SUNDAY SAMPLE

Having just returned from a trip overseas I managed to get my hands on several samples that I'm able to feature on my upcoming Sunday Sample posts. 

I always like trying new products and brands and sharing my thoughts.

Rodial Vit C Brightening Cleanser

 is what I'll be putting to the test this week, as I was kindly given several sachets

 by Space NK to try, sadly it's a brand that we don't have in South Africa.

They call it a high tech daily gel cleanser, which is infused with an invigorating blend

of pure Vitamin C and exfoliating fruit AHA'S to leave the skin looking brighter, 

illuminated and feeling fresh.

I must say that I like the sound of this, but as always check back next Sunday 

to find out whether I liked it and how it performed.

FRIDAY FOLLOW-UP {SEPTEMBER 2019}

Below is the post I wrote several weeks ago about what was on my 

UK Shopping List, so I thought I would do a follow up post to let you know which

of the products I did actually purchase and which I didn't and why.

I will be writing a detailed review on each of the products that I bought.

The excitement is mounting, as I'm off to the UK and Dubai later this week 

and as always I have a long beauty shopping list.

I did write a post a couple of weeks ago as to what is on my Repurchase Shopping List

To read that post

but this post will comprise of premium products that are a mix of new launches 
or just products new to me.

Sadly these products are not readily available in South Africa and if they are,

 then you're paying a premium, as its often through a pricey third retailer.

Having either read or heard nothing but good reports about these products I've added them to my list.

These are the products that I want to investigate further, which could maybe 

lead to a purchase or two,but I'll have to choose carefully, as they're all 
premium products with premium prices.

1.

BYTERRY

Baume de Rose

I finally purchase one and so far I'm really enjoying and a full review will be 

up early in October.

This has been on my list, for what seems like ages, and I always put it on the

"back beauty burner" in lieu of other purchases, but on this trip I'm determined

to purchase one and then I can finally strike it off my list once and for all.

BYTERRY is a French Luxury brand and their best seller

Baume de Rose is considered the 'Rolls-Royce' of lip balms and is a cult favourite

 around the world and being a Lip Balm junkie I have to try this at some point.

2.

Summer Fridays

Jet Lag Mask

This was a difficult product to track down, as so many cosmetic departments and stores didn't stock, in fact most hadn't even heard of it, but I finally found it in 

Selfridges however it was a hefty £42, so I decided to leave it on the shelf and its remained on my UK Shopping List for next time, so I didn't get to put it to the test on the return flights, as previously hoped...

I love a good mask and this multi-purpose offering from Summer Fridays appeals to me,

 so I want to investigate a little further into this relative unknown brand, unknown to me at least.

This mask is perhaps their most famous product, thanks to Kim Kardashian, so I'm curious to know what all the hype is about and if I do buy one I will get to put it to the test 

on my 2 long haul return flights back to SA.

3.

VITA LIBERATA

Beauty Blur

Oh my goodness this product was literally sold out everywhere I went and trust me I went everywhere Harrods,Selfridges,

Harvey Nichols,SpaceNK, Boots and Marks & Spencer, 

so this remains on my list...

VITA LIBERATA is the "crème de la crème" range when it comes to all things

 "Self Tan" related and following the hugely popular creation of their Body Blur

we now have skin tone optimiser which will enhance and perfect the look of your complexion. 

Beauty Blur combines all the skin finishing benefits of best-selling Body Blur with a skin tone optimiser, HD primer and effective Advoganic skincare for your most radiant glow.

I'm keen to test their 4 shade options and hopefully I will find the correct shade and buy one in readiness for our SA summer.

4.

LUMENE

Invisible Illumination Instant Glow 

Fresh Skin Tint

Another illusive product sadly, so I may have to order 

online and guess my shade, so its another that remains on my list...

This product from the award winning Finnish skincare brand LUMENE may well be a a slight overlap with the previous product,

so I doubt very much that I will purchase both, but it's for sure one that I want 

to look at, after hearing several goods reports about.

6.

Omorovicza
Queen of Hungary Mist 

I picked up a 30ml size at SpaceNK, so I'm

looking forward to comparing it with other similar

products that I've tried...

