Review Benefit KaBrow and Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

If you were an old school YouTube fan like myself then you know that the Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer was a must feature in every Beauty Vloggers video in the mid 2000’s. I remember watching those videos and thinking, “damn, I wish we had this product in South Africa”, now these were the days before you could courier pretty much anything anywhere.

Last year my wishes were answered when Maybelline brought this amazing product to South Africa.

I have used a few concealers before but this one for me is thee most amazing. Full coverage without being cakey, no powdery residue and creamy to the touch. It is the perfect brow bone highlighter and great for cleaning up your brows.

It also doubles as an awesome eyeshadow primer, you could blend it out until its completely dry or use the tacky texture as the perfect base for metallic & glitter shadows.

Sells for around R190.00, it lasts a very long time and has a cushion applicator, which makes it a dream to use. This is definitely going to be a staple in my makeup bag.

The next product has been raved about everywhere with good reason to, KaBrow is an iconic Benefit Cosmetics product and everyone whose brow game is on fleek knows why.

They come in a variety of shades with cool, neutral and warm undertones. The little brush makes doing your brows a breeze and once applied this product really does stay put.

It is a pomade, gel like products but not too dry where it looks fake and not too soft where it will melt off.

You can get a natural or bold brow look depending on your technique; mistakes are easily fixed with some Micellar water. You can use a brow gel or powder afterwards but I often skip this step.

I bought the mini at R175.00 form Edgars and have been using it for well over a year & I’m not even half way through this.

I would totally splurge on a full size one once this one is finished, because this product has changed my entire makeup game.

My Must Have Makeup Brushes - Budget Friendly Edition

Everyone who loves makeup will know the tools one uses to apply it can make all the difference. They can be quiet expensive though and sometimes even those over priced ones do not deliver when you need them to.

Now if you don't know by now, I am obsessed with makeup brushes. I can never have enough.So, I've compiled a list of my budget blasting makeup brushes that will leave your face beat without breaking the bank.

This 7 piece eye brush set from Beauty Treats is really such a versatile, great all round set.

The 305 Tapered Blending Brush is ideal for cleaning up and softening your look while the 316 Large Shader lets you apply a good amount of product all over the lids with one sweep.
If you're looking for the perfect brow bone highlight brush then the 321 Medium Angled Shader fits the brief to the T. The 313 Eye Shader let you pack on product for maximum intensity.

The 331 Angled Brush is perfect for eyebrows and eyeliner while the 335 Eyeliner and 324 Pencil Brushes allow for precise application of inner corner highlight and to smoke out your lower lash line.You can even use them as as nifty lip brushes

The only downside with this set is that its rather difficult to get your hands on them, they retail for R99.95 at DisChem and if you spot them, grab them.

Now the brush below is featuring the new look of the Beautique Brushes from Edgars. You might recall them with those sleek silver handles.

I can't say I mind the new design, it looks fun and flirty and this new addition, Angled Contour Eye brush really is a babe.

I use this to apply my base shadow with flat part and my crease colour with the pointed end. It also allows for easy blending with its fluffiness. I can also see this working as a great concealer and nose contour brush.

At only R39.95 it's super affordable and they usually have them on 3 for 2 so it really is a bargain.

I've saved the best for last, my holy grail foundation brush is the Urban Studio Angled Contour Brush from DisChem.

This is the perfect brush for buffing in your foundation, cleaning up your contour or even using as a powder brush. It's super soft bristles are easy to wash and I have been using the one on the left for about 9 months now. I wash them twice a month and they still perform exceptionally well. There's very minimal shedding with this brush and it has a weighted handle which gives good control when working with your products.

The sleek design with rose gold ferule can rival even the most expensive brushes out there and in my opinion this is the perfect everyday brush. 

At 79.95, you can also get a back up one like me but I would say this one could last about 10 months if not longer with everyday wear, just depends on how you care for it.

Tips to find the perfect Foundation for You

This post has been requested a few times by one of my friends, so Trishy this one's for you.

For me there's just a few steps I need to follow to pick the perfect foundation, here they are in no particular order:

#Always try out a new shade in natural light - have you ever been to a makeup counter tried on something, bought it but only to go home and realise oh no this isn't the correct shade. This happens far too often and can be avoided by just taking a step outside before buying. If you're at a mall and you are really keen on the product, you can pop outside really quickly and check out how the makeup looks in natural light.

Some brands also oxidises - changes colour after application, something I find happens a lot with darker shades, so you might find that walk outside to reveal a whole different colour on your skin, one you might not be so keen on purchasing.

