Skinstitut is a brand I came across a few years ago on launch and liked it immediately. For one, the products are no fuss, they contain scientifically proven ingredients without any gimmicks, and they cost $45 a pop. They also come in no nonsense packaging ideal for her and him. Over time I’ve used quite a few different Skinstitut products with great results, and three new ones have come across my desk recently which I have added to my personal lineup. They’re also ideal for summer. First is Age Defence SPF50+, a chemical and physical hybrid moisturiser which does a multitude of jobs for your complexion, which include protecting against UVA and UVB induced premature ageing and skin damage. It’s a light, hydrating, broad spectrum sunscreen which is also two hours water resistant, easy to apply regularly, and it sinks into the skin. As a bonus it’s non-irritating and is suitable for even sensitive skins, and it comes in a neat, 75ml sized tube ideal for travellers, to slip into your handbag or beach bag. 

Second on my new to try list is Gentle Cleanser, which comes in a 200ml tube, and is also suitable for all skin types especially sensitive skins. This lovely cleansing gel is calming and replenishing, removing all traces of makeup, dirt and other products without leaving your skin dry. Key ingredients include green tea, goji berry, and soothing aloe vera and vitamin E. To use it just squeeze a pea-sized amount into wet hands and lather over the face; rinse off and pat dry. To remove heavier makeup you can apply the product to a damp cotton ball and wipe off. The final product in the Skinstitut lineup is Vitamin C 100%, a power which comes in a 10 gram pot, and can be mixed with another product such as a moisturiser or sunscreen. My personal preference is pure water or a gentle toner, which I apply before a moisturiser. Powder is the best way to deliver vitamin C to the skin as it is 100 per cent pure and concentrated, and it won’t spoil. Vitamin C has long been in my beauty regime as it helps to protect against free radical damage, and it brightens the skin by improving radiance and tone. If you’re new to it, however, apply just a couple of times a week initially and build up your tolerance as overuse too quickly can make your skin red. Skinstitut is available from a variety of resellers nationally; to find your nearest stockist visit www.skinstitut.com.

How many times have you returned home from a holiday somewhere fabulous, when out of the blue the smell of something transports you right back? A scent can transport you back to a moment in time, a destination, or to a particular memory with a single whiff. Embracing this concept, Jai Evans launched Sydney Fragrance, an Australian company which offers a collection of scented candles inspired by the unique style of one of the world’s most stunning and eclectic cities - Sydney. For anyone who has experienced Sydney’s style, these fragrances will undoubtedly take you back; and for those yet to visit, it's a tantalising taste of what you've yet to enjoy. The company's fragrant candles showcase Sydney in all her glory and capture the many facets of her style, from the beach and the shimmering harbour, to lush bushwalks, parklands and more. 

Sydney Fragrance hand crafts all its products in a workshop in the heart of Sydney, with each fragrance conceived and formulated by world class perfumers. Options include Alpha, embracing the essence of the Australian man with grapefruit, cedarwood and amber, and Opera, inspired by the famous Sydney icon, and with orange blossom, gardenia and jasmin. And with winter looming, Fireside will delight your senses with vetiver, leather and woodsmoke. Sydney Fragrance uses only the most premium materials, from the highest quality glassware to premium soy-blended wax and cotton wicks, to create its premium home fragrance collection. As they say; "burn it and we will take you there." Sydney Fragrance candles cost rrp $39.95 each and are available from www.sydneyfragrance.com.

Just in time for those long winter evenings, we're giving away a Sydney Fragrance Fireside candle together with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, a box of Lindt chocolates, and some Crabtree & Evelyn bath oils with a total value of $150 for a totally indulgent night in. Click here for more info or to enter, and good luck!

I’ve been a fan of face masks for years, but travelling with additional beauty products you need to keep your skin looking in great shape can take up too much room in your toiletries bag. This is where disposable masks are terrific; you carry one (or more) with you, use once, and throw them away. And over the years the range of more sophisticated products has grown. This is where the Australian brand Lonvitalite excels. Established in 2009, it specialises in making serum infused face, eye and lip masks which are completely cruelty free without parabens or nasty chemicals, and formulated in Germany with 100 per cent natural plant based collagen. Better still its range of masks is pretty diverse, so there is something to suit all skin types, and any skin in need of hydration to pigmentation taming and skin brightening. So what’s on offer? There are seven masks in all which you can buy to trial in one bundle for rrp $60 or packs of five individually sealed masks (from www.lonvitalite.com.au). The lineup includes the S1 Lightening & Brightening Silk Sheet Face Mask, the S3 Collagen & Red Wine Silk Sheet Face Mask, the C4 Coconut Milk Hydrating & Nourishing Face Mask, the C5 Coffee Anti-Fatigue Face Mask, the C6 Green Tea Antioxidant Face Mask, the C7 Collagen & Gold Lip Mask, and the 24K Gold & Collagen Eye Mask.

Each mask does a different job or fixes a specific skin issue. The S1 Lightening & Brightening Silk Sheet Face Mask, for example, helps to reduce visibility of pigmentation as a result pregnancy, shifting hormones, or sun exposure, and contains vitamin C to brighten the skin, while reducing and fading damage caused by exposure to UVA and UVB. The S3 Collagen & Red Wine Silk Sheet Face Mask supplies collagen to improve skin luster, fade wrinkles, and promote the regeneration of damaged cells, while also providing calm and soothing relief to the skin from over exposure to the sun, reducing inflammation from sun burn; something which can happen all too often on holiday. Next there’s the C4 Coconut Milk Hydrating & Nourishing Face Mask, which uses coconut oil to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin to strengthen the underlying layers, while also moisturising, relieving and preventing dryness, flaking and sagging of the skin, as well as fading age spots. The C5 Coffee Anti-Fatigue Face Mask is rich in vitamins and minerals which aim to invigorate fatigued skin, while the C6 Green Tea Antioxidant Face Mask improves skin clarity. And finally, especially for lips and eyes, the C7 Collagen & Gold Lip Mask replenishes lips with natural, plant based collage to leave them hydrated and plump, while the 24K Gold & Collagen Eye Mask is the ultimate boost for the under eye area.

Using Lonvitalite masks is easy. All you have to do is wash your face and pat dry, open the sachet of the mask of your choice, remove the outer layer of silk sheet, and apply mask to your face, eye area or lips smoothing it evenly into place. Depending on which mask you use, you will leave it on for around 20-30 minutes, relaxing as the mask does its work; then remove, and pat any excess product into your skin. If you want a cooling home facial you can refrigerate the masks before use, or if you prefer something warmer, place the opened sachet into warm water for a few minutes instead. Lonvitalite recommends starting an initial program of daily facials for five days, which you can initiate before you hit the road, then using the masks once or twice a week depending on your needs. All the masks deliver results, but in testing a favourite was the S1 Lightening and Brightening Silk Sheet Face Mask which really gave my skin a quick and visible boost. And who doesn't want that?