30 January 2018

PUREOLOGY PERFECT 4 PLATINUM MIRACLE FILLER TREATMENT {REVIEW}


Without doubt, my biggest concern with my highlighted long hair
 is the "post wash" comb through or should I say "wrestle", 
as that's what it sometimes feels like.

Highlights and me go back many many years and overall my hair has been
in a good condition, but the use of professional or salon haircare 
products have always been a priority for me.
However I would love a product that would miraculously ease the trauma
of trying to comb out the tangles that washing bleached hair inevitably
 leaves behind.
The hair is more fragile when wet and I find myself having to gingerly
work from the ends up to the roots to smooth the hair ready for styling.

Several months ago I decided to give, not only a new haircare brand 
but a new hair product a try.



PUREOLOGY

Born in California in 2001, Pureology pioneered the ‘no nasties’ hair care
 movement, crafting sulphate-free, 100% vegan formula's specifically 
designed to keep colour-treated hair looking ‘fresh out of the salon’.

The highly rated Pureology haircare range have formulated a four product
system to help fragile, highlighted and highly lifted blonde hair.
The ZeroSulfate shampoo, conditioner, masque and their miracle filler all contain 
an exclusive AntiFadeComplex, which offers extraordinary colour protection
and their ultra fortifying formula's deal with clarity and strength.
Alongside naturally derived Keravis one of nature's most powerful 
anti-breakage hair fortifier, the range provides internal and external
 strengthening to damaged blonde hair.


Pureology Perfect 4 Platinum Miracle Filler Treatment

This daily leave-in treatment claims to fills in gaps in hair’s cuticle, 
leaving high-lifted or highlighted blonde hair 78% stronger
 after one application!
The Perfect 4 Platinum Miracle Filler Treatment contains 
15 times more Keravis than other Perfect 4 Platinum products 

It sounded like my wishes had been answered in one product...
but had they?






I needed this product to not only ease the dreaded - damaging comb out,
 I wanted it to condition, strengthen and give shine to the hair, but not 
at the expense 
of weighing down my hair with nourishing oils,
 as this only leaves the hair feeling greasy, which can often result in 
more frequent washes and more de-tangling and the damaging/breaking
cycle continues on my already stressed hair.

The leave-in spray is easy to use on damp hair
(post shampoo and condition) 
and YES it was a success, as my comb glided through the tangles with ease.
It did take me a couple of uses to judge how much of the product 
to spray in order to not overload the hair.
On the first application I obviously used too much, 
as it did make my hair feel a little oily after styling,
so don't be put off, just adjust the amount used.


It also acts as a heat protector protecting the hair from heated 
styling aids,which get a thumbs up from me.
On a side note the product smells divine thanks to the addition of 
extracts of Lemon, Chamomile and Coriander, which ensures 
brightness,softness and magnifies the shine.

With regard to "filling in the gaps and making the hair stronger"
 after one application,I can't really comment, as how would one know
  I will just have to trust their research and hope that with ongoing use
 it does strengthen my weakened hair, as they claim.
As always it's better to use the complete range to really see 
the full potential of the products and I may just give them a try.


Pureology 
Perfect 4 Platinum Miracle Filler Treatment
145mls

R
360


$
26


£
23.50


To find out more about Pureology products and the location of
salon stockists visit their website


28 January 2018

MY TOP 5 DISLIKED BEAUTY PRODUCTS {2017}

This is the first time that I'm doing a "round up" post of the products 
that I definitely didn't get along with during 2017.
Fortunately I don't try too many products that I dislike, but these 5 
(6 actually, but I didn't want to separate the Dove Shampoo and Conditioner) 
are my most disliked and in all cases I haven't
 even finished the product, so that gives you an indication of how much
I found the below to be not only a waste of time, but money also.

Apologies if you have a favourite amongst them but they just didn't do it for me. 
My reasons ranged from just being totally ineffective to unpleasant texture and 
a couple even caused a reaction. 

For more detailed info as to why I didn't enjoy, 
then click on the pink links below to read my full reviews.

Let me know in the comments section below what your most disliked product
of 2017 was.





1.

Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

I'd heard so many good reports about this nail duo and whilst I 
loved the shade I found it to be disappointing on several counts.




2.

Skin Republic Foot Peel

My favourite salon treatment is a pedicure and this product from
Skin Republic was a must try for me, but I honestly wasted my money.




