Travel-ready skin and hair products you’ve just got to have

If you’re anything like me, you often catch yourself dreaming of jetting off to somewhere fabulous for the weekend. You know, somewhere where you can soak up some sun, sip on delicious cocktails, take long walks on the beach, indulge in spa treatments and enjoy romantic dinners … you see, there I go again!

Okay, so maybe you’ll just be visiting somewhere local for a weekend away or a quick business trip and not a dreamy private island, but either way you’ve got to take your beloved beauty products along to stay fresh and fabulous.

These are my favourite travel-ready skin and hair products that are perfect for tossing into your carry-on so that looking glam will be on your itinerary no matter your destination!

Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser

If you’ve got sensitive skin that’s prone to redness and irritation like I do, your skin is sure to adore this creamy gel cleanser. It’s especially ideal for using on those days when you’ve spent lots of time out in the sun or swimming in saltwater.

Essence My Skin Refreshing Toner

I love this toner because it’s light, hydrating and suitable for all skin types. It also smells like grapes, which is awesome, too! It’s handy for refreshing for your skin at any time of day as well as for removing excess make-up that’s left on your skin after using a make-up wipe.

Ordinary Skincare Day Cream SPF 30

For a healthy dose of hydration, all you need is one pump of this day cream that’s formulated with only the most skin-friendly all-natural ingredients. The sun-protective formula is a little thicker than most day creams, so I find that if you apply it early in the morning it keeps your skin fresh and plump all day. Plus, it doubles as a make-up primer!

Beauty Fix Radiant Makeup Finish Spray

This gorgeous-smelling make-up spray can be used in three ways – to prime your skin before applying make-up, to freshen up your make-up throughout the day, and to set your make-up to kept your look intact for hours. I personally love using it to freshen up my look the most – it lends skin the most beautiful glow, so there are no need for constant bronzer touch-ups!

Mineraline Aloe Vera Mud Mask 70%

You never know when your skin may decide to break out, so it’s always handy to have a soothing facemask on hand! I love this one because the formula is enriched with genuine Dead Sea black mud, which calms and clear problem skin in a snap.

Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo

Every girl needs a bottle of dry shampoo stashed in her handbag … you don’t want to waste precious time washing and styling your locks, do you? I love this formula because it smells heavenly, degreases strands, and comes in two tints so it doesn’t leave behind that chalky cast that other types do.

Hask Keratin Protein Smoothing Shine Oil

Factors like too much time out in the sun, swimming in a chlorinated pool or too much heat styling can leave your hair looking drab and lifeless. This luxurious keratin-rich hair oil will hydrate your hair while lending it a gorgeous shine minus any oily residue. Using it regularly will also strengthen your hair in the long-term (bonus!).

Fudge Urban Iced Coconut Cocktail Hairspray

Sometimes it’s just more fuss-free and quicker to put your hair up, whether it’s in an elegant updo or a sleek ponytail. This natural-feeling hairspray provides a strong hold with anti frizz to keep any style in place. Plus, it smells just like a pina colada – can you say dreamy?

What are your go-to skin and hair products when you’re travelling?

Get radiant with these top make-up setting sprays

Have you always wanted to try out a make-up setting spray but don’t have any idea which one to buy? Don’t even think about reaching for the hairspray – I’ve tried and tested some of the best setting sprays a girl can buy – here they are!

Beauty Finish Radiant Makeup Finish

I use this setting spray to freshen up my make-up throughout the day to keep my look perfectly intact. The nifty little bottle is perfectly handbag-sized with a tiny nozzle that sprays out an oh-so-refreshing, super-fine mist that smells like a bouquet of fresh flowers (yes, really!). I also occasionally use this spray to hydrate my skin after cleansing, toning and moisturising – my skin just adores the delightful all-natural ingredients that leave it feeling soft and supple!

MAC Fix + Spray

I’ve been using this super-hydrating setting spray for years now, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop using it! I love using this mineral-rich mist for prepping my skin before applying make-up as well as for giving any make-up look a spritz of pure radiance. It’s also fantastic for freshening up bare skin when you’re travelling or just suffering from dry skin (winter struggles, right?), so I keep a bottle in my on-the-go toiletry bag at all times.

NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray

While most setting sprays provide your make-up application with an enviable glow, this one does quite the opposite – it mattifies your look. I personally prefer dewy or matte make-up looks, but I’ve got to say that come summertime, this is the best setting spray a girl can have one hand! It’s perfect for getting rid of any unwanted shine or dewiness and feels remarkably light and comfortable on your skin, which is an added bonus considering most sprays can feel heavy.

Bodyography Ready, Set, Go Makeup Setting Spray

One of the newest setting sprays to hit our local beauty market, this baby is a winner for a number of reasons! It’s super-light on the skin, it’s fabulous for controlling oil, and it effectively keeps your blush and eye make-up looking fresh to death all day long. Plus, the generously sized bottle is sure to last you for at least a couple of months (it may just be a bit too bulky to fit into your make-up bag). And did I mention that’s it’s vegan and gluten-free, too?

What’s your go-to make-up setting spray? I’d love to hear from you!

Beat Dry Skin With BioNike PROXERA Intensive Face Serum

Dry skin isn’t so pretty, is it? I’ll admit that I struggle with a dry skin type, which can often be very frustrating to handle and treat. If you can relate to this skin issue, you’ll be ecstatic to know that I’ve found a single product that can help you beat dry skin in a heartbeat – say hello to BioNike PROXERA Intensive Face Serum!

Both affordable and locally available (you can pick a tube up at Dis-Chem Pharmacy at R235 a pop), this silky smooth serum exploits the properties of hyaluronic acid, which it combines with a number of fragments to prevent water loss and help hydrate even the deepest layers of your skin.

The serum also helps normalise the cell renewal process, and protects your skin from damage caused by external agents. The result? Improved elasticity and tone – voila! Plus, it’s designed for “dry to very dry skin”, so you can bet that it will work its magic on even the driest of complexions.

When I first came across this product, I had no idea it would work this well. I apply it both day and night after cleansing my skin. My skin drinks it up quickly and within an hour of applying, usually looks and feels fresh and plump. Plus, a little goes a long way – two generous dollops are all you need to moisturise your entire face.

Since I started using this magical product just over a month ago, I no longer suffer from severely dry or flaky skin. Not even in the areas prone to dryness, such as my forehead, chin and nose. Instead, my face feels fresh and hydrated, and I feel confident about my skin!

If you suffer from dry skin, I highly recommend you try this product out. Even if you don’t, remember that winter’s coming up. What I’m saying is that during the colder months of the year, everyone’s skin is prone to dryness, so you might find this serum very handy. Let me know your thoughts!

Master the dewy glow with Beauty Fix

Make-up setting sprays have been getting lots of praise in the beauty community lately … have you noticed? I’ve been using a setting spray to set and freshen up my make-up for a good while now, but it wasn’t until last week that I discovered Beauty Fix Radiant Make-Up Finish – the hydrating and nourishing mist made with divine all-natural ingredients like rosewater, aloe vera extract and cucumber extract.

Beauty Fix is a lightweight make-up setting spray that’s suitable for all skin types due to its gentle, skin-loving ingredients. All you do is mist the product over your face after you’ve finished applying your make-up for a gorgeous, radiant glow. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes catch my skin looking too powdery, and it’s until I tried this specific setting spray that I no longer had the “cakey-ness” issue.

 

 

Here’s the description of the product taken from Beauty Fix’s website: “Look and feel fresh with radiant make-up finish. This superfine mist blends make-up revitalises the skin. It provides a gentle breeze of clarity and calm, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. Each spritz releases the luxurious scent of a bouquet of roses.”

When this spray hits your face, your skin feels wonderful … it’s especially refreshing when your skin is feeling dry and tired or hot and flustered. The amazing thing about it is it locks in all of the product that you have on your face and makes everything blend in well together.

Any colour on your face is instantly intensified – in a good way, of course – whether it be your highlighter, bronzer, blush, eye shadow or eyeliner. I fan my face for about 10 to 15 seconds to let the spray dry, and the result is dewy, flawless make-up! You all know how stunning a fresh and dewy complexion looks, right?

