BEAUTY: Collagen Peptide Powder, Foundation & Hair Growth
*SIRENS* > I have BREAKING BEAUTY NEWS! Eeeeep - you better be on the edge of your (toilet) seat! If you’ve followed any of my beauty blogs in the past, you would know my choice of foundation lasted longer than my marriage (a decade for clarification) - UNTIL NOW! OIIIIEEY, It feels good to write about something light this week, my last post wiped me out - it’s been a crappy few weeks. On the eve of my last post about domestic violence here in Australia, I found out a very dear friend of mine lost a family member to suicide. I was an absolute mess when I wrote that post and while these feelings linger, today is a better day. I am back Strava-ing my way around Melbourne, back into Pilates and the sun is shining. So here’s to some gentle and helpful relief - I hope. For anyone who needs visual clarification on said lover (DWH), you’ll need to make your way through my beauty review. The reward is waiting!
ILIA - TRUE SKIN SERUM FOUNDATION (30ml for $83 from Mecca)
If I was going to rollover the marriage metaphor from my opening paragraph, it’d go a little something like this… For the most part, Designer Lift by Giorgio Armani provided consistent coverage and a reliable outcome. However, much like us as human beings, our skin evolves and changes as time goes by. After an emergency dash to MECCA when I’d run out of old mate, I stumbled across this beauty - True Skin Serum Foundation by ILIA. And?! I am in LOVE. Both bottles are 30ml, but the ILIA foundation retails for $83 (MECCA), compared to the Girogio Armani foundation which retails for $120 (David Jones). So, I did the little tester on the back of my hand and took the risk. In short, it was the ultimate upgrade - in every sense. Ok, that’s enough silliness and mixed metaphors from me. Below is a more professional review of this incredible product. I am locked on this one for good!
APPLICATION: The ILIA foundation is noice, different and unuuusual RE the applicator (see image below for reference). I didn’t love it when I started using it (purely from a functional perspective), as I was used to the Designer Lift pump applicator. When you open it for use, the liquid is quite thick and can dribble down - so don’t do this over carpet/clothing (foundation is almost impossible to remove in my experience). I now quickly turn it upside down over a surface and run my foundation brush along the dipping stick. Then I apply as required.
This formula is beautiful to apply - it’s creamy, has incredible coverage and smells wonderful. It is definitely thicker in consistency than Designer Lift, if you know this product. It has a dewy finish and I always use a setting spray once I’ve applied all of my make-up (full face - not day-to-day). I wear shade: SF6 CHIOS, JFYI.
KEY INGREDIENTS: Niacinamide: visibly smooths and refines uneven texture and tone. Allantoin: soothes the look of irritation and redness while supporting skin’s health. Aloe: calms, nourishes, hydrates, and adds a featherweight feel.
MADE WITHOUT: Animal products, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, sulphates.
I know changing your foundation is a big deal, so I’d def ask one of the staff at MECCA for a small sample before you take the leap online.
Thank you to Mia (my daughter) for holding the applicator up so I could photograph this! Nailed it
JS HEALTH HAIR + ENERGY CAPSULES (one month supply for $29.95)
I was sooo against vitamins (beauty related) of any kind once upon a time, but I tried these back in late 2018 after Max was born and errr-ummm, I was proven wrong. They were and are AMAZING! I’ve listed below what the company claims on their website, but I have to agree with most of them. Without a doubt this has improved hair breakage (hair in the shower, yuck), and I would hazard a guess that my hair is 20% thicker and i’ve got about an inch and a half of new growth coming through around my hairline. I started to notice results after about 4-6 weeks and I have now been back on them consistently since April this year. RE energy levels, hmm, hard to say. I’m always tired and stressed (lol, help), so they’re fighting an uphill battle in that respect. I remember posting about these years ago and also mentioning I did notice bruising on my legs. It takes a lot for me to bruise, so I did wonder back then if it was something to do with the ingredients. This time around though, I haven’t bruised and I am constantly whacking myself around the Pilates bed! So, who knows. I will also add, the girls at Koh (my hair salon) even noticed a change in thickness and new growth and all of them went and ordered some, so there you go! My nails are also growing faster than usual, which isn’t ideal if you’re an SNS junkie like myself. But, meh. My hair was the priority and I couldn’t be happier.
