REVIEW/GIVEAWAY: Empassion Skincare Range!

Hello! This post is all about Empassion Natural, an affordable Australian skincare, haircare and aromatherapy brand that uses plant-derived ingredients and no harsh chemicals. I love that all their products are natural, and of course not tested on animals! There are no hidden nasties, so you can be confident that when you use an Empassion product, you're only putting natural ingredients on your body. They make a wide range of beauty products too; there's a range for kids, babies, men and scented ranges such as lavender and pink grapefruit. I was kindly sent the Cream Cleanser*, Face Mask* and Scented Mist* from the lovely Pink Grapefruit range, and Empassion have generously offered to provide an extra set of these goodies to give away to my readers! So keep reading to find out how you can WIN three Pink Grapefruit products to try for yourself!

Pink Grapefruit Cream Cleanser*

'When you smile, you make the world a happier place... your smile brings joy.'

Firstly, I love that the bottle carries these words of empowerment. How refreshing! This creamy cleanser is targeted towards normal to dry and sensitive skin types, however I have oily/combination skin and I found it to be a lovely, gentle product that was still effective. My skin felt soft and clean afterwards and I didn't experience any dry or tight feeling. It doesn't have any anti-ageing properties and as such it's a cleanser best suited to teenagers and people in their twenties. This would make a perfect starter face wash for those just beginning a skincare routine as it's so gentle; for this reason I also think it would be perfect if you easily react to skincare, as it's designed with sensitive skin in mind and formulated with hydrating ingredients. The ingredients include extracts of wheatgrass, kakadu plum, goji berry, pomegranate and echinacea. Now that I've trialled it, I'll be using this Pink Grapefruit Cream Cleanser on my son!


Pink Grapefruit  Face Mask*

'You are awesome for who you are.... not for who you can try to copy. Be yourself because you are awesome and amazing.'

Another great message on the bottle; a little snippet of positivity here and there never goes astray, so onya Empassion for making us feel confident and worthy! A quick word of advice - this mask needs to be shaken before use, otherwise it does come out runny (I learnt from experience!). The formula is very thin but smooth and easy to apply. It doesn't actually say on the bottle what it's meant to do, but the Empassion website reveals the Pink Graprefruit Face Mask is designed for normal to oily and acne-prone skin (that's me!) and that the minerals may help re-balance oil flow, strengthen skin and aid in repairing scars. I didn't actually see much difference in my skin after using this mask, but results will vary from person to person obviously. The ingredients include Australian Olive Green Clay, Sunflower Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Safflower Oil, Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil, Wheatgrass Extract, Goji Berry Extract, Pomegranate Extract and Kakadu Plum Extract, so it has many of the ingredients common to the Cream Cleanser.


Pink Grapefruit Scented Mist*

'When you spray this Spritzer it makes everything smell amazing. When you let your personality, who you are, shine... it makes the world a more amazing place. Let who you are shine because the world will be a better place.'

I'm just going to say it... I am in love with this product! This spray is by far my favourite of the three products I tried and I've been using it everyday. I adore citrus scents because they are fresh, clean and amazing, and this zingy mist, made with pure essential oils, is no exception. I love spritzing it on my upper chest and neck as it refreshes and makes me feel uplifted when the scent reaches my nostrils. It's like using a gorgeously-scented water spray; the fine mist of cool liquid is a mood-booster and perfect to cool me down, and the delicious aroma is an added bonus. This would be ideal to toss in your gymbag to re-energize yourself after a workout! I have also used it on my pillow and as a room spray, as Empassion suggest. I love to use this mist as a base layered with my Chi Chi Pink Grapefruit perfume, as it adds depth and longevity to the fragrance. I highly recommend this delightful Scented Mist!

GIVEAWAY!

WIN an Empassion Natural Skincare Pack comprising the Cream Cleanser, Face Mask and Scented Mist from the Pink Grapefruit range!

Please enter via the Rafflecopter widget at the very bottom of this post. Note that being a Max The Unicorn email subscriber and visiting the Empassion Natural website is mandatory. The rest of the entry methods are optional, but will gain you more entries in the Giveaway. You can subscribe via email on the right hand sidebar; don't forget to click the link in your email to finish the subscription process, otherwise your entry won't be valid! If you're already a subscriber, just pop your email into the Rafflecopter so I can match it up! Although not required, I'd love it if you could like the Max The Unicorn and Empassion Natural Facebook pages. Good Luck!

