Kosmea Spa Treatment

I had been contemplating a spa day, just to spoil myself as my skin is getting older. How it was at 15 is totally different to today at 26. When Celeste of Becoming Beautiful and Adelaide Beauty Bloggers advised us she had organised with Kosmea for us to receive a complimentary 60 minute spa treatment, I jumped at the chance!

Although I had heard of Kosmea's Rose Hip oil before, I didn't realise they had a skin care range. I also didn't know they had a Day Spa. This only opened recently. From their website:

"Kosmea is an Australian natural skincare company and an international success story, founded on the healing properties of certified organic rose hip oil.
From the earliest days the company and its products have been developed with a strong vision, determination and commitment to integrity."

I was a bit hesitant at first to go along, as I normally don't like rose scents unless they are from the rose itself. Being of Greek and Cypriot descent, we also use rosewater occasionally in sweets, but again not a fan. I also have sensitive skin, and products like Dermalogica make me break out due to the fragrances added.

Kosmea Australia's first day spa

When I arrived, I filled out a standard questionnaire, detailing any medical conditions, allergies, etc, but I find these forms pretty standard across the board. Within seconds of handing back the form, the lovely Amy came to collect me. The treatment room was so nice, it was cozy, but definitely a friendly environment. The temperature was ambient, not too cold and not too warm. The artwork on the wall was lovely, and was definitely a nice touch.

 

The chair is another of those nice touches in the treatment room

 After losing the jewellery and putting on a robe, I hopped under the sheet. I was ready for a snooze by this stage of the day! I'm glad we weren't completely quiet, Amy and I chatted about houses, kids and my nail polish addiction.

My treatment started with the Purifying Cream Cleanser, a silky feeling cleanser which Amy applied to my skin and then rinsed off. Not like a conventional face wash, it felt lovely and rinsed off nicely, no suds up my nose! After my skin was cleaned, Amy asked me to shut my eyes and used a UV light mask to check out my skin's condition. I have dehydrated skin around my eyes, to the right and left of my lower lip and under my lower lip. I have sun damage to my chin, nose, cheeks and forehead. I don't spend a lot of time in the sun, but didn't even think that I could be doing the damage when driving to work and home!

I then had a hot cloth covering my face. Love this, I miss flying Singapore Airlines just for the hot towels! After this, my covered my face with the Daily Facial Exfoliant. I was hoping I wouldn't rash up or break out. Wow! No bad reaction to my skin at all. While it was on my skin, Amy switched on a steam machine, and that steamed my face while she used a machine similar to the Clarisonic over the exfoliant scrub. I would never in a million years have thought of this! The steam got a bit too much for me at times, but it was nice and warm, and cleared my lungs and nose. After it was switched off, it was a shame, because it felt cold in the room!

The very comfortable treatment bed, which has a sheet and blanket and is so comfy!

Now that my face had been scrubbed down, Amy applied a product which I can't remember the name of, but it had fruit acids in it. While it was settling on my skin, she gave me a massage while we chatted. After asked if I wanted a soft or hard massage, I jumped on hard. Sure, it would be painful, but worth it. At first, I thought Amy was going gentle on me, but after she got stuck into my back, neck, shoulders and all the knots, I felt the pain. And it was GOOD! It was much appreciated, and I felt like snoozing then and there on the table. Absolute bliss!

Some of the products used today

My face was then wiped off and another hot towel covered it. Amy then sprayed my face with the Hydrating Rosewater Mist which smelt so nice. Then it was time to add the Rose Hip Oil to my problem areas. Under my lip, to the sides and massaged around my eyes. This felt so nice, and was a lovely way to finish the treatment. This is applied to problem areas and then you can wear moisturiser over the top. However, instead of moisturiser, Amy applied the Moisturising Lotion SPF 30+, which was non-greasy and has a tint to it, so can be worn by itself.

