We all know that OPI makes THE best nail polishes under $30, but until recently I had no idea the company had a line of moisturisers as well.

I recently picked up a sample of OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers Caramel Cream Juicie and have been using it as a hand cream for a little while, and am pretty impressed so far.

Actually, maybe it is mostly the smell that appeals to me. As the name suggests, this is a very sweet-smelling cream - in fact, sometimes I want to eat it. But it also does its job on my dry winter skin, and has done well on keeping my nails from becoming brittle as well.

The Caramel Cream Juicie flavour isn’t listed on the site, but there are several other delicious flavours available in Australia, including Coconut Melon Juicie and Jasmine Juicie.

OPI Avojuice Skin Quenchers are available at selected retailers - phone 1800 358 999 to find one near you.

By Caroline Warnes

This time of year can truly wreak havoc on your skin, what with the change of seasons and all.

I always notice my skin gets much drier and begins to get that awful “tight” feeling. In fact, this is the perfect time of year to start using richer moisturisers and more intense treatment products on your face.

I was sent a couple of samples of new facial masques from A’kin and decided to give one of them a road test last night. The A’kin Instant Radiance Facial Masque contains multi-fruit AHA and willow bark BHA, both of which are designed to encourage surface skin renewal. Basically, AHAs and BHAs are chemical exfoliants (not as bad as it sounds), which remove dead skin cells to reveal the firm, plump skin underneath.

I already use fairly strong AHAs on a daily basis in the form of my Neostrata cleanser and moisturiser, so was keen to give this one a go. After cleansing I applied a generous layer to the skin, neck and chest and left it to sit for 10 minutes while I did the vacuuming. If you’re new to the world of AHA and BHA you might feel some tingling when you use this product, which means it’s working its magic. (I didn’t because I think my skin is fairly accustomed to these ingredients.)

After 10 minutes, I washed it off and applied moisturiser over the top. My skin instantly felt far softer than it has in the past few weeks and this morning it sill has a nice “fresh” feeling.

A’kin’s Instant Radiance Facial Masque is available now for $29.95 from David Jones, health food stores and pharmacies.

By Caroline Warnes

Just a quick note to let you know that Cincotta Chemist is having free shipping on all Australian offers for today only.

So if you need to stock up on any beauty, skincare, haircare or other pharmacy-type products, do it today. Cincotta Chemist is one of the cheapest around, so when you take away the shipping, you’ll definitely be saving money.

Cincotta Chemist stocks Neostrata skincare very cheaply so if, like me, you’re a devotee, get in quick today. Plus there are some other great offers - 50% off the entire Dove range, 50% off all Heinz baby food jars and a buy one get one free offer on the new Berocca Twist and Go drinks.

By Caroline Warnes

In an effort to trim the fat from my spending budget during January, I’ve made it my mission to try less expensive versions of my everyday essentials.

I was on a mission to find a new, inexpensive body lotion the other day and stumbled across a brand called Pure Innosense, which caught my eye mainly because it had the bargain price tag of $2.

Unfortunately I accidentally picked up the gradual tanner body lotion instead of the straight formulation (unfortunate because I’ve sworn off all forms of self-tanning). I gave it a go this morning anyway because I figure if I exfoliate everyday, then I won’t suffer any gradual tanning.

I’m pretty pleased with the results. My skin feels suitably moisturised and the smell is quite inoffensive. If there are no adverse effects from prolonged use, I may have a new favourite here. Of course next time I will invest my $2 in the lotion WITHOUT self-tanner in it.

Plus, some good news for anyone who is into natural products - this New Zealand brand only uses plant-derived ingredients, essential oils and extracts. That means no parabens, artificial colourings and other nasties that most supermarket brands have in them.

By Caroline Warnes

Unless you are Demi Moore and have a picture of Dorian Gray sitting in your attic somewhere, ageing is an inevitable (and depressing) fact of life for all of us.

One of the main “visible signs of ageing” is, of course, wrinkles - and while many of us pay attention to fighting the wrinkles on our faces, one of the biggest giveaways to a woman’s age is actually the condition of the skin on her chest.

Of course, it goes without saying that you should extend your facial skincare to your chest, but there’s a new product on the market that offers a little extra help, which I am determined to try in the new year.

While my chest wrinkles aren’t “mission critical” yet, I’d like to get in some preventative measures before I begin descent into my twilight years. Apparently sleeping on your side can make the situation worse (gravity always wins after all), and as a dedicated side-sleeper I have to admit I’m beginning to experience mild flurries of panic.

Anyhow, Decollete Pads (sold online in Australia at Skinvigor8) are 100% medical-grade silicone, a substance which has been shown to assist greatly in the healing of scar tissue. Basically, you lay the pad on your chest every night when you go to sleep and it will work its magic while you’re asleep. Each pad costs $55 and lasts somewhere between 30 and 60 days, which is kind of expensive but the product is attracting a lot of buzz so it may just be worth it.