#My next tip is work with your skin not against it and by this I mean consider the type of finish you want and sometimes this can mean investing in other products to give you that finish. Let me explain further.
So if you're like me and have a super oily T zone you might need a mattifying primer for just this section because if you use a dry finish foundation it could leave the outside of your face with some dry patches. On the other hand if you are using a quick drying matte foundation ( my favourite is the Estée Lauder Double Wear Total Coverage) then make sure you apply extra moisturiser to the dryer areas of your face.

#Many people ask me if price matters when it comes to buying a foundation the short answer is yes and no.
I say this because there are some great affordable brands out there that has fantastic ranges but for me I found the best ones are the ones that cost a little more. This doesn't mean I won't purchase a more affordable brand, it just means I don't mind splurging on what I know works for me. Also you have to consider how many uses you actually get out of it.
Let's do some math - A R600 bottle of foundation that lasts let's say 2 months with daily use equates to R10.00 use, wouldn't you say that's great value for money considering this is something that you're putting on your face?
Also shopping when items are on sale, makes a huge difference. I once bought a R99 tube of foundation that oxidised way too much and got 1 use out of it before I passed it on to a friend... Now that was an expensive lesson right there.

#Ask for take home testers, I know many brands have in store testers but sometimes it's easier to try something in the comfort of your own home. I know Mac offers tester pots but don't be afraid to ask other brands as well. It's better to try a foundation a few times before committing to purchasing because most of the higher end brands range from R450 updwards and returning opened make up can prove to be a tad bit difficult.

#Find your happy medium
Oh the possibilities, there's liquid, cream, powder and  mousse foundations. Find what works for you. The best thing is you get so many different coverage options in the different mediums like liquid doesn't have to mean super full coverage with a cakey finish and powder can offer full coverage and is very easy to use.

#Try, Try and try again
When you're really into finding the right match it's best to try out a few finishes, brands colours etc. Don't be afraid to try without buying. I know that all the amazing products out there can be so overwhelming but do a little research. Make a list of what you're looking for in a foundation and start searching firstly online for some reviews and ideas on what products will fit the bill.
Also don't be persuaded into purchasing something because someone else says it looks good on you, make sure you are happy with how it looks.

Do you have a foundation finding tip or story share with us below:

5 Fashion trends from 2017 that are still HOTTT AF!

Each year comes with a new set of trends and some linger on for longer than we could have imagined, think rose gold, skinny jeans and all things marble.

Just like those there are some trends from 2017 which managed to sneak into this year, and honestly I ain’t mad because they’re still HOTTT AF!

Tassels

Gurrl bring out them tassels, these delicate fringes can be found everywhere. From shoes to jerseys and my personal favourites earrings. Mix and match them with gold and silver. Use them to amp up an otherwise drab outfit or as a statement piece all on their own.

Fur

As we approach autumn here in SA we can see more fur items in stores and on the streets. It’s all faux of course but oh so stylish! In 2017 though the fur slides really stole the show, inspired by Fenty by Rihanna, there were blush and jewel toned versions of these little puppies in most of the stores & not to forget on many fashion lovers Christmas wish list. I managed to grab a pair from Legit for R99.99 and they are super comfy. You can pair them with joggers, leggings jeans and dresses and they work well for a day out shopping too.

Choker Necklines

Ok, being a beeg girl meant I was very afraid of this trend but so glad that I eventually tried it when I was gifted the top above from my little sis. Received so many compliments. It truly does elevate your look and I noticed many stores doing winter versions of these in the form of long sleeved tunics and dresses.

Block heels

Step aside Miss Stilleto there’s a new sassy siren in town and she really is a fave amongst us all. The block heel is stylish and practical all at the same time. We’ve seen hues of blue, blush and gold but the black block heel has become a wardrobe staple due to its versatility and classic appeal. From chunky to flat, they’ve made a huge statement, it’s no wonder we brought them into 2018 with us.

Ruffle sleeves

There was a hint of ruffles with the striped blouse trend in 2017 but this year the ruffles have ditched the stripes and you will find them everywhere from bold monochromes to floral prints. They really give an air of whimsy to any look.  Plus I just adore sleeves on everything and this trend lets me wear sleeved tops without being frumpy.

See any of your #faves here, comment below and share with us.

Simply Scentsational Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Review

Fine fragrances aren’t really my thing and you definitely won’t find me rushing out to buy the newest one after a launch. I do however have a few favourites and I emphasise the word few cos there really aren’t that many than I love.

