Beauty - Inspired Living SA

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

{ Beauty Favourite } Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes

You may remember me blogging about the new Dermalogica Let the experts love your skin campaign and my recent visit to Dermalogica on Wembley, where I had my skin professionally mapped. Along with the Dermalogica products recommended for my skin, I received a pack of the new Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes to try out.

Some of you may already know about the regular Dermalogica PreCleanse, a deep-cleansing oil, which melts away impurities and make-up from skin. Dermalogica believe that, to achieve ultra clean and healthy skin, you need a Double Cleanse regime, which begins with PreCleanse. Double cleansing is particularly beneficial if you wear a lot of make up.

Dermalogica PreCleanse gets rid of excess sebum (oil), sunscreen, waterproof make-up, environmental pollutants and residual products that build-up on skin throughout the day.To help provide on-the-go cleansing, Dermalogica have developed their handy PreCleanse wipes, which do the same job as the regular PreCleanse, just with added convenience.

The PreCleanse wipes are ideal for beauties who need to freshen up during the day and perfect for popping in your travel bag. I wish I had these on my trip to Thailand last year, there is nothing worse than the feeling of grimy airplane skin, after an over night flight!

The wipes are formulated with skin-softening Aloe and Apricot oils, conditioning Rice Bran and Vitamin E. They are gentle enough to be used around the eye area and even remove waterproof mascara. The PreCleanse wipes contain no artificial fragrances, colours or parabens.

I must admit there are evenings when I feel far too lazy to do a regular double cleanse and have been reaching for the PreCleanse wipes instead! They really do leave your skin feeling clean but not over-cleansed and dry. The PreCleanse Wipes are a definite Beauty Favourite for me and will most certainly be something I will be repurchasing!

Beauty Tip: Use tepid water for cleansing the face. Hot water can dry the skin and cause damage to it. Cold water does not effectively dissolve away dirt and grime.

To find out more about these and other products please visit the Dermalogica SA Website.

Beauty, Beauty Products, Hair

{ Beauty Review } The Victorian Garden Hair Mask

The Victorian Garden, a South African, organic skin care company, recently re-launched their hair masks and I was fortunate to receive one to try out. After going very blonde last year, which I must admit I have loved, my hair is soooo dry! This is probably largely because I heat style my hair – usually everyday, naughty I know. This is a habit I am trying hard to break!

I have been testing quite a few different hair masks and treatments and was keen to try out The Victorian Garden Hair Mask. I am currently using their Mango and Vanilla Exfoliating Salt Body Scrub, which I love.

There are two hair masks in The Victorian Garden range: a Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, with Peppermint and a Cocoa & Mafura Butter Hair Masque, with Orange & Rosemary.

I received the Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, with Peppermint to review. The mask is recommended as an extra nourishing treatment for dry or damaged hair, to help repair, moisturise and protect the hair shaft for smoother, shinier hair with less frizz. The formula combines Jojoba wax, Shea Butter and Avocado to deeply penetrate the hair and plant proteins to build strength and manageability. Rosemary and Lime essential oils assist in root health, soothing a dry and itchy scalp, while revitalising Peppermint balances pH and promotes hair growth.

I must admit I am always hesitant when trying new hair care products, as many of them leave my super fine hair unmanageable but I was keen to see if this masque could work its magic on my hair!

You do need a bit of time when using a hair mask – so for me the evenings or weekend mornings work best. The mask has a pleasant botanical fragrance, which smells quite strongly of rosemary but I did not find the smell lingered in my hair after rinsing. To use, apply the mask after shampooing from mid-lengths to ends of hair. You do need to leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse well.

Tip: For a deep treatment, apply mask to damp hair and wrap head in a towel for 20 minutes or overnight. Rinse well after use.

I was initially quite surprised after rinsing my hair,as it felt quite dry and not as silky smooth as it has using other masks or treatments. After combing through and applying my everyday heat protection and styling products to my hair, I dried it as per normal. My hair was definitely easier to manage when styling it and not as “fly-away” as it usually is. My initial reaction was completely forgotten because my hair looked awesome – it had much more body and a great healthy shine to it. I was even asked later that day, whether I had gone to the hair dresser because my hair looked so amazing 🙂

Needless to say this product is a winner – well for me anyway! I recommend that you give it a try, especially if you have dry, over-processed hair.

To find out more about these and other products please visit The Victorian Garden website.

