I first spied cruelty-free naturals brand Antipodes on Estée's essiebutton channel. She was genuinely smitten by the scent and benefits of their Vanilla Pod Day Cream. I never ever thought I'd get a local opportunity to review botanically potent Antipodes natural cosmetics from New Zealand, but I'm ever so glad I thought wrong thanks to a lovely referral to its local distributors. In regular and online retail, a great local team called Wellness Connect NZ has brought Antipodes in through their store in SM North Edsa, they also have a Wellness Connect NZ Facebook page. A little bird told me this might also soon be available via Glamourbox.
The New Zealand borne range has won a number of awards, multiple times, particularly for advanced research in cosmetic blends with the use of natural ingredients. Plus, just when you thought it couldn't get more ideal the product names are somewhat spiritually themed, (words like "Worship", "Hallelujah", "Hosanna", "Rejoice!", "Joyful" and even "Apostle" are worn by some best-sellers), they sport green labels in apothecary packaging which echoes Aesop, and hail literally from "Middle Earth". Swish and stare. Legolas just did a hair flip. Click through to the full post to learn more, read my first impressions, and get access to direct local retail links.
VANILLA POD DAY CREAM PHP2064 (full size tub) click here - "Revolutionary antioxidant Vinanza Grape® from award-winning Marlborough sauvignon blanc grape seeds keeps your skin healthy and engerised. An incredibly nutritious cream featuring native New Zealand manuka honey, a powerful antibacterial agent to assist in keeping skin completely clean and free of blemishes." MY 1st IMPRESSION: A naturally sweet and real fresh vanilla and mandarin scent escorts creamy hydration onto skin. I prefer this to the night cream. ALSO AVAILABLE IN TRAVEL SIZE WITH MINI DIVINE FACE OIL for PHP550 here.
JOYOUS Protein Rich Night Serum (ONLY AVAILABLE IN TRAVEL SET W/ MINI AVOCADO PEAR CREAM for PHP550 here.) "A silky night serum that helps rescue dry, damaged skin. Himalayan goji berry boasts up to 19 amino acids to help optimise your skin's appearance. Red raspberry seed oil blends with New Zealand blackcurrant, a rich source of essential fats like gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). South Pacific hibiscus flower freshens your complexion, whileberry fragrance imparts pure joy. Suited to normal and ultra-dry skin conditions." MY 1st IMPRESSION: I love the texture and the way it makes skin instantly soft but the scent doesn't agree with me at all..
WORSHIP SUPERFRUIT ANTI-oxidant Serum PHP1600 click here - "Keep skin youthful! Fortify skin cells against early ageing and free radical damage with this water-based serum accenting the antioxidant potency of New Zealand-grown superfruit. In superfruit complex Vinanza Oxifend Plus®, boysenberry, blackcurrant, kiwifruit and revolutionary antioxidant Vinanza Grape® from grape seeds are extracted with a technique using only pure water for high natural bioactivity and no chemical residue. With shots of coffee berry, açaí and the essential fatty acid alpha lipoic acid (ALA), this is a supreme daily organic skin booster." MY 1st IMPRESSION: This is a serum without silicon assistance so you might not be used to its watery consistency, but it has a real fruity scent and absorbs into skin super quick, you might be surprised at the slight tightening sensation while softness is felt over the surface.
DIVINE FACE OIL Organic Avocado & Rosehip PHP1370 click here- "Give a lift to tired, stressed and sun-damaged skin with this nutrient-rich face oil that helps to deliver antioxidants and essential nourishment for fresh, healthy skin. Superior collagen-boosting action of avocado oil helps reduce the appearance of lines, age spots and scars. Perfect as an essential daily nutrient treatment for skin." MY FIRST IMPRESSION: This is a straight up gently and pleasantly scented facial oil suitable for sensitive skin. ALSO AVAILABLE IN TRAVEL SIZE WITH MINI VANILLA POD CREAM for PHP550 here.
AVOCADO PEAR NOURISHING NIGHT CREAM (ONLY AVAILABLE IN TRAVEL SET W/ MINI JOYOUS SERUM for PHP550 here.) - "Scientifically shown to stimulate synthesis of collagen production in human cells by up to 92%* Nature's anti-ageing by night, beautiful skin by day! There's no better way to resurrect your skin thanwith the superior restorative qualities of 100% pure avocado oil. This facial night cream also features calendula oil from marigold petals, highly regarded throughout history for its healing and repairing properties. Active manuka honey soothes and moistens your skin, while potent antioxidant Vinanza Grape helps neutralise free radical damage." MY FIRST IMPRESSION: This is a nice night cream for very dry or dehydrated skin, I personally find it a bit too sticky for our tropical climate but I might find myself using this towards December, might be a nice luxury treat for cracking hands or fingertips, too.
The range also does makeup bits but I don't think those were brought in locally. Check them out on AntipodesNature.com
Antipodes as a brand prides itself on the advocacy of "green beauty" as it harnesses all relevant means to procure sustainable ingredient sources and remain cruelty-free as a brand. No nasties to the nines!
Antipodes says NO to: animal testing, genetically modified (GM) or genetically engineered (GE) ingredients, synthetic fillers or silicon derived ingredients, artificial colours or artificial fragrances, sodium lauryl sulphates, mineral oils, petrochemicals, animal ingredients (except honey and beeswax from living bees), parabens; ethyl-, methyl-, propyl-, butyl-.