I got this heavenly scent from, well the very same source all my favourite scents come from, my hubby of course. I must add that if ever I do find myself lusting after a new perfume, I just need to drop some not so subtle hints and he usually gets them for me.

He does however complain that I don’t use them enough but there’s perfectly valid reasons for this.

First things first I have terrible sinus/ allergies which means sometimes even a mild scent will have my eyes all watery and I spend the rest of the day looking like I caught a bout of pink eye. The next thing is I like to bring out these wonderful fragrances for special occasions as I feel they add a little something extra to my outfit.

The Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue fragrance has scents of jasmine, apple and a slight woodiness to it. For me, it’s a refreshing aroma that isn’t over powering or clinical, perfect balance between floral and fruity.

If I had to describe it, its summer in a bottle with a seductive twist.
That’s the reason why I find myself reaching for it year round, in winter it reminds me of the summer breeze and the lazy days spent on the beach. In summer it’s light and airy nature makes it easy to wear even in the warm Durban weather.

Source

I have seen a recent launch for the Italian Zest edition which I’m keen to try. You can read up more on that here.

You can purchase the Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue EDT from Redsquare or anywhere that sells fine fragrances.

Do you have a signature scent, share with me below:

Revlon Irresistible Kiss Balm Juicy Peach VS Labello Vanilla Buttercream lip balm

I had to buy both of these (at different times of course) because I’m struggling to find my favourite Maybelline Baby lips in stores.

Let me just start this post saying there is no lip balm that will compare to the Baby lips for me. I have tried so many different ones from Avon, Body shop, Oh So Heavenly, Soft Lips, LipIce and I always find myself going back to the Maybelline Baby lips.

I decided to give these two a try because I need to find a lip balm that’s a pretty close second to my fave.

Let’s talk packaging, the Revlon Kiss Balm wins here for me, the colours are so fresh and I like the sleek design with a cute transparent lid. The Labello Vanilla Buttercream lip balm is sturdy with a white base and gold cap which is pleasing to the eye.

Now onto product size, Labello steals the show here with 4.8 grams of product compared to the 2.6 grams you getting with the Revlon balm. While we here we rather compare price, again Labello wins as it retails for R24.95 compared to the R59.95 for the Kiss Balm. I will more than likely need 2 of the Revlon ones in a month which makes it quite expensive for me. (I use lip balm every day, even under lipsticks or glosses).

On the moisturising/hydrating test I pick the Labello one (this could be due to the variant of the Revlon one I purchased). I felt the Labello one moisturised my lips for a good 2 hours before I needed to reapply. 

I felt the Revlon one was too thick and just sat on my lips without being absorbed, also it left a very light white film on my lips, (again, this could be due to the variant of the Revlon one I purchased). I found myself reapplying the Kiss Balm more often as my lips felt dry.

When it comes to the smell of the lip balms both are amazing, the Labello Vanilla Buttercream had a beautifully light vanilla scent, I could also get a bit of an oily scent from it as well but it isn’t something too noticeable. The Revlon Kiss Balm though made me feel like I was walking through an orchard of peaches. Also I got a sniff of the other varients and they are all amazing.

The Labello Vanilla Buttercream lipbalm is a WINNER for me, it’s super affordable, hydrates my lips and has a sweet but not over powering scent. I also ended up passing the Kiss Balm along to my sister since she apparently likes it a lot, different strokes I guess.

You can purchase both of these lip balms at Clicks or Dischem and the Revlon Kiss Balm at Foschini and Edgars.

Have you tried any of these or are there any other lip balms that you just can’t live without, let me know below:

New Year Wishes

Well, It's already the 15th of January and I am a little late with the New Year Wishes.

Just a few words from me to you. Enjoy each day this year offers you and do more of what you love, what makes you laugh and what makes your heart happy.

Remember to embrace the greatness that's within you and be kind to one another but most especially to yourself.

Summer Loving Nail Polish Edition

Now that SUMMER is on our doorsteps (Well from the weather in Durbs lately, you would swear it's not) and you know we gots to get our nails did to evoke those #summervibes Here's some of my favourite nail polish shades for summer:

First up is the Essence The Gel polish in You and Me a beautiful lavender colour, two coats gives u maximum effect. Very pretty and likely to flatter most skin tones. I think this would work well as a pedi colour too.
Also I used this polish without any topcoat and it lasted a good 5 days with very minimal chipping.