Terms & Conditions
~ This giveaway is open to Australian residents only, and will close at midnight on the 6th of April.
~ The winner will be picked randomly by the Rafflecopter widget.
~ The winner will be notified via email and given 48 hours to reply with their address details for prize delivery otherwise a new winner will be chosen.
~ The prize will be sent directly from Empassion.

Linking up to Monday Makeup Madness at Fabulous And Fun Life and Life This Week at Denyse Whelan Blogs, as well as Open Slather at One Mother Hen (link in sidebar) and Mummy Mondays at All Mum Said (link in sidebar)!

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Disclaimer: Products marked * were provided for editorial consideration. Reviews are my honest opinion. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

Do you prefer natural skincare?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LUSH Limited Edition Easter Collection!

Lush lovers, beauty fans and humans of the world rejoice, because Lush have released their Limited Edition 2017 Easter Collection! The fragrances are next level, the products are fun and very eggs-citing! You can hop in-store (or online!) and pick up these cruelty-free Easter goodies until April 17. I was kindly sent a selection from the range, so let's get cracking!

Chocolate Easter Egg Soap*

'Rich creamy chocolate entwines with comforting, sweet vanilla and zesty citrus oils to create a feast of cleansing conditioning suds.'

It's pretty hard not to love a soap based on chocolate Easter eggs! This bar of Lush goodness is what I call a 'Happy Soap', because it makes me feel joyous when I use it. This is not just me being weird, it actually contains Sicilian Lemon Oil and Grapefruit Oil, ingredients known for their uplifting and refreshing qualities. This is a low lather soap, but the creaminess of the texture makes up for this. The colour is a bold, bright yellow/light orange hue with lime green undertones (I may have too much time on my hands, lol). Now I'd drawn all over myself the first day I trialled Chocolate Easter Egg, and the soap expertly removed a lipstick swatch from my wrist and the words I'd scrawled on my hand as a reminder. I love the glorious smell and the fact that it's creamy yet doesn't wear away super-fast, meaning great value for money. This soap also contains extra virgin coconut oil, vanilla absolute and vegan white chocolate.

Bunch Of Carrots Re-Usable Bubble Bar*

'Swish and swash this heritage bunch of bubble-makers for a mood-brightening soak full of Sicilian lemon, bergamot and buchu oils, and when you’re done pop it somewhere dry and safe ready to use again and again.'

I loved using this colourful Bunch Of Carrots, so much so that I used a bit off the end of each carrot, just to see what the bath water would do. I ran the pink carrot under hot water first and watched in delight as the bath water turned pink and lots of bubbles formed. Then I switched to the purple carrot, but the colour didn't really change like I thought it would. Lastly, I ran the orange carrot tail under the water and saw the water change to a slightly orange hue. I probably should have just used one carrot, but curiosity got the better of me! I've used about a third of each carrot, so I'll probably get at least three bubblebaths from my bunch, considering I used the narrow ends. It's so handy that you just leave your carrots out to dry and you can use them again. Another great value for money Easter treat, especially if you have kids or enjoy a bubblebath!

Golden Egg Bath Bomb Melt*

'Shimmeringly sensual, this sweet wild orange and cocoa butter jewel is the only chocolate fix you should set your heart on. Indulge your skin in a super-softening, skin-loving soak that's rich with luxurious butters, oils and lustre.'

I haven't had a chance to use this one yet, but I can tell you it's next level glittery! When you pick this up, you'll be covered in pretty gold glitter and shimmering like a queen! I actually just like rubbing it on myself and marvelling at my gold, shiny skin, lol. It smells absolutely amazing and I can't wait to indulge in a relaxing Golden Egg bath!

Chocolate Lip Scrub*

'Chocolate orange lingers on lips with this deliciously sugary scrub. Satisfy chocoholic cravings with dark chocolate, cocoa absolute and cocoa powder, just don't feel obliged to share. Tangerine and sweet orange oils mingle to give a juicy kick and leave your lips refreshed.'

