Blogtoberfest12 is just around the corner, starting from the 31st October.
This year, Blogtoberfest is being hosted by the lovely Kat of the I Saw You
Dancing blogspot - you can check out all the details here.
http://isawyoudancing.blogspot.com.au/p/blogtoberfest-2012.html
This week I want you all to meet a lovely DUSTy Diva - the super talented
Gai of Rhasdala - Australian Etsy Seller and a true champion of handmade Natural Skin Care and Mineral Makeup.
The Mineral "Coral Bay Lip Gloss" in delightful Shimmery Coral.....
and I was super lucky to be chosen as a lipstick tester for a new range that Gai is introducing to Rhasdala - I actually couldn't fault the tester box that was sent to me.
I found the lipstick to be long lasting, you could get a fuller or more sheer coverage depending on how much you apply, the colours were delicious and blend well together to create new colours, your lips are moisturised beautifully.....shall I go on ?
Dear readers, I invite you now to have a virtual pamper session and makeover. I hope that you enjoy reading A Mineral Makeover with Rhasdala! See you all soon for the start of a blogging challenge with the commencement of Blogtoberfest12! Have a fab weekend everyone xo ps keep your eye on the Maddabling Blog over the weekend for a special announcement of a new 14 Day Photo Challenge to tie in with Blogtoberfest .......and also as promised, a blogpost about high teas, bush walks and craft swaps xo
Who is Rhasdala ?
My name’s Gai, I’m married to Andrew, mum to 4 amazing kids
and the woman behind Rhasdala. I make nature based skincare and mineral makeup
with a goal to create effective products that are gentle to the skin AND the
environment.
How and when did your handmade/artistic journey begin ?
Zen Clay Mask
My mother always told me
that she started painting when she was pregnant with me so I guess creativity
is in the blood. I started painting in oils, like mum, when I was a child. As I
got older I began to explore other artistic outlets, ranging from portraiture
in pencil to fashion design. Unfortunately I also think, A LOT, and finding a
way to satisfy both sides of my brain meant seesawing between creativity and
science. That is, until I found soap making. Colour, fragrance and science all
in one! That naturally led on to other bath and body products and finally to
skincare and mineral makeup.
What inspires you ?
For me, inspiration comes from everywhere. When it comes to colours for makeup it might be a flower, a car colour, an animal, but usually the colour appears in my head and then I have a NEED to figure out how to make it work. Not always easy, but always fun! As for the skincare, I have spent a fortune and a lot of years trying to find products to suit my very oily temperamental skin. Nothing ever worked so I decided to make something that WOULD. My skin is better than it’s ever been and I want to do the same for other people.
For me, inspiration comes from everywhere. When it comes to colours for makeup it might be a flower, a car colour, an animal, but usually the colour appears in my head and then I have a NEED to figure out how to make it work. Not always easy, but always fun! As for the skincare, I have spent a fortune and a lot of years trying to find products to suit my very oily temperamental skin. Nothing ever worked so I decided to make something that WOULD. My skin is better than it’s ever been and I want to do the same for other people.
Wow, what don’t I work
with? On the skincare side I love botanical extracts and different oils, mostly
fractionated coconut oil and jojoba oil. They’re just SO good for your skin!
When it comes to the makeup, I LOVE MICA! I am constantly amazed at the colours
available without the use of dyes. They sparkle and shimmer, they travel from
one colour to the next, in one light they look red and look green in the next.
In a word micas are AMAZING. So far I have a collection of about 100 colours
and I haven’t even started mixing my own yet! Imagine a paint box with that
many paints, now make them sparkle and shimmer and change colour. As I said,
AMAZING!
What kind of things do you make/create ?
I started making soap and pamper products, but as I
progressed I felt more drawn to skin CARE. I learned about natural ingredients
and what they’re capable of and wondered why on earth we (meaning cosmetic and
skincare companies) fill our products with chemicals when natural ingredients
have been proven to work. And then there’s the makeup! I have used mineral
makeup for years and when I found out I could MAKE it, I was almost giddy! For
a long time I resisted the urge. The potential for products and colours seemed
like a bottomless pit of obsession. Turns out, IT IS! Luckily for me, my family
and I have learned to manage said obsession and we’re OK!
Do you have a favourite piece that you have
made/created ?
As much as I love the fun and colour of makeup, my favourite product would have to be my Purify skincare range for oily skin. It has been the answer to my skin problems. Most major brands are aimed at removing the excess oil in the skin, which usually causes the skin to produce more. I took a different approach when I formulated the Purify range. I used natural ingredients like Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils to kill bacteria that causes pimples, Green Clay to draw impurities from the skin, and Fractionated Coconut Oil to moisturise without leaving a greasy residue. Essentially, by not stripping the natural oils through harsh cleansers and chemical based toners and moisturisers, the skin calms down. The oil production is regulated, pimple causing bacteria is removed and the skin finds it’s own balance. Simple and effective.
As much as I love the fun and colour of makeup, my favourite product would have to be my Purify skincare range for oily skin. It has been the answer to my skin problems. Most major brands are aimed at removing the excess oil in the skin, which usually causes the skin to produce more. I took a different approach when I formulated the Purify range. I used natural ingredients like Tea Tree and Lavender essential oils to kill bacteria that causes pimples, Green Clay to draw impurities from the skin, and Fractionated Coconut Oil to moisturise without leaving a greasy residue. Essentially, by not stripping the natural oils through harsh cleansers and chemical based toners and moisturisers, the skin calms down. The oil production is regulated, pimple causing bacteria is removed and the skin finds it’s own balance. Simple and effective.
My plan is to keep going.
Keep making and improving my product range. Keep looking for better
ingredients. Keep spreading the word – natural ingredients CAN work. Then I
want to TAKE OVER THE WORLD! Just kidding, I really just want my little
business to sustain my family. That way I can keep indulging in this obsession
I have named Rhasdala!
Dear readers - ready to read more about Rhasdala and to explore her amazing range? Here is how you can connect!
Buy lovely things here from the Rhasdala website:
http://www.rhasdala.com.au/
from the Rhasdala Etsy store here:
from the Rhasdala Etsy store here:
and to keep up with all the latest news, become a Facebook Follower here :
http://www.facebook.com/Rhasdala
Thanks Samara, love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout-out lovely one!! Very excited to be next week's Friday Friend, thank you so much for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThrilled that you're joining us for Blogtoberfest 12 and looking forward to sharing your fantastic photo prompts next week.
xxx
Thank you lovely ladies x
ReplyDelete