Review: Go-To Skincare by Zoe Foster Blake

Hello hello and long time no blogging.

I'm so sorry to have been away for so long. It's been madness but it should all calm down in December. In the meantime I really wanted to get this post up and let you all know about a skincare line I have been trying for the past few weeks. From the title, you can probably tell that this post is all about Go-To Skincare. For those who don't know, this line was created by the Amazing Zoe Foster Blake. I know right?! I was so excited too!

About the line:
The Go-to line was founded by Zoe Foster Blake, an Australian Beauty Editor who has been in the industry for over 10 years (hence, she knows her stuff!). It launched on 1 April 2014 after she had spent many years reviewing and using almost ever kind of skin care product available and obtaining feedback from women on their likes, dislikes and what they found baffling about products used on their skin.

The brand is all about using pure, potent natural ingredients with zero nasties. For someone with sensitive skin like me, that was a HUGE bonus. The range offers gentle exfoliation, protection and authentic hydration to provide the perfect base skin care routine no matter how old you are. Based on the packaging on the products, each item can be used on every skin type. I'm also super excited to let you all know that the brand is created In Australia and made in New Zealand (be proud Aussie girls)!

All products are also free of petrochemicals, PEGs, Mineral oils, Parabens, Sulfates, Silicones, GMOs, Synthetic Colours or Fragrances and Animal testing of any kind. Woo!

In the range there are five products, of which I had the privilege of trying three. These products include:

1. Lips! - A medical grade lanolin lip product that nourishes and moisturises the lips without feeling heavy (reviewed below)
2. Properly Clean - A foaming cleanser that uses Willow Bark to ensure everything comes off the face (reviewed below)
3. Exfoliating Swipeys - I was already sold on the adorable name, but these cotton pads use lactic acid (AHAs) to gently exfoliate the skin (reviewed below)
4. Very Useful Face Cream - An ultra hydrating, lightweight and all-natural cream that defends against premature aging. It contains replenishing oils and antioxidants for bright, soft and impeccably protected skin.
5. Exception Oil - A rapidly absorbed healer and soother for skin, hair, face and all the rougher bits of the body. It is a blend of pure hydrating butters, waxes and 10 super oils. It proudly boasts the Appellation d'Origine logo as its Monoi de Tahiti is the real, pure heavenly-scented deal, direct from Tahiti.

Packaging:

Let me just say, when I received the package I let out a squeal of excitement. The peach and white theme of the box and it's contents was STUNNING. Opening the box was even better... There was a little note from the Go-To team, tonnes of information about the brand and everything was neatly bubble wrapped. I could tell there was a lot of care put into packing these items and we'll worth it since nothing came damaged.

Products that I tried and tested:

Here comes the fun bit - my review and thoughts on the three products that I tried. 

1. Lips!

Go-to claims:

This product is a deeply restorative, soothing and moisturising superbalm that rescues dry, cracked lips, and perfectly conditions happy, healthy ones. 

Lips! has been meticulously formulated (by a very fussy beauty editor with stratospheric standards) with ultra medical grade lanolin, nourishing apricot kernel, avocado, almond, evening primrose, vitamin E and jojoba oils, as well as beeswax and soothing calendula and shea butter to ensure your lips are genuinely nourished, protected and conditioned. Offering pure moisture AND a barrier to keep that moisture in place = pretty great lip balmery, actually. 

A touch of natural pomegranate gives Lips! its' flavour, and a sprinkle of 100% Moroccan pixie dust gives it its' magic.

Lips! comes in a small tube (15g) and retails for $14.95.

Whats in it?

Ultra Medical Grade Lanolin, Shea Butter, Apricot Kernel Oil, Beeswax, Sweet Almond Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Vitamin E, Fragrance (Pure Pomegranate), Pomegranate Seed Oil, Calendula Oil, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil, Stevia.

My thoughts:

Firstly, I know you're all thinking it... how adorable is the packaging?! Hopefully you can read the writing on the photo... Zoe is definitely witty! Just a bit of background about me... typically my favourite lipbalms are Carmex, Baby Lips and Lucas Paw Paw Ointment... the thick type of balm. But there's something different about this product. It might be because this product took almost two years to create and had over 18 versions before the final product was created! Haha. All I know is that since I first put this on my lips it has stayed put in my handbag (go ask my friends!). 

