Hot tip. An actual hot tip.

Word to the wise, if you enjoy an unpleasant burning sensation on your skin then I have found the perfect face mask for you. It's also ideal if you like to subject yourself to unnecessary tingling and itching.

I picked up the Formula 10.0.6 No Time To Shine Oil Absorbing Mud Mask because my skin has been a total pain in the ass recently, getting all oily and icky with the change of season. Mud masks are amazing for drawing out excess oil and calming cranky skin - ingredients like calendula, sea kelp and kaolin clay filled me with confidence. My high expectations were shattered about 2 minutes after I applied the mask and my skin started to burn. This wasn't the good kind of tingle you get when a mask is doing its business, oh no, this was a full on burn. Burn! I took the mask off straight away and thankfully there was no damage, but it was a total beast to get off.

Has anyone used this mask before? Did you find it burned or was it just my skin?

Formula 10.0.6 No Time To Shine Oil Absorbing Mud Mask
Price: $1.99 for the 9.4mL sachet or $8.99 for the 100mL tube
From: Priceline
Why you need it: It might work for you, but all I got was a sore face and a few anxious minutes.
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Happy Easter my darlings!

Yum! Any holiday that encourages you to eat copious amounts of sweet treats is definitely going to be a favourite in Casa de Stuff. Saying I have a sweet tooth is like saying Justin Beiber is moderately popular with the female 10-16 demo.

A couple of weeks ago Lindt sent me a box of Hot Cross Bun Macarons and before I even had the chance to photograph them the box was pillaged (see left).

Holy frick on a stick they are GOOD. I'm not normally a macaron fan, but the mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and buttery white chocolate ganache was just too heady to resist. If Lindt were trying to recreate the amazing taste of butter melting onto a fresh hot cross bun (funnily enough, they were) then they succeeded.

So after the first box got nailed, I went back and bought more. Not just for me (okay, some were for me) but they made excellent gifts too. Come to think of it, I probably should have told you about them earlier so you could have bought a box to take over to your Aunty's place today to reaffirm your place in the family as everyone's favourite. Sorry. Next time, I promise!

Lindt Hot Cross Bun Macaron Delice
Price: $17 for a box of 6
From: Lindt stores, cafes and kiosks
Why you need a box: Better than a regular hot cross bun - no annoying bits of sultana stuck in your teeth!

Pew Pew! The two week mark of my laser journey

For anyone who is interested in my laser hair removal journey, I thought I would give you a quick update on the progress of my pubes (I do apologise, I just couldn't resist the alliteration).

It has been two weeks now and as expected almost all the hair has fallen out. The hair on my bikini line fell out pretty easily, possibly because I have been waxing that area for years and the follicles are a little looser (much like Kesha after she has been brushing her teeth with Jack). I did encourage some of the hairs out by gently plucking with my fingers, but just the simple act of wearing things like tights or tight jeans helped to move them along.

My underarms were a different story, probably because after all these years I had never done more than shave so the laser was a shock to the system. At the two week mark there is still some hair that refuses to budge, even after lots of encouragement and shower scrubs. My beauty therapist said I can only shave once between appointments, so I'm pretty glad we're well into Autumn now. Seriously, Autumn/Winter is the best time for laser because you're all covered up for those awkward shedding and growing out phases.

My next appointment is in three weeks, so I'll let you know how I get on. Don't forget that if you visit Leah’s Waxworks in the Mid City Centre and mention Stuff That I Bought, you’ll get $10 off any treatment valued over $50. The deal is valid until September 1st, 2011, so plenty of time to do a full course of laser and be smooth for summer.
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The one where a man learns the true value of Dermalogica

- by Paul

On the subject of established female cosmetics brands venturing into the fickle world of male grooming, it would seem that Dermalogica have also taken the plunge.

I had seen Dermalogica cleanser in my gf’s bathroom, but hadn’t paid it much attention apart from occasionally swiping some when I forgot to bring my own toiletries. So when she saw the men’s range on my basin and started whimpering like a – very cute and lovable – puppy that wants a piece of your hamburger, I realised that perhaps I hadn't given it the respect it was due.


The men’s range is tastefully decorated in Dermalogica’s trademark white, but with a bold crimson to differentiate it from the formal grey of the women’s. I sense a woman’s smarts somewhere in the design – they’ve obviously tried to make it distinctive enough that no bloke will be able to mistake it for his gf’s Dermalogica products, thus preserving her stash.