Next up we have a beautiful aqua shade called Juicy from Avon cosmetics if you can't get your hands on this, Essence, Sorbet and Essie have similar colours. This is the perfect pedi colour, I use it for an accent nail when I do a manicure. It's fun and bright and would complement many other colours for some cute nail art combos.

I got the Sorbet Sweet Sixteen set for Christmas last year. It really is an ideal gift for any nail polish lover like myself. There are so many cute colours with different textures. Melting Moments is one of my favourites, it's a pale nude pink. This colour would suit many skin tones. It's a very romantic colour, I think it would also go really well with a metallic rose gold accent nail.

Found the next gorgeous colour at the freshly stocked Essence stand at Dischem it even says new on it... There was only 1 left so needless to say I grabbed it pretty quickly. It's a peachy, pink nude that looks oh so fresh and cute. This seems like it would be a perfect base for a multitude of nail art designs. This shade is called Rosewood Forrest, I know! the name is as pretty as the polish.

If you know me, then you know this next colour is as bright as my personality. This one again is from Essence (what can I say, their nail polishes are awesome) it's a Matte tangerine colour and screams #summervibes. Its called Va Va Voom This colour need no accents, it stands loud and proud on its own. I sometimes put a glossy top coat on and it just makes it look a lil more special. Sinful Colours also has a similar shade called Boogie Nights, which was one of favourites for a while.

Now this last colour called Serendipity is my all time favourite it's like a greyish lilac colour and can pass off as a cool neutral, no suprises that it's from Essence Cosmetics too. It will flatter many skin tones and can be used with a multitude of colours for those of you who like to mix up their mani.

What's your summer nail polish faves, share with me below and I just might try them out❤️

Save or Splurge - Battle of the MAKEUP SETTING Sprays

Setting sprays are all the #RAGE right now. Good news for us South African’s is that more brands (affordable ones too) are bringing setting sprays to SA… Whoop Whoop.

I must firstly say that if you haven’t tried a setting spray, go on try it. I know you will see a difference in your makeup game with just this one product.

You can use them to:

Prime your skin before make up application

Set your makeup

Hydrate and moisturize your skin

Refresh your makeup throughout the day

    

I have been using these 2 sprays for about 10 months or so and have to admit, I now can’t imagine makeup application without a setting spray.

 

1^st up is the Avon Makeup Setting Spray

At R79.99 for 125ml ,this bottle is affordable and great for anyone wanting to try out setting sprays without the heavy price tag. So this spray is a little tacky when you 1^st apply it and you need to make sure it dries completely before touching your face. Once dry, I don’t recommend adding any products onto your skin as it is a bit stiff but that makes it great for keeping your look locked in. The mist isn’t as fine as you would like and it is advisable to spray in the air first before spraying your face, which does lead to a bit of product wastage. I haven’t tried using it to refresh my make up but I think it could work.

Bonus tip for this one, use after primer and while tacking apply your foundation. You will find it helps keep the product in place with a natural look.

Get your bottle from your local AVON rep 

Primed and Shined with the Avon Makeup setting spray

Next up is the BeautyFix Radiant Make-up Finish

This beauty babe costs R299.00 for 100ml but I have to say it is worth ever rand. I will also come right out and say it, its my FAVOURITE. I won’t classify this as a makeup setting spray because I haven’t seen it pro-long the wear of my make up but it is everything else and more. I use this before and after make up application. It calms my skin and leaves it with a fresh feeling. It has rosewater, cucumber and aloe Vera extracts. I even use it after I cleanse my skin at night. It offers a beautiful dewy finish to your make up. You can spray it on your make up sponge or brushes for seem less blending.

Bonus tip for this one, Get them from RUNWAYSALE when available for R150.00 each.

Get your fix from BEAUTYFIX 

Locked in my look with the BeautyFix Make-up mist

I found that neither of the sprays did much for my oily T Zone but in their defence very little can help with that *sigh*.These sprays last a long time depending on how often you use them.

There are many other awesome brands out there with great make up sprays. Like most things in life, each person may have a favourite or different experience with each products. Find the best one for you and share with us by commenting below.

Makeup Brands available in South Africa

I’ve been seeing so many posts on IG and blogs about #fakemakeup and how so many people end up buying these items because they want to try a variety of products. So I thought I’d do a little reminder post just to go through some of the #SUPERAWESOME makeup brands that are available in stores South Africa. Don’t be surprised by how long this list is:

Yardley London

Catrice

Rimmel

Mac

Stila

Smashbox

Black Opal

Maybelline

Sisley