Dr Bronner's Magic Liquid Soap rrp: $7.95

It seems that more than ever, beauty brands with a conscience are making an impact in the Australian beauty industry and I, for one, will always give as much attention to these as possible on this site. The latest of these is US brand, Dr Bronner, who is already well known over there for his famous ‘Dr Bronner’s Magic Soap’. The certified organic range of liquid soaps are literally quite magical and claim to have an impressive 18 uses for one bottle! Best used with a cloth or sponge, the soaps can be used to clean the body, mouth, teeth, fruit and veg, bathroom and kitchen, clothes and even pets! They come in seven variants, the original being the famous tingly Peppermint, my personal fave, closely followed by traditional Rose and fresh Eucalyptus. Despite being impressed by the many uses, I have chosen to keep my bottle of liquid soap reserved for shower time only. The bottles are a pop at $7.95 each and also have charming labels which include Dr Bronner’s philosophy;  featuring musings on everything from Shakespeare to Confucious. Dr Bronner’s products are available at health, natural product and organic stores nationally.

Dr Bronner's Soap Bars

For more info check out: www.drbronner.com

There is no quest in beauty that I find more appealing than hunting down the perfect perfume. If you’re looking for something a bit different to your average Eau de Toilette, look no further than the ever lovely Antonia’s Flowers.  An uplifting scent of sophistication which conjures up summer holidays, English gardens in bloom and exquisite fresh flowers. Created by US florist, Antonia Bellanca, it  mixes a sensual blend of freesias, magnolia, lily and sandalwood. The perfume is based on Antonia’s own experience of owning a flower store in The Hamptons and the scent is designed to capture the moment you walk into a florists and are hit by the scent of fresh blooms. The fragrance (according to my research) has been around for a while but I have just made the discovery and i’m quick to declare my adoration. It may not be everyone’s scent of choice however, this will suit any lady with a soft-spot for sweet, fresh and very girly-gorgeous perfumes!

Antonia's Flowers rrp: $130

Antonia’s Flowers is available at Mecca Cosmetica stores nationwide. For more info: www.meccacosmetica.com.au

Greetings Pink dotttttterrrrss… I am currently typing from London, where I am now on a little vacay. Don’t worry, Pinkdot will still be in full operation in the northern hemisphere for the next few weeks! I will be researching and reporting on my very best finds in UK beauty, as well as finally checking out TOPSHOP make-up in the flesh: hope you enjoy the change of scenery!

In the meanwhile, I thought it would be timely to give a run down on some of my very favourite UK branded cosmetics available down under…

1. BURBERRY

Burberry THE BEAT rrp: $99 (50ml)

Burberry THE BEAT, is one of my favourite “night-out” fragrances. It is a sparkling floral woody fragrance with top notes of bergamot, cardamom, pink pepper and mandarin wrap. The effortlessly cool bottle features glass embossed with the iconic Burberry Check.

2. RIMMEL LONDON

With exciting campaign stars ranging from Kate Moss, Lily Cole and Sophie Ellis Bextor, Rimmel London is always one to watch. Their SunShimmer range has been a favourite of mine for a while and their perfect-honey-shade bronzer is compact and affordable. It provides an instant matte glow, leaving you with naturally highlighted cheekbones, minus any shimmer or orange hue.

Rimmel Sunshimmer Bronzing Compact Powder rrp: $15.95

2. JO MALONE

I discovered Jo Malone a few years back when I worked at the brand’s London PR agency and was instantly captivated by her fragrances, candles and the general store experience which is nothing short of fabulous. If you’re ever in London then be sure to check out her flagship store in Sloane St, if you are in Sydney then the Woollahra (Queen St) outlet is great too-make sure you try the fragrance booth.

Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne rrp: $80

I’ve worn Red Roses Cologne since I was 18 (a memorable birthday present from the mum!) and the Parma Violet Linen Spray is also TDF. Linen Spray, you say?? I was shocked to discover that the Jo Malone PR rep wore it as a fragrance, and when I enquired as to what the gorgeous powdery-sweet aroma was, she assured me that it was said linen spray and indeed perfectly fine to wear as a perfume …I’ve never looked back. The scent is waaay to good for your linen, trust me! So there’s a little insider secret- JM  linen spray doubles as a perfume and is suitably safe for your skin!

