Ask Rebecca

Connect2mums (C2M) is a new, fast growing interactive magazine. It's an online network designed by mothers for mothers.

Connect2Mums creator and founder, Paula Kuhnemann saw a need in the market for a website where women could get together and share information. "Being a mum can be quite lonely. I wanted to create a place where mums could gather in their own time without ever needing to leave the house."

It seems the idea is exactly what mums were after. Member growth is substantial with 500 members joining connect2mums in just six weeks! And, the rate of growth is steadily increasing by the day.

connect2mums provides members with relevant information and opportunities to interact and socialise with other mums across Australia and New Zealand. Weekly Live chats, newsletters, product reviews, events, news and articles are just some of the ways women get connected at connect2mums.

“My purpose in life is to empower women to reach their full potential and support them in their quest for the seemingly unattainable Family/Work Balance. I believe you can have it all but not without support and connections.” Says Paula

So, where are all the mums? At connect2mums, of course!

For more information or an interview, please contact
Paula at connect2mums@yahoo.com.au
www.connect2mums.com.au

There are some things that make Arbonne different from other skin care ranges out there. I have tried quite a few different product ranges for myself and my family and I am very impressed with the quality and the REsults that we have had with Arbonne.

Arbonne International has been around in the US for 29 years and has recently expanded into Australia, Canada and the UK.

The products are:
• BOTANICALLY BASED: this means there is a blend of science and nature based on herbal and botanical principles and our products are plant based.

• pH-CORRECT: our skin's pH is about 5.5. So we need to make sure we are using products that have the same pH as our skin so we don't disturb the acid mantle that protexts our skin against bacteria. ALL Arbonne products are pH correct to ensure maximum benefit.

• HYPOALLERGENIC: Voluntary human testing meets Hypoallergenic substantiation claim criteria. We have one of the lowest allergenic rates in the industry.

• DERMATOLOGIST TESTED: Voluntary human tests are done under the watchful eye of an independent dermatologist.

• NEVER TESTED ON ANIMALS: Substantiation and safety testing is performed at independent laboratories on voluntary human panels. The products are certified vegan.

• FORMULATED WITHOUT ANIMAL PRODUCTS OR BY-PRODUCTS: Animal products and by-products are very drying to the skin; and have detrimental long-term effects. Arbonne products are derived from plants and herbs together with science and technology offering superior benefits.

• FORMULATED WITHOUT MINERAL OIL: mineral oil is derived from crude oil, is occlusive and cannot penetrate the skin, because it's molecules are larger than our pores. It also blocks pores (the skin cannot breathe)and therefore contributes to blemishes. Products with mineral oils just sit on the skin surface and actually inhibit the skin's ability to obsorb oxygen, release toxins and leeches out vitamins A, C and E. In other words, they can interfere with skin functions as well as advanced delivery systems. All oils used in Arbonne products are bio-available (eg plant based).

• FORMULATED WITHOUT ARTIFICAL DYES OR CHEMICAL FRAGRANCES: these are known irritants and can cause allergic reactions. The lovely smell of our products come from natural botanical scents.

• FORMULATED WITHOUT SD40 ALCOHOL: none of our toners contain SD 40 Alcohol, which is the drying agent in hairspray. It's so drying that, when applied to the skin, it may give the skin a tight and clean feeling at first. But it dries out your skin and strips it of it's natural oils - your oil glands then overproduce in order to compensate for the loss.

• FORMULATED WITHOUT LANOLIN OR COLLAGEN: these are both animal by-products. Lanolin comes from the sweat gland of a sheep and is very irritating to many people's skin. Collagen cannot be absorbed through the skin in the form of a cream as the molecules are too large.


If you would like to sample any of the Arbonne product line please sign my guestbook and provide information about your skin concerns.

For 24 years I have had issues with my skin.

It started at 11 as I was working in a Fish and Chip shop and the grease was not great for my skin. My mum got me to use Rose Water lotion to clean my skin.

By 16 my skin was pretty bad. I look back at photos and I am surprised at how bad it was. I used to go and get the pustules lasered about once a month. I tried so many different products with limited results. The best thing seemed to be swimming in the ocean and having my back in the sun.

At 18 I went off to Uni and was away from the beach and my skin just got worse. By April my regular doctor took one look at my face and told me I had to start taking medication. I was on low dose antibiotics, Retin-A cream, and the pill for one year. It took at least 4 months for my skin to get under control. Looking at photos from the end of that year I looked so funny with my very white face and tanned body. Retin-A can increase the chances of developing skin cancer and I was warned by the doctors to make sure I used sunscreen every day, no matter what. There were not a lot of choices available in 1991.

Once I went off the medication my skin did OK. I had to really look after it to keep it from breaking out. The best thing was Diane 35 which was a new pill that was working for a lot of women with adult acne. I went on and off it over the years as the need presented itself. I washed my face daily and tried my best not to sleep in the very little makeup that I did wear.

After I moved to the US my skin got worse again. The pill was not an option this time, as Diane 35 is not available in the US. I was able to have monthly facials to help keep my pores from becoming too blocked, that the pustules would start again.
Sometime in 2008 I had to start using acne products again. I hated it, they left my skin looking dull and these so called pore minimisers were making my black heads larger and flat not smaller.

I met a friend who recommended I try something new. It wasn't even an acne product so I was VERY skeptical because to be honest I had tried so much over the years and I figured it was just more hype. The anti-aging line I tried felt really nice to use and to start with a little too heavy. About a week into using the products I decided to do a Deep Pore Cleansing Mask. It's a little embarassing to admit that I was dancing around my living room afterwards. Some of the pores on my face had reduced in size by 50%, with all pores visibly smaller. Over the next month the oil slick that was once a permanent feature on my t-zone disappeared. That gunk that had been stuck in my pores seemed to be stopping my skin from absorbing the moisturiser I was using.

It has now been 6 months since I started using Arbonne's Anti-Aging line RE9 and I love it. My pores are gradually getting smaller each month and the few breakouts I have had seem to be related to my inability to not squeeze the blackheads that are left.....

If I had been a little younger, or my acne more severe I would have started with Arbonne Clear Advantage. It is the Arbonne line for the treatment of Acne and has recently been reformulated. From what I am reading and seeing from other people's testimonies I think it is a great first choice for anyone with acne or who is frustrated with breakouts.

I think that the main reason the Arbonne products are so effective is because that are very high quality and they don't contain a lot of the fillers that a lot of store bought products do. They contain no mineral oil, no animal products, no animal by-products, no dyes, no artificial fragrances. They contain botanical ingredients but to my surprise were not irritating. I cannot tolerate a lot of Absorbic Acid (vitamin C) in my diet and I knew there were oranges as one of the ingredients and I had no reaction at all.

The acne/blemish line is very affordable at just $64.50 USD for an entire set including a skin support supplement.

If you are interested in learning more about the products please visit Arbonne.

Arbonne products are available in Australia, the UK, USA and Canada.

Preferred customers can save 20% off retail prices for 1 year and 50% off their first order.*** conditions apply ***