leif Australian skincare products

I recently came across the new Australian skincare brand leif on Temple & Webster and was wowed by the simple, chic packaging and use of Australian native botanical extracts with pure essential oils. I think this product range is pretty hot - Sydney restaurants Vue due Monde and Wildfire seem to think so too! I bought the Desert Lime, Vanilla and Orange Body Cleanser for myself and my friend Anni to use as a hand wash in the bathroom - it's chic and smells divine. 

Here's a look-see at the gorgeous range of products on offer from leif:

You'll find some super-enticing combinations including Lemon Myrtle, Sandalwood & Eucalyptus; Wild Rosella & Alpine Pepper; Lillypilly, Eucalyptus & Tea Tree; and Kakadu Plum & Macadamia Nut.

The leif product range includes body cleanser, body balm, hand wash, hand balm all packaged beautifully in cardboard boxes - no extra wrapping required. The good folks at leif tell us that their products are "free from sodium lauryl sulphate, paraben, skin sensitising soaps, drying alcohols, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances and clogging mineral oil fillers, using only pure essential oil". Exactly what I'm looking for in a skincare product.

You can find leif products in the online store as well as stockists around Australia and online.

Images: leif

eco.kid organic skincare range for kids

I got that dreaded letter in my big girl's pigeon hole at preschool last week. You know the one. The one where there has been a case of Lice at preschool. With a capital 'L'.

Ever since my friend Liz from swimming classes spent 30 minutes giving me the full run-down on how to treat those nasty little critters and their eggs, I've been dreading the 'L' letter. Luckily, we escaped this round.

And then it was pure serendipity that a parcel arrived from the lovely people at eco.kid, who create beautiful organic skincare (hair, body, protection). Apart from the great packaging, Australian botanicals and eco-friendly methodology, a bunch of these products promise to help protect against Lice!

There is a Lice Bomb that aids in the removal of head lice and their eggs made from a 100% naturally derived botanical complex of pure plant oils and essences. And there is Prevent, the daily shampoo and Daily Tonic, the leave-in conditioner that make hair unattractive to Lice. This is worth a go!

There are more child-friendly hair and body skincare in the range that all contain certified organic, sulphate free, synthetic free, readily biodegradable ingredients with no artificial preservative, fragrance or colouring. In fact, eco.kid was designed specifically for preventing and treating the hair, scalp and skin issues that affect kids such as dermatitis, eczema, sensitive rashes. No nasties, and no chemical penetration through young skin.

We have tried the TLC body wash, the Prevent daily shampoo and Nourish daily conditioner and we all loved the grapefruity smell. And call me crazy, but I'm looking forward to testing the Bug-a-Bug insect repellent. Fabulous Australian products for our kids.

You can find eco.kid products in the online store and at retail stockists (call 1300 437 436 for a list).

Images: eco.kid

Hip Products: Queen Bee Secrets healing balms

Ooh check this out. I found these adorable and great-smelling tins of goodness at the Eumundi Markets this week. Queen Bee Secrets are a range of healing skin balms made from all-Aussie botanicals, organic beeswax and royal jelly. If the balms are as great as the packaging, then these guys are a no-brainer.

The Queen Bee Secrets range includes Pain BEE Gone (for sore muscles and joints), Rapid BEE Repair (for damaged skin), Body BEE (for skin smoothing), Baby BUZZ (for bub's bum and bumps), BEE Radiant (for moisturising) and Bush BEE (for first aid). I would definitely throw one in my nappy bag for scrapes, mozzie bites, chafes, and boo boos.

Based on the Sunshine Coast, Diane Elliot created her range of balms after suffering cancer and looking for a natural way of caring for herself and her family. With a background in Aromatherapy, she established a lavender farm and created nurturing products using the essential oils from the property well as the wonderful beeswax from the bees that live there.

You can find Queen Bee Secrets in the online store and at the Eumundi Markets in Queensland.

Images: Queen Bee Secret

Milk Baby skincare products

How delightful is the new Milk Baby range of gorgeous skincare products and toiletries for children with amazing packaging. It's simple, chic, would co-ordinate with any bathroom or nursery, and is made from all-natural ingredients.

The line was developed by Michael Klim's wife, Lindy Klim, when Michael was producing his range of skincare products for men. Lindy wanted a product that she could trust to use on her own children and wanted to create a range that was "affordable, looked good in the home and beneficial to the enhancement of wellbeing." Ticks for all three!

Look out for Snotty Grotty room spray, Bath Time wash, Nighty Night room spray and Sleepy Bubs massage oil.

Milk Baby is made exclusively for Milk & Co in Tasmania, using organic & all natural ingredients, and not tested on animals. You can find selected Milk Baby products in the online store and at stockists around Australia..

Image: Milk Baby

Hip Products: Aesop skin care & beauty products

To me, skin care heaven is being surrounded by gorgeous bottles and jars of Aesop beauty products. Made right here in Australia, Aesop uses the highest quality plant products as well as proven anti-oxidants to create a luxurious line of hair, body and skin care products for men and women. Aesop founder Dennis Paphitis doesn't subscribe to the anti-aging marketing ploy, preferring to focus on using quality botanicals without promising miracles. (a beauty company you can trust?)

The packaging is right up my alley - minimalist, ultra-cool and ensconced in dark jars to keep the contents from breaking down. And for a real treat for the design-savvy, check out any of the hip Aesop signature stores - each individually designed to complement and reflect its location.

I'm a huge fan of the Purifying Facial Cream Cleanser (I can't face cold water to remove makeup at bedtime), and an even bigger fan of the decadent Camelia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream for sensitive and dry skin.

You can find Aesop products at the online store, Aesop signature stores in London, Paris, Zurich, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and across Australia, at large David Jones stores, and stockists (listed on the website).

Image: Aesop

Hip Products: bod skincare

I've mentioned before that I'm a sucker for great packaging and quality ingredients, so I'm a natural customer for the bod skincare range.

Developed in Sydney by musician and homeopath/shiatsu specialist/Tai Chi master Brett Pattinson, the bod collection is created with the highest quality ingredients, carefully selected for their therapeutic qualities.

bod's range includes products for face, body and bath. I own the body scrub, shower gel and soap-on-a-rope (I love soap-on-a-rope!). bod's dark and minimalist packaging is both perfect for display in the bathroom, and practical, as the amber-coloured bottles and jars protect the ingredients from depletion by light, heat and air.

bod also has a delicious range for babies and Mums called bod for bubs including massage oil, bum spray, bubble bath and moisturisers.

bod’s therapeutic skincare range is currently available in over 250 stores within Australia, and is distributed to 30 countries around the world, including the UK, Europe Germany, USA, Japan, Honk Kong, Taiwan, Korea and New Zealand. You can also find bod online at the bod Website.

Image: bod