Again another rather obscure brand here in South Africa, but this Hungarian brand
has beauty bloggers and beauty editors globally raving about this Hungarian Mist.
Being a sucker for facial sprays and mists this again has been some time on my shopping list, but always got pushed back down to the bottom due to its price, so it may
well end up suffering the same fate on this trip, but lets see what happens.

I also want to test 2 new fragrances whilst I'm over in the UK, the one brand we don't get in SA and the other we do, but its just not launched yet.

The packaging is stunning and my first impressions were

great, as it has top notes of fresh citrus, which I love,

but sadly on the dry down it turned quite bitter on me...

Limone Di Sicilia from AERIN is on my list to test as I adore fresh, citrusy florals and this sounds like a fragrance I would really enjoy.

The packaging is simply stunning and no doubt its way out of my budget, 

but I'm checking the range out regardless.

Whilst the packaging is stunning and the bottle is so tactile, it disappointingly  

wasn't my type of fragrance.

Another new fragrance launch is IDÔLE by LANCÔME

I'm sure this will be launched very soon into South Africa, but whilst I'm over in the UK

I will be sure a have a sniff.

As always I will post my product reviews once I've put any of these purchases to the test.

Please let me know  in the comments below, if you have tried any of the above and what your thoughts were, as I would hate to waste my money.

URBAN DECAY BROW ENDOWED {REVIEW}

Up until a couple of years ago you wouldn't have found a brow product in my make-up bag, but today, I have to admit, you will find several and they would all be from one of my fave brands benefit ,as I just think they have such a good handle on all things 'Brows".

Earlier in the year Urban Decay launched a new collection of brow products named

Urban Decay Street Style Brow Collection

 and finally its been launched here in South Africa.

The timing was perfect as I was needing a new brow pencil and I was introduced to 

Urban Decay Brow Endowed

Brow Endowed forms part of a new 4 brow product line up, which includes:

Double Down Brow 

(Brow Putty)

Brow Blade 

(Ink Stain + Waterproof Pencil)

Brow Finish

(Waterproof Brow Gel)

Brow Endowed

(Brow Primer + Colour)

Brow Endowed is a double-ended tool that volumizes and sets brows in two easy steps:

 A primer fluffs and holds, while a tinted cream fills and shapes. 

Perfect for less-than-full brows, like mine (and with age mine seem to be getting thinner) or brows that are in need of a little fluffing, as this double-ended tool lets you tame, tint, and tease all in one.

The excellent long-lasting formula resists sweat and smudging for up to 24 hours.

It's surprisingly easy to use an I was amazed at how fluffier, fuller, tinted brows miraculously appeared.

Step 1.

Comb the soft-hold primer through the brows to add volume.

(The fine micro spoolies on both ends make it so easy to precisely coat the product

onto the hairs and the primer does make the brow hairs feel slightly stiff similar to a hairspray effect)

Step 2.

Then gently brush on the tinted brow cream to intensify the colour

(Some advice: if you make a splodge or the intensity is a little too much, then remove sooner rather than later,as the tint does dry quickly)

               

With 7 shades to choose from and I went for Taupe Trap,a universally flattering taupe,

that has turned out to be my perfect shade.

The Urban Decay consultant applied to my brows and I wore for the rest of the day to see whether I liked the effect or not.

I went back into the store the next day to buy, as that's how much I enjoyed this

brow product.

I haven't had full looking brows for many years and this two step product just enhanced

the brows that I have to make them look, in my opinion, pretty good, so much so,

I've had compliments about my brows on a couple of occasions, something which

I've never had before. 

If this product had not been demonstrated and used on me I would never have bought

it, so it just goes to show that sometimes the product has to prove itself to you in order for you to buy.

If you're looking to up your brow game then do the same and have the product

applied and explained and let the product do the selling...

Urban Decay

 Brow Endowed

R

395

£

18

$

28

Check out this short video to find out a little more about the other new brow products

in the range.

CAUDALIE INSTANT FOAMING CLEANSER (REVIEW)

As I've said on my blog many times before, I'm not a soap/foaming cleanser/face wash kinda person, I'm a good old cleansing milk/cream lover.

However that being said I was converted last year into using cleansing balms,

which I'm loving and it was the one from Eve Lom that was responsible for that shift.

