URBAN DECAY NAKED ULTIMATE BASICS EYESHADOW PALETTE {REVIEW}

For sometime now I've been on the lookout for a quality palette that contains 

subtle matte eye shadows. 

Matte shadows are far more flattering for the older woman, as with age

 the skin on your eyelid becomes more crepey.

Applying eyeshadow definitely becomes more challenging as we age and shimmery shadows only accentuate any creepiness and can be more ageing, hence why so

many women opt to stop using eyeshadows altogether.

This Urban Decay Naked Ultimate Basics palette contains 12 basic matte shades 

and it was all that I wanted it to be and more. There's no doubt that the Urban Decay shadow formula's are not only true to colour, they're easy to apply, buildable 

and blend easily and with very little powder fall out.

They don't crease and they lasted for as long as I needed them to.

This selection of 12 shades offer pink nudes, pale and warm browns and burnt oranges

and it covers all you need to create endless natural eye looks from just a wash 

of neutral colour all over the eye area, to a more smokey eye look. 

(I've actually used all of the colours in this palette, which is not the norm for me,

 as there's normally at least one shade that I don't like) 

This palette contains several light shades, which I tend to use the most of, 

especially for highlighting my ever decreasing eye lid area and under the eyebrow. 

There's also a lovely selection of darker shades to use along the lash line and of course several very wearable transitional shades.

The sleek palette comes with a useful large mirror and one application brush, 

which I personally never use from any palettes regardless of the brand.

The palette also has a quality feel in the hand,which I enjoyed.

The purpose of my search was to find one quality eyeshadow palette that contains a useful selection of flattering natural, basic matte shades that I can confidently recommend to everyone, but particularly to the more mature of us and I'm excited that Urban Decay delivers just that with their 

Naked Ultimate Basics... 

It's name is very apt as in my opinion it is the Ultimate Basic Palette and its one that

should be in everyones hand...

If you hurry the Urban Decay Website in South Africa currently has this palette on

 sale 

at an unbelievable price.

Urban Decay 

Naked Ultimate Basics

R

Normally R860

On Sale Online 

 R430

£

39.50

To read my other reviews on Urban Decay products

Click Here

ROCKWOOD THEATRE DURBAN - A ROCKING WORLD TOUR

If you're looking for some toe tapping, sign-along, finger clicking, good entertainment

then check out this thoroughly enjoyable latest production  

A Rocking World Tour

 at 

Rockwood Theatre, Sibaya Casino. 

You embark on a musical journey of epic proportions, spinning the globe for the love of music, diversity, rhythm and beat.

This immersive musical tour kicks off in Australasia where great bands and singers that rocked down under, we pay homage to the greats -  AC/DC, Midnight Oil and the irresistible Kylie Minogue.

Spin the globe and get caught up in an Asian adventure, with a colorful fusion of high energy Bhungra and Bollywood Hits.

The next mandatory stop is in the World’s party Capital, Europe! and kick the party off with Sweden’s Roxette and ABBA, Norway’s A-Ha, France’s Gypsy Kings and Daft Punk, Germany’s Boney – M! 

You to jet off to Britain to Celebrate the greatest rock band of all time – Led Zeppelin!

The World Tour continues with the sultry sounds of Latino pop, Mexico’s Carlos Santana and bop to Jamaican jams of Bob Marley. Then belly dance your way through to South America, the only place where hips don’t lie to the sizzling sounds of pop princess Shakira.

We start two-stepping in the name of American greatness with the undisputed king of pop Michael Jackson, and share the stage with Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus.

The last leg of our tour, we touch down on our home turf– Woza Mzanzi! With familiar sounds of Freshly Ground, Brenda Fassie, Mandoza and PJ Powers.

Rockwood Theatre, set within the iconic complex of Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom.  The 360-degree style event venue is designed to deliver the best possible entertainment experiences. Be immersed in this amazing LIVE SHOW VENUE, perfect for fundraisers and year end functions. 

The venue opens at 18h30 for dinner service, with show commencing at 20h00 from Thursday – Saturday and 14h00 on Sundays.  

Food can be ordered in the venue or you can take food in that has been bought from the franchises in the complex.   