The product’s nozzle design makes the spray come out in an extremely fine mist … did I mention how fabulous it feels? Plus, the fresh flowery scent is just luxurious! It really does smell just like a bunch of fresh roses … and what girl doesn’t love roses? When spraying, I hold the bottle about 20cm away from my face and spray three times – once directly from the front, and twice from the sides of my face.

I prefer using the spray when I’m done doing all of my make-up, but you can also use it as a primer on clean skin before you start applying your make-up, or just after your foundation and powder application. What’s more, is this spray is also great for freshening up your skin during the day … the cute little bottle is conveniently handbag-sized for touch-ups!

Beauty Fix Radiant Make-Up Finish has definitely crossed over to my Holy Grail list. I’m actually pretty mad at myself for not trying it sooner! It’s really impressed me … the difference in my make-up is astonishing! It brings everything out and makes my skin look and feel super-healthy! To locate your nearest stockist of this must-have beauty buy, go here.

Six tips to get your skin holiday-ready

So summer is here, and you’ve put away your sweaters and pulled out your shirts – but have you started paying some much-needed attention to your skin? Even if you don’t plan to strut around in a bikini this holiday, you still want your arms, shoulders, back and legs to look soft and sun-kissed, don’t you? Luckily, only a little extra TLC is required to get your skin into tip top shape. Here are my top six tips for getting your skin holiday-ready!

 

 

 

#1: Scrub away dull, dry skin

If you neglected to exfoliate and moisturise regularly over the course of the cold, dry winter, you’re probably suffering with parched, lacklustre skin right now. Luckily there’s a quick-fix for that, though – to get rid of dull, dry skin all over your body, simply use a salt or sugar scrub two or three times a week to gently exfoliate. I like to towel dry and then apply a moisturising body balm to my skin after exfoliating to penetrate it better after sloughing off that flaky, dead layer.

Try: LUSH Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub, made with cleansing lime, coconut and sea salt, to cleanse and refresh dry skin in an instant.

 

 

#2: Treat chest and back breakouts

Breakouts on your chest and back aren’t pretty. But because you sweat a lot more during the summer, you’re prone to such breakouts, which happen when your clothing traps sweat and oil in your pores. A body wash with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help kill bacteria and unclog your pores. If the redness still lingers after the bumps have gone down, try an alpha-hydroxy peel two or three nights a week until your skin clears up completely.

Try: Garnier Pure Active Daily Pore Scrub Wash Oily to Combination Skin, which is enriched with salicylic acid to fight pesky breakouts.

 

 

#3: Relieve rough feet and cracked heels

A season of stomping around in boots and skimping on pedicures can leave your soles and heels with dry, dead layers of skin that don’t look good and can feel rather painful. To help with this, apply a lightweight foot lotion every morning to help soften your feet. If your feet are extra dry, try soaking them in a foot spa with a cup of Epsom salts for ten minutes before bed. Follow up by slathering them with a thick cream and covering up with socks.

Try: The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion, which contains hydrating cocoa butter, sweet almond oil and lanolin to get your feet beach-ready in a snap.

 

 

#4: Replenish moisture in your face and body

Applying a good moisturiser to your face and body will help keep your skin happy and maintain a beautiful, healthy glow. It will also lock in moisture, which will essentially maintain your skin’s protective barrier. The best time to apply moisturiser to both your face and body is after a shower or bath, when your skin is fresh and your pores are open. I find that a lightweight day cream and a rich, thick body cream works best during the summer months.

Try: L’Oreal Even Perfect Moisturising Day Cream, formulated to give your skin a moisture boost while perfecting your skin tone, for your face, and Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream, loaded with natural hydroxy acid extracts from sugar cane and apply to smooth and relieve dryness, for your body.

 

 

 

#5: Remove any unwanted hair

Because the skin on your legs doesn’t produce much oil, adding moisture rather than removing it is key to avoid irritation. This is why I opt for hair removal cream over shaving during the summer months, when I want to be feeling silky smooth all the time. Hair removal cream is easy to use and quickly dissolves hair under your arms, on your legs and on your bikini line. It also gives results that last a few days longer than shaving. Just be sure to always moisturise your legs afterwards for best results.