3.

L'Oréal Age Perfect Cleansing Milk

This product forms part of a range thats aimed at women over 50 and this 
cleanser failed on both performance and texture, so wasn't for "moi"





4.

The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel


The Body shop products have been either a "hit or miss"
with me and to be honest I've had more "misses" than "hits",
but this liquid peel with a promising sounding name was perhaps my
biggest miss.




5.

Dove
Oxygen Moisture Shampoo & Oxygen Moisture Conditioner


These two hair products by Dove had to be my most disliked and troublesome
products that I put to the test in 2017.To find out why they get this title
you will need to read my QPR (quickie product review) post.
Also on that blog post you will find another disappointing product of 2017

24 January 2018

MY TOP 3 MAKE-UP PRODUCTS {2017}

This is my first "Tops" post where I've isolated make-up
and already feel that I need to increase to perhaps 6 products
for 2018, as I've tried and tested some good make-up items this past year.
I have narrowed it down to the 3 that I have replenished already and that's
always a great sign.

Apologies now, as two of the three are not yet available in South Africa,
but I'm keeping it real and they're my genuine faves .
Click on the Pink Links to read my full reviews and to find out more.
Also at the foot of this post I have included the links to my other Top posts
2017, so you can check out what other products I rate for the last 12 months.


1.

L'OrĂ©al Paradise Extatic Mascara

I feel that this mascara launch from L'Oréal Paris has been covered and mentioned
by every youtuber and blogger worldwide and quite rightly so, as it's a winner and
after all we can never have too many mascaras.









2.


benefit Boi-ing Airbrush Concealer

If you follow my blog and follow me on social media the 
inclusion of this next product will come as no surprise. 
During 2017 benefit re-launched their Boi-ing collection of concealing products and 
having put them all to the test, this Boi-ing Airbrush Concealer stood out for me
as a "must have" in your concealing collection of products, as when we get older
one concealer just isn't enough.
The whole range is pretty good and definitely worth checking out whether you're
looking for a heavy duty/brightening or hydrating concealing and of course my
star product the flawless finish Airbrush concealer.








3.


IT COSMETICS CC+ CREAM WITH SPF 50

Again this is another much talked about product during 2017 and one we
don't have in SA, but during my UK visit in July I couldn't not buy
and try. 
It wasn't an immediate love affair with this CC Cream, but its turned out to 
be my "go to" most days and that's why it's made it onto this list and I 
wouldn't like to be without it.













Below are the links to my other "Top" products posts for 2017

22 January 2018

MY TOP 3 BODY PRODUCTS {2017}

This is the first time that I've created a Top 3 Body Product post, 
so I hope you enjoy it...

My top 3 body products, that I tried and tested during 2017, all came as a bit of 
surprise to me with the exception of the Clarins Tonic Body Polisher. 
The other 2 were late comers, so hence they knocked a couple of others off my list 
maybe next year I will increase it, to include six.









If you would like to read my full reviews on my fave body products then click on the 
Pink Links below.


1.


Clarins Tonic Body Polisher

My career in beauty started with Clarins in the UK over 35 years ago, so I'm well aware 
of the the strong roots this French brand have in creating specific body ranges
that have stood the test of time.
Exfoliation from "top to toe" is a weekly must and it certainly isn't a chore when 
using the Clarins Tonic Body Polisher ,as it's a pure delight to use and one to 
to add to your "Lust List" for 2018.







2.


Bionike 15fruIT XSENSE Multi Sensorial Oil

I was sent this product from the brand PR during the fourth quarter of last year
and it was perfect timing for my
trip to Mauritius and that's where I fell in love with this multi purpose 
fragranced oil.
Despite its bright,sunny packaging it certainly wasn't a product I would have 
thought to buy, but that would have been my loss and I'm so glad 
it came into my life and I don't say that lightly.









3.

LUSH Snow Fairy Naked Shower Gel

During 2016 I discovered just why Lush Snow Fairy is so well loved and my
love for the fragrance just got stronger during 2017 with the 
new editions to the Snow Fairy collection.
Once again I fell in love with the Lush Snow Fairy Naked Shower Gel.
Not only is it friendly to the environment but it seems to be long lasting 
and that makes it cost effective and a "winner" all round.







Let me know in the comments below if any of my faves are yours also...