Rockwood Theatre Sibaya now accepts Thank U cards for ticket purchases and bookings are open for A Rocking World Tour (13 September – 4 November 2018)

 Tickets R99 per person (Thursday) 

R130 per person (Friday – Sunday), 

Sunday Special for pensioners of 50% off ticket price and Kids U12 are free.

General Information / Bookings
Pre-order food and drinks 
Tel: 031 161 0000

Book Online

AVÈNE COLD CREAM NOURISHING BODY LOTION {REVIEW}

I recently realised that all of my body lotions are fragranced 

and I don't have any fragrance free options in my collection.

I came across this body lotion from one of my favourite fragrance free, 

hypoallergenic French skincare brands Avène.

The Avène Cold Cream Nourishing Body Lotion 

 forms part of the Cold Cream range, which is a product line 

formulated to restore the hydrolipidic film in sensitive dry to very dry skin. 

This small range of products for the face and body is purely aimed to

to leave the skin feeling ,restored, nourished and soothed.

I have reviewed their Cold Cream Lip Cream when I visited the UK during Winter

 a couple of years ago and I can assure you it was severely put to the test

Read my full review

I found the formula of this body lotion to be both light and non greasy.

It combines the natural botanical oils of Coconut,Safflower and Sesame

and leaves a velvety soft, comforted, supple, soft finish to the skin.

It was super easy to apply and the handy dispensing pump made it

not only quick, but each pump was controllable and avoided 

unnecessary wastage.

After several weeks of use, I can highly recommend this body lotion

as it has filled that void in my lotion/cream collection of a simple, easy to use, 

yet effective daily application of restorative moisture.

Not only great for sensitive skins, but ideal if you want to avoid clashes between

a fragrance and a different fragranced body lotion.

Another plus factor with this product is the price, as it comes in a 400ml size

and retails for R199.95 and that equates to good value in my 

"beauty book".

Avène 

Cold Cream

 Nourishing Body Lotion

400mls 

Pump Bottle 

R

199.95

Available from selected Clicks and Dischem countrywide

To read more of my reviews on Avène products

Click here

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS {QPR} SEPTEMBER 2018

There are only 2 QPR's for you in this post today, but I'm so excited to tell you about the item that I've given a score of 10/10 

which I don't think I've ever given before, so let's start off with one of the best

 beauty discoveries this year.

Brand : Beauty Basics

Product : Make-up Brush Cleaning Mat

Price : R49

I can't believe that I'm so excited about a brush cleaning tool, yes a hand held 

silicone mat that does such a great job of cleaning make-up brushes of any size 

or shape and it makes me happy. 

It's turned the, once dreaded, chore into a pleasure. 

The mat has 3 different areas of textured silicone that allows for a change in the agitation, which in turn thoroughly cleans the brush. 

Apply your regular cleansing product to a wet brush head and massage away over 

the mat until the water runs clean, rinse and hey voila!

 you have lovely clean brushes in next to no time.

The mat is really easy to handle and sits securely in your hand whilst you

 massage the brush using your free hand.

The mat itself easily rinses clean and the whole process is not only pleasurable,

 but super quick and easy. This product is literally a life saving tool for users of multiple brushes and I highly recommend. It's the best R49 I've ever spent.

