FRAGRANCE EVOKES MEMORIES {TBT SEPTEMBER 2012}

My blog has been running now since 2012 and I've written so many posts and product reviews that I've decided to introduce a new monthly post called 

Throwback Thursday where I will be re-posting some of those earlier blog posts.

FRAGRANCE EVOKES MEMORIES

This is so true, fragrance has the ability to take us back in time.

 We often associate a particular fragrance with a certain person or events in our lives.

I'm sure we all have a memory of the first fragrance that made an impression on us whether we liked it or not.

I am sure you can all remember the fragrance you were given by your first true love or the perfume you wore on your wedding day.

One of my early and most vivid recollections of a perfume was one that I didn't like or dislike, but it is just a memory and an association with a relative.

It was worn by an Aunt and every time she visited the scent would linger in the air, on the furniture where she had sat, her clothes would always smell and the perfume 

was her trademark fragrance.

I remember seeing the bottle one day in her open handbag and it was Estee Lauder's Youth Dew Bath Oil, hence the intensity.

Youth Dew was originally launched as a Bath Oil only. 

Looking back this heady, oriental, spicy fragrance suited her and will always remind me of this larger than life character. 

Youth Dew when launched in 1953 as a Bath Oil

My favourite fragrance as a teenager was "Charlie" by Revlon, along with thousands of other teenagers and young women around the world, we all wanted to be just like the confident Shelly Hack strutting her stuff across the t.v. screen and across the pages 

of the magazines. 

Every year I would get one of the special Christmas Charlie gift sets and that would be

 my supply of fragrance for the following year. 

It usually contained a 100ml Eau De Toilette spray, body Lotion and a soap and I adored each one.

However the one year I remember fondly, the goodies were packed in a large blue and white Charlie Hat Box with a white rope handle. 

It also contained a Charlie Talc shaker, that resembled those large sugar shakers and writing this makes me reminisce back to those carefree innocent days.

I just loved my talcum powder shaker.

Most probably more went over the carpet than onto my body, but I was totally oblivious, as I was that carefree, glamorous girl in the above ad.

Shelly Hack was the Charlie model 

Once I hit 21 it was time to leave my faithful friend & companion "Charlie" 

and become a "grown up" and wear a more sophisticated fragrance. 

In celebration of my coming of age I was given a gift of "Rive Gauche" by Yves Saint Laurent. 

I fell in love with this warm woody floral fragrance and today if I smell someone 

wearing Rive Gauche it takes me right back to being twenty one again.

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche

Pregnancy brings back another vivid recollection of a fragrance.

the year was 1993 and was the year my eldest son was born and the fragrance was "Foud'elle" by Ted Lapidus. 

I was busy selling, this soon to be launched female fragrance collection, into the retailers, so several times a day I had to spray myself in order to allow them to experience the delights of this fruity floral fragrance.

How I coped with the "sell in" day after day, I just don't know, the thought of it now still makes me want to vomit.

Shame, it wasn't that the fault of the fragrance, but I was pregnant and it was just too overwhelming for me.

The fragrance was discontinued some years later, but the aroma is still imprinted

firmly in my memory.

I am feeling nauseous looking at the bottle!

Over the years I have loved, then unloved and on occasions intensely disliked 

many fragrances,but one thing I am certain of, is that my career path was mapped

 out for me long before I realised.

"Thank You" to Youth Dew in the1960's , Charlie in the 70's and Rive Gauche in the 80's,

for making such an impression on me, as without this, I may have taken a different 

career path. 

So next time you feel like being taken back to a time that you remember with warmth and affection, just have a quick spray of the fragrance that evokes those memories

and enjoy the moment.

I would love to know which fragrance evokes memories within you

so please leave a comment below

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS {QPR'S} FEBRUARY 2020

I cannot believe that it's already time for my February QPR post.

I have two products from the Italian skincare brand BioNike to tell you about, specifically for those mature skins experiencing hormonal changes.

Its also estimated that during the next decade 65% of cosmetic sales will

come from the more mature user.

 I have said on my blog many times that BioNike is a brand that you really

 cannot go wrong with when looking for effective, affordable and easily

accessible products for sensitive or allergy prone skins.