The cherry blossom artwork

After the treatment, as I was getting dressed, I checked the time. For a complimentary session, I had got my full hour treatment, which I was pleased with and a little surprised. From beginning to end, I didn't feel rushed. The calming decor was a contributing relaxation factor.

Throughout the whole appointment, I didn't feel rushed, and I didn't feel pressured to buy any products. Unfortunately, I didn't purchase any products tonight, but as Kosmea is close to my work, I will be happy to return and purchase the Rose Hip Oil. I think I will visit Kosmea every so often to spoil my skin, as their pricing is reasonable, and it takes a special product to not make my skin react.

My skin after, just a glow from being pampered

I would definitely recommend the Kosmea Day Spa, and I will be going back to buy vouchers for my Mum and MIL. This is how much faith I have in the Kosmea brand and their lovely staff. I can't wait to go back for my next treatment. As a bonus, while writing this review my skin smells like turkish delight and citrus.

You can find the Kosmea Day Spa at 71 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood. Appointments can be made by calling 1300 130 320.

This service was provided free of charge but all opinions are my own.

The Cost of My Face

Taken from posts that Monnie & Neena did, I thought I would complete the cost of my face. I'm not huge on wearing makeup, as I find it makes my face feel dirty. To be honest, I'm quite happy with my Clinique 3 Step of Wash-Tone-Moisturise! On the occasions I do get up early or am getting ready to go out, this is what I wear.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion $74
Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Primer $32.50*
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium $47
Urban Decay Naked Palette $55
Nars Blush in Orgasm $33*
Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Java $28.95
Rimmel Volume Flash The Max Mascara in Ultra Black $16.51
Napoleon Perdis Lip Lacquer in Pink Patina $23

And lastly my daily staple, Maybelline Baby Lips (not pictured) in Anti-Oxidant Berry $4.21

*bought cheaper online

Total = $314.71

Oops, I didn't realise I had spent so much on makeup! To be honest, I had been lusting after the MAC, Nars and UD products for a long time and after having a bit of a mental breakdown one week, treated myself one expensive weekend. One this is for sure, the quality is definitely better than what I was using previously. The Skinfinish Mineralize powder foundation is so gentle on my skin, and doesn't make my skin flare up like my previous L'Oreal mineral foundation did. I find the Nars blush can be a bit much for day wear, due to the glitter in it. But all in all, I am really happy with my "face"!

On a last note, I find that the Dermalogica Gentle Eye Makeup Remover is the best thing to use on all my face to remove makeup. I also incorporate the use of my Clarisonic Mia (post found here) for that extra clean feeling.

Clarisonic Mia 2

After reading how my favourite bloggers (and the Internet in general) were falling in love with the Clarisonic Mia, I thought, wow my skin isn't in the best shape. I do have a Clinique 3 step, and love it. I have considered peels or microdermabrasion, but with sensitive skin, I don't want to chanve inflammation and red, raw angry skin.

So, off I went, researching prices (and colours!!). Started off with the usual Aussie sites. Til I realised I would pay $149 no matter where I shopped. One department store offered the colour I wanted, but I don't appreciate feeling pressured into buying something at only one retailer.

Then I googled it. OMG! 10 colours to choose from, including 1 in animal print? So instead of a choice of 3, the internet is spoiling me! And it was US$119... Wait a minute. That's cheaper than here. You know why? The Clarisonic Mia 2 has just been released for US$149.

So, I visited an Australian department store, to which I had some gift vouchers. I went to one of their bigger stores. And there was nothing. How disappointing? Why would I then buy it on their online store and pay $10 for postage. I sat on it a bit longer, until this morning. I found a site in the US, which gave me $20, then $20 for shipping. This will now cost me $139 for the Clarisonic Mia 2 in Island Coral (yay!) with postage to Australia. I am so stoked! Now that I've ordered on a Sunday, I have to wait for it, but I am happy to do so, for a bargain! Will post more when I receive it!!!

Now if only I could get this excited over dieting...