This delicious lip scrub smells and tastes like Jaffas! If you're a fan of orange chocolate, you'll want to grab a pot of this. Ever eaten a Terry's Chocolate Orange Ball or tried the new Cadbury Orange Twirl? This scrub will take you straight there. This lip scrub is on a par with Lush Sugar Plum Fairy (reviewed here) and Mint Juleps for me. It leaves your lips super-smooth and free of dry skin, lumps and bumps. The perfect lip preparation for matte and long-wearing lipsticks and a great exfoliant for your pucker! It's also completely edible if you get hungry and eat a fingerful happen to accidentally get some in your mouth. This is such a fun product and one I'd highly recommend to chocoholics!

Chick 'N' Mix Bath Bomb*

'This sweet and zingy bomb is full of surprises, as well as comforting tonka absolute and refreshing bergamot oil to add a little spring to your step.'

This is a three-part bath bomb in the form of an egg that opens to reveal a cute little chicken! Although the inner surprise actually looks like it's stamped with a rabbit imprint, so I'm confused as to what it is. The important thing is that this is quite a large bath bomb that you could get at least two uses out of. I haven't used mine yet, as I'm saving this one for Easter weekend! The scent is fresh, zingy and citrusy, with sweet tonka, uplifting and cleansing bergamot oil, tangerine lustre and delicious vegan dark chocolate!

A number of Gifts are also available, such as the Bundle Of Fun and Golden Egg Gifts. There's also Wash Behind Your Ears Shower Gel and a super-cute Flopsy Face Wash Jelly which looks like a lot of fun, along with the Which Came First? Bath Bomb.

Click here to check out the full Lush Easter range, available in-store and online until April 17.

Linking up with Monday Makeup Madness at Fabulous And Fun Life and Life This Week at Denyse Whelan Blogs both from Monday morning!

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Disclaimer: Products marked * were provided for editorial consideration. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post, links are for information purposes only. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite product from the Lush Easter collection?

Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Haul!

I don't even know where to begin with this. I had a rough wish list in my iPhone Notes and I got everything on that wish list and then some. LOL. Actually the only thing I didn't get were a few Bourjois Lip Velvets in shades other than the two I own, but after dropping an astonishing $160 (say WHAT?) I exited the store with my tail between my legs in shock and immediately forget about those lip velvets. I actually stopped and checked my receipt, for surely they had made a mistake, but no, everything was indeed discounted, I just vastly underestimated what my total would come to. 40% off is pretty much 50% off when you're as bad at maths as I, so I was just halving everything. Then I got sick of doing that and just stopped adding shit up in favour of putting pretty makeup in my basket, haha. Anyway, I was actually mortified that I spent $160 and felt sick for a good ten minutes afterwards. (During those ten minutes I went to the newsagent and dropped $10 on the latest Elle Magazine to get the free Benefit GWP, lol). Whilst at Priceline I also bought a few things for an upcoming Giveaway but I'm not posting them here, because I don't want to spoil the surprise!

FACE
Revlon Colorstay Makeup in Combination/Oily (110 Ivory) ~ repurchase of staple
L'Oreal Infallible Total Cover Longwear Foundation (10 Porcelain) ~ excited to try this hyped base!
Australis Fresh & Flawless Pressed Powder (Light Beige) ~ second purchase of this, love it!
Australis Banana Powder ~ will be using this under my eyes to brighten dark circles

NAILS/EYES
Australis Metallix Eyeshadow (Gold Gaga) ~ aah so pretty! If Guns n Roses wasn't sold out I would have got that too!
Essie Nail Lacquer (Play Date) ~ love this shade!
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel (244 Mauve-olous) ~ had to have it.
Essence Ultra Strong Nail Hardener Treatment (not pictured, oops) ~ cheap as chips and my nails need it.