Beauty, Beauty Products

Coral Make Up Look

As you may have gathered I have a rather obsessive love of coral make up! I am not entirely sure when it started but it seems to have really gained momentum over the past year. I think it may have begun with buying my first coral nail polish a few years back and it has gradually become – all things coral!

Coral or orange shades are such beautiful summery colours, which can give your skin a wonderful sun-kissed glow. A Coral Make Up Look can be soft and pretty, if you incorporate subtle peach shades or vibrant and punchy, by using the deeper more orangey-red shades.

At a Smashbox event I attended last year the make up artist went for a gorgeous coral make up look on me, which initially was a bit of a shock but I must admit I loved it! She made my eyes quite statementy, as well as adding a sweep of bright coral blush but she kept my lips fairly subtle – I think overall the look worked, really well!

The biggest leap for me in my personal make up journey was trying a bright coral lip – I actually bought my first coral lipstick on a whim! I was in MAC Cavendish for something completely other and left with a Vegas Volt lipstick and Lasting Sensation lip pencil. After wearing Vegas Volt once, I was hooked!

Most people I speak to are frightened of bright lipstick, especially coral or orange shades and I think this is because they are uncertain, of how to wear them. I thought I would share a few of my tips for wearing coral make up.

If you are just starting your Make Up journey, into all things coral then my advice is to perhaps start off with a coral or peach toned blush. I must admit I was a bit nervous when I bought my first coral blush, which is MAC’s Sheertone Blush in Peaches – I usually wear pink-toned blush but I have loved wearing Peaches!The blush is quite pigmented, so a little goes a long way. I apply my blush with an angled blush brush and gentle sweep it from the apple of my cheek, along my cheek bone.

Next off you can add a pop of Coral on your eyes but be careful with the shade you go for. Something a bit more subtle and shimmery will look more natural than a bright orange eye shadow {unless you are a ramp model!}. If I am wearing colour on my eyes I tend to keep the rest of my look more natural and opt for a nude lip. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to make up – it just depends on how “out there” you want to be 🙂

My favourite coral eyeshadow is from Smashbox in the colour Flamingo. It is a similar shade to the MAC shadow, used on the model, in the photo above, which is from the MAC Spring Summer Trends from 2013. Flamingo is a gorgeous coral with a lovely golden shimmer – the perfect summer colour for your eyes! This eye shadow is quite pigmented, so you can add a gentle sweep to your lids for a softer look or build up the colour for something a bit more dramatic. If I wear this shadow I usually just wear a bit of black liquid liner on my top lash line and black mascara on my lashes.

Nails are naturally the easiest way to add a pop of colour to your look without it being too in your face. I have quite a collection of coral nail polish shades but one of my all time favourites is this one, Tangerine by Essie. It is a vibrant orangey-red shade, which looks awesome on your hands or feet – I have blogged about it before here and here.

When it comes to a coral lip if you are hesitant about wearing a bright colour, then opt for a sheer coral lip gloss or lip balm. These will give you the pop of colour you are looking for without being OTT.

Above is a new favourite of mine the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Fruitti, the colour, when applied, reminds me of orange ice lollys 🙂

If it is an out there bold lip you are looking for, then do not hold back! If I am doing a statement lip, I prefer to keep my eyeshadow more natural, with lashings of mascara and a sweep of colour on my cheeks. Above is my favourite coral lipstick Vegas Volt by MAC. A few other MAC coral lipsticks I am dying to try are Morange and Ravishing.

My tip when wearing any bright lipstick is to first go in with a lip pencil, which will help your lipstick last longer and stop the colour from bleeding. The lip pencil I use for my coral lipstick, is the one below Lasting Sensation also by MAC.

I know that trying new and different make up shades can be daunting but make up is meant to be fun and as long as you get the balance right anyone can wear coral! I thought I would share a video tutorial, by one of my favourite make up gurus, Lisa Elderidge. Hopefully this can help you incorporate coral into your everyday make up regime and give you a few hints and tips, as to what can work for you.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/YbKbuhyP__g[/youtube]

Do you wear coral make up? I would love you to share any of your favourite make up items in the comment section below.

