket/pharmacy.


Blistex Lip Conditioner SPF 15

 This is my go to lip balm that always has a spot in my handbag - It is an excellent barrier from the sun and wind (both of which we had a lot of this summer) and heals chapped lips within a day. 
 
I have been using this little beauty since I was a teenager and must have repurchased at least 20 times.  Obviously I like it a lot!  I am now on the lookout for something more natural to use on my lips and have just recently purchased Hurraw Lip Balms and Lucas' Papaw Ointment to try out over the coming months!
 
Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+
 
What can I say - This stuff is liquid gold for dehydrated skin!  I used this nearly every night during summer and I noticed a huge difference in the suppleness of my skin when I woke in the morning.  I also use this for blemish scars and noticed a huge difference in how quickly and effectively my scars healed.
 
After cleansing my face I would add 2/3 drops to my hands with the eyedropper and massage into my face, neck and décolletage.  This stuff lasts for ages and at $39.95 is well worth it!  Trilogy have changed the packaging to a red label with silver text but it is still the same great formula! 
 
Check it out and buy online from www.trilogyproducts.com 
 
Oasis Beauty Rhino Repair


My skin really suffers during summer, spending so much time in the water and at the beach leaves the already dry patches on my skin (elbows, knees, feet, hands) really rough and dry.  Rhino repair was a saviour for these ultra dry spots and the scent is amazing!  I have used this product from head to toe on my entire family - It is possibly one of the best, if not the best multi use repair creams I have ever used.
 
Rhino Repair is safe for all skin types, I used on my children aged 3 and 9 for sunburn and mosquito bites and it worked a treat.  As a mother I prefer to use products that are free of harsh chemicals and that use natural ingredients.  With ingredients such as organic manuka honey, natural vitamin E,  castor oil, calendula, rosemary, chamomile, lavender, and rosehip Rhino Repair is now a family favourite in our household! So much so that the tube is now empty and I must repurchase soon!
 
Check out and buy online from www.oasisbeauty.co.nz
 
Garnier BB Cream

 
I don't wear a lot of makeup during summer, but can't leave the house without something on so a BB cream is perfect.  I have been using Garnier BB Cream in light for 2 years now and it has always done right by me.  I find the product to be a little oily around my t zone so usually set these areas with a little powder on a kabuki brush. 
 
I have recently received a sample of the Oasis Beauty BB Cream and love the finish, I am a BB cream addict so over the next few months I will be purchasing a few different types and testing them out.  If you have any product recommendations for me please leave them below! 
 
That's it for tonight guys, hope you enjoyed reading my 2013/14 Summer Skincare Must Haves - it took me back to days at the beach with sand between my toes and the salty sea air!  Hope it did the same for you!
 

Sunday 6 April 2014

Inspiration - DIY Potplant Shelf

Some late night inspiration for my project tomorrow.  We have some beautiful timber I have been saving from a previous DIY project that will gain a new life as a pot plant shelf.  Check back tomorrow for pics of the finished product.

 

Saturday 5 April 2014

10 Most Wanted - April

Welcome to The White Room!

What better way to start a blog than to give you a snapshot of me with my 10 most wanted products for the month of April!  I will be purchasing these products over the next few weeks with the money I have saved from giving up smoking (yay, go me!) and will be posting reviews!  Check out my About section for more information and I look forward to letting you know my thoughts on the products below!



  1. China Glaze - Nude - Buy from www.beautybliss.co.nz for $9.95
  2. China Glaze - Golden Enchantment - Buy from www.beautybliss.co.nz for $9.95
  3. NYX Wonder Pencil - Light - Buy from www.makeup.co.nz for $10.50
  4. Hurraw Lip Balm - Coconut - Buy from www.thecrueltyfreeshop.co.nz for $7.00
  5. OMGTEA - Buy from www.omgtea.com for $28.00 - $55.00
  6. Skinfood Cleans All - Buy from www.skinfood.co.nz for $13.99
  7. Linden Leaves - Fig Licorice Lotion - Buy from nz.lindenleaves.com for $24.95
  8. Benefit Gimme Brow - Light/Medium - Buy from www.benefitcosmetics.com for USD $22.00
  9. Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow - Buy from www.benefitcosmetics.com for USD $36.00
  10. MOR - Lychee Flower Candle - Buy from www.morcosmetics.com for AUD $39.95

Have a fab weekend!