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Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

January Beauty Favourites

Over the past month I have shared some of my beauty favourites, which were some of my stand-out products for 2013. Today I am going back to posting my monthly favourites – starting with January Beauty Favourites.

January was such a busy month which has somehow, in the blink of an eye became February! I have been trying lots of new beauty, makeup and hair-care products. These are a few of the makeup, nail polish and skincare products, which have made a great impression, so far this year!

I will start of with some of my skincare favourites for January:

Bioderma Sensibio H2O ~ This is a product which I have read quite a few reviews about and eventually decided to try. The Sensibio range was developed for sensitive skin, which can be prone to redness and easily becomes dehydrated. Sensibio H2O is a soothing non-rinse cleanser and make-up remover. Its is also fragrance and alcohol free. To use simply apply to a cotton pad and wipe gently over your face, it looks and feels like water but miraculously your makeup is removed and your skin is cleansed – it even removes water-resistant makeup! Recommended Retail Price R159.95 Rubybox.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant ~ As most of you know I have been struggling with pigmentation and uneven skin tone for a while now. I have tried a host of different products to help correct these problems, with little or no results. My beauty therapist recommended that I start using this product as part of my weekly exfoliation regime. Multivitamin Thermafoliant, is a skin polisher, which combines physical and chemical exfoliants, to help refine skin texture and enhance penetration of age-fighting vitamins into the skin. The resurfacing micro-granules gently polish off dulling skin cells to reveal smoother, fresher skin. The unique thermal technology activates when it makes contact with water, to help stimulate penetration of skin-sloughing Salicylic Acid and Retinol.To use wet hands and rub a small amount between your palms to activate, then apply to your face. It also contains Prickly Pear Extract, which accelerates the skin’s natural exfoliation process. White Tea suppresses the formation of collagen-degrading MMPs while Licorice and vitamins C and E brighten skin tone. I use this product every second day and must admit my skin looks visibly brighter and feels smoother immediately after using. Recommended Retail Price R735.00 Dermalogica

Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette ~ On my quest to find a drugstore (In other words affordable) nude eyeshadow palette, I happened upon this one from Catrice. The All Nude palette, features six nude shades: subtle sand, delicate beige and brown in various facets. Some of the shadows are matt, while some have a bit of a shimmer. The shadows have a wonderful soft texture, with high pigmentation. This palette is ideal for a natural-looking eye but you can also create a smokey eye for the evening, using some of the darker shades. I have really been impressed with the Absolut Nude Eyeshadow Palette, not only because of the extremely affordable price tag but also because of the wonderful smooth application, which lasts for hours! The palette does come with a double-ended applicator but I still prefer to apply it, with my own eyeshadow brushes. Recommended Retail Price R64.95 Dis-chem Stores.

Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter ~ I was lucky enough to receive this product as a Christmas pressie, from my awesome brother and sister in-law! there are definite advantages to having family living abroad! It is unfortunately not available in SA 🙁 but I have fallen in love with it! Watt’s Up is a soft focus highlighter for the face – the pretty champagne highlight gives your cheeks or brow bones a soft glow. Apply the highlighter, directly to the area you would like to highlight and either use the attached blender or your fingers, to create a smooth luminous glow. Watt’s Up has a gorgeous cream-to-powder finish, which I love. You can apply it on its own or over your existing makeup. Recommended Retail Price $30 Benefit

Bourjois Effet 3D 8Hr Lipgloss in Beige Elastic ~ this is the very first Bourjois product I have owned. I have heard so much about their foundations but I have quite a few foundations which I still need to finish off, before I try anything new. So I thought I would try a lipgloss for my first buy. The Effet 3D 8Hr lipgloss, has recently had a makeover, for its 10th year anniversary, with a new formula, new shades and sleek new packaging! The shade I chose is Beige Elastic, a pretty pinky gold, with a gorgeous light reflecting shimmer. It looks super pretty worn on its own or slicked over a nude lipstick. Recommended Retail Price R119.95 Clicks Stores or online at rubybox

Tip Top Nail Polish in Coral Candy ~ This product was actually part of a goodie bag I received recently – what a score! Often the nail polish colours I receive in goodie bags, are not really to my taste but this Tip Top shade, Coral Candy, is gorgeous! Truth be told I have not owned any Tip Top products, until now and I have been wearing it pretty much non stop, since I got it 🙂 One of the great things about Tip Top Nail Polishes is they are toxin free! They also contain Vitamin E for extra moisturisation. I must admit I have been very impressed with how long this polish lasted on my nails and seems to be fairly chip resistant as well. Recommended Retail Price R 39.00 Zando

Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in Two Million Dollar Baby ~ I have been having lots of fun with this product! After seeing so much hype about glittery nail polish effects – I had to try it for myself! There are loads of nail polish shades, which contain glitter but I wanted something which was more of a “top coat”, so that I can add a glitter effect to the nail polish colours I already have. You can see the effect, in the image above on the right – I am wearing Two Million Dollar Baby over a pretty gold shade – so pretty and sparkly! Recommended Retail Price R34.95 Dis-chem stores

Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes ~ This was another Christmas spoil – yes I was a lucky gal! After seeing this brushes mentioned, all across the blogosphere I had to have them! They are indeed all they are said to be which is AMAZING!!! Again unfortunately they are ~~not available in SA~~. correction I have found out the are indeed available from All4Women.{*see the link below} The Core Collection set includes 4 full-size brushes plus a case. the 4 brushes consist of: a detailer brush, precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas or use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition. A pointed foundation brush, to use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage. A buffing brush{my all time favourite}, which ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation – I however use it to apply liquid foundation and it gives you a beautifully smooth finish! Lastly there is a contour brush, which can be used to delicately apply highlighter or as I do, apply bronzer, to contour my face. The ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free and them extended aluminum handles are light and easy to use and clean. Recommended Retail Price R349 All4Women

For more Beauty related posts and reviews pop over and check out my Beauty File.

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

My Favourite Makeup Products for 2013

If you have been following my Beauty Favourites for 2013, then you will know that this is the third post and I think the last in the series. I will be going back to posting my monthly favourites.

My Favourite Makeup Products for 2013, is a round-up of all the makeup products that stood out for me last year. There are many more, which I loved but it would take way too long to blog about all of them!

MAC Prep+Prime Lip Primer ~ I cannot believe that I have never used a lip primer before! This has fast become a makeup staple and definitely a product I would not leave home without! I have very dry lips and have always used a lip balm or lip ice under my lipstick but find my lipstick wears off really quickly. The MAC Prep+Prime Lip Primer is a colour-free base to wear under your lipstick, it adds light moisture and refines the lips. This is a definite must try product if you have not tried it yet, especially if you have dry lips! Recommended Retail Price R 190.00 MAC Cosmetics
MAC Lip Pencil in Lasting Sensation ~ I have really enjoyed wearing all the gorgeous bright lip colours this summer and one of my favourite colours is bright coral. I have always been quite conservative with my lip colour but last year I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and get adventurous! I do find it vital to use a lip pencil, when wearing brighter lipsticks. It helps prevent bleeding and helps your lipstick last much longer. The MAC Lip Pencils, they are super long-lasting but gentle on sensitive lips. Recommended Retail Price R 165.00 MAC Cosmetics
MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Vegas Volt ~ This full power coral is definitely my favourite lipstick for 2013! I have loved wearing it so much – yes it is rather bright but oh so perfect for summer! The MAC Creme Amplified Lipsticks are wonderfully creamy but packed with high-res colour. Recommended Retail Price R 185.00 MAC Cosmetics
GOSH Lip Gloss in 0082 ~ This punchy coral lip gloss is great worn over lipstick, for an added bit of shine or just as effective worn on its own! I have really enjoyed the GOSH lip glosses which I have been using – they give your lips a sexy, elegant shine, with added volume. They also keep your lips wonderfully soft. Recommended Retail Price: R99 GOSH SA

MAC Powder Blush in Peaches ~ My blush of choice in the past has been rather safe and most often a pinkish brown but last year I decided to try something a bit different! I also needed to find a blush, which would compliment my bright coral lipstick and gloss – everyone I spoke to said MAC Peaches was the way to go. I have been really happy with this blush and it has become part of my everyday makeup routine. At first I thought it would be a bit too orange for me but I was pleasantly surprised. The key I think with any blush is to not over do the amount you apply! Recommended Retail Price R 220.00 MAC Cosmetics
Stila Convertible Colour Lip & Cheek Cream in Lillium ~ This ingenious product by Stila is a lipstick and blush-in-one. It is a makeup bag must have, especially if you are going out in the evening and do not feel like lugging too many products with you! The mini-mirrored compact makes it perfect for touch ups on the go. This versatile favorite brightens cheeks and lips with creamy, translucent color. My colour choice, Lillium, is a pretty peachy pink, which gives your cheeks a perfect natural sun-kissed glow and your lips a kissable pinky shine. Recommended Retail Price R255 Woolworths

Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner in Black ~ This is by far the best liquid eyeliner I have ever used! It is just like a regular felt tip pen but for your eyes! It makes getting a straight and defined line much easier than with a kohl liner. The ultra-thin, 0.4mm brush, gives you smooth, even lines. Ink technology keeps pigments super-saturated. It is safe for sensitive eyes and for contact lens users. Approximate Retail Price R110 Clicks or Dischem {sorry guys I cannot remember exactly what I paid for it!}
GOSH Amazing length Mascara in Black ~ This is a more recent addition to my makeup regime but definitely my best Mascara for 2013! It is a smooth, rich and long-lasting mascara. It is waterproof which make removing it a bit more difficult but it gives you great length and intense colour, which makes the extra effort, of removing it, worthwhile! The well-defined brush separates the lashes while applying a fine layer of mascara, which makes the lashes look longer. I find the result with this mascara, which although lengthening, looks very natural and does not make your eyelashes clump together. Recommended Retail Price R89 GOSH SA

Essie Nail Polish in Watermelon ~ This reddish pink nail polish by Essie, is by far my favourite nail polish for 2013! It is a flirty and fun shade perfect for summer. It is a deliciously refreshing juicy red polish, much like the beautiful, sweet, ripe flesh of watermelon. Recommended Retail Price R100 Dischem

For more Beauty related posts and reviews pop over and check out my Beauty File.

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

My Favourite Foundations for 2013

This is the third post in my favourites for 2013 series and today I am featuring My Favourite Foundations for 2013. I am without doubt a liquid foundation girl! I have tried compact and mineral foundations but find I always come back to liquid, which I think is because I prefer the application. I also feel that you can get better and more even coverage with liquid foundation.

MAC Face and Body Foundation ~ You may remember that I featured this foundation before in my Everyday Makeup Essentials. I love the feeling of this foundation on my skin, it feels so light but if I require more coverage, I can build it up from medium to full coverage. I apply this foundation with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush {which is awesome}, which I find helps give me a wonderful flawless finish. A useful tip when applying liquid foundation is to pour a bit, onto the back of your hand, this allows the heat of your hand to make the foundation more fluid and you tend to use less product this way. Face and Body provides medium build-able coverage and a flawless, natural satin-shine finish. Recommended Retail Price: R310 (50ml) MAC

Smashbox Liquid halo Foundation Spf 15 Oil-free ~ This foundation is a more recent addition to my beauty regime but it has quickly become my favourite everyday foundation! I think this is mostly because it is oil-free, which is a definite must for me during the hot summer months. In fact I have almost finished it and I think it is definitely a product I will re-purchase. Liquid Halo is the first-ever foundation with 100% Liquid Light Technology, which completely evens out skin for a totally natural, luminous finish. It also contains a broad spectrum SPF 15, which is an added bonus! Recommended Retail Price R370 Woolworths.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light ~ Last year I attended an event hosted by Estee Lauder, which featured the launch of their Modern Muse fragrance. We were also treated to beauty and makeup tips by the amazing Estee Lauder makeup artists! This is where I was first introduced, to the Double Wear Light Foundation and we each received one in our goodie bag to take home. Unfortunately when I initially tried my foundation, I found the shade I received, to be too dark for me, so it has been tucked away in my Beauty Box, until a few weeks ago, when I decided to give it another try! I think because I am a bit more tanned it is a slightly better match now. One of the things I love about this foundation, is its staying power! Once you have applied it literally will not budge! I would really like to try the Double Wear Light in a lighter shade because I still find that there is a slight orangey tinge to my skin, when I wear it. It is also the most pricey out of the three but definitely worth it, for the amazing coverage and staying power. Recommended Retail Price R415 Estee Lauder

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

My Favourite Facial Primers for 2013

Following on from My Favourite Fragrances for 2013, I thought I would share My Favourite Facial Primers for 2013.

I only started using a facial primer at the beginning of last year and when I asked around for advice on which ones to try, most everyone I asked, recommended MAC primers! I have been using MAC since then but recently discovered the Smashbox Photo Finish Primers, at a beauty event I attended.