THE COMPANY CLAIMS: It is one of their best sellers, supports hair growth and hair, maintains hair thickness and strength, maintains nail health and strength, supports skin health and energy levels.
INGREDIENTS: The JSHealth Hair + Energy formula contains two forms of Kelp, as well as Zinc. Active ingredients per hard capsule: Ascophyllum nodosum blade and stem powder 294 mg, equiv. Iodine 265 micrograms. Fucus vesiculosus ext. dry conc. 50 mg, from whole plant dry 1 g, equiv. Iodine 10 micrograms. Total Iodine 275 micrograms and Zinc amino acid chelate 50 mg, equiv. Zinc 10 mg. This reads like a foreign language to me, but there’s more info on their website FYI.
DOES NOT CONTAIN: egg, milk, peanut, or sesame products, or artificial colours. Traces of crustacea, mollusc and fish are possible through exposure of Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum in the marine environment.
DIRECTIONS & WARNINGS VIA JS HEALTH: Click here
COST: 1 x container = a month’s worth which retails at $29.95, or you can bundle two months worth for $44.99 (so, a no brainer!). They also offer a subscription service which then gives you 15% off each purchase. For more info/details on this, CLICK HERE.
THE COLLAGEN CO. COLLAGEN PEPTIDES POWDER
Strawberry & Watermelon Collagen Powder (560g for $79 AUD)
I know right, ease-up on the hair growth products! LOL, neverrrr! Regretfully, I have to admit I fell victim to a sponsored Instagram ad (thanks, Meta) and purchased this powder. However, I’m a very happy girl. I haven’t worn hair extensions in about four years, hence why thickness is a priority. Postpartum hair loss is horrendous and it never goes back to what it was. I have listed the directions below for reference, but I am not always that consistent with this product. Not for any other reason than forgetting about it! I usually mix two scoops into a Pump water bottle and shake it up. There are a few flavours, but I’ve only tried the strawberry and watermelon - it’s SO good. While I am on two supplements for hair growth/strength, I figure by staying consistent with the JS Vitamins capsules and having this every other day, it’s paying off. In regards to my skin, I actually have noticed it’s overall appearance (particularly hydration) has improved.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCT: According to The Collagen Co. website > with 15 grams of heavy-hitting Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen Peptides per serving, our collagen powder — pure, 100% grass-fed, and pasture-raised — is not here to mess around. Scientifically formulated for fast absorption, our Premium Collagen Peptides work quickly to support hair, nail, and skin health; improve joint function; and nourish the gut.
INGREDIENTS: Vitamin C (adored for its ability to boost natural collagen production), Hyaluronic Acid (a humectant that attracts and retains moisture for joint lubrication and plumped-up skin), Biotin (a B vitamin crucial for energy production and, thus, healthy hair, skin, and nails). Erythritol, Natural Flavours, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural Colour (Red Beetroot Extract), Natural Sweetener (Thaumatin).
DIRECTIONS: Add 1 serving (2 heaped scoops) to 400ml hot or cold water, fruit or your favourite smoothie and mix well. Adding the powder first helps the collagen powder to mix in better. How many serves a day? How much collagen you should take each day depends on your own health goals. Between 15-30grams of collagen peptides a day will give you visible results. One serve a day is ideal if you want to combat fine lines and wrinkles, improve your hair and nail strength, ease joint pain, build muscle, improve gut health and get an overall energy boost. Two serves a day will fast track your results. Have one serve morning and evening. Ensure you store this in a cool/dark place - out of direct sunlight (pantry!).
SJ x