21 January 2018

EYEKO BLACK MAGIC DRAMA & CURL MASCARA {REVIEW}



This is the first of my Marks & Spencers Beauty Advent Calender review 
and I'm starting with the
 EYEKO Black Magic Drama & Curl Mascara. 
Not a brand we have in SA, but one I have heard good reports about.

EYEKO say they are the experts when it comes to lashes and brows and have
 been working their magic since 1999. 
They're the go to brand for award winning mascaras, liners and brow
 products and they're favoured not only by celebrities but 
acclaimed make-up artists to.




The Black Magic Drama & Curl Mascara transforms your lashes by creating, 
what the name suggests
 drama, volume and curl with an extreme carbon black finish.




The delicate curvaceous helix brush allows for full lash contact,which I really enjoyed,
as it enables you to lift, curl and volumise the lashes fairly precisely.
It allowed for an easy clump free application and that it didn't flake or crumble.
The award winning Korean technology behind this formula ensures that 
the colour and curl are locked in for 12 hours, which I found to be the case,
as my lashes looked as good at the end of the day as they did at the start.
The only downside to this mascara is the slight clean up that's needed after 
application, but it was well worth the inconvenience for the fuller 
lash effect that's achieved. 
I found the best way to remove this mascara was with a cream or bi-phase remover,
as my usual liquid remover just didn't remove it fully.

It's enriched with a conditioning keratin and one of my favourite ingredients
 Shea butter for long term lash care.
This mascara is paraben free and its 100% Anti cruelty.



The packaging of this mascara comes in a squeezable tube, which was different,
 as I hadn't used a mascara in this type of packaging before.

The size of product in the Calender was a 4ml travel size making it half of 
the 8ml full size.

I've already added this product to my next UK beauty shopping list,
as it gets a huge thumbs up from me...


Let me know in the comments below if you have any other of the EYEKO 
products to recommend ...


EYEKO
Black Magic Mascara
8ml/4ml

R
Not available in SA

£
19/10

$
26/n/a



17 January 2018

MY TOP 6 FACE CARE PRODUCTS {2017}

My annual "Top" posts are becoming increasingly more difficult each year 
and the face care one more so than the others. 
There are a multitude of wonderful products and brands out there
and this list is made up of my personal fave finds.
I have increased the number of products chosen from 5 to 6 and these 
facial products have all been tried and fully tested by moi during 2017 
and each one seriously deserves to be included in this post.
My Top  6 Face Care Products 2017




My selection does not follow the popular "best in" category format, but it comprises 
of my absolute favourite standout products regardless of category.

Being a mature beauty blogger that focuses on skincare reviews 
I would just like to remind you that my reviews are never based on a one week 
or even a 6 week trial period, they're based on a minimum of 3 months usage 
or until the product has completely finished. 
I not only hate wasting my hard earned money by abandoning a product
 to move onto the next one, but it's not fair to you the readers to review 
after only a short usage time. 

Due to this lengthy review time I don't perhaps review as many face care 
products as other beauty bloggers and hopefully the reason you follow 
my blog is due to the fact that you enjoy reading about creams, serums etc. 
that have been thoroughly put to the test.
This enables you are to be armed 
with information as to what to expect from a product in terms of its 
features, advantages and more importantly the benefits to your precious skin. 

You will already be aware that I tend to review more mid to high end priced
 anti ageing products especially when it comes to skincare, as at 57 years of age
 I need all the anti ageing technology a skin can get.

I will also link my previous years "Top" posts, many of which I still love and
 use today but here are my top picks for 2017.


Click on the Pink Links to read my full reviews and find out what made 
me enjoy them so much...


1.

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask

Since writing my review these eye masks are now available in South Africa

1 mask R175
4 masks R635


2.

Pixi Glow Tonic

Unfortunately this product is still not available in SA,but it's well worth getting 
a travelling friend to bring back for you




3.

Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energising Radiance Masque

4.

The Ordinary AHA 30%+BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Again this brand is not available in SA but there are several 
South African websites where you can order, but obviously at 
higher prices, so again its a "call on a friend" scenario




5.

Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex






6.

Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum






I hope you found this post interesting and that it helps you to make a more
 informed decision when it comes to buying skincare products.
I do know that many of you have purchased several of the above already as 
you have kindly let me know how much you are loving them.
However please drop me a comment in the box below
 if your favourite is amongst my top 6 for 2017.
Previous "Top Skincare" posts