URBAN DECAY EYESHADOW PRIMER POTION ANTI-AGING {REVIEW}

I've never been too sure if eyeshadow primers really do add any

longevity to my eyeshadow or add any value to my beauty life. 

I've always perceived them as being an add-on purchase that's nice to have 

and hopefully its one that works. 

After saying this I recently bought one, along with several other items,
 from the newly opened boutique in Gateway

Urban Decay 
Eyeshadow Primer Potion 
Anti-Ageing

 To read my Urban Decay Reviews

I have to admit, I was totally sold, on one of my least favourite type of products,

 by the sales consultant, who assured me that it would change my opinion

on eyeshadow primers
(By the way there are 5 variants of Eyeshadow Primer Potions available
I opted for the always needed Anti-Ageing version)

She grabbed my attention by mentioning several 
"trigger words" 

like Anti-Ageing, fills in the imperfections, minimise fine lines, blurs etc.

all the things that a woman with an ageing eye area wants to hear.

This creamy eyeshadow primer lets you prep the lids for eyeshadows, 

providing an all-day, 24hr, crease-free wear. 

Its innovative ingredients minimise the look of wrinkles while improving

 the appearance of tone and texture. 

Dermaxyl® helps to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and Kalpariane® supports plumping, firming, and hydrating the skin as it improves

 suppleness and elasticity. 

The optical blurring pigments create a subtle, soft-focus effect that instantly

 brightens up tired eyes and reduces the look of redness, thinning skin in the eye area, and other imperfections. 
Yes I had to have this product...

The nude coloured formula glides on smoothly with the wand applicator 

and here I must stress that a little goes a long way. 

It's best to apply your eyeshadow after application as the primer, when fresh 

acts like a magnet and helps to "lock in" the vibrancy of any colour.

I happily found that the primer didn't interfere with the application or the blending 

of my shadows, which happened to be from my Urban Decay palettes.

Initially I wasn't super impressed with its "staying power" as my eyeshadow

 generally lasts anyway and I don't suffer with oily eyelids or creasing shadows,
so I can't vouch for how well it handles these issues,but judging by
other reviews and reports, it handles them pretty well...

After using several times and not being "wowed" I reverted back to not using

 and that's when I realised just how much I needed this product.

I love that it's an Anti-Ageing treatment primer and only once

I stopped using, did I truly appreciate what a good product it was

 and despite thinking previously that my eyeshadow lasted, which it did,

 but just not with the same true colour that was applied 12 hours or so earlier.
I have even worn "sans" shadows and despite not being able
 to put my finger on it,my eyelid area definitely looked
better, I'd say the fine lines appeared softer and the skin looked smoother
either way, there is a reason - it's one of 
Urban Decays "Best Sellers"

Overall the sales consultant made a good call by recommending this product

and if like me you doubt the effectiveness of eyeshadow primers

then maybe we've just been trying the wrong ones...

Urban Decay 

Eyeshadow Primer Potion 

Anti-Ageing

10mls

R

335

£

19.50

$

24

For further info and to order

Online

BEAUTY PRODUCTS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW {OCTOBER 2018}

I seem to have several cleansing products to review over the next month or so 

and it wasn't planned that way, but that's sometimes just how it goes.

1.

I was around in the day when PAYOT was named after its founder Dr.Payot 
and despite knowing about this French skincare, for what seems a lifetime, 
I can't ever recall trying any of their products.

Well this is all about to change as I've got their 
Moisturising Cleansing Milk with Raspberry Extract 
and the
 Radiance Boosting Perfecting Lotion 
to try over the next few weeks and being a "cleanser and toner" person 
I'm really looking forward to giving this duo a test, especially as they come in 
400ml containers with easy controllable pump dispensers.

*NOW POSTED*

To read my full review

2.

Mineraline is an affordable face and body care brand that's readily available

 at Dischems countrywide and at the beginning of this year I reviewed their 

Invigorating Aloe Vera Gel in a QPR (Quick Product Review) 

post and I really enjoyed the cooling, refreshing goodness that the 

Aloe gel offered.

mineraline Invigorating Aloe Vera Gel Review

This time I'm putting their Aloe Vera Body Lotion to the test, which will be ideal

for the upcoming summer months when my body care steps down to the more

lightweight easy wearing lotions and gels.

*NOW POSTED*

To read my full review

3.

Neutrogena is again another brand that is new to my skin, but their 
Hydro Boost Micellar Water 
caught my eye and I do love a good Micellar Water, so let's see how this performs
 and compares to the many others that I have tried.

*NOW POSTED*

To read my full review

To read my previous "Beauty Products Currently Under Review" Posts

along with the full reviews of each product

Click Here

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

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

SUNDAY SAMPLE

I recently posted on my IG Stories that I had never tried any products from 

Elizabeth Arden or Clinique 

and so many of you couldn't believe it, so much so, that when I went into 

Edgars at Gateway the Elizabeth Arden consultant kindly gave me a sample

 of their Advanced Ceramide Capsules. 