Beauty, Beauty Products, Competitions

Win a Bisousoleil Spray Tan Hamper

This Competition Has Ended

I love the feeling of the sun on my skin and the healthy sun-kissed glow of a suntan but I am so aware of how dangerous sun exposure can be! You may remember me mentioning the Bisousoleil range of sun tan and bronzing products in a previous post. With Bisousoleil products you can create a tan that makes you feel sexier and healthier by excluding the sun’s UV rays, which age the skin faster.

The Bisousoleil Spray Tan pack includes a step by step method to achieve a 24/7 tan that looks natural, with no extremes – utilising a gradual build up, which takes longer, with better results.

The brand offers preparation and maintenance products, along with toning and anti-cellulite ingredients, which will smooth, firm and moisturise your skin.

Well lovely readers I am super excited to announce that we are giving away an amazing Bisousoleil Spray Tan Hamper! One lucky reader can win a Bisousoleil Spray Tan Hamper, which includes a Bisousoleil Spray Tan Kit plus Tan Remover!

All you need to do to enter is show some Facebook love and Tweet about the giveaway! Enter via the simple Rafflecopter form below and these amazing goodies could be yours!{Please read the *Terms and Conditions below carefully, to ensure you have met with all the entry criteria}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

Entries are open from 24th February 2014 until the 7th March 2014.
Enter via the Rafflecopter form above. You will be required to like the Biosousleil Facebook Page and Inspired Living SA’s Facebook Page. To earn an extra entry Tweet about the competition via the Rafflecopter form above.
Please leave a comment below telling me that you have completed the above steps.
To ensure that your entry in processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
This competition is open to South African residents only.
The winner has 30 days to claim their prize.

Beauty, Beauty Spa

Rouge Day Spa

Last week I was invited to visit Rouge Day Spa, to enjoy a luxurious spa mani and pedi. What a treat! After quite a stressful weekend, a bit of me time, was just what the doctor ordered!

Rouge Day Spa is a health and beauty spa, situated in the tree-lined suburb of Kenilworth, in Cape Town. It is conveniently situated, in close proximity to many popular hotels, restaurants and shopping areas in the Southern Suburbs.

The Spa offers a full range of skin and body treatments, massages, mani’s and pedi’s, facials, waxing and tanning – anything to do with beauty, they do it!

Rouge Day Spa is a professional and inviting space, while also being wonderfully casual and comfortable. The staff at Rouge Day Spa are super friendly and nothing is too much hassle! You can relax in the lounge area, before or after your treatment or spend time chilling on the deck or a lounger next to the pool – while enjoying a glass of bubbly or ice tea.

Free wifi is available should you need to follow-up on your emails or do a bit of online shopping, while you are visiting. In winter the atmosphere is more cosy – complete with a roaring fire and TV, in the relaxation lounge, which is also perfect for ‘Chick flick’ movie viewings.

In the words of the owner Lindsay Collocott, Rouge Day Spa Is Your Spa Away From Home! Ours is a space where people feel comfortable socialising and interacting with both ourselves, as well as the other guests.

When I arrived at the spa, I was welcomed by my therapist Tersia and offered something to drink – being an extremely hot day, I opted for fruit infused water.

Tersia then asked me to select my nail polish colour, which is Orly “Hot Shot” and all there was to do then, was sit back, relax and enjoy my treatment! Oh did I forget to mention the chilled glass of bubbly I enjoyed while having my pedicure!!! What a treat!

I thoroughly enjoyed my treatment and found Tersia to be professional, well-trained and very knowledgeable on all things beauty related.

Whether you choose to drop in for an hour or stay for the day, the spa offers a range of packages to suit both him and her. You can also make use of the couples therapy room, if you would like to enjoy some one-on-one pamper time, with your loved one!

Rouge stock a range of products, which include Vitaderm and Environ facial products, as well as Orly and Gelish nail treatments and Theravine body treatments. They offer Hapro Onyx Pro Line sun bed tanning facilities and spray tanning.

If you would like to make a booking for a special occasion, make Up Artist and Hair stylist, Cindy Horton also offers her bridal packages and make up lessons, at Rouge Day Spa.

To make a booking you can visit Rouge Day Spa Website or contact them via email. They are located at 27 Gibson Road (entrance on Ascot Road), Kenilworth, Cape Town, South Africa.

Beauty Tip: Use tepid water for cleansing the face. Hot water can dry the skin and cause damage to it. Cold water does not effectively dissolve away dirt and grime.

*This Competition Has Ended*

This Competition Has Ended