A while back, I had my husband Dale give his thoughts in a guest post featuring the SPEICK range of men's shower gel. Clearly they were impressed with his forthright no-nonsense review style as they kindly asked him to try out their range of shaving gels and foams.

Over to Dale . . .


It took me a while to get around to reviewing the SPEICK Men Care range of shaving products as I only use a razor for shaving on the weekends. My electric shaver does the job during the week.

Another reason I held off was the fact that the lubricating strip on the Mach 3 razors tend to make a bit of a sticky, stringy, foamy compound when new and mixed with shaving foams / gels. Anyone else get this? Anyway, the lubricating strip has now lost its lube, so here is my review.

SPEICK Men Hydro Sensitive Shaving Foam (soothing with aloe vera) 

This product comes in a blue pressurised container with a slitted nozzle that dispenses the foam in a flat, ribbon-like stream. It's made from real soap and is vegan friendly. The fragrance of the speick plant dominates. It lubricates well and washes off cleanly.

Editor's note: contains skin-smoothing wheat proteins and organic aloe vera gel and is free from mineral oil-based ingredients.

SPEICK Men Active Shaving Cream

This creamy foam has a very similar feel to the canned foam once lathered up. It is also made from real soap with that pine-y speick scent. A good one to pack for travelling when the pressurised container can't come with you. This is another vegan product.

Editor's note: This stuff undergoes a 12-week maturing process to develop its smoothness and sheen! It contains no synthetic fragrances, colours or preservatives.

SPEICK Men Shaving Cream

This blue tube seems to be made of metal, like toothpaste tubes from 30+ years ago. Haven't seen a tube like this for a while! The contents within do the job once again but this time the lavender scent dominates. No mention of vegan suitability on this one.

Editor's note: Contains beeswax so is not vegan-friendly. Also contains lavender oil. Undergoes the same 12-week maturing process as the SPEICK Men Active product.


I guess not much can be said about shaving foams and creams. Their purpose is to lubricate during the shaving process and all three did that . . . no rashes when finished. Smelt good too.

There is, however, another step to shaving and that's a final aftershave and moisturise. If SPEICK have this product line as well, I'm more than happy to give it a go!

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Dale was kindly gifted these products for review. Images are mine, words are mostly his and some of mine, all are authentic. For more information, please see my PR & Media policy.

A little while back I did a 10 Random Facts About Me post and one of those 10 facts was that I had written and recorded a song that received commercial airplay on Nova 91.9 here in Adelaide.

That generated some interest and a few people asked about it. Since the ARIAs were on this week and I should have attended the 2007 ceremony, I thought I'd share the full story with you.
*wavy flashback effect*

The year was 2007, back when I used to listen to the radio before work in the morning and the Nova breakfast crew; Fitzy, Jules and Lisa announced a competition for listeners to write a rap about their suburb and send it in.

As it happens, I had an illustrious background as a lyrical gangster that started in high school where I performed oral reports in rap form (including the groundbreaking "Erosion" in Year 11) and went on to write joke songs, parodies and toilet-shaming ditties for various friends and workplaces. So this was totally my jam. Much like Eminem, I smashed out some verse in a tiny notebook about my then-burb, Brahma Lodge (Adelaide's 8-Mile equivalent) on the train on the way to work, typed it up, emailed it in under the stage name of MC Bethamphetamine and went about my day.

I was soon contacted by the station, who loved it and was invited to come in and record it in the studio! OM actual G. Here I am laying it down with Fitzy popping in to throw up a quick gang sign.


Note: This was before I learned to smile without losing my top lip. Also, dat fringe.

Recording was super fun and then I got to sit in the studio after while their sound guy put it to a backing track, laid some effects on and basically made it sound like an actual song. Fun fact: said backing track is basically a "stock photo" of the music world so I've heard it in advertisements and television promos since. Yes, I freestyle when I hear it, what of it.

The track, "Drama Lodge" was played during the breakfast show the next morning and people rang in to give feedback. Other people laid down their tracks for their suburbs and we all got played throughout the duration and uploaded to their MySpace page (which shows you how long ago it was, lol).

For my troubles, I won a 30GB iPod Classic which was worth about $400 at the time and which is still the primary music storage device at home. Shortly after, I headed off overseas to the US for my wedding / honeymoon trip and thought no more of it.