Eve Lom Cleanser Review

2019 has, for me, been a year of discovery with the French brand Caudalie

having tried so many of their products, many of which have been huge

hits and this Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser is no exception.

This ultra-gentle, natural soap free foaming cleanser is perfect for ridding even the most sensitive skin of every last trace of grime. Delicate yet effective, this foaming face wash expands in the air, to deep clean pores and leave skin refreshed, without creating any dryness or discomfort, sadly many washes do leave my skin feeling dry and taught.

It's quick and fun to use and smells divinely fresh and clean. 

It can be used as an every day cleanser, however I find I enjoy using on those days where I've not worn any make-up. It's enriched with grape and sage extracts to protect skin from environmental aggressors, while chamomile extract soothes irritation and calms skin that's susceptible to inflammation or the occasional blemish.

It can be used on all skin types both morning and evening.

Whilst I'm still not a "wash" convert and doubt I ever will be, I do highly recommend this foaming cleanser if you are a wash lover, as it's gentle, effective and simply a pleasure to use...

To read other reviews on Caudalie products

Caudalie 

Instant Foaming Cleanser

50ml/150ml

R

170/Not available

£

7.50/15.00

$

14/28

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS {QPR'S} SEPTEMBER 2019

I have several QPR'S to tell you about this month as I didn't do one during August.
The first one is a little random, as its not a true beauty item, but hey it makes my car smell beautiful so it's classed as beauty...

1.

Brand : YANKEE CANDLE

Product : Smart Vent Clip

Red Raspberry 

Price : R100

I'm a huge fan of both Yankee Candle Candles and their selection of car fragrance.
Having tried their  Car Jars and Car Vent Sticks I thought I
would try the Smart Vent Clip .
I'm a bit of a sucker when it comes to berries whether they be Raspberries 
or Strawberries I just love them both, so I had to try this Red Raspberry fragrance.

This ingenious little clip delivers big fragrance. You simply clip it into your 
vehicle’s dash vent and the fragrance is released as air flows from the vents. 
An adjustable slide lets you decide just how much fragrance is released and a window shows you when it’s time for a new one. 
Lasts up to 6 weeks.

Verdict : 7 /10

~~~~~~

2.

Brand : LA GIRL 

Product : PRO PREP COLOUR CORRECTING PRIMER

Shade : Cool Pink

Price : R125

Size : 30mls

Exclusive to Dis-Chem Pharmacies

Prep skin for makeup application while correcting skin tone. This nourishing formula contains sodium hyaluronate and vitamin B to help hold moisture and improve skin appearance, while chamomile and cornflower extract soothe skin.

Available in 4 colour correcting shades and 1 colourless option. Choice is dependant on what correcting is your priority.I'm always looking for a primer to illuminate and brighten my skin and lucky I don't have any issues with redness or hyper pigmentation.

The Primer glided well over the skin and felt comfortable in terms of moisture.
 It performed well as a primer , but I'm not too sure about how much illuminating and brightening it gave to my skin, but bear in mind that the older we get, the more we demand from products that claim to brighten and illuminate.
Considering it's a drugstore brand, at a drugstore price, it performed reasonably well, 
but there are better available, but with a much higher price ticket... 

Verdict : 6/10

~~~~~~

3.

Brand : SKIN REPUBLIC 

Product : BRIGHTENING EYE MASK

Price : R49.95

Size : 3 pack 23mls

I have to say I wasn't expecting great things from this Brightening Eye Mask 

and yet again I find myself praising a product that I was previously 

sceptical about.

The market seems to be flooded at the moment with all kinds of sheet masks 

and to be honest I find them a FAFF to use, as they never fit my face etc.

An eye mask on the other hand I'll use and even though this is a complete over the eyes and nose mask, which also was huge on me, it was easier to manipulate and position.

Containing 3 masks and loads of serum, this triple action cooling eye serum not only brightens, reduces puffiness but it also refreshes tired eyes thanks to Vitamin C, niacinamide and liquorice extract. 

I loved this mask, it was effective on all counts and offered good value for money, 

as the excess serum left over in the pouch could be used as an eye serum without the mask. I give a big thumbs up to this eye mask...

Verdict :  8/10