LIPS
Natio Lip Colour (Flame) ~ I don't know why I got this, my mind was glazed over at this point.
Essence Lipliner (Honey Berry) ~ these are so cheap and so good!
Essence Lipliner (Femme Fatale) ~ as above
Maybelline Color Jolt (Orange Outburst) ~needed to try these newbies!
Maybelline Color Jolt (Berry Naughty) ~ this shade spoke to me (it said 'BUY ME!')
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Amsterdam) ~ "Vincent Vega's in the house! Our man in Amsterdam!"
NYX Intense Butter Gloss 3 Piece Set (Pink Macaroon, Summer Fruit, Cherry Custard) ~ love these and had to add to my collection. So happy to see a trio pack!

That's it, excluding the stuff I bought for a Giveaway! Safe to say I went a little overboard. Did you exercise restraint, skip this sale or go bat-shit crazy like me? Let me know in the comments!

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March Favourites!

It's time for another round of Beauty Favourites, and I honestly feel like I don't write enough of these posts? Like I'm not going to start posting my favourites weekly (lol) but maybe I should blog them monthly? I do try a lot of things, so there's a vast garden of ripe fruits from which to pluck my juicy picks of the bunch. OK, this is getting weird, let's start!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Lip Velvet in 09
I won this as part of a Bourjois makeup prize in the recent Beauty Crew Birthday Giveaway, and even though I'd heard about these hyped up lip velvets, I'd never actually tried one. It took all of one swipe for me to confirm that the hype is indeed justified. The formula and texture of this liquid matte lip colour are amazing. It is so light and soft on the lips, yet it's full of pigment. So we have high colour payoff combined with an extremely comfortable to wear formula, that glides on effortlessly and has a long-wearing matte finish. Luckily I enjoy the colour I received, but at the same time, I'll definitely be snapping up a few more shades at the Priceline 40% Off Cosmetics Sale (22nd and 23rd of March)!

Amie Petal Perfect Gently Cleansing Micellar Water*
I've been using this nightly to remove my makeup after receiving a duo of Amie skincare to trial, and the more I use it, the more I like it! I love that it's 'naturally kind' skincare, full of naturally-derived plant extracts and completely free from parabens, sulphates, mineral oils and pertrochemicals. It contains rose petal and argan oil extracts and smells so lovely, it's a real pleasure to use. My skin is left clean, soft and refreshed. This is an inexpensive Micellar Water that does a great job, and something I'd happily recommend.

Oh Deer Sugar (Oh) Peachy Keen Shower Moose
I love love love the texture and fragrance of these shower mooses (deliberately misspelt!) by Oh Deer Sugar. You can read my review of the delicious Rose & Passionfruit Shower Moose in my September Favourites post. I honestly thought nothing could compare to that amazing moussey delight, but the peaches and cream product is freaking brilliant. Think soft, whipped, mousse-like, fluffy af goodness that melts into your skin and lathers up luxuriously, whilst filling your nostrils with the gorgeous aroma of fruity peaches and sweet cream. I'm seriously in love and need to try all of the scents available!

Redken Beach Envy Volume Texturizing Shampoo & Conditioner*
It's amazing the difference good quality haircare products can make. I jumped at the chance to try this duo when I got the press release, because I'm always on the look out for volume-creating products for my fine, flat locks. As it stands, I already have quite an array of body builders (not that type!) in my arsenal; from thickening foams, root boost juice and extra volume dry shampoo to volumising spray and thickening treatment serums. And more, lol. But the Redken shampoo and conditioner set impressed me from the get-go, smelling delightful, providing a good lather and leaving my hair soft and healthy-looking. Weirdly, the conditioner is clear, which I don't come across often, but it did an amazing job on my hair, so the colour of it is inconsequential. During trialling, I used all my other products as usual, and only switched my shampoo and conditioner. So I scrunched through my thickening foam and blow-dried whilst scrunching as I usually would, and am pleased to say I did get bouncy waves and volume! I will definitely continue to use these products as I love the results I'm getting.

PuraSonic VIVA
I've been wanting to try a facial cleansing device for quite some time, but there are so many on the market now, it's hard to know which one to get! Well it turns out I didn't have to decide, because I won this little white baby from an Instagram Giveaway. This is so easy to use! It even came already charged up, and I haven't had to recharge it myself yet! I simply dab my cleanser of choice on my face, turn the PuraSonic VIVA on, and it literally does all the work for me. It fits easily into my hand, and it feels so nice when the brush-head is vibrating, giving my skin a much deeper clean than my fingers ever could. I don't know if you're supposed to exfoliate with it as well, but I did (but not for long, and gently!). My skin looked and felt amazing after the first go; it was so smooth and it felt cleaner than it had in ages. This also reduces the size of pores and decreases the appearance of fine lines. I am loving my new cleansing buddy!