Until a few months later when they announced they were running a competition and throwing the tunes open to a public vote, where the winner would get a trip for two to the ARIAs.

THAT TRIP WAS MINE!

I enlisted an army of family and friends from around the world to vote and we started hammering away. These days, for such a thing, you'd have to enter an email address or some other kind of validation and get one entry. This was set up so that one click = 1 entry so it really was a case of who could smash out the most entries. There we were beavering away legitimately when Dodgy Dave from Morphett Vale seemed to be climbing impossibly higher. I consulted my IT friends who posited he had set up a macro on computer to auto-vote.

"Make it happen", I whispered and soon two of the IT computers here at work were doing the same.

It wasn't enough though, and as the competition drew to its final hours I knew I'd been done and I was MAD.

Nova announced the winner the next morning and threw in some comments about rigging computers and overloading the servers but STILL WENT AHEAD AND GAVE IT TO HIM ANYWAY despite my loads of legit votes from different people. Nearly ten years later and the pain is still real.

As a small consolation, a bunch of friends and family took it upon themselves to call and email Nova and tell them what for, most notably my friend Stacie who said, and I quote:

You'd be crazy to send Dodgy Dave to represent Nova and Adelaide at the ARIAs. I'm not talking Gnarls Barkley crazy, I mean baby danglin' Michael Jackson crazy. I'm talking head shavin' Britney Spears crazy!

His rhymes are weaker than the drinks at the Richmond. He has less flow than the River Murray*

His rap is more wack that Whitney Houston on crack. He makes Vanilla Ice look like Tupac.

* then in severe drought.

So I didn't get to go to the ARIAs but I did write and perform a song that got commercial airplay in Adelaide.

Oh, you still want to hear it?


People actually still remember it which I find funny. And you better believe I sing along when it comes on shuffle!

Ever been on the airwaves or won a radio competition?

Just in time for Christmas comes Peony Parcel, one of the newest players in Australia's growing subscription box market.

Mascara is probably the one cosmetic I've been wearing consistently since Year 12 and, as such, my eyes look bald without it. Back in the day, I had one workhorse mascara for all occasions and I think you can guess that things have changed a bit since then . . .


It's not just a case of FOMO or "try all the things" - I find mascara interesting but not as much as say, a new eyeshadow palette or liquid to matte lipstick. I thought I'd round up what I have in my mascara collection and rate them in order of awesomeness. You may click on the heading names to follow links to that product, if the mood takes you - no affiiates or anything, just for info.

7. IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara Mini 

I bought this tiny trial sized mascara during my Sydney Sephora visit, used it once and largely forgot about it. If by "tightlining" they mean "leaves tiny dots along your eyeline" then yes, it definitely does that. I was hoping for a full lined effect but then, my expectations have been known to exceed reality from time to time.

6. NYX Color Mascara - Blue

I picked this up because Target were having a special and I have blue eyes so why not. I used to use the Covergirl Exact Eyelights in Sapphire Black as an everyday mascara and quite liked the effect so I thought I'd try a straight blue for fun. It's okay. Not particularly noticeable unless I'm out in the sun but I'd love to see how some of the other wackier shades in the range perform.

5. Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara

I got this in a value pack from Priceline when looking to try the Curvy Eyeliner and although I wasn't bothered about it, I gave it a go. The results were acceptable but not impressive. You can see me trialling both the mascara and eyeliner in a video if you like.

4. Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

I got this free in a Beauty Heaven mini beautorium haul and it took a little while to get used to the curved wand. It was a bit gunky at first but improved once it dried out a little. It's not one I go for all the time, hence its position firmly in the middle of the road.

3. Benefit They're Real! Lengthening Mascara

When I saw this as an available product in the Beauty Heaven beautorium selection, I was all over it like white on rice and when it arrived, I couldn't wait to coat my lashes with it. You can see me doing that right here. It's alright but let me tell you, I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it. While it's perfectly serviceable, for $42 I essentially want to look like Caitlin after her lash extensions.