I tried the Pre-Shave Guard (RRP $32.50, 170g), and the Invigorating Shave Gel (RRP $28, 180ml).

Firstly, the Guard: I generally like the idea of a pre-shave application. Anything that softens and smoothes the surface before you apply a razor to skin is always welcome. The problem is, tons of products promise this, but there have been few that I’ve found that really make it worthwhile.

I opened the tube. Thick and unctuous, it exuded odours of essential oils. I was suspicious. Normally product that is essential oil based leaves you reeking of day-spa; all aromatherapy rather than man-about-town, and damn near impossible to cover up, whichever aftershave you use.

It turned out to be awesome. Great to put on, made my skin feel tingly and alive, and actually did what it was supposed to on my three-day Mediterranean bristle. And best of all – after the shave was complete, I was left with no residual pine-needle/ tea-tree/ lemon myrtle/ eucalypt/ mint oil smell!

So, the process I followed: smear on the Pre-shave Guard, then apply some of the Invigorating Shave Gel. Dermalogica recommends use of their shaving cream after the Guard, but I have found that the Gel works equally well, if not better. The Guard gives a thick buffering base, whilst the Gel is light and lubricating, and together they produced the best shave I’ve had for ages.

The plusses for me were the fact that even with several days growth, it all rinsed easily off the blade, so there was no annoying clogging. The approach, however, works equally well with only one day’s growth. My skin felt supple afterwards; smooth, but not tender and meringue-like, even with a close shave.

Bottom line: Pre-shave Guard + Invigorating Shave Gel = great shave. And I’m fussy. (Elise's note: Yes he is. Believe me.)

Buy when: your man is enlightened enough to respect the fact that he will need to use two products to
shave with, rather than one.

You can buy Dermalogica at salons nationally
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Rockin' the Kazbah with Lola&Bailey for Sportsgirl

Hey Santa,

How are you mate? Did you enjoy your break over summer? We must catch up for that beer we keep saying we will grab – I love it when we hang out. Make sure you bring the missus along, she’s a doll.

I know it’s a bit early in the year for making lists and checking them twice, but I have a huge favour to ask. I am desperately in love with the entire Lola&Bailey for Sportsgirl range. Like, need them now. Want. Need. Lust. We’re talking delicate Moroccan pieces, turquoise, peach, gold, black, art deco lines with chic infusions of colour. Oh my.

This collection totally rocks the kazbah and, incidentally, is called Rock The Kazbah (gosh I’m witty, look at me go). I would really love it if you could dash into Sportsgirl and get them all for me, and then perhaps make an early delivery. You should probably move quickly because it drops into stores today and won't last long. I promise I won’t tell any of the other kids – it can be our little secret – and I’ll be good for the rest of the year! Or at least I’ll try to be...

Cheers dude, talk soon.

Much love,
Elise xx

PS – if you need to know prices for your budget and whatnot, the studs are $20, the bigger earrings are $30, there is a ring that’s $30 and the necklaces are $60. Cheep as chups!

There's a life lesson in that...

I was all set up for a blissful chill out on Sunday night. Couch, TV, blankie, glass of wine, beautiful Aveda Light The Way French Lavender candle burning on the coffee table. How good does that sound? Well, it was awesome until I knocked the candle over and it spilled wax All. Over. The. Carpet.

You know what is amazing though? Soy wax is so soft that it wipes straight up. No kidding, I soaked it up with a paper towel, gave it a little rub and you can't even tell where I made the mess. This outcome is excellent, because I haven't told my Fiance about my little accident yet (hi honey!).

After the tumble

While we're talking about the candle, I was burning it because a) lavender is very calming and b) the glass container the candle is in was once the bottom of a wine cooler bottle (very cool) and c) April is Earth Month, a campaign Aveda created all the way back in 1999 (I was still in high school then, yikes!) The Aveda Walk For Water event is on this Sunday in Syd, Melb, Brissy and Perth and all the deets are here. Proceeds go to the Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal for all our northern friends who suffered through Mother Nature's mood swings earlier in the year, so you know it's a totally worthy cause.

However, if you can't make it down to an event on Sunday morning because you'll be sailing/painting/eating croissants/hungover, then you should definitely buy a candle. 100% of proceeds go to Wateraid, which is a really great initiative to provide something we all take for granted to people who aren't as fortunate as us. Reading through the Wateraid website kind of puts things in perspective - suddenly wax on the carpet doesn't seem so important.

