Car lovers- Sparkle and shine your wheels chemical free!

So you might think what's a shiny car got to do with chemical free living? Well like all aspects of our lives it's another area we can reduce our impact on the earth while maintaining our stylish lifestyle. 

I was raised in a car loving household, my grandfather was a huge car ethusiast, a collector of Cadillacs and worked in the car industry most of his life; the GM of Good Year and involved with Olympic Dunlop and Beaurepairs meant my childhood was filled with gorgeous cars, car racing and funny stories of Mr Beaurepairs and how my father worked and drove for him, often getting into trouble as most car enthusiasts do from time to time. My mother raced Go-carts built by my grandfather an obsessive auto engineer and my fathers enthusiasm for Formula 1, V8 Super Cars and rally car racing was unparalleled. I just thought all girls watched the car racing with their dads! 

Needless to say from the day I could hold a sponge and hose I was taught the therapeutic satisfaction of washing, polishing and waxing a car.... Immaculate cars is a must in my family.  Over the years I've also learnt to appreciate like most things if you take care of them, they'll last a lifetime. Which is probably why I've had to upgrade my car (to a gorgeous shiny black Subaru Outback with cream leather interior) recently purely to ensure I have a car with the latest safety features more than anything else. In fact my previous car is still in such good nick after 15 years I've decided to keep it. 

So where am I going with all this? ... Like most women (and men) I like shiny things... So keeping my car nice has just as much importance as keeping my home nice. Let's face it we spend so much time in our cars it's like a lounge suite on wheels. 

So how do you keep your cars looking gorgeous whilst  adhering to the same ethical philosophies you implement at home to minimise chemical use and choose eco friendly options?  It's all about the quality of the cloths, how they are manufactured and being able to use them with just water! 

About 12 months ago I discovered the Norwex range and I'm officially addicted! 

Keeping it Clean

I use the two-sided Car Wash Mitt which has nubby chenille micro fibre on one side and sponge layer micro fibre on the other to collect dirt and debris. It washes out easily with just a quick rinse. The thick, plush fibres hold dirt and grime away from your car’s surface to reduce scratching. (I still have the words "Don't scratch the duco" ringing in my ears from childhood). On this Car Wash mitt the spaces in the  fibres created by the splitting process in manufacturing allow the mitt to lift away maximum dirt and grime. It's very absorbent, so you can clean your entire car using just one bucket of water. Rinse clean with just water.... I bet you've never tried cleaning your car with just water, no cleaners! 

Did you know the  water droplets when your car is left to dry can collect dirt at their base and leave behind ugly streaks on the newly cleaned surface, it’s important to dry your car quickly after washing it. That's where the car cloth comes in. 

The Car Cloth gets your car sparkling clean with only water, the extremely fine fibres are tightly woven, which helps prevent the cloth from holding dirt that may scratch your vehicle. Plus it quickly dries and polishes your entire car, including windows, mirrors, glass, chrome and other smooth or shiny surfaces like the interior trim and dash. So why use it? 

1. Save money and protect the environment by eliminating the need for chemicals or paper towels.

2. No more streaks.

3. Car stays shiny and repels dust and dirt longer.

4. Tightly woven fibres helps prevent paint from scratching.

5. Eliminates residual “chemical muck” left behind

6. Used dry, it creates static electricity that lifts the smallest particles of dust and dirt up into the cloth and prevents them from resettling back onto surfaces.

7. Dries quickly so it’s ready to use again in no time.

So how do you use it? 

1. Use the Car Cloth for drying and polishing after normal washing with the Car Wash Mitt.

2. Dry surfaces quickly with Car Cloth before water evaporates. Preferably wash your car out of direct sunlight or in the cool of the day.

3. Use slightly damp on car windows, mirrors, chrome and other smooth surfaces.

Looking after your mitt and cloths: Slightly dirty micro fibre can be washed with Norwex Dishwashing Liquid under warm running water and used again before laundering. Rinse thoroughly after washing and air or machine dry. Cloths that have been used heavily should be laundered using Norwex Ultra Power PlusTM, which contains no  fillers, after each use.  