2. Silke Oil of Morocco mascara

I won this a while back as part of a (frankly awesome) prize pack from Champagne Cartel and it's a great regular mascara. You have to be wary of the fibrous bits on application so they don't smudge onto your eyes and what-have-you. However the colour is excellent and while the smell is a little oil-like, it's not offensive. It's a really nice product.

Which brings us to our winner . . .

1. Essence Cosmetics Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara

Essence have well and truly killed it with this offering. A thick luxe wand delivering inky black product, volumising effect and easily my most dramatic mascara, all for the lowest price. I actually used my $5 Priceline birthday voucher to buy another one (and, while I was there, another Essence Make Me Brow Gel so I didn't feel like a numpty handing over $1.60).

Once again, I'm pleased to tell you that stinge wins out again with another Essence product taking the cake!

What's your favourite mascara? Is it budget or blow-out? Do you have a mascara wardrobe or a workhorse?

As much as I like to get out and about, every now and then I like to have a home day where essentially I stay in my sleepwear and do very little that requires effort.

Now that the warmer weather is getting a little more consistent, I'm starting to leave the flannelette behind and look towards my summer weight loungewear. As you know, I am not opposed to an oversized tee or soft pants but let me give you the heads-up if you want to take your lounge look up a notch with homebodii.


Ooh it's all so noir and moody, right? Look, I'm just trying something new here so bear with me!

homebodii have a gorgeous site dedicated to sweet slumber attire, bridal robes and all manner of organic lounge wear as well as dresses, beach and holiday essentials.

I was kindly sent the Serafina kimono robe in black. I chose black because sometimes I need to check the letterbox when I don't feel like getting dressed. It's made from a soft luxe fabric with gorgeous delicate lace detail on the sleeves and hem, with internal tie (modesty!) and proper fabric belt.


I was wearing this robe while preparing for an event, leaving it on until the last minute to change into my actual dress. My husband legit thought I was going to wear it out, that's how nice it looks on.


It's our ten year wedding anniversary next May. We were married overseas and I am trying (with very little success) to talk said husband into a vow renewal; mainly so I can wear a cute dress and get photos and have bridesmaids and gift them pretty floral robes and invite friends who either didn't make the cut or have come into my life since then. He doesn't see those as being adequate reasons, unfortunately.

Side note: it's like 44 days until Christmas and if you wanted to treat yo'self or someone special, I'm pretty sure something from homebodii would be a hit! It comes beautifully wrapped and presented so you don't even have to worry about it which is great for non-wrappers like myself.

Do you lean towards luxe lounge wear or keep it more casual?

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I was kindly gifted the Serafira kimono from homebodii and chose to post about it. All words and images are mine and authentic. For more information, please see my PR & Media policy.

Y'all know I enjoy shopping, and tracking my expenditure through the #AlmostPoshStyleCost project has been most enlightening.

Back in May, I featured a guest post; Signature Style Without the Guilt, from Dr Jennifer de Livera, an actual scientist and ethical fashionista that referenced the Baptist World Aid Fashion Report. After reading Jen's post, I decided to commit to only buying from brands that came in at a "C" grade or above.

Doesn't sound that challenging, does it? But when you consider that my former go-to fast fashion outlets like TEMT and Valleygirl (now owned by Fast Future Brands) and Best & Less were suddenly off-limits, it did mean a significant shift in my shopping landscape.

I'm pleased to report that I haven't even really entered one of the above stores since making that commitment and to be honest, I haven't really missed it.

The Fashion Report has been updated for 2016 and Jen returns to give us an update.

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Hi there, you might not remember but I’ve been here before, I guest posted earlier in the year about the guilt that can come with shopping for clothes, because of the sweatshops. It was heavy stuff, and I am sort of surprised I was invited back, so thanks, Beth!

But hey, it wasn’t all doom and gloom! We took a close look at the cost of basic items vs company ethics and decided there was no relationship (we don’t have to be rich to make better choices, hooray!), and we went through some guilt minimisation strategies (trying preloved, avoiding known baddies) so that we can get on with life and maybe make some better purchase decisions in the process.

So six months down the track, let’s check in.

Now I definitely can’t claim to be doing a perfect job of making ethical choices when it comes to new clothing purchases, but I feel confident in saying I’ve been making what I consider to be better choices. I’ve got a few ideas about how to actually do this too, and I’m willing to share.