Rimmel Kate Moss Sculpting Palette*
You know when you forget you have something, then re-discover it and are wowwed by it? That's what happened with this gorgeous rose gold palette! I was sent this along with some other Rimmel makeup a while back, and have just recently started using it again. This is in the shade Coral Glow, and I'm deadset reaching for the blush every week day lately! I'm also using the highlighter, but not as frequently as the flattering blush. I really love that you can build the colour up and it blends like a dream. I actually put some contour underneath, blend that out, then put the blush over the top, then blend again. If I can be stuffed have time I'll go in with some highlight on my cheekbones. So glad I've given this multi-tasking palette another go! You can read my original review of it here.

Linking up with Monday Makeup Madness at Fabulous And Fun Life and #LifeThisWeek at Denyse Whelan Blogs!

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Disclaimer: Products marked * were provided for editorial consideration. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post, links are for information purposes only. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

Do you love any of these products? What are you loving this month?

WINNER ANNOUNCED: Oz Comic-Con Family Weekend Pass!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the Oz Comic-Con Giveaway! I had a fantastic response and was overwhelmed with all the entries! It was fun reading your favourite cult characters, too; we had everything from Harry Potter, Kaylee from Firefly, Chewbacca and Buffy to Spiderman, Lucifer Morningstar and Doctor Who. So many Doctor Who fans!  Back to the prize, here's a reminder....

THE PRIZE

Oz Comic-Con Family Weekend Pass valued at $150!

(Valid at Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney)

And the WINNER is....

KYLIE PLESTER!!

Congratulations Kylie, I hope you have a fantastic time!

I've just emailed Kylie. Don't worry if you didn't win because I have another Giveaway coming up before the month is out! So make sure you stick around, there are plenty more prizes to be won on Max The Unicorn :)

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Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted an Oz Comic-Con Family Weekend Pass for running this Giveaway on my blog. Photos courtesy of Oz Comic-Con. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

Natio Metallic Stardust Mani!

Hello! Apologies for the lack of posts lately, I've had one sickness after another for a while now (and I'm so over it, to be frank!). Consequently, I've been rather slack with painting my nails, so I decided to throw a bottle of polish in my handbag to apply at my son's Lacrosse practice during the week. Outside. In the elements. Because ants, wind and dirt are never a problem, right? Anyhoo, I completed this earthy manicure (two coats, no top coat) in record time, with the bottle balanced precariously on a wooden post, and only a couple of Mums giving me weird looks. I've had this nail colour for a while now (I'm talking years) and it was kind of gloopy and thick, especially whilst applying the second coat. In retrospect it would have been wiser to apply this sparkly hue indoors, in two thin coats, but hey, c'est la vie!

So here we have Natio Metallic Nail Colour in Stardust. The edges are a little rough and I probably should have gone in with some cuticle cream..... but I didn't.

WIN! Don't forget to enter my Oz Comic-Con Family Pass Giveaway!

Linking up with the Fabulous And Fun Life Monday Makeup Madness Linky and Life This Week at Denyse Whelan Blogs once again!

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Have you painted your nails outside or am I alone in this genius multi-tasking move?

GIVEAWAY: Oz Comic-Con Family Weekend Pass!

Get ready to unleash your inner geek, because Oz Comic-Con is once again touring Australia! Yes, Oz Comic-Con will be visiting Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney starting later this month and I, for one, am excited! If you're into Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek, cosplaying and meeting celebrities, get out your lightsaber, because I have an Oz Comic-Con Family Weekend Pass to give away! That's right, thanks to Oz Comic-Con, you can WIN a Family Weekend Pass, valued at $150 and valid for any city (Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney)! Keep reading for how to enter.