Interior, window trims and lights. 

 I often use my microfibre Enviro cloths around the window trims to soak up the excess water then polish the windows and trims with the Car Cloth or the Window cloth. 

If like me you have grubby kids, keeping the interior of your car fresh and new looking is usually hard work. I can't live without the Norwex EnviroCloth to clean the interior of my car. It leaves the surfaces almost dry and totally streak free, with just water, so the days of spray window cleaners and car interior cleaners are gone and the result is far better anyway. 

So how does it work? The Norwex antibacterial micro fibre EnviroCloth removes dust, dirt and grease from all washable surfaces using only water– no chemicals! Norwex micro fibre has the ability to remove up to 99 % of bacteria from a surface when following the proper care and use instructions.  Plus it removes residual “chemical muck” left behind by typical cotton cloths and harsh cleaning products. It picks up dust particles and traps them in the cloth until you rinse it out. Then BacLockTM* in the cloth (micro silver antibacterial agent)  works by  self-purifying and inhibiting bacterial odours, mould and mildew growth within the cloth. At  1/200 th the size of a human hair, Norwex micro fibre is one of the most innovative products in the cleaning industry today. One of my favourite options is that if you're  wanting to give your car a really quick freshen up it can  be used dry for dusting, or wet for general cleaning and heavily soiled areas.

My new car has lots of shiny surfaces... That's one if reasons I bought it if course, prior to using these natural cleaning clothes I would have been put off a car that needed so many shiny surfaces maintained but quite honestly one of the reasons I chose this car was because I knew I'd have no problem keeping everything clean and shiny using the Enviocloth and the Window cloth. The touch screen displays get little finger prints and the back door handles and window buttons are very shiny so little sticky fingers appear out of nowhere. Inside the doors often get dusty and scuffed so give them a wipe over with the EnviroCloth. That's it, just water! 

This is where the Window cloth is amazing! The Window cloth also contains the BacLocTM antibacterial agent. I use these cloths on every shiny surface in my car and home and they leave absolutely no streaks.

However one of the most important reasons for using these water only cloths.... Did you know that butyl  cellosolve is commonly found in glass cleaners. Readily absorbed through the skin, overexposure can irritate mucous membranes and may cause liver and kidney damage.(www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/ organic/org083/org083.html). In addition according  to the Environmental Working Group, there is strong evidence that ammonia is a human immune and respiratory toxicant or allergen. (www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/ 700353/AMMONIA).

I was so impressed with the Norwex ethics and eco friendly philosophy that they are available via our website! You can order them online by following the links below. Happy polishing!!!

 

August Special Click HERE

Go to store for Car Wash Mitt here

Go to store for Car Cloth here

Go to store for Enviro Cloth here

 

Go to store for Window Cloth here

Information provided by Priscilla Green - Independent Norwex Consultant 

Behind the scenes of a colour analysis with Stylist Amalia Simpson

Imagine being able to walk into any clothing store and be able to scan the room and instantly walk over a pick up a dress, a jacket, a top and know that when you put it on that its going to look fabulous  on you!

Sounds too good to be true? No I don't have a magic spell to turn you into a supermodel... Although the effect is similar. Working with a professional stylist who specialises in colour analysis and dressing for your shape has given me the opportunity to witness stunning transformations. 

Here I take you on a journey to follow stylist Amalia Simpson as she transforms Trudi from an already attractive lady into an absolute knockout!!!! 

Amalia explains "The fastest and easiest way to look younger, healthier and more beautiful is to wear colours that flatter your complexion. Wearing the right colours is a basic, and under-utilised tool which pays endless rewards in making you look fantastic".

Shopping for clothes is an entirely new experience once you've experienced having your colour analysis completed. Simply because it saves you wasting prescious time trying on outfits that simply will not suit you. When combining colour analysis with dressing for your shape you instantly have a formula that will all but guarantee what you pick off the rack will look fabulous on you. Combine these techniques to help you select better makeup choices and  you'll be transformed in to the best possible version of you. 

So how does it work? We'll revisit some information we provide in a past article.

