Because we know you love luxury eco products as much as we do, this month we’ve teamed up with Misoh Organic Essentials to treat our Alexami fans!

Misoh’s sleepwear and underwear range is created from unique eco-friendly fabrics including Organic Cotton and Bamboo. As an exclusive offer to Alexami fans, Misoh are offering the chance to win a lovely sleepwear set comprising of Misoh’s Sophie Organic Cotton Knit PJ and Sophie Organic Cotton Knit Wrap, total value $149.90! To view the entire Misoh range, visit www.misoh.com.au.

To enter and win, simply ‘like’ the Alexami Cosmetics Facebook fan page, or follow us on Twitter and recommend the contest link to your friends by clicking the ‘share’ button on Facebook or retweeting the comp on Twitter. Once you’ve shared the contest, write on our wall how many friends you’ve shared the link with. For example: shared with __ friends. One lucky sharer wins! For full term and conditions, click here.
Competition commences on Thursday September 1^st 2011 and closes 11:59PM on Friday September 30, 2011, so start sharing!

Misoh Organic Essentials Sophie PJ

Misoh Organic Essentials Sophie Wrap

As we mentioned on our Facebook page a month ago, the video “The Story of Cosmetics” recently celebrated it’s first birthday. It was released a year ago, and if you’ve ever wondered how safe the ingredients in your everyday cosmetics are, we can’t tell you how worthwhile it is to check this video out. Have you ever wondered what the long names on the back of your foundation actually are? We believe consumers should be aware of what they are really using on a daily basis, and how it effects them. This video explains the truth behind beauty companies being able to add questionable additives to our every day products, and why they are allowed to do so. The video has helped spur interest in companies that create products without using harmful toxins - check out brands like Alexami listed on the Compact for Safe Cosmetics at safecosmetics.org

If you enjoy watching the Story of Cosmetics, you might like to know it is a spin off from the successful “The Story of Stuff” which was released in 2007. It’s has had multiple millions of views; the reason it’s had such huge response is because it’s very informative and easy to take in. Watching the video will empower you to become more aware of products you are using everyday, where they have come from and how they affect our world. If you haven’t seen it yet we can’t recommend it enough - see it embedded below.

And while we’re at it, The Story of Stuff website is also worth looking at- there’s multiple videos that educate viewers about the processes involved to produce ‘disposable’ products that will only need to be replaced again in 6 months. It also explains why what we buy so cheap, from the government, extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal. Knowing exactly where what we are using has come from will make you think twice about your purchases large and small. The site also features other informative videos such as “The Story of Bottled Water” too - visit storyofstuff.org for more info.

Oily, Dry, Combination… If you’ve ever been a little unsure what category your skin type falls into, read on.

Understanding your skin type is the first step to helping you achieve a more radiant complexion by pinpointing the right beauty products to use, which can make a massive difference to your skin’s overall appearance. To help you determine your skin type, you can do a quick test by cutting out a strip of rice paper or tissue paper and lightly patting it on your face, preferably 30 minutes after you cleanse in the morning. Facial oil will show up as a damp/transparent spot, and indicate the skin types as discussed below.

Normal: The test tissue/paper won’t reveal any traces of oil at all, but your face should still feel supple, hydrated, clear and healthy. This skin type is generally the least problematic, especially if treated with a regular skincare regime. Normal skin types also benefit from the light and breathable nature of powdered mineral foundations when used in conjunction with a gentle cleansing and moisturising routine.

Product recommendation: Keep your skin looking great with Alexami’s Mineral Foundation Powder to allow your skin to breathe while providing all-essential sun protection.

Combination: This is the most common skin type - about 70 percent of women have combination skin! If you generally feel mild dryness around your cheeks and have a slightly oily T zone (the area running from your forehead down to your nose), your skin is a combination of types. On your test paper/tissue you won’t pick up any oil on your cheeks but will notice oily patches coming from those T zone areas. This skin type has medium pores, and if kept in good condition can enjoy a smooth and even texture and healthy tone. To look after combination skin, make sure your dry zones (usually around your eyes and cheeks) are regularly moisturized with creams specifically designed for dry skin, while oily areas (usually around the T zone, nose and forehead) can benefit from more frequent thorough cleansing and a lighter moisturizer. Get the balance right and your skin will thank you for it!

Product recommendation: Even your skin tone with Alexami Mattifying Primer and Alexami Mineral Foundation Powder

Dry Skin: Your test tissue/paper will be clean, but your face skin will feel a little flaky and dry after you’ve wiped it. Generally if you feel tightness on your face after cleansing and experience roughness and flaking without any oily patches, then your skin is prone to dryness - this indicates a tendency towards fine wrinkles, dullness, flaking and red patches. Make sure you enlist a regular skin care regime to suit dry skin with lots of moisturising treatments and masks. Before any makeup application, make sure you use a quality moisturizer and primer to rehydrate and ‘plump up’ your skin as much as possible. Quality mineral foundation can also assist.

Product recommendation: After moisturising, prepare your skin for makeup with Alexami Mattifying Primer and if your skin is looking dull and tired, brighten your complexion with Alexami Mineral Bronzer

Oily Skin: Oily skin tends to get shiny within a few hours of washing, and can be prone to acne and blackheads. Your test tissue/paper will show oil patches from your cheeks, nose, and/or forehead. Oily skin can look greasy, and big pores and acne can result, but on the flip side people with oily skin tend to look younger longer and their skin isn’t as delicate and prone to wrinkles as other skin types. Regular cleansing can assist, and make sure to cleanse well before any makeup application. Powdered mineral makeup is great for oily skin as it allows skin to breathe without adding an additional oily substances, and setting powder can further assist with blotting out excess oil.

Product recommendation: Loose the shine with Alexami’s Mineral Foundation Powder in Matte, and finish with Alexami’s Mineral Setting Powder

Sensitive Skin: This won’t be picked up by the test paper/tissue, but if your skin tends to be thin and delicate with fine pores, and tends to react badly to skin products, you may have sensitive skin. Also note that all skin types can experience sensitivity too, as for most people it can also be more of a skin condition than skin type (caused by changes in environment, age, exposure to certain products etc.)

Sensitive skin often becomes red and flushed easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently allergic or sensitive to regular beauty products and can be prone to rashing. To look after sensitive skin, seek out products marked as non hypoallergenic, or look for quality natural or organic products devoid of harsh chemical additives. It may take lots of testing to find products that don’t irritate your skin, but a low irritant and good quality mineral foundation power like Alexami’s can do wonders.

Product recommendation: Alexami’s whole range is designed for sensitive skins so take your pick - if you also have sensitive eyes try Alexami’s Herbal Mascara and Mineral Eyeshadow too!