The Beauty Diary: Bangn Body Firming & Brightening Beauty Treatment review
A special fungi known as the “beauty mushroom” is the key ingredient in a new Australian skincare product causing a frenzy.
A super hydrating serum that doubles as a night mask and moonlights as a primer has just launched and OMG we need to talk about it.
Australian skincare brand Bangn Body is best known for its yellow tubes of pina colada smelling firming lotion which catapulted the brand to beauty fame in 2019.
But to celebrate its second birthday, Bangn released two new skincare products that go hand-in-hand with the cult-cream – a gel cleanser and a “serum-mask” treatment.
Since it hit Mecca online and the brand’s own virtual shelves on Thursday a spokesperson told news.com.au’s The Beauty Diary one has sold every second since.
While 80,000 shoppers signed up to the waitlist for the launch on Thursday, I got my grubby mitts on the products a few weeks ago, and have naturally been sacrificing my face in the name of research.
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And let me tell you, the cleanser is lovely – but it’s the hybrid facial treatment that I’ve fallen head over heels with. To find out why, keep on reading. I’ve also thrown in a few other items my face has been loving sick lately.
BANGN BODY FIRMING & BRIGHTENING BEAUTY TREATMENT
Price: $62
Available at: Mecca and bangnbody.com
It’s no secret I love serum – it is without a doubt the product I’d bring with me to a desert island if I could only have a handful of possessions.
Every serum I own contains hyaluronic acid, a moisture boosting ingredient that can hold more water than my trusty S’well bottle, resulting in plumper, brighter skin. But this product contains Tremella Fuciformis, an ingredient derived from snow fungus, a weird looking plant that is 10 times more hydrating than hyaluronic acid.
As a result, it’s more commonly known in the skincare world as “beauty mushroom” and my skin bloody loves it. When I first applied it, I was taken aback by the texture – it feels closer to a balm than an ordinary serum and leaves skin instantly smoother, making it perfect under make-up.
It also smells divine, kind of like a fizzy pineapple (if that is a scent), and I thoroughly enjoy it. But the best part is in its effectiveness – it’s uber hydrating, doesn’t pill when worn under make-up, leaves skin softer and brighter – and if you leave it on at night, you wake up with happy, glowy skin.
While its price makes the product middle range, the fact that it is multifunctional means you can get rid of your primer and sleep masks making it cost effective.
It’s definitely a very special skincare product and I will be scraping every last drop from the bougie blue pot. Love it.
FENTY SKIN HYDRA VIZOR INVISIBLE BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 15 SUNSCREEN MOISTURIZER
Price: $52
Available at: Sephora
There’s a lot to love about this moisturiser – just not it’s lengthy name. Lol. The ridiculously long name aside, I have been really impressed by the reusable packaging that enables you to change out the cartridges when you run out rather than having to throw the plastic casing away. The twist to release mechanism also means you don’t waste a drop.
It’s very clever and I wish more brands did this. I found the lotion itself equally as enjoyable. It’s light, smells nice (it has a fresh citrusy scent, and packs a lot of hydration.
I’ve pretty much used mine up and I will happily buy a refill (which retail for $45 – a disappointing saving IMO. I hoped for a bigger one to encourage more people to reuse the original dispenser. For $7 I worry it’s not enough to make people won’t bother).
It doesn’t pill under make-up which is why I have found myself reaching for it in the mornings over others in my cabinet – and it definitely gives me a brighter, fresher appearance.
Definitely don’t rely on it to give you your SPF protection for the day, think of it as a (thin) bonus layer and apply your usual factor 50+ facial sunscreen on top.
CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR RADIANT MIST
Price: $74
Available at Sephora
A facial mist may seem like the most elaborate, unnecessary piece of skincare on the market – but I promise you, it is a must for anyone who wants to get the best out of their routine.
It helps skin better absorb the products we’re putting on it, soothes and nourishes our faces and most of them help set make-up too. I started testing Caudalie’s “elixir” about six weeks ago and I am already nearly out of it because it is so good. It’s gentle on skin, refreshing and gives a gorgeous glowy complexion – oh, and did I mention Beyonce is a fan?
We're thrilled @Beyonce is a fan of our Beauty Elixir! How mere mortals can look Flawless like Beyonce http://t.co/Twu1BQqBs0 via @Femail
— Caudalie UK (@CaudalieUK) April 3, 2014
If that doesn’t make you want to buy it, nothing will.
NAKED SUNDAYS
Price: $39.95
Available at nakedsundays.com
Sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours to be effective, which causes a massive problem when you’re a make-up wearer.
While there have been hacks to help you reapply once your foundation, bronzer and blush are on – this one involving a make-up sponge is the best – nothing really gets the job done without budging the products you’re wearing.
Overseas a few brands have released SPF mists to tackle this issue and recently, one hit our shores. The instructions on the bottle state you need to “spray in an even circle generously 7 times” from 25cms out, so I did my best to guesstimate where that was, and spritzed.
I was instantly hit with zingy scent that felt really fresh on my skin and was left with a nice, glowy finish. I was worried you’d see droplets of product on my face where it landed but it hits completely clear because of its extremely light formula.
I love that this Australian-made product is full of skin-loving ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, and Kakadu plum, that left my face soft and hydrated.
I did find that my make-up did lift a little in my T-zone – it was nothing major but worth mentioning because if you’re wearing a full face that needs to stay on, this probably isn’t the product for you.
But it is great for those minimal make-up or barefaced days as it won’t affect what’s underneath. I would still apply your normal SPF directly to the face in the morning and use the mist throughout the day to top up.
No mist can apply the full teaspoon of coverage your skin needs – especially when you can’t rub it in (because: make-up) to even it out. So remember to apply regularly. Just don’t forget to do it with your eyes closed as this will sting if you leave them open.
This column is not advertorial content. Every review is independent, honest and ad free.
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