Aveda Light The Way Earth Month Candle - French Lavender
Price: $24.95
From: Aveda Spas and Salons
Why you need it: Support an amazing charity with a beautiful treat for yourself. Light the candle and reflect on all the things you're grateful for.
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Pew Pew! My first experience with laser hair removal.

I went for my first session of laser last Thursday. I have been putting off getting laser for years because I had in my head that it would hurt like hell. Meanwhile, I have been waxing for over 10 years. Um, idiot. Go figure, right. I would hate to do the math on just how much I have spent on waxing over the last decade. But I digress.

It was actually my little sister who talked me into having laser. She reckons it doesn’t hurt at all but I was sceptical - my sister is the toughest nut on the planet and has a pain threshold higher than most marathon runners. I on the other hand am a wuss. The wussiest wuss who ever wussed. Look up wuss in the dictionary and you see my face (but again, years of waxing. Go figure).  I was however slightly placated when I was told that my bikini and underarm would only take 5 minutes all up. Surely I could handle 5 minutes of pain.

I took myself off to Leah’s Waxworks in Mid City Centre on my sisters recommendation and she wasn’t kidding when she said a) it would only take 5 minutes and b) it actually didn’t hurt that much. This is pretty much my internal monologue of how the five minutes went down:

Minute one...
Pants off, arms up, on the table with a leg spread. Gosh it’s hard to be graceful and dignified when you’re essentially starkers lying on paper. What’s she doing? Oh, a quick swipe over with a razor to make sure all the strays are gone. And here are the stylin’ ski goggles I have to wear to protect my eyes. I am the height of chic right now.

Minute two...
Right underarm. Ok this isn’t so bad. It really does feel like someone flicking me with a rubber band. What’s she doing? Oh I see, up and down in stripes to get every spot. Kind of like mowing the grass in rows. Ha! What a great analogy. High five, Phillips.

Minute three...
Left underarm. Ok this hurts a bit. Stings. Yep, kinda hurting. Ok...breathe....breathe....oh, she’s done.

Minute four...
Bikini line. I wonder what Fiance is cooking for dinner? Ok ow! That hurt. That skin is pretty sensitive down there, you know. Oh that skin’s alright though. Yep, not too bad. Ok ow again!
 
Minute five...
Bikini line. I’m an old pro at this now. Totally fine. Cool. As. A. Cucumber. Are we done? Really? I could totally go again.

And just like that it’s over! It’s less pain and more just uncomfortable – when everyone says it feels like being flicked with a rubber band they are right. It’s not pleasant as it is happening, but as soon as the laser stops, the pain stops. The smell of singed hair I could take or leave though.

There is redness afterwards like waxing, but it isn’t uncomfortable. My underarms felt a bit sensitive throughout the afternoon (I had it done on my lunchbreak) but considering I have been shaving them for more than half my lifetime and I have never once waxed, I’m not surprised they felt a bit odd.  I’ll let you know how I go when the hair falls out in two weeks time – apparently it’s going to be itchy!

Check out this video I found on youtube and skip to the 2 minute mark - it shows how the process works and what the laser looks like as it hits the skin.

Candela GentleLASE laser hair removal
Price: $70 for Brazilian and underarm
From: Leah’s Waxworks – level 1 Mid City Centre
Why you need it: Permanent hair removal. Throw out your razors and stop spending on waxing – you can spend all that saved cash on a nice PS1 for me please.

SUPER AWESOME SPECIAL NEWSFLASH: If you pop into Leah’s Waxworks in the Mid City Centre and mention Stuff That I Bought, you’ll get $10 off any treatment valued over $50. Bad luck non-Sydney readers, cos this is a sweet deal! The deal is valid until September 1st, 2011.

I was a guest of Leah's Waxworks and will be reviewing a full course of underarm and bikini laser treatments.
Image courtesy of atlanticdermatology.com
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OMG! Vote for Pedro! (and me)

Dear Everyone I Know,

Something very exciting has happened. I am nominated for a Cosmopolitan Fun Fearless Female award. I know, right?! Not so sure about the fun and fearless part, but they definitely got the female bit right (one out of three ain't bad).

I would really really really truly appreciate it if you could take a few seconds out of your busy day of eating cake and reading Bacon Busters magazine (a fine publication) and go and vote for me. Right now there are 10 nominees but pretty soon there will only be three finalists and I would LOVE to be a finalist! If I am a finalist I will do my happy dance and I might even video my happy dance and post it on here so you can see how happy I am.

Click the picture or click this link to make me a very happy person. I'll even buy you a beer*.

Love and marshmallows,
Elise

*maybe