MAC Stobe Liquid Lotion

The MAC Stobe Liquid Lotion was the first primer I bought, which is technically more of a light diffuser, as it contains iridescent pigments. These pigments produce a soft, radiant light on the skin, reducing the appearance of skin imperfections by providing a natural-looking glow.

I have enjoyed using it and love the silky finish it gives my skin! I did however find that it made my pigmentation more exaggerated! I actually stopped using it for a while but recently discovered that if I use it over my MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance Primer, it works really well and gives my skin a lovely luminous glow, without making my pigmentation appear darker. Retail price R335.

MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance

The MAC Prep+Prime Natural Radiance primer is definitely my favourite-favourite! I have found that no matter how much product I have on my skin, this primer stops my skin from breaking out. It forms an invisible barrier between my skin and any product I apply afterwards, protecting it from any harsh chemicals. The formula is a silky gel emulsion, rich in natural ingredients, which hydrate and prime the skin, to improve foundation or powder application. It also controls oil buildup on the skin and promotes a smooth texture. It contains Vitamins E and C to protect the skin and caffeine to calm the skin.

As I mentioned above I have been applying the MAC Prep+Prime and following that with the MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion, before I apply my foundation. I usually use this combination if I am going out and want my makeup to last that bit longer. For everyday makeup application I usually use either the MAC Prep+Prime or the Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control. Retail price R380.

Smashbox Photo Finish More Than Primer Blemish Control

The Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control is a more recent addition to my beauty regime, I was introduced to it at a Smashbox beauty event I attended last year. Smashbox has quite an extensive range of facial primers, with the recent introduction of the Blemish Control and Dark Spot Correcting Primers.

The Blemish Control Primer which I received to try out, treats breakouts, provides oil-free hydration and keeps skin clearer over time. It contains 2% salicylic acid which helps treat breakouts. I was advised to use this primer before I apply my face cream, whereas the other primers I apply after my face cream and sunscreen. I have enjoyed using this primer but after I recently changed my facial sunscreen and have found that using the two products together causes a strange reaction when I apply my foundation. I have taken to only using this primer at night, when I do not use a sunscreen and if I am going out and need to apply makeup. Smashbox Photo Finish Primers range from R350 – R380.

I would really like to try the Smashbox Dark Spot Correcting Primer and see if it makes any difference to the appearance of my pigmentation. I have added this to my list of new products I would like to try. I am also trying out a primer from Dermologica at the moment.

Do you use a facial primer? If so which one works for you? Please leave a comment below the post letting me know.

Beauty, Beauty Products

My Favourite Fragrances for 2013

Wow what a busy end to the year! Here we are slowly easing into 2014 ~ a New Year brings with it many new and wonderful possibilities! It also gives us a chance to reflect on the year gone by and the things that worked for us and the things that did not.

I thought I would reflect on some of the things that I loved in 2013 and share them with you, starting off with my favourite fragrances for 2013:

Modern Muse

Modern Muse by Esteé Lauder, is a “Chic New Vision of Femininity”. It embraces the “duality” of the modern woman, who are both strong and confident, as well as soft and feminine. The definition of a “muse” is – “a woman, or a force personified as a woman, who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist”. Modern Muse captures the essence of the modern woman – your style, your confidence and your creative spirit. It is an alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods.

My favourite accord of the fragrance is the “sleek wood” scent, with wonderful vanilla, which is one of my personal favourites when it comes to fragrance. I am not a lover of overly floral scents but Modern Muse is so beautifully balanced and I find the floral accord is subtle and pretty rather being over powering!

Elie Saab Le Parfum

Elie Saab Le Parfum had been on my wish-list for a while, when my hubby came to and surprised me with a bottle! I have to admit this is definitely my favourite-favourite for 2013! The bottle is jewel like and the rosey liquid inside is simply heavenly. The woody top notes, give way to zesty orange blossom and base notes reveal a deeply addictive cedar-honey rose accord. In simple terms it is both sensual and feminine and when I wear it my hubby cannot get enough of the smell 🙂

Catch Me by Cacharel

Catch Me by Cacharel, is a typically summery fragrance! It reminds me of holiday time, which is probably also because I bought on my way home, from my trip to Thailand. This is a wonderfully feminine perfume, which although floral, it has notes of citrus and almond, making it refreshingly youthful. It is such a pretty fragrance and one of my favourite bottles!

So those are my favourite fragrances for 2013 – what were yours, please share below!