I also have a slightly disappointing product from my normally much loved

Dutch wellness brand

 RITUALS...

1.

Brand : BioNike

Product : Defence My Age Renewing Night Cream

Price : R345

Size : 50mls

Launched last year the BioNike Defence My Age range comprises of 3 products

that are all beautifully packaged in midnight blue glass, which looks extremely Luxe

and I have been lucky enough to put 2 to the test.

Formulated to strengthen skins resilience and enhance your beauty after the age of 50

 by improving skin’s natural ability to cope with ageing and effects caused by those

inevitable hormonal changes.

Based on the Skin Resiliency Complex, it is enriched with Japanese cedar extract 

and every dry skins's best friend, Shea Butter and Hyaluronic Acid.

 Formulated for mature skin to counter skin dryness, dull skin tone 

and loss of skin compactness caused by a drop in hormone levels.

The rich, soft and fast-absorbing texture comes with a delicate floral-marine scent

and is a range to certainly consider if your skin is looking for hydration,

suppleness and radiance.

Verdict :  8/10

~~~~~~

2.

Brand : BioNike

Product : Defence My Age Intensive Renewing Serum

Price : R415

Size : 30mls

Available : Exclusively at Dischem

If you haven't yet introduced a face serum into your beauty regime and you are over 

the age of 50 then I highly recommend you look into this one.

Serums always contain the most concentrated of active ingredients.

As with the other 2 products in the My Age collection the serum is based on the

 Skin Resiliency Complex, it is enriched with Argan extract to enhance the 

effects of both the night and day treatments. 

The serum can be used daily under both.

 It has a silky, fluid texture and as with the day & night cream it has 

the same divine floral-marine scent

This trio of products work together to counteract skin dryness, 

loss of radiance, compactness and suppleness caused by a 

drop in hormone levels. 

The skin is left smoother, radiant and more supple.

Verdict :  8/10

~~~~~~

3.

Brand : RITUALS

Product : RITUAL of HOLI

CREAM ON 

NOURISHING BODY CREAM

Price : £6.90

Size : 100ml

I have over the last couple of years purchased several products from

The RITUALS of AYURVEDA range and have raved about them, however

part of my 2019 LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Advent Calendar contained

a 100ml size of The RITUAL of HOLI Body Cream, which sadly 

I'm not going to rave about.

Infused with the scent of Pink Grapefruit and Flamingo Flower I found the fragrance 

to be sweet, delicate and pleasant.

The formula of the body cream is where my disappointment lay and despite

the claim that it's a rich, nourishing cream I didn't find it to be so.

I  don't have particularly dry body skin and despite applying to slightly

damp skin as they recommend my skin just didn't feel well nourished.

Verdict :  4/10

VITA LIBERATA BEAUTY BLUR SKIN TONE OPTIMIZER {REVIEW}

Before I get into my review I have a back story to tell you about this product,as

its been on my beauty radar and wish list for sometime and in 2019 I tried to buy 

the Vita Liberata Beauty Blur on numerous occasions during my travels overseas

and infuriatingly I kept hearing those beauty swear words

 "Out of Stock"

As my UK "Kiddiewink" was heading back to SA for Christmas I made numerous

UK online beauty orders to be sent to him, as I couldn't miss the opportunity for him

to be my "Cosmetic Mule".

My two favourite online stores are 

FEELUNIQUE and LOOKFANTASTIC

as I find they offer the biggest discounts and sometimes the best free gifts.

Due to my order spend, I was entitled to receive a surprise past

  LOOKFANTASTIC Subscription Box as a free gift and I wasn't going to complain as they generally have fairly decent beauty products in those boxes.

I couldn't believe it when I opened the box, as it contained the one product that

had been so elusive, there in all its glowing glory nestled

a boxed 10ml size tube of the Vita Liberate Beauty Blur in the shade Latte.

It was an ideal size for me to put to the test before jumping on the

Vita Liberata Beauty Blur bandwagon.