Verdict : 10/10

~~~~~~

Brand : Bourjois

Product : Healthy Mix Foundation

Price : R265.95

• I have used the Boujois City Radiance Foundation on n off for several years now 
  and I recently bought their Healthy Mix Foundation, which is their 
  Anti-age foundation with a blend of vitamin C that gives anti-fatigue effect, 
  vitamin E that performs anti-oxidant action, 
  and vitamin B5 that tonifies the skin. 
  
  
  I have to admit I do prefer my Bourjois City Radiance foundation over this one.
  To read my full review on the Bourjois City Radiance Foundation
  
  
   I found the coverage to be better and the overall finish gave my skin a more radiant look, which for me is more important 
  than the inclusion of small quantities of vitamins.
  
  
  Whilst this is not a bad foundation, I wouldn't re purchase, but it all depends 
  on what your requirements are from a foundation.
  Bourjois fans don't panic as
  unfortunately Bourjois products are no longer stocked in Clicks
  but they are available online from Le Beauty Club and the prices seem to have remained the same.
  
  
   Le Beauty Club SA

Verdict : 6/10

ELIZABETH ARDEN ADVANCED CERAMIDE CAPSULES {FIRST IMPRESSIONS}

As some of you may already know, I've never used any skincare products from 

Elizabeth Arden

 so this past week I've remedied this previous judgement of error. 

It's not that I don't like Elizabeth Arden, but having a career in the cosmetic industry 

for 35yrs and working with many prestigious skincare brands, 

it didn't leave much room or time to try other ranges and I honestly can say that

 I was passionate and loved all of the skincare brands that I worked with 

and have remained loyal to many, 

hence "Elizabeth" never got a look in or a chance, but that's all about to change...

I was given a trial box of 7 Advanced  Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum recently and I have been using them night and day for the past 7 days. 

Now I know that 7 days is by no means long enough to write a full review on any  

 Anti-Ageing product, so I will share with you my initial impressions on these

 "infamous" capsules.

I couldn't have been introduced to the Elizabeth Arden skincare range with a 

more ideal product for my age and my skins needs.

Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum 

Elizabeth Arden literally started a skincare revolution with the development of these Ceramide Capsules – a bio-engineered, skin-identical ceramide formula available

 in a first-of–its-kind single-dose capsule and I vividly remember these being 

introduced to the market over 25 years ago and at the time they were the next level in terms of skincare anti-ageing technology. 

Elizabeth Arden have over the years formulated a complete skincare line

 around this Ceramide technology.

This iconic round almost pearl like capsule contains a surprisingly lightweight, silky-smooth serum that infuses skin with youth-restoring ceramides and potent botanicals for a visibly smoother, firmer and youthful appearance.(With age, ceramide levels drop, resulting in visible aging signs)

Each Ceramide Capsule delivers a triple the anti-ageing power with a concentrated

 blend of skin-identical ceramides and potent youth restoring ingredients

 and I'm hooked after just a week. 

To be used over the face and neck area (avoid the eye area)

 before any other day or night treatment.

With a light massage I found the silky serum, to not only absorb easily, it also

 felt incredible lightweight on my skin without feeling sticky or oily.

It also worked will with the other products in my daily beauty regime.

Now I'm not going to tell you that after a weeks use it made my skin look more youthful or felt firmer, as it's way too soon and let's keep this real, but when it comes to my skin feeling smoother and the hydration and moisture levels being enhanced, I have noticed a pleasing improvement, so much so that I'm curious to try more products from collection

Elizabeth Arden

Advanced Ceramide Capsules 

Daily Youth Restoring Serum 

      Available in various sizes

60 Capsules R840 

90 Capsules R999 

60 Capsules £64

90 Capsules £84

60 Capsules $78

90 Capsules $98

I'm also very keen to try their newly launched 

Retinol Ceramide Capsules

Line Erasing

Night Serum

 Available from Elizabeth Arden stockists countrywide

To find out more about the Ceramide range

BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDARS LAUNCHING IN THE UK {OCTOBER 2018}

The second post in my series on the Beauty Advent Calendars being 

launched in the UK includes several from my personal favourite beauty houses.

October will also see many of the calendars going on sale either in store or online.

As always many do sell out fairly quickly, especially those that are limited

in quantity.


To read which Beauty Advent Calendars were launched during August & September

MOLTON BROWN OPULENT INFUSIONS ADVENT CALENDAR

It just wouldn't be Christmas in the stores without the advent calendar

from Molton Brown making an appearance.

An annual hit, it always contains a great selection of their

