I’m really excited to dive into Forbidden Beauty today and tell you all about this (maybe “underdog”, lesser known) brand that’s somewhat local to me (well, not quite, but it is a New Zealand brand (and New Zealand is a smallish place compared to Australia). ;)

Forbidden Beauty is all about harnessing the power of natural ingredients to create skin care products that not only make your skin look great, but also feel amazing and luxurious.

About Forbidden Beauty

Forbidden Beauty is run and founded by Robbie, who has put a lot of time and thought into creating this skin care brand. It might seem unusual for a man to create skin care products for women, but as Robbie says on the website, he has an “ongoing desire to challenge (himself) in extreme ways”, and this brand is one of them. I actually admire this drive and persistence in creating something that might not be the norm and succeeding at it as well. Robbie has talked to a lot of women to create the products he’s selling today to really understand their needs and wants - so I’m not surprised that the final face creams are as special as they’ve turned out to be.

My favourite part about Forbidden Beauty is that it’s all natural and made with a lot of ingredients that can only be found in New Zealand’s native flora and fauna. All the creams come in glass jars as well, so no plastics (good for your health and the environment)! And finally, Robbie is very open about the ingredients and what goes into the creams, explaining what is what and why it’s included here.

Ok, let’s dive into the two face creams I’ve tried specifically to help you understand if they might be right for you or not:

Age Perfection Night Cream

Let's start with the Age Perfection Night Cream. I’ve never had just one go-to face cream ever. Usually I rotate between some of Sukin’s products and some cheap (but very good) German face creams I get from the chemist there. Nothing fancy, just whatever works and won’t cause breakouts.

My Experience

I have very sensitive skin, so I’m always careful not to introduce too many products and not all at once. The wrong product can easily cause breakouts and clogged pores. But - not Forbidden Beauty! Which is amazing, and not what I expected to be completely honest. The Night Cream felt amazing right from the get-go.

You can feel the richness of the cream right away. It has a luxurious, velvety texture that feels nourishing and caring. Despite its richness, it absorbs well after a few seconds of gently rubbing it in, and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. You don’t need much of it, so one jar will last quite a while!

After a few weeks of use, I noticed my skin felt softer and looked fresh in the mornings. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but it feels like my pores appear smaller and my skin generally just looks more even and glowing. It’s probably no miracle cure against wrinkles (but honestly, as much as we wish, nothing really is, right?). 

The cream has quite a “feminine” smell (I’m not sure how else to describe it), which I sometimes find a bit strong and overwhelming, but it fades quickly and my skin feels moisturised and cared for regardless.

Overall, this night cream feels good and nourishing, and I trust the company and the ingredients. 

Oh, and it also comes with a tiny little spoon, so you don’t have to use your hands, keeping everything nice and clean.

What’s Inside?

The Age Perfection Night Cream is full of powerful ingredients designed to rejuvenate and repair your skin while you sleep. It includes:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Known for its hydrating properties. It helps retain moisture, keeping your skin plump and youthful.

• Manuka & Mamaku extracts: Traditional New Zealand botanicals which are meant to encourage collagen production and provide powerful antioxidants, supporting the skin to repair any signs of ageing.

• Vitamin E: Known for its antioxidant properties, Vitamin E helps protect your skin from environmental damage and supports healing.

Hydrating Glow Face Cream

Next up is the Hydrating Glow Face Cream. While I often just use sunscreen in the mornings after applying a serum, I do like to use this face cream as a base as well (before applying sunscreen).

My Experience

The Hydrating Glow Face Cream has a lightweight, creamy texture that feels like it melts into the skin effortlessly, so it works well before applying sunscreen (I wait a few minutes before doing so). I love how it gives my skin a boost of hydration and a beautiful, healthy-looking glow.

I’m not a fan of applying lots of makeup anymore and try to just “go natural” a lot of the time, especially in terms of foundation (and if I’m just working from home anyway), but I have used this face cream as a base for makeup and it works well. Again, maybe just my imagination, but it feels like it’s giving me a natural, dewy look, my skin feels hydrated and looks somewhat brighter. 

What’s Inside?

As I have mentioned before, I’m a big fan of the ingredients Robbie has decided to use, including this blend of nourishing, natural ones:

• Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, Aloe Vera is perfect for calming the skin and providing long-lasting hydration.

• Moringa Oil: Contains high levels of antioxidants to soften, smooth and protect the skin.

• Superox-C (Kakadu Plum extract): Vitamin C that’s derived from the Australian Kakadu Plum, which is known for its high levels of Vitamin C. It fights oxidative stress, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, balance out an uneven skin tone, and brighten the skin.
  
  

Final Thoughts

I’m happy with Forbidden Beauty’s face creams. They feel luxurious and nourishing and I truly think that they deliver what they promise. Maybe the website doesn’t quite give you that luxurious feel, but trust me that the actual skin care products will (and that’s what matters after all).

Next, I’d like to try the Ultra Nourishing Body Cream next. It seems like a lot of us are so focused on our face that we often forget about the rest of the body - but it’s just as important, and lathering your skin with a beautiful lotion after having a long, warm evening shower feels sooo good and nourishing.

One last note that I also want to mention, because it speaks to Robbie’s values as the man behind Forbidden Beauty: there are no hidden shipping, taxes or handling fees. The price you see is the price you pay at checkout. So you don’t have to worry about any shipping fees being added (unless you’re ordering from Australia, then it’s $10, which is very reasonable!).

If you’ve tried any of the products from Forbidden Beauty, I’d love to hear and see what you think. And if you haven’t yet and are open to experimenting a little bit with new skin care products, give them a go.