As always I like to give you some info about the brand when I review for

 the first time :

"The Vita Liberata team are passionate experts in skincare and tanning. From their Irish base they created the world’s first odourless tan in 2007 and our unique Odour Remove™ technology is now present in all of our at-home self and salon spray tans. In 2011, they became the first completely non-toxic tanning brand, developing a collection of tan solutions free from parabens, perfume, alcohol and all chemicals of concern. As the first tan brand in the world to do this, we became the self tanner of choice for the world’s top spas including George V Paris, St Regis, Viceroy, Ritz-Carlton and Burj Al Arab. Their multi-award winning collection is now sold in more than 26 countries worldwide. They are now recognised as the world’s leading non-toxic, organic tanning company. They also offer the widest range of at-home and professional tanning solutions to suit every skin type and tone, guaranteeing the ultimate tanning experience every time, that fades perfectly back to nothing, without you even noticing."

Prep and perfect your skin all at once with the

Vita Liberata Beauty Blur Skin Tone Optimizer 

this moisturizing formula works as a primer, self-tan and skin finish.

Enriched with certified organic and natural extracts for anti ageing, skin enhancement

 and a natural tanned look, it also has a Moisture Locking System to leave skin soft

 and conditioned.

The perfecting weightless formula glides on effortlessly, delivering a sheer tint that miraculously covers and corrects the appearance of imperfections to leave

 skin looking naturally radiant and I was blown away by how well it worked even 

on my mature skin and any product containing "Light Reflecting Particles" as this

does, is a good friend of mine and my skin...

Available in 3 shades:

Latte Light is specially formulated for those with fair to medium skin tones.

Latte for those with medium skin tones and was a 

great shade for my skin tone.

Latte Dark is formulated for those with medium to darker skin tones.

Application:

Use a pea size amount on the face or décolleté, and dot lightly onto cleansed skin after moisturiser. However it doesn't contain any SPF, so don't forget to apply one beforehand.

Blend outwards with fingers in circular movements or use a foundation brush.

I actually found that a little goes far and my best method of application 

was with my faithful old fingers...

This beauty blur is perfect for that flawless, natural, no make-up look and I'm 

simply obsessed. It provided a great canvas for the application

of bronzer, blusher etc. and it's simply a "do it all" skin optimiser and without doubt 

 worthy of a beauty splurge.

P.S.I'm also tempted to splurge on one of the Vita Liberata salon tans and as always

I'll give you the run down, before you spend your money.

VITA LIBERATA 

BEAUTY BLUR

SKIN TONE OPTIMISER

30ml

R

1130

£

29.95

$

40

Available in South Africa at selected Salons,

Tanning Salons, Spas, Wellness centres and 

more recently online at

 Woolworths

For stockist details

RECENT BEAUTY EMPTIES {FEBRUARY 2020}

Finally I seem to be getting better at keeping my empty containers in order to 
write a "Recent Empties" post for you and over the past couple of months I've managed 
to save a grand total of 5, which must be an all time record for me.
As always I will include Pink Links to the original reviews.
Enjoy!

1.

NATUR VITAL 
HAIR S.O.S
Revitalising Shampoo

I've been so enjoying this Spanish brand of shampoo,as my hair
 just seems to be responding to its formula so nicely, that I've already been a bought
another one and I even included it in my 
"Top 6 Hair & Body Products of 2019"
To check out what other products made that list

Around R100 they're available exclusively from Dischem's countrywide
To read my mini review

2.

BENEFIT
BOI-ING CAKELESS
CONCEALER

Whilst I loved this latest concealer from benefit, in fact I love all of their
concealers and have said many times that their offering literally covers anything and everything,
yet I was disappointed by how quick this product finished.
I only bought it at the end of September 2019 and despite rotating with other 
concealing products, its already finished.
Another complaint is the amount of wastage there is on the sides of the see thru container 
that you can't seem to get out.
Considering these two "let downs" and the steep price, I sadly won't be buying 
this particular benefit concealer again.

To read my full review


3.