Try: Veet Hair Removal Cream for Dry Skin, enriched with shea butter and scented with a subtle lily fragrance, which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

 

 

#6: Give your skin a safe, bronzed glow

Safe, sun-kissed skin is now easier than ever thanks to all the fabulous self-tanning products on the market! Be sure to prep your skin first by exfoliating – focusing mainly on dry areas like your elbows, knees and ankles. Your skin should also be completely free of any deodorants, perfumes and lotions before you start. Then, pin your hair up in a bin and apply your self-tanner of choice. Maintain your tan by using a body oil or lotion on your entire once or twice a day.

Try: Piz Buin Bronze Tanning Spray, made with Melitan to help you achieve a natural-looking tan twice as fast, and Caribbean Tan Milk & Honey Hydrating Body Butter to maintain your gorgeous glow.

 

 

Six beauty buys with SPF in them for summer

Repeat after me: “I will apply sunscreen every single day, just like my mom taught me.” Okay, now here’s how you follow through and actually do it! These fabulous beauty products make sun protection way easier because there’s killer SPF right there in the formula. Even better, they do it without compromising effectiveness, texture or scent. Now go forth and add them to your beauty routine right away!

 

#1: Dermalogica Pure Light SPF 50

This luxurious lotion provides your face with serious sun protection as well as intense hydration. The formula is surprisingly very lightweight, and feels comfortable on your skin. Botanicals like red and brown algae work to limit your skin’s own melanin production, which helps fight hyperpigmentation and improve an uneven complexion. Go here to locate a Dermalogica stockist near you.

 

 

#2: Physician’s Formula Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30

This ultra-fine pressed mineral powder can be worn alone or over your liquid foundation for a flawless finish. The hypoallergenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic formula is suitable for all skins types – even the most sensitive skin. The powder helps reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and sun damage. You can purchase Physician’s Formula cosmetics at your nearest Dis-Chem Pharmacy.

 

 

#3: MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15

If you want to avoid sunburned, chapped or flaky lips this summer, this protective lip balm is your best friend! It comes in three different shades – Petting Pink, Fuschia Fix and Soothing Beige – all of which offer an all-natural sheen with a sheer wash of colour. Ingredients like almond oil, shea butter, avocado extract, wheat germ oil, and vitamins A and E help condition your lips by locking in moisture. Go here to find your nearest MAC store or counter.

 

 

#4: Bobbi Brown Protective Face Base SPF 50

This multi-beneficial daytime moisturiser provides a high level of sun protection and creates the perfect canvas for make-up, too! The light formula is loaded with antioxidants and stabilised avobenzone to protect you against the signs of ageing, and works best on normal to dry skin types. Ingredients like geranium and lavender oils give the product the most divine fragrance! Locate your nearest Bobbi Brown store or counter here.

 

 

#5: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

If you have dry, oily or acne-prone skin, you need to give this product a try. It’s a fabulous alternative to heavy coverage foundation for the summer. The thick yet creamy-soft formula blends easily and meshes well with skin. It provides a light to medium coverage and a gorgeous natural-looking satin finish that keeps excess shine in check for a good few hours. The range offers eight different shades, so you’re bound to find your perfect match. You can pick up Smashbox products at your local Woolworths, Foschini, Edgars or Red Square store.

 

 

#6: Clarins Bronzing Duo Mineral Powder Compact SPF 15

Looking for the sun in powder form? Then look no further! This pressed powder product is the only one you’ll need to fake glowing, sun-kissed skin this summer. The mineral-enriched bronzer is perfect for adding instant radiance to your complexion. It’s also fabulous for enhancing and contouring features like your cheekbones and collarbones. Click here to shop Clarins products online now.

 

 

Do you own any of these fantastic sun-protective products?

Ordinary Skincare has everything your hardworking skin needs

Let’s get real for a moment: Our skin is our largest organ, and therefore deserves lots of love, care and attention. But it can be tough finding the right products for your skin, especially if your skin type is dry or sensitive, or if you have hardworking skin… Am I right?