The method that Amalia uses to help clients determine the best possible colours for their completion is to categorise them into Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Autumn (see all natural makeup stockist below) 

Autumn - If you suit Autumn tones your colouring is  soft and rich, warm and blended. The Autumn shades can be dull on many people, but on you they look classic, rich and luxurious. If your colour characteristics are warm deep and soft then these are the colours for you. Your hair is likely to be auburn through to a rich warm deep chestnut, sometimes even deeper.  Your eyes may be warm probably a  golden amber, soft and glowing green or if your hair is very dark they may be deeper brown, but always with a golden warmth. Your skin tone may be warm with a golden undertone that creates a distinct contrast with your eyebrows and hair tone. Autumn’s suit yellow, golden warm undertones, shades from nature like deep golds and oranges, rich reds and greens, blue mountains and deep teals. Pure white may not suit your golden tones so try creamy ivory. When it comes to neutrals try camel, coffee brown, rusty shades and deep chocolate. You’ll also look great in navy or olive green with your neutrals. Avoid too bright or too pale as this does not have the depth you need.

Winter

Winter - A ‘Winter’ has a stunning seasonal colour palette. The colours are clear and bold. Your colour characteristics may be deep, cool and bright. Your hair may be deep brown to black with well defined eyebrows providing strong contrast with your skin. Your skin is cool and fair porcelain with blue undertones giving a pink tinge. Your eyes are bright and usually the first thing that’s noticed about you. They may be bright clear blue, light turquoise blue, green, even violet usually with a cool darker rim around the iris. 

 

This colour palette has blue undertones and clear hues. Whilst the colours are cool, they are the deep cool tones with sharp and icy shades. Winters look great in black and white which is so fashionable. You’ll also look great in clear strong pure colour like royal blue, emerald green, rich red, hot pink, hot turquoise. Also match these with icy shades of the winter landscape like snow white, icy pink, blue, turquoise and aqua. 

 

Neutrals that will suit you are black, charcoal and cool silver greys. However you should avoid warm golden tones, yellows and oranges, tan and mustard, light pastel colours and warm shades like salmon or coral or soft and dusky pastels or earthy tones. Anything with yellow undertones particularly gingery browns and oranges will not suit your skin.

Spring

Spring - If you have Spring tones, you have a beautiful bright fresh colour palette. You may have 3 distinct colour characteristics warm, light and bright. Each of the beautiful shades in the Spring colour palette has the same color characteristics as your own, to complement your natural colouring harmoniously. Your hair may be light or darker with a definite golden warm tone and elements of red or auburn, from golden or strawberry blonde through to a rich auburn or light chestnut. You will usually have been a golden haired child and even with grey hair, you can still have a ‘golden glow’. Your eyes may be bright and the clarity of your eye colour is one of the most obvious characteristics of a Spring. 

Clear blue or turquoise, sometimes green and often flecked with yellow and there may be a darker rim around the iris. Your skin tone may be fair through to a golden beige often with a sprinkling of freckles but always with golden/yellow warm undertones. When choosing colours try warm, light and clear (bright). Light and bright ivory is better than pure white for you, clear shades of peach and apricot and light blue, bright aqua and clear bright red. These will enhance your bright eyes. The best Neutrals for you are light warm beige, light camel, golden tan, medium gold brown is your deepest neutral. Try to avoid cool colours with a blue undertone like icy pinks, blues, fuchsia and magenta, along with deep colours that don’t harmonise with your golden tone as they will make you grey. Also avoid dusky or muted shades.

Summer

Summer - ‘Summer’s’ colours are soft and dreamy with a hazy quality.  You will have light, cool and soft colouring. Your hair may be ash blonde through to fair, or light brown. As a child you may have been white blonde, fair or light brown. It is likely that it has darkened but overall ashy. There maybe a very slight red tinge to your hair but it is best to play this down otherwise it can make your skin look sallow. Sometimes hair darkens so choose ash blonde highlights.  Your eyes may be light blue, blue grey, green grey, slate blue with a darker rim around the iris indicating cool tones. 