By Caroline Warnes

I’ve never met a free sample that I didn’t like so when I came across some freebie sachets of Radox Mineral Infusions shower cream at my gym last week, I had to grab a couple and give it a try.

I’ve used it a couple of times so far and I am really impressed - it comes with sea minerals and AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) so it gives your skin a good scrub, plus essential oils so it smells great.

I am of the opinion that you shouldn’t be exfoliating your skin every day, as this can prove damaging to it in the long run, so I’d probably only use Mineral Infusions a couple of times a week in rotation with your regular shower cream.

Use it in conjunction with a pair of exfoliating mits to get a really good scrub going.

The recommended retail price for a 450ml pack of Radox Mineral Infusions is $6.49. Radox products are available at most supermarkets and Priceline.

By Caroline Warnes

I have recently arrived at that rather depressing age when every morning you seem to notice a new grey hair or line on your face.

I have also found myself scowling at rowdy youngsters skylarking on the street and feeling the urge to adopt several litters of cats with which to live out my old age.

Up until now I have been able to get away with not using a specific eye cream (I think it’s unnecessary for younger skin) but these days I need all the help I can get.

I recently received a sample of Coast to Coast Outback Brightening Eye Cream and have been really impressed with it so far.

The cream is an anti-oxidant rich formula, made with Aussie ingredients including Kakadau plum, desert quandong, fennel and organic rose hip oil to strengthen the connective tissues around the eyes.

The formulation itself is just the right consistency for an eye cream - not too runny and not too firm (you want it soft enough to dab around the eyes, it will do you more harm than good to be rubbing a firm cream into this delicate area).

Not sure if it’s just my imagination, but I think the area around my eyes already looks a little better.

You can buy Coast to Coast Outback Brightening Eye Cream online for $32.95 or from the company’s store in Melbourne Central.

By Caroline Warnes

Sometimes those discount cards or programs you pay to be a member of can be a false economy - I’ve joined a couple in the past and then have totally forgotten to use most of the offers.

However a new program for beauty and hair services around Sydney could be worth a go - the Platinum Beauty Card will only set you back $34.95 and it’s for a good cause (the company is a fundraising partner of the National Breast Cancer Foundation).

There are some pretty good discounts on offer, too - especially if you are a regular salon-goer. I like the look of 50% off facial treatments and 20% off Dermalogica products at Ella Rouge salons, plus lots of discounts at hair salons, sorted by suburb.

Members will also get invites to VIP beauty events as well as the card’s launch party.

If you’re a busy person and tend to neglect yourself, this could be great motivation to treat yourself once in a while. Personally, I think I will buy one because I don’t think I spend nearly enough time talking or thinking about myself at the moment.

By Caroline Warnes

If you’re into everything artsy and craftsy and like your purchases to be handmade and unique, then no doubt you’ve already discovered the wonder of Etsy.

Basically, Etsy is a worldwide online marketplace where anyone with a creative bent can go and sell their creations to everyone else. That covers pretty much anything you can make with your hands - jewellery is always popular, as well as homewares and furnishings, cosmetics, soaps, clothes, skin care products… the list goes on and on.

This is really the place to pick up a bargain buy. I am quite taken with the Art Deco Fork Bracelet, which, as the name suggests has been created from a refashioned fork from the 1930s.

If you can stand the thought of having an eating utensil wrapped around your wrist, it would make a unique statement piece for only US$15 (that’s around $20 locally).

One handy tip to save on shipping fees is to search for products posted by Australians only - many locals only charge a couple of dollars for delivery in Australia and you’ll get your purchase much quicker than buying from overseas. Shipping on the fork bracelet is only $5 as it’s coming from Byron Bay.

By Caroline Warnes

Despite big-noting myself for the last two years about no longer needing shampoo and conditioner, I have to confess that in recent times I have been considering reverting.

I am sick of the looks of pity and disgust that cross people’s faces when I reveal my hair is au naturel, and when it comes to demanding people smell or touch your hair - forget about it, most people won’t do it, and if they do they act like they’re in a petting zoo or humouring a sideshow freak. What’s up with that?

I’ve heard some good things about Nature’s Organics, a local manufacturer of skincare, haircare and bodycare products that don’t cost the earth (in more ways than one).

The company is committed to making products that help the environment rather than hinder it - sustainable solutions and all that hoo-ha.

And this stuff is dirt cheap. I mean it’s literally the cheapest stuff on the shelf at my local supermarket. I already use the vanilla berry body wash, which was around $3. The shampoo and conditioner is also around the same price and comes in some droolworthy flavours such as wild berry and peach delight.

My next purchase for the shower will be the creme brulee shower milk, pictured here.

By Caroline Warnes