Let me be honest – I have very fair, sensitive skin that’s prone to redness and irritation, so I’ve been on the hunt for skincare products that will effectively help me stave off the first signs of ageing without irritating or burning my skin for quite some time.

I was on the verge of losing all hope up of finding products that work for my difficult skin type until last week, when I was handed a few products by the trendy and affordable new skincare brand that is Ordinary Skincare Co. I’m excited to announce that I’m now one week into using these new products and my skin is happier than ever before!

 

 

Let me touch a bit on the brand before I get to the products. Ordinary Skincare Co is the supplier of two skincare ranges: Plainordinary and Extraordinary. The company aims to offer honest skincare products for every skin type. They believe in providing products that are safe, that work, and that marry the finest that nature offers with the best of modern science. The ingredients in the products are ethically sourced and carefully chosen for their efficacy.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you’ve totally hopped onto the green (or natural) skincare bandwagon already. In that case, you’re dying to know more about the products I tried out – so let me tell you all about them and how they’ve worked for my skin. There are three products that I tried that I’m going to talk about: A cleanser, a day cream and a night cream.

 

 

Let’s start with the cleanser (R150). The soap-free, hypoallergenic and detergent-free formula is wonderfully gentle and mild – it’s just perfect for dry and sensitive skin! It’s made with olive oil for natural hydration as well as green rooibos extract for natural antioxidant action. There are no harsh surfactants in this product, so your natural skin barrier system isn’t harmed at all.

Since I started washing my face twice a day with this cleanser, I’ve noticed no irritations or flare-ups on my skin, which is amazing considering that most conventional cleansers break me out in a snap. It gives your skin and pores a great deep clean, and is effective at removing make-up thoroughly – even waterproof mascara. I’m just delighted by how safe and gentle but at the same time effective this cleanser is!

 

 

Next up is the day cream (R285). This moisturiser is intensely hydrating and is intended for daily application to keep skin plump and glowing. The cream is packed with an abundance of remarkably hydrating natural herbal antioxidant substances, including green rooibos, grapeseed oil, olive oil and shea butter. Co enzyme Q10 offers further antioxidant defence and superb anti-inflammatory performance.

At first I felt this cream was a bit too thick for my liking, but I’ve learned to love it. That’s probably because of the fabulous results it’s delivered since I started using it! I’ve noticed that my skin is softer and my skin tone is more even than before. Also, the appearance of fine lines under my eyes seems to have minimised. I apply it under my BB cream or foundation in the morning, and I find that it actually acts as a primer to help improve my make-up application. Pretty awesome, right? I’m all for multi-tasking beauty products!

 

 

Lastly, we have the night cream (R306). The fantastic deep and rich emulsion offers extraordinary hydration to hardworking skin. Brimming with antioxidant-rich ingredients like avocado and evening primrose oil, the cream aims to improve suppleness and tone of your skin while mopping up free radicals.

I apply the night cream to my face after using the cleanser every night before bed. I’ve noticed that when I use it, I wake up with a fresh complexion and hardly any facial lines. The product seems to almost “repair” my skin while I sleep… How incredible is that? What’s more, is I’ve even tested it out as a hand cream as my hands are also prone to dryness, and it works like a charm on this area of skin as well!

 

 

All in all, I’m simply obsessed with these products by Ordinary Skincare! In addition to the amazing skin-loving ingredients that they pack, they also come in nifty little recyclable, airless containers, which make them perfect for slipping into your handbag or suitcase. Apart from the three products I’ve tried, the range also has a SPF 30 day cream, an eye gel, a lip balm and a moisturising balm on offer.

For more information on these fabulous products, head over to Ordinary Skincare’s website by going here now. You can purchase any of their products online in just a few clicks (how convenient?). I can’t wait for you to experience these divine natural skincare products for yourselves!

Mini MAC make-up haul!

Good afternoon subscribers!

Instead of a product of the week review this week, I’m doing a short MAC make-up haul post. I got a few fabulous products from the MAC store the other day and I simply couldn’t decide on just a single one to tell you about, which is why I’m going to tell you about them all!