I find this super moisturising and given my lips were cracked and in so much pain, it came at the perfect time. Using this product I didn't find that it was sticky at all (I HATE sticky lip products). Instead, its very, very lightweight with a gel-ish consistency. When you put it on and smoosh your lips together, it glides on effortlessly and evenly distributes on the lips. It provides a beautiful glossy sheen and I wear it below and on top of any lipstick I put on.

Good news for me was that about a week and a half after using this product, my lips were no longer cracked. The taste and smell of the product is also AMAZINGGG. I just can't get enough of it. Think I'll be repurchasing this for many years to come.

2. Properly Clean

Go-To claims:

A cleanser that actually, yknow, cleans. Unlike cleansers that are unnecessarily harsh, foamy or scratchy, or too thick and creamy, leaving behind residue and dissatisfaction, or are too basic for your needs (i.e.: a face slathered in moisturisers, serums, primers, sunscreens, makeup, grime and pollution) Properly Clean, cleans. Properly.

It doesn't take smokos and it never chucks sickies: it's on the g-damn task, day and night. Low levels of non-irritating Willow Bark Extract (an extremely gentle version of salicylic acid), ensures your skin is thoroughly clean but never dry or unbalanced, while the all-natural silky soft mousse leaves your complexion smooth, hydrated and happy.

Properly clean contains 150ml of product and retails for $29.95.

What's in it?

Water, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Glycerin, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, Sodium Chloride, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Willow Bark Extract, Natural Fragrance (ginger, mandarin and lime).

My thoughts:

Packaging - perfect. Beautiful colour theme, sturdy plastic and good pump. The actual product? When I first used it, I found it odd that the foam didn't lather up as much as other mousse cleansers. Because of this I found I had to use 3 pumps to get a nice layer all over my face. Also, because my skin was so dry at the time, I thought this cleanser would strip away the remaining moisture on my face. So let's just say I didn't have high hopes.

...Boy was I wrong. This cleanser is hands down my favourite out of the three products. While it's not the most moisturising cleanser, the reason I'm in love with this product is because it removes EVERYTHING. My waterproof mascara, foundation, blush, bronzer, eyeliner, lipstick... yup you name it... EVERYTHING. I've never had a cleanser that has done that on FIRST WASH. Needless to say I was amazed and am still amazed to this day. It also left my face feeling super fresh and as per the name... Properly Clean. I'm also one to suffer from those annoying little things we call pimples but over time I saw a slight improvement in my skin texture. HIGHLY recommended this.

3. Exfoliating Swipeys

Go-To claims:

Single-use facial pads soaked an all-natural solution that perfectly exfoliates and hydrates the skin.

We combined the well-documented effectiveness of lactic acid, the most gentle of all AHAs, with ultra-hydrating essential oils to create a product that thoroughly removes dead skin cells (the cause of dull skin and congestion), refines skin texture, minimises the appearance of fine lines and deeply moisturises. And all in 60 seconds, and using just one sweet, disposable little cotton pad.

Exfoliating Swipeys were created to make exfoliation simple and fast, and leave you with skin that's healthy, happy, and is far better able to receive all those lovely moisturisers, masks and serums you spend all your money on.

Exfoliating Swipeys comes with 50 wipes and retails for $45.95.

What's in it?

Water, Lactic Acid, Aloe Vera, Mandarin (Essential Oil), Almond Oil Polyglycerol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Lemon (Essential Oil).

My thoughts:

I really loved the concept of these. You just take one cotton pad which is soaked in goodness and swipe it over the face. Nice, quick and simple. It also smells really nice and comes in a gorgeous little tub. I use this product twice a week (it is recommended that it is not used more than 3 times per week) by grabbing a pad and wiping it all over the face then rinsing with water. When you use the swipey, you can definitely see the oils on the product absorbing into the face. It removes any residue on the skin and leaves it feeling super soft and supple. I haven't seen any dramatic results just yet, but that could be because I'm lucky not to have fine lines and I need to use it for longer. I have high hopes for this product, especially since my experience with the other two items have been incredible.

Overall:

Overall, I am amazed by this line and would highly recommend it, especially the Properly Clean cleanser. I'm tempted to try the items in the range and will definitely do a post on those if so.

Where to buy:
Go-to is an online business and can be purchased at gotoskincare.com.

RRP for the two items not featured:

• Exception Oil - 85g for $49.95
• Very Useful Face Cream - 50g for $39.95

Zoe and the Go-To Skincare team have also been visiting local shopping centers so make sure you go check them out and see if they're selling at a place near you!!

Love Cindy.