The box actually contained 7 Capsules, so I'm hoping to squeeze both a 

morning and evening application out of one capsule over the next week 

and I will give you a 1st impressions on Sunday on one of

 Elizabeth Ardens iconic products. 

P.S 

I hope to also try some products from Clinique in the near future,

 as how can I call myself a "Beauty Blogger" if I haven't tried any products 

from these two huge International brands.

3 PRODUCTS I DIDN'T FINISH AND WHY {3}

This is only the third time I've written a post like this, where I tell you about the products that I've bought and haven't been able to finish for whatever reason.

To read my 1st post

To read my 2nd post

I, like many of you I'm sure , hate to waste money on poor performing products 

and whilst there are several that I maybe wouldn't buy again I am always 

able to finish the product, learn and move on. 

However the three below products are ones that I just couldn't finish, 

as they added no benefit or pleasure to my beauty life.

Also Considering how many different types of products I use, thankfully it doesn't

 happen too often.

Here are my three most recent products that have ended up in the

 "give to a friend" box, but after emptying the box I can't subject or insult 

my friends by giving away two of the below, that's if I want to keep them as friends, 

so sadly they'll end up in the trash.

1.

L'Oréal Elvive Low Shampoo 

Gentle Cleansing Cream

I had high hopes for this Low Shampoo, as I really wanted to move away from

 the more traditional shampoos, but sadly I just couldn't get to grips with 

the fact that there was little or no suds to work with. 

I just felt that my hair wasn't thoroughly clean

 after each wash and whilst it may have been better in the long run

for my hair, it certainly 

wasn't better physiological for me...

to read my original and full review

2.

Body Shop Instaglow CC cream

This product was simply a disaster for me as it didn't enhance my skin whatsoever,

 yet I've read reviews where the users have raved about it, but obviously 

I missed the appeal of this product. It was what I describe as a

 "nothing product".

to read my full and original review

3.

Garnier Moisture Bomb Protect Mist

This was somewhat of an impulse purchase and if you read my blog regularly

 you will know that I normally do a certain amount of research about a product  

before I outlay any money especially on new products. 

In theory this product seemed to tick several boxes as a handy

 multi-purpose SPF spray, however again, for me it was a fail. 

I couldn't get past the initial spray stage, as it seemed so alien to me to

 spray a product on my face that resembles a deodorant spray.

 I also had my concerns about the evenness of the application where the 

SPF was concerned, as living in a sunny climate I needed to know that 

 the layer of sun protection was even and consistent with its coverage.

to read my full and original review

Let me know in the comments below if you have tried any of the 

above and whether you rate them or not...

BEAUTY SPRING CLEAN

 "Spring has Sprung" 

in the Southern Hemisphere and it's the perfect time to do that all important 

task of checking the expiry dates on your make-up and skincare products. 

You know, those items that are in your make-up bag, bathroom cupboard 

and especially make-up in stored handbags (I find so many lipsticks in my handbags)

 Well now is the time to lift them out and check them.

This past weekend I've taken the time and done this very task and I have to say 

it always feels good, like any Spring Clean does.

If a beauty product has an expiry date on and many skincare products do 

then it's easy to work through your beauty stash, but if they don't, 

here's a guide.

If you have any of the below items (and we all have some)

way older than what the list recommends then de-clutter and toss them in the bin,

 as they have no place in your beauty life.

After saying that, I do have products that I have been using for slightly longer 

than the recommended timings and in my opinion they're still good. 

If you're in any doubt at all, then simply chuck it out, 

as it really isn't worth risking infection 

(especially from products that come into contact with the eye area)

 from any "Jimmy Germs" lurking.

Mascaras 

3-4 months

Eye Liner & Lip Pencils 

12-18 months

Liquid Eyeliner

 6 months or less

Lipsticks and Lip Glosses 

1 year

Cream Eye shadows and Blushers 

6-12 months

Powder Blushers and Eye Shadows

 1-2 years

Liquid Foundations and concealers

 6-12 months

Nail Polish

 1 year

But how do you know, how long a product is good for once opened?

Many products now have a (PAO) Period After Opening  

and is represented by similar logos below. 

Period after opening (PAO) refers to the amount of time a product will remain

 stable and safe for human use after it has first been opened. 

If your product displays this logo then you know that your product is good for

 that number of months after opening.

(The problem can sometimes be remembering when you first opened the product)

However if any make-up, skincare or haircare products:

1.

 Smell rancid or Waxy

2.

   Have been exposed to really excessive heat

3.

                                        The colour or consistency has noticeably changed 

                                                                  

                                                                            4.

                                                          Shows signs of visible mould

Then immediately discard.

HAPPY BEAUTY SPRING CLEAN