READ THE 2016 AUSTRALIAN FASHION REPORT*

Full disclosure - it’s 65 pages, but you probably don’t need to read it all. HINT: On page 6 there is a neat summary table that grades most brands that you have access to in Australia, from A to F. Look, it’s totally not that scary:


 And before you say, what are all these random brands I’ve never heard of … there’s a decoder on the back pages that breaks down the parent companies into the actual shops you might shop at (e.g. Cotton On Group = Cotton On, Rubi, Factorie and others).

Checking these scores has really challenged my perceptions. I still can’t get over the fact that Cotton On rates better than Cue, or that a company like Zara, who is pretty much the Coca-Cola of the fashion world, can be sitting pretty on an A grade. I have been trying to stick to purchasing from companies rated B or better, which doesn’t feel particularly onerous as there are quite a lot in that category. I don’t feel the need to be extreme about it, so I have cut myself some slack on occasion when say I am after something specific and I just can’t find what I want in a preferred brand.

So look up your faves and see where they fit. If you’re not comfortable with the grade they’ve been given take a look at what better-rated brands you might be able to choose instead.

KEEP BOOKMARKS/FAVOURITES


So how does one actually remember what brands you decided to avoid and what brands you want to shift to? I started using bookmarks to do this, I set up a list for clothing stores that I like that are acceptable to me ethics-wise. Then when I feel like shopping for something, I go in and check the bookmarked stores as a first port of call. You could choose brands to bookmark based on their ratings in the 2016 Aussie Fashion Report, you could do your own research, or check out websites like shop ethical.

Of course, if you're trying to minimise your purchasing altogether, it might be a good time to unsubscribe from brand emails and think of something else to do on your lunch breaks if you work in a shopping-friendly location!

USE APPS

But what about when you’re at the actual shops, you say? I downloaded the Good On You app^^ which I refer to if I’m caught out and about. It’s free and easy to use – just type in a store of interest and you’ll get a rating out of five. This app is also really handy if you are after something specific, as you can browse by category where you’ll find ratings for brands that sell everything from hosiery to outerwear.

USE PINTEREST

Maybe this is obvious, but Pinterest seems like a really good tool for avoiding impulse buying. Anytime I feel like I need or want something new, I do some online browsing and chuck a few things on a Pinterest board. It seems to provide gratification without the commitment, giving time to weigh up the brand ratings of different options before buying.

DOES IT HAVE TO BE NEW?

Sometimes when you see something cute and start feeling impulsey it’s easy to forget that there are actually other options to buying new gear! An easy and cheap way to not be supporting sweatshops is simply to hit up the likes of etsy, eBay, Gumtree or your local op shop for preloved goods, repairing stuff you already have or even simply buying less stuff in the first place.

There are some great infographics out there along these lines. I like to keep a few pinned to the same board where I put potential new acquisitions to help prompt me to think outside the square rather than just buying new stuff without thinking. Here’s a couple of examples:

[image credit: theNotepasser.com]

Just quietly, I think the dead end at ‘no’ after ‘do I really need it’ is a bit rough! If you want to have any fun at all, I would be interpreting ‘need’ in an outfit-making sense, not in a basic human rights sense!

[image credit: www.Into-Mind.com]

DOES IT HAVE TO BE PURCHASED AT ALL?

Another option for the brave is to look for potential in your own wardrobe – is there anything unloved that could do with a new lease of life? Lacklustre shoes could suddenly become appealing again with a comfy insert, polish and/or resoling. Shortening or letting down hems can totally change the look of dresses or skirts and make them feel new again. I have mates who staple or use tape so you don’t necessarily even need sewing skills, or if you’re fancy see a tailor. And if you’re willing to risk ruining everything, you could even try turning things into other things - over the years I’ve done some random projects, such as retrofitting lining to a flimsy trench coat, turning a double breasted coat into a single breasted style, turning dresses into skirts and/or tops, creating purses and clutches out of fabric scraps, and using worn out scarves to wrap around equally worn out bag handles.

Do any of these ideas speak to you ? Anyone got any other tips ?

* https://baptistworldaid.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-Australian-Fashion-Report.pdf

^^rating system is different to Ethical Fashion Guide - covers environment, labour rights and animal protection too.