CAUDALIE
MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER

If you have followed my blog or followed me on Facebook or Instagram
for sometime now you will know that I'm a huge fan of the 
French skincare brand CAUDALIE.
I don't think I've tried any products of theirs, and I must have reviewed 12 or more
 of their face and body products, that I haven't liked and even though I did like
 the Micellar Cleansing Water it didn't perform adequately enough on my 
first cleanse on those full make-up days and primarily that's when I use a 
micellar water, as a first cleanse.
 I have reviewed several others that perform this function way better.
If however you are looking for a Micellar Water to cleanse a light make-up
or just as a quick morning cleanse then this is perfect.
I did finish the product this way, but again sadly I won't be re-purchasing.

To read my full review



4.

URBAN DECAY
ALL NIGHTER
MAKE-UP SETTING SPRAY

After being such a sceptic about this seemingly unnecessary, much hyped about
 pricey beauty product, I'm now a full on convert and living in a hot humid climate
I seriously can't live with out this product.
This product was deservingly included on my Top 10 Make-up Products 2019.
To find out what other Urban Decay products appeared on that list

I was surprised at how long the 118ml spray lasted me and I pretty much use it 
most days. I have since purchased another and despite the R495 layout, 
its a "Must Have" for me.

To read my full review



5.

MARY COHR
IHC
INCREDIBLE HYDRATING CREAM

I have a couple more applications left in the jar of this Incredible Hydrating Cream
but the sad day is looming when my jar will be completely empty.
This cream made it onto my Top 10 Skincare Products of 2019
along with another MARY COHR product, so check out my absolute 
fave skincare products of 2019
My Top 10 Skincare Products 2019

It was an absolute pleasure using this product and again like the 
NATUR VITAL Shampoo above my skin just, like my hair, responded so well 
to the formula.


To read my full review

MAYBELLINE DREAM URBAN COVER FOUNDATION {REVIEW}

This was another product that I received via my cosmetic mule prior to Christmas

 i.e. my London Kiddiewink, as its not available in South Africa.

The 

MAYBELLINE 

Dream Urban Cover 

Flawless Coverage Foundation 

reminded very much of the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream 

firstly because of its packaging,

 but there are also many similarities with the foundation functions and benefits.

Having reviewed the IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream several years ago I was keen to

put the Dream Urban Cover to test and I will compare the two in a future post for you

To read my full review

Launched back in early 2019 

makeup meets skincare with the NEW Dream Urban Cover all-in-one protective foundation. Maybelline's first full coverage foundation with a lightweight, barely there feel combined with SPF 50 broad spectrum physical sunscreen.

Product Benefits & Features:

Enriched with anti-oxidants: Vitamin E, Vitamin B3 & baicaline

Helps to form a protective shield against pollution

Full coverage foundation

Dermatologist tested. 

Suitable sensitive skin. 

Non-comedogenic. 

Clinically tested to lock in moisture.

Despite having this product since mid December I've only really got into using it 

over the last couple of weeks and it was certainly put to the test during my holiday

last week in Dubai.

This foundation is best suited for normal/dry skin types and despite having a 

medium/full coverage it has an extremely lightweight, breathable 

and comfortable feel.

The fluid formula made for a super quick application that was easy to blend 

and was buildable if needed.

However I was not prepared for such a flawless natural looking finish.

I happily found it to be long wearing and still looked good at the end of an 8 hour

 day of walking around the sights of a busy Dubai.

 The Broad Spectrum SPF50 was well and truly tested, as I forgot to apply our sunscreens

on the one occasion and despite my hubby getting sunburnt on his face, mine 

showed no signs of sun exposure whatsoever.

Its always recommended to apply a sunscreen under foundation even if your foundation contains an SPF, rather double up and thankfully on this day it was the foundation's

 SPF that saved my skin.

If you live in a highly polluted city then multi tasking foundations with built-in

protective pollution shields are always a welcome addition.

The shade selection is fairly good, offering over 20 shades and I took somewhat

of a risk and went for the shade 220 Natural Beige and luckily it's a perfect

shade for my colouring.

I will write a comparison post between this foundation and the

 IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream soon, but for now I was suitably impressed with the

Dream Urban Cover foundation, especially more so, as I'm not generally

a huge fan of Maybelline products.

If however a high SPF in a natural finish foundation is your major concern then 

I can highly recommend...

MAYBELLINE

DREAM URBAN COVER

FOUNDATION

30ml

R

N/A in SA

£

10.99

$

10.99