And the products are…

*drumroll*…

MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance in Radiant Yellow

I used to swear by MAC’s Prep + Prep Skin Base Visage primer up until I bought this baby. I ended up getting this primer over my usual one because the bottle is bigger and the make-up artist who attended to me recommended it. The silky gel emulsion (same texture as Skin Base Visage) is rich in natural ingredients (such as vitamins E and C, antioxidants and caffeine) that prime and hydrate the skin, allowing for a seamless concealer, foundation and powder application. It helps control oil and promote a gorgeous smooth skin texture, too!

What’s more, is it leaves your skin with the most divine natural glow thanks to the illuminating pearl powders it packs as well. It’s well-suited for all skin types, especially deeper skin tones I believe, because the formula disappears upon application, resulting in a radiant complexion. Because I have natural pink/red undertones, I opted for the yellow shade to even out my strong pink tones.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Spray

I used to use this spray religiously up until about a year ago, when I swore not to repurchase it because I thought it made me look too shiny in photos. Turns out it was my primer that was making me look like a disco ball. Anyway, so I decided to buy another bottle of this spray, and I’m so glad that I did! I spritz this lovely spray over my face before and after applying my make-up. I also love using it as soon as I wake up in the morning to freshen up my face.

It’s a lightweight, mineral-rich prepping and finishing mist that will refresh your skin and add the finishing touch to your make-up application like no other product. It also helps create an even surface for a smooth foundation application. If you have dry or flaky skin, this product can really help! It’s incredible for replenish your skin’s moisture levels. My skin tends to be very dry if I don’t apply day and night cream religiously, and this spritzer helps my complexion look healthier in a second on days that I’ve been lazy with apply moisturiser.

Go here to learn how you’re using your MAC Fix + Spray all wrong!

MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Lingering

My goodness, I can’t believe I ever hated this brow pencil! Let me tell you something: I love full, perfectly groomed eyebrows. But I’ve always turned to brow powders and gels rather than pencils to help me achieve the brows on point look. I tried this exact eyebrow pencil out last year and I was so unhappy with it. I felt it made my brows look super fake. I now realise that that’s probably because I had thinner brows a year ago than I do now (thanks, coconut oil!).

I now use this fabulous pencil to fill in my grown-out brows to achieve flawless, full brows. I now declare Lingering the ultimate self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow-defining brow pencil! It confidently adds what you need: Colour, shape and density – all in one streamlined tool. And, just like a pen, it creates its own just-right point. Perfect shape, striking arches and amazing definition every time! A bonus is that it’s easy to carry around… No sharpener needed!

Go here for my expert tips on how to get your brows on fleek in five simple steps.

MAC Mineralize Charged Water Moisture Gel

If softer, suppler, more luminous skin is what you’re after, this is the product for you! I’ve been using the Mineralize Charged Water Eye Cream for about two years now, and have been so happy with it. This baby was no exception! When I first tried it out on the back of my hand, I just knew I was going to love it!

This ultra-lightweight gel-like cream instantly is absorbed instantly by the skin, leaving it with intense hydration and the most gorgeous natural glow. Infused with MAC’s exclusive Super-Charged Water technology, you can be sure it’ll leave you with the complexion you’ve been dreaming of! I love using it on its own when I’m going for a bare-faced look (with a touch of concealer, defined brows and a light coat of mascara, of course). Otherwise, I use it before bed so that I wake up pretty!

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer

I saved the best for last. This product has blown me away! I’ve always used the Mineralize Concealer and been satisfied. But now I’m totally hooked on Pro Longwear – I’ll never look back! I’ve never used a concealer as incredible as this one – and you can be sure that I take concealing and highlighting rather seriously.

This amazing product provides a medium to full matte coverage for up to 15 hours. The only thing I don’t love about it is it’s packaging. Don’t get me wrong, the little glass pump bottle it comes in is super-cute and all, but it doesn’t allow for you to control how much product you dispense at once. Because the concealer provides such a full coverage, you don’t need as much as the pump pumps out. But, oh well – that one little con is nothing against all the pros! I apply it both under and on top of my foundation for a flawless face. I can’t get enough of it!

Have you tried any of these MAC products, darlings? If you have, I’d love to hear your thoughts. I hope you found these short reviews helpful!