Jo Malone Parma Violet Linen Spray rrp: $75

4. MOLTON BROWN

Molton Brown launched in 1973, and first opened in London’s trendy Mayfair as a hair salon. The salon’s name paid homage to the store’s location and its soft, individual and natural approach to haircare and styling.  Molton Brown always reminds me of holidays and staying in classy hotels, where you’ll often find a gorgeous, richly coloured Shower Gel awaiting you. Slathering this stuff always feels quite luxurious and decadent- not your average shower gel. I don’t have a particular favourite but I love Blissful Templetree for it’s fresh fragrance and stunning royal blue colour. A shower sensation…

Molton Brown Blissful Templetree Moisture Bath & Shower Gel rrp: $39

5. POP BEAUTY

Next-up, POP Beauty! I’ve had a lasting love affair with the POP brand, which delivers clever-clogs cosmetic products for affordable prices. The range is exciting, innovative and is guaranteed to brighten-up your make-up bag. One of my favourites from the range is the POP Sparkle Sauce:

POP Beauty's Golden Sparkle Sauce rrp: $19.95

POP Golden Sparkle Sauce is the tomato ketchup of the beauty prodz world and one clever condiment. It’s the type of product that once you’re tried it you can’t live without it! Mix with glitter, shimmer or powder pigment, and you’ve a new shade of gorgeous eyeliner. Apply as a topping for shadow, and voilà, you’ve got a waterproof, long lasting shadow. Combine with shadow before you use it, and give all your existing shadows a new golden gleam. Simply magical!

Picture credit: www.hostec.com

Bliss Balls will be making their debut at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) this year and you heard it here first! Check out www.byronbayblissballs.com.au for more info.

On the subject of sweet treats, I am embarking on a strict juice cleanse in the next couple of weeks which will see me eliminating all sugary goods from my diet (review to follow). Instead I will have to get my beloved sugar-fix from these heavenly-sweet beauty products…here are my picks of the best:

Benefit Sugarbomb 'Sugar Rush Flush' Face Powder rrp: $51.00

At any time, you will find a Benefit ‘boxed’ powder in my handbag!  The packaging is super cute and they are ideal for popping on some colour to your cheeks: Sugarbomb is my latest fave.

MOR Marshmallow Triple-milled Soap rrp: $19.95

 I fell in love with MOR products when I tried their Marshmallow Eau de Parfum a few years back. Marshmallow offers a classic powdery, sweet and delectable candy-scent.

Caribbean Therapy Body Scrub by Aveda rrp: $59.95

Aveda’s Caribbean Body Scrub is the perfect solution for dry skin. Caribbean Cane Sugar is the hero element in this scrub and will leave your skin baby soft and conditioned. It has a delicious scent of  syrupy Caribbean coconut oil mixed with citrusy island aromas.

Burt's Bees Super Shiny Lipgloss in 'Sweet Pink' rrp: $17.95

Get lushious lips with Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Lip Gloss.  A 100% natural formula gloss which moisturises lips while providing a brilliant sheer colour gloss. Sunflower oil and sweet almond oil intensely moisturise the lips, leaving them soft, supple and healthy while citrus oils give a fresh, natural flavour. Sweet Pink is a gorgeous subtle pink shade with a hint of sparkle.

Slick Caramel rrp: $27

Curl Candy rrp: $27

L’Oreal Professional’s ‘Play Ball’ hair care range make hair-styling super fun. There is something for all hair types. I’ve used both the Curl Candy (A cherry candy flavoured curl defining gel cream) and Slick Caramel which is the equivalent of creme brulee for your hair (it works as a straightening cream to tame fly-aways).

Effervescent Revitilizing Sugar Cubes rrp: $4.95

 L’Occitane Effervescent Revitalizing Sugar Cubes give the body energy and vitality. Pop them in your bath and watch them dissolve in the water, these sugar cubes provide essential oils of mint, pine and rosemary.

Sweet Coconut Lip Butter rrp: $9.95

I’ve previously touched upon my love of the Spa Paradisa range and the Sweet Coconut Lip Butter is one of my faves. The sweet coconut scent reminds me of holidays and it’s a great little lifesaver for dry, sun damaged lips.

Marc Jacobs Biscotti rrp: $99

And finaaaallly, my last pick is the fabulous Marc Jacobs Biscotti scent from the 2010 Splash Collection. I sampled this at DJ’s the other weekend and was delighted with it’s charming and light nutty-vanilla scent. This one is Limited Edition so get in while you can!