 

Your skin tone is fair to porcelain, ivory through to a medium beige, with a blue undertone which gives a pink tinge.  You will not suit  beige foundation, instead use a slight pink. ‘Summers’ may be light, cool or soft and your blue undertone means most blue shades from pastel through to navy blue is for you. Also try pinks, soft berry, fuchsia, green and light red. Pure white is too harsh so try a soft white near to your face.  The best neutrals for you are rose beige, cocoa, rose brown, light blue grey to grey navy, keep the shades soft and dusty. You’ll also look great in country garden mauves, blues, violets, pinks. You should avoid warm golden tones, yellows, oranges, tan and mustard, bright sharp greens and warm salmon or coral pinks. Black is too heavy for you instead try navy blue.

So now that you know differences between each colour type let's have a look at Amalia in action. Amalia goes through a process of analysis detirmining the undertone of Trudi's skin and establishes the correct foundation colour. Using a huge range of colour swatches categorised into the seasonal groups Amalia shows Trudi the vast difference they make against her skin. 

Below Amalia has styled Trudi in both makeup and clothing colours that are NOT suited to her. Trudi's skintone analysis has established Trudi is a Summer, however here she is dressed in Spring and Autumn tones. Whilst she still looks attractive she looks rather washed out.

Next Amalia has Trudi's makeup applied by Makeup artist Amea May. Amea uses the correct foundation colour and makeup for Trudi's skintone.

After the correct makeup is applied by Amea May,  Trudi is then styled by Amalia using the correct colour choices.

The transformation complete it's easy to see Trudi looks fresh, vibrant and healthy with the techniques Amalia has applied.

If you would like to book an exclusive one on one consultation with Stylist Amalia Simpson, visit her website at  

www.melbournefashionstylist.com.au

Stockists

Autumn makeup picture:

Opposite Page Top Left to Right: 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Lip and Cheek Tint (Peach Glow), Pacifica Natural Mineral Eye Shadows, Zuii Organic Eye Shadows (Vibe) Honeybee Gardens Luscious Lip Gloss (Viper), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish (Truffle), Pacifica Natural Minerals Natural Lipstick (Devocean), 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Satin Eye Shadow, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Blush, Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm (Holy) , 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush (Berry), Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow (Cairo).

Spring  makeup picture: 

Opposite Page Top Left to Right: 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigment Blush (Pretty Naked), Pacifica Natural Minerals Eye Shadows, Pacifica Natural Lipstick (Devocean), Zuii Organic Eye shadow (Vibe), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish (Casaba Melon), 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lipstick (Fruit Punch, Peach Bellini), 100 Percent Pure 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush (Berry), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Nail Polish (Tart), Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm (Holy),   Zuii Organic Lip Liner, Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow (Daredevil, Canterbury), Zuii Organic Lipstick (Daisy).

Winter Makep picture:

Opposite Page Top Left to Right: Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara (Black),  100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Stick (Caberet, Peach Bellini, Fruit Punch) Honeybee Gardens (Queen Bee), RGB Nail Polish (scarlet), Zuii Organic Lip Gloss (Dream), 100 Percent Pure Lip Tint ( Cherry), 100 Percent Pure Creamy Long Last Liner (Blackest, Gleaming Pewter), Zuii Organic Eyeliner Pencil (Black), Zuii Organic Eyebrow Definer, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented  Creamy Eye Liner Liquid (Dark Chocolate), Dirty Hippie Eyeliner and Mascara Cake, 100 Percent Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip and Cheek Tint (Cranberry), Dr. Hauschka Lipstick (12).

Summer makeup picture:

 Zuii Organic Eye Shadow (Summer), Zuii Organic Eyebrow Definer (Taupe), RGB Nail Polish (Minty), Ere Perez Cheek and Lip Balm (Holy), Dirty Hippie Alkanet Root Lip and Cheek Tint, Zuii Organic Lip Gloss (Dream), 100 Percent Pure Lip Tint (Cherry), Dr. Hauschka Lipstick (12), Honeybee Gardens Eye Shadow (Daredevil and Cranberry), 100 Percent Pure Lip and Cheek Tint (Cherry).