wonderful bath and body products, in fact you receive 24 gifts and do I spot 

a candle in this pic?

Price

£175

Available

21st October 2018

SUSANNE KAUFMANN ADVENT CALENDAR

This 24 day Advent Calendar doesn't look the most festive from

the organic natural skincare brand Susanne Kaufmann, but it excites me.

Having tried one of her face masks earlier this year

I would love to get my hands on one of these, as they say it

will contain bath oils, body products, salts and even festive teas.

(There will however be a different all-gold version available exclusive to 

Net-a-Porter)

Price

£110

Gold Calendar

£175

(Exc to Net-a-Porter)

Available

October 2018

DYPTIQUE ADVENT CALENDAR

One day I would love to receive this calendar from Dyptique 

seriously who wouldn't?

It really is the advent calendar of dreams.

25 days of fragrant excitement with a selection of their famous

candles and fragrance.

Price

£325

Available

 15th October 2018 

HARRODS BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR

This has to be the ultimate beauty advent calendar and along with the Dyptique

this is on my "Dream On" wishlist.

It's pure skincare luxury when it comes to its contents.

25 days will give you goodies from Huda Beauty,Acqua d Parma,

Sisley and the beauty luxe list goes on.

This collection carries a value of £680

Price

£250

Available

 1st October 2018 

Source of pricing and availability info and photo credits

Marie Claire Magazine

DR.GOBAC COSMECEUTICALS CLEANSER {REVIEW}

Dr Gobac isn't a brand that I'm too familiar with, other than having heard of the 

brand and knowing that it's a South African Cosmeceutical range retailed through

skincare specialists,salons,spas and dermatologists I know little else.

But first lets address what Cosmeceutical products are and how do they differ 

from Cosmetic products:

Cosmeceutical products contain key active ingredients in high enough 

concentrations to effect positive changes in the skin. 

These active ingredients penetrate into the deeper levels of the skin and act on 

the skin’s cellular structure, stimulating the production of healthy collagen. 

They are stronger than cosmetic grade products, but they do not require a medical prescription to dispense.  

A skin analysis and consultation with a therapist is recommended to address skin 

concerns and conditions before using a Cosmeceutical product.

I was kindly sent this cleanser by the PR company and as I'm always on the look out 

for new products and ranges to try and even more so if they up the anti 

with my existing anti ageing skincare regime.

Let me give you a brief overview of the ethos of DR. GOBAC® COSMECEUTICALS

The DR. GOBAC® COSMECEUTICALS range of products is created to be simple, 

easy to use, eco and health friendly and they are not tested on animals

The range is based on DR. GOBAC’s own experience as a medical doctor 

and practitioner of integrated health. 

After many years of intense scientific research DR. GOBAC and his team of

 chemists and scientists have developed this advanced and high effective

 skin care range.

DR. GOBAC® COSMECEUTICALS products are non-invasive, non-aggressive 

and offer a healthy approach to combating signs of ageing by

 stimulating and facilitating the skin’s natural healing process.

DR. GOBAC® CLEANSER 

is formulated to cleanse gently but thoroughly while preserving the 

skin’s natural hydro lipidic barrier. 

This milky, fragrance free, soothing cleanser has both anti-bacterial and 

anti-inflammatory properties, making it an absolute pleasure to use. 

(This cleanser is used in the conventional way and can be removed

with either water or cotton wool)

I put this cleanser to the test in various ways and it removed 

heavy make up, as part of a double cleanse, with surprising ease.

Yet it was remarkably gentle when a single cleanse was all that was needed

 on those no make-up days.

I can only imagine how wonderfully soothing and healing this cleanser would be 

on a sensitive, delicate skin.

(They do have a face wash available if you're not a milky cleanser lover)

I really enjoyed the packaging, as it comes in an airless pump dispenser ensuring

 that it remains contaminant free, which is vital for a compromised skin, 

especially after any facial procedure.

Another plus for this type of container is that you can easily control the amount

 of product dispensed ensuring less product wastage and that feature

 always gets my vote.

Overall I was impressed with my first product from the 

DR. GOBAC® COSMECEUTICALS Range and whilst a cleanser is a good intro product,

they appear to have a highly effective,compact anti-ageing range

 consisting of Vitamin A & Regenerating Serums and even advanced anti-ageing

serum called BIORESTORE NEEDLE FREE

which I have to say, are all up "my skincare street".

Hopefully I will bring you some more reviews in the future.

 DR. GOBAC® COSMECEUTICALS

is available at selected stockist s throughout Europe and the UK.

For a list of stockists or to order online 

Website

DR. GOBAC® CLEANSER

100mls

R325