Love,

Cands

Product of the week: bareMinerals Good Fortune Eyecolor

Good afternoon subscribers!

I hope you’re all having a splendid week. So, after not sharing a product of the week with you last week, it’s with much excitement that I write this week’s review! Last week I barely had time to breathe, let alone swatch and sample the latest beauty buys (and I do apologise for that).

This week, though, I’m going to be sharing a rather incredible (and very versatile) product with you by one of my favourite beauty brands: bareEscentuals. The product is a shimmer powder that can be used for much more than an eye colour. That’s one of the reasons I’m totally obsessed with it!

I got this product in a gift pack I bought at Sephora in the States. I probably would’ve never purchased this product on its own because in its packaging it looks very gold (and gold doesn’t look good on my eyelids just so you know), so it’s just as well that I got it in the gift pack, or I would’ve never discovered its amazing-ness. Let me tell you all about it!

bareMinerals Good Fortune Eyecolor

Good Fortune is a beautiful shimmery peach shade shadow. It looks gorgeous alone on the lid, or blended with a matte dark brown or shimmery bronze. It’s not only pretty on the lids, though – you can use it as a highlighter, too! It’s very glimmery (read: not glittery). I use it on my temples, cupid’s bow and chin. It’s subtle enough to double as both a shadow and a highlighter. It’s unbelievably flattering!

What I also discovered recently is that you can apply this product dry or wet when you use it on your lids. In its dry form, it can be a bit messy, as it’s a loose powder rather than a pressed one. But the excess wipes away easily with a foundation sponge. When applied dry with a big, soft blending brush, a very subtle peachy brown shade is achieve. It blends out really well!

If you use it wet (just mix a drop of water with a bit of shadow on the back of your hand), it becomes super-pigmented (which is stunning!) and a little difficult to blend. So, I’d only recommend using it wet if you’re going to blend it with another shadow that’s dry, or your smokey eye might end up looking under-blended.

I think this shadow would work best on warm skin tones (pink or red undertones rather than yellow undertones), but if you have a cool complexion and have tried it before, I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’m really loving this shadow for both natural and super-smokey looks. It’s not your average peach shadow – it’s certainly worth trying out!

Product of the week: Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara

Hi darlings! And a happy Thursday to you all!

Are you ready for another product of the week review? I’m excited to share a fantastic drugstore product with you all this week! I bought it over the weekend after reading lots of positive reviews on it, and I must say, I love it!

For years, I’ve been using Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, which is a pretty pricy product. It’s great and well worth the price, so I’ve never had any reason to look for a less expensive alternative. Until last Saturday morning, at least! I popped into Sandton City and headed over to the Dior make-up counter inside the Edgars to pick up a new mascara, as mine had run dry. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any in stock, which left me in a bit of a panic, considering I had a brunch to go to from there in less than an hour! And, no, going mascara-free to a brunch date with a friend was not an option.

Anyway, I decided to pick up a cheap drugstore mascara from Clicks until Dior got stock of my usual one. Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes caught my eye. The packaging is cute and vibrant (it’s bright yellow!). And, I’d read some really fabulous reviews on it on local beauty blogs. So I tossed it into my basket and applied it when I got back to my car before heading off to brunch.

Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara

This mascara promises to deliver serious volume. And, thanks to a “claw brush”, extend your lashes outwards in a sexy cat-like flick, which is just up my alleyway! Also, its formula includes collagen, which is quickly becoming a popular ingredient in mascaras (I’m unsure whether or not Maybelline’s collagen is hydrolised).

Anyway, my first impression of this product was great! I loved the brush. It was fun and easy to work with. I didn’t end up globbing mascara all over my brow bone, which is pretty impressive considering I applied it in the car in a dark parking basement! It thickens up and lengthens each lash almost individually without clumping at all. And it really does even give them a sexy flick!

I’d say this mascara is perfect for if you love a clean, well-defined lash look that boasts good length. Also, you won’t need to curl your lashes before using this. You can flick them out at the end simply using the brush!

I’m very impressed with this product and will definitely repurchase. Plus, at just R114.95 a tube at Clicks, it’s a steal! If you’ve tried this mascara before, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share them with me in the comments down below.