8 January 2018

MONTHLY FAVOURITES {NOV/DEC 2017]

It's time again for a monthly favourites post and the last one
for the year, but I will continue in 2018 to bring you, every couple of months
a blogpost on my "fave" products.
Two of the below have actually been under review for
the several months whilst the other two were discovered and put to the test
during November and December.
Just to give you a heads up - three of the below products will make it onto my 
"Top" product lists for 2017, which I'll post towards the end of January,
so don't miss those posts if you want to know what face,body and make-up
products I rate and highly recommend.


1.

It seemed as though I had been using the 
Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex 
for most of 2017, as this product was not only highly effective, 
but it worked out to be super affordable (despite its initial R990 price tag)
 when you take into account the quantity required
 and how long the 15ml tube lasted and best of the all the results achieved.











2.

Who doesn't love a good hand cream and there are so many
on the market, but the 
NUXE Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream 
was certainly a stand out product and a pleasure to use.

  







3.

My next inclusion was sent to me by the brand, but as always it
doesn't mean that it automatically qualifies for a glowing review.
Bionike 15 Fruit Xsense Multi Sensorial Oil
from the Italian brand Bionike was easy to fall in love with
and a glowing review was given all round.







4.

No trip to the UK,for a South African Beauty Blogger, would be complete
without a visit to one of the two Deciem shops in London and that's where I 
went in July.
I bought four products from the much hyped brand The Ordinary.
The Ordinary AHA 30%+BHA 2% Peeling Solution 
was a must buy for me,as I always maintain that weekly exfoliation 
is key to a youthful skin.






7 January 2018

MARKS & SPENCER BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR 2017

My London "Kiddiewink" visited South Africa for a months vacation, over the Christmas and New Year period, and as you can imagine he was e.mailed a beauty shopping list. Having worked in beauty retail in SA he knows his way around the beauty departments pretty well.(lucky future wife whoever she'll be)




Top of my list was the 2017 Marks & Spencer 25 Day Beauty Advent Calendar. M&S have created a beauty advent now for several years and they just keep getting better and better. They always seem to include a great selection of travel,sample and even some full sized beauty products from not only some of their own house brands, but many of their prestigious international skincare and cosmetic brands that they stock in store and online.
The contents are predominantly skincare items with a couple of nail, hair, body and fragrance products thrown in, so if your main focus is on skincare then this is a great option.


Brands include the likes of:

REN
nailsinc.
Gatineau
Pixi
Stila
EYEKO
Emma Harding
NUXE
Filorga
Leighton Denny
Percy & Reed


All of the products are beautifully presented in individually numbered "house" shaped boxes within a larger chalet/house outer box.
Over the next few months I will write reviews on the calenders contents, so you can always sign up to bloglovin on the right hand sidebar, then  you won't miss any of my posts.
I highly recommend this annual beauty advent Calender as it's a wonderful way of exposing you to some of what the included brands have to offer and it's a fun way of getting a daily beauty treat in the run up to the final day on the 25th December.

How M&S work it every year, is you purchase anything online or in store for £35 (exc. food) and this qualifies you to purchase the Calender valued at £250 for just £35.
They're normally available around the first week on November.

I write several annual posts on beauty advent calenders and the M&S one always seems to come out 'on top" in terms of value for money and when you are using South African Rands to buy, that's important.
I'm giving you a "heads up" for next year and if you are able to get your hands on one, do, as you won't regret it.

1 January 2018

QUICKIE PRODUCT REVIEWS {QPR} JANUARY 2018

My first post for 2018 is a QPR (Quickie Product Review) and today 
I have three "cheap n cheerful" make-up items to give you feedback on.


Brand : Maybelline
Product : Baby Lips Electro (Pink Shock)
Price : R37
  



This may seem like a strange product for me to go out and buy, 
but I didn't, as it was actually a free gift in a magazine, so I thought I would 
add it into my QPR post for January.
Initially I had wide eyes at the neon colour, thankfully it transforms onto
the lips as a lovely toned down pink shade.
I was pleasantly surprised and I found that over the holidays it was a lip balm 
that I constantly kept reaching for.
 I enjoyed how comforting it felt on my lips
and it claims to offer 8 hours of hydration,which I won't dispute.
It was moisturising in a non greasy way and the soft, sheer pink colour just added
 to its appeal, along with the price.


Verdict : 8/10

~~~~~~


Brand : Catrice
Product : Glam & Doll False Lashes Waterproof Mascara
Price : R79.95




Mascaras are a difficult item to review as it's such a personal choice
as we each have different needs from our favourite make-up item.
The brush on this mascara is curved with short bristles, which I like
 as it allows for easy application on individual lashes in order to create
volume and definition and give the appearance of wearing false lashes.
On longer lashes it may give that affect, but on my "shorties" not so much
Not being a huge fan of waterproof mascaras I enjoyed
using this on my recent vacation, but I can't say it's the best on
the waterproof front.
However if you like mascaras with this style of wand and you are wanting
a false lash look then it could be one to check out 
without breaking the "beauty bank".
It's only available in deep black.


Verdict : 6/10


~~~~~~


Brand : Essence
Product : Ultra Last Lip liner
Price : R26.95



Not normally a wearer of a lip liner, yet many years ago I used to always 
use one and to be honest I'm not sure when or why I stopped using.
I thought I would buy a cheap option just to test the lip liner waters again.
It claims to be "smooth & Gliding which it is, but I can't say that its waterproof
(waterproof is quite a claim in a lip liner)
Would I buy this again? Yes and they have a good selection of colours 
and its another good affordable option.


Verdict : 7/10


To read my monthly QPR'S