The Body Shop always provokes childhood beauty memories of Body Shop gift boxes at Xmas time and collecting every fruity lip balm they produced, to keep in my school satchel.  Fruity beauty, is in my opinion, is something  The Body Shop do best. I was therefore quite enchanted with their new collection of body products entitled  ’Sweet Lemon’, which again brought back sweet memories for me, this time of family holidays to Sorrento, in Southern Italy. The range consists of Sweet Lemon Shower Gel, Soap, Body Butter, Whip Body Lotion and Body Scrub.

My picks from the range would be the Body Scrub  (rrp: $27.95) and the Shower Gel (rrp: $12.95)…you can’t beat a bit of citrus fresh shower action! Luscious lemon lathers to leave your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed, soft and subtly scented. Yuuummm!

Sweet Lemon Body Scrub

Sweet Lemon Shower Gel

Picture credit: www.nataliedee.com

What it is: a silky smooth gradual tanning lotion with the scent of heaven!

Why you need it:

1. The perfect saviour for the winter months, as it keeps your summer tan going all year round. It enables you to maintain that holiday season glow like you just stepped off of a tropical island
2. It’s hard to find self-tan products that hydrate your skin rather than dry it out- this baby contains Fair Trade shea and cocoa butter mixed with vitamin E, that softens and moisturises your skin
3. Free from chemical odours associated with most self-tanners: the sweet passionfruit scent is amazing
4. The adorable retro Hawaiian yellow graphics won’t fail to bring a smile to your face
5. All Spa Paradisa products are free from parabens and synthetic colours

Passionfruit Gradual Tan Moisturiser by Spa Paradisa: $21.95, available from David Jones stores and selected pharmacies. For more info check out: www.datelinecity.com

 Dreamy, sweet and innocent: here is my pick of the very best vanilla beauty products that will leave you smelling totally scrumptious!

Sweet Treats Petit Parfum in Vanilla by Urban Rituelle is the ideal handbag companion and is great for a quick spritz of vanilla on the go!

Sweet Treats Petit Parfums- rrp: $12.95, available from selected boutiques across Australia, www.urbanrituelle.com.au

L’Occitane’s Vanilla Home Perfume is a gorgeous warm, caramel-scented spray, which gives your home an inviting fragrance…

L’Occitane Home Perfume- rrp: $32.95  , www.loccitane.com.au 

For a naturally calming skin-treat, St Ives Swiss Vanilla Body Moisturiser is a good option to restore dry skin:

St Ives moisturiser-rrp: $5.49, www.stivesbeauty.com.au

MOR’s Lip Delight in French Vanilla, is a decadent gloss, which comes in a cute vintage-style tin, it’s priced at $19.95 and is available from David Jones, Myer and selected boutiques across Australia, www.mor.com.au

 Spa Coconut & Vanilla Creamy Shower Cleanser by Natio ($10.95) works as a luxurious face and body wash that leaves skin soft, clean, moisturised and subtly scented.

The Natio range is available from David Jones, Myer and selected pharmacies, www.natio.com.au

 P.s -for the very best edible sweet treat try: Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla Ice Cream- yummo!!

*B&J’s is available throughout Sydney and Melbourne from selected retailers: visit www.benandjerry.com.au for details.

Picture credit: www.benandjerry.com.au

What really stood out as a star product was the Nirvana Body Wash. I am definately more of a shower gel than a soap kinda girl, so this was ideal- the gel is really rich in texture, so works up into a perfect lather. The result is shower-fresh, moisturized, super clean skin. This is further enhanced by an invigorating fragrance, which is made-up of gorgeous natural wild blackcurrant, spearmint leaf and cardamon.

rrp: $36.00, available from KIT Cosmetics and online:  www.antipodesnature.com

 So, the new coloured dry shampoos (which come available in Exotic Dark Black and Brilliant Brunette at $12.95) are pure genius and work even more impressively as a hair life-saver. I’ve switched over already.

Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo (for darker hair shades) and Tropical Dry Shampoo are available from selected pharmacies and Priceline.

Packed full of soy-goodness, but also replicating the sweet smell of The Bourke in my own home, Archipelago’s scent-sational candles in ‘Caramel’ are made from the highest quality soy wax (ensuring they burn longer and cleaner than traditional candles) and come in a gorgeous chunky glass vessel.  It emits a sweet blend of warm caramel, vanilla and brown sugar which lingers in my apartment days after burning. Simply gorgeous…

$52.95, available from www.kitcosmetics.com.au