The line-up of celebrity guests this year is impressive and even better, new guests continue to be added! Arthur Darvill (Rory from Doctor Who) has just been confirmed and Star Trek: The Next Generation's resident android, Data (aka Brent Spiner!) will also be there! Sabrina the Teenage Witch lovers will be pleased that Melissa Joan Hart is on the guest list, and being a huge Kevin Smith fan, I'm geeking out over Brian O'Halloran (Dante from cult film Clerks). Jason Momoa (Stargate Atlantis, Game of Thrones) is also a guest, but I believe he will no longer be able to attend the Perth event. You can also meet your favourite artist, writer and cosplayer as they have guests from those genres, too. Some of those include fantasy author Isobelle Carmody and comic book illustrator Stewart McKenny.

EVENT DETAILS
PERTH: March 25-26 (Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre)
ADELAIDE: April 1-2 (Adelaide Showgrounds)
MELBOURNE: July 1-2 (Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre)
BRISBANE: September 23-24 (Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre)
SYDNEY: September 30/October 1 (International Convention Centre Sydney)

Guys, if you've never experienced Oz Comic-Con before, I can tell you, it's such a fun, colourful and exciting convention! We've taken our son a few times and he loved trying to guess which characters the cosplayers were dressed up as! We are Trekkies and massive sci-fi fans, and hubby is a hardcore Whovian (aka Doctor Who freak, lol), but even if that's not your cup of tea, there are so many other movies and TV shows you'll find there to explore. There are celebrity talks to attend, meets and greets and autograph packages you can buy and merchandise stalls to peruse. There will be an Anime Station featuring a Manga Library, a Gaming Zone and a Family Activity Room to keep the kids busy! It really is a hugely entertaining event, so if you'd like to enter for a Family Weekend Pass in your city, here's how!

WIN a FAMILY WEEKEND PASS to OZ COMIC-CON!

(Valid for Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney)

Please enter via the Rafflecopter widget at the very bottom of this post. Note that being a Max The Unicorn email subscriber and visiting the Oz Comic-Con website is mandatory. The rest of the entry methods are optional, but will gain you more entries in the Giveaway. You can subscribe via email on the right hand sidebar; don't forget to click the link in your email to finish the subscription process, otherwise your entry won't be valid! If you're already a subscriber, just pop your email into the Rafflecopter so I can match it up! Although not required, I'd love it if you could like the Max The Unicorn and Oz Comic-Con Facebook pages!

Terms & Conditions
~ This giveaway is open to Australian residents only, and will close at midnight (Adelaide time) on Wednesday 15/03/2017
~ Please only enter if you can attend one of the shows outlined above
~ The winner will be picked randomly by the Rafflecopter widget
~ The winner will be notified via email and given 48 hours to reply otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

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Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted an Oz Comic-Con Family Weekend Pass for running this Giveaway on my blog. Photos courtesy of Oz Comic-Con. Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

What's your favourite cult TV or movie character?




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight On: Ariel's World

Recently I was contacted by Raylene from Ariel's World, asking if I'd like to try some of her candles and lip balm. After hitting up her website and reading some background on the company, I was excited to get involved. Raylene is a single Mum to gorgeous Ariel, a little girl with Down Syndrome. I loved reading her heartwarming story and was even more impressed when I saw that she donates part proceeds from sales of Ariel's World products to Down Syndrome NSW.

In the online shop, you'll find lip balms, candles and diffusers. There are two varieties of lip balm, three different diffuser fragrances and five different candles to choose from, as well as a set containing a Xmas Candle and Lip Balm! I was sent an Ariel Candle*, Ariel Candle Mojito*, Ariel's World Lip Treatment Balm* and a Candy Cane Lip Balm*. Keep reading for my thoughts!

Ariel Candle and Ariel Candle Mojito

I'm not the biggest user of candles; don't get me wrong, I don't dislike candles. In fact, quite the opposite! I enjoy having a candle burning and find it really relaxing, I just never seem to get around to lighting my candles! Well, that has to change. If trialling these candles has taught me anything, it's that I need to slow down, chill out, stop stressing and take the time to relax and enjoy life.

These gorgeous candles weigh 320g and have 60 hours of burn time. I'm still going with mine, so I can't verify that claim. I'd rather make them last and enjoy them over time than burn through them (literally!) too quickly. They are double wick candles and are individually handcrafted in Australia using soy wax. The wick is also eco-friendly as its made out of all natural fibres and doesn't contain any harmful metals such as lead.

The black one is the Ariel Candle, featuring the signature scent. It smells beautiful, and despite being concerned it may give me a headache, it doesn't. Here's the description of the fragrance:

"Our signature scent is in a soothing woody musky base of Patchouli, with notes of exquisite sweet floral Jasmine and sun ripened nectarines infused with the crisp tangyness of blackcurrant berries."

The name Ariel means Lioness Of God. The Archangel Ariel is all about protecting animals and the natural world. This candle honours Ariel, who was born into our natural world with Down Syndrome. The fragrance encompasses embracing the natural scents that empower your senses while protecting the environment. Generously, $5 from every candle sold is donated to the Down Syndrome Association and Lifestart Australia, which helps children living with disabilities.

The pretty silver one is the exciting Mojito Ariel candle! I can't pass up anything cocktail-themed, so I was thrilled to receive this zingy baby. For the innocent amongst you, a Mojito is a Cuban highball boozy delight drink that consists of white rum, lime juice, sugar, soda water and mint. Yum! Let's delve into the fragrance description of this candle....

"A fresh crisp scent with notes of herbaceous mint and lush, juicy lime. Rounded off with middle notes of herbal garden leaves, lavender and a deep floral base."

I love fresh, clean scents and I'm also a citrussy aroma kinda gal. I'm immediately drawn to anything that has the words lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, mandarin or tangerine on it. Despite the Mojito candle also having a strong floral base, I didn't find that it overpowered the lime. I really like burning this one to give my house a nice fresh fragrance, and as I mentioned earlier, the relaxing nature of candle-burning is something I appreciate and need to experience more often!

Ariel's World Lip Balms

"Ariel Lip Balm is nourishing and restorative thanks to bio active emollients. The sweet mixed berry and nectarine flavour makes lips even more kissable! $1 from every lip balm sold goes to Down Syndrome NSW."

Ariel's World lip balms come in lightweight plastic tubes with pull off/click on lids, and operate with a simple wind-up mechanism. You get 5g of product in each tube, and they are available in two varieties; the original Lip Treatment Balm and Candy Cane. The formula for both balms is nice and thin and really smooth to apply. The lip treatment appears white in the tube, with the Candy Cane balm appearing slightly yellow, but they both go on clear and leave my lips with a beautifully moisturised feel and glossy appearance.

Lip Treatment Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Shea Butter Liquid, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Fruit Olio Wax, Olive Squalene, Candelilla Wax, Vitamin E, Macadamia Wax, Flavour, Stevia.

Candy Cane Balm Ingredients: Coconut Oil. Cocoa Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Shea Butter Liquid, Candelilla Wax, Vitamin E, Flavour, Stevia.

I use the Candy Cane balm when I crave that minty/candy apple scent, and appreciate that it contains Stevia, a natural plant-based sweetener, instead of sugar. It's awesome for prepping lips before makeup, using straight after stepping out of the shower, and before going to bed at night. I love how soft and healthy it makes my lips feel. The original lip treatment is a fantastic, kid-friendly product that would be great for children, teens, men, women who aren't into fancy products and anyone wanting a basic, affordable, nice-feeling, effective lip balm. My nine year old son loves it and uses it before we leave for school and if we are going out on the weekends. His lips tend to get quite dry and it really nourishes and hydrates his lips quickly.

The lip balms are vegan and cruelty-free and handmade in Australia. They retail for only $8.50 a pop, with $1 being donated to the Down Syndrome charity.

I love that if you purchase an Ariel's World lip balm or candle it means you're supporting a great cause and helping make a difference for kids living with disabilities. If you're keen to read more about Ariel's journey, you can do that here.

Linking up once again to Monday Makeup Madness at Fabulous And Fun Life!

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Disclaimer: Products marked * were provided for editorial consideration. Reviews are my honest opinion. There are no affiliate links in this post, links are for information purposes only (I don't make any money if you purchase via the links in this post). Please see the Disclosure page for further information.

Do any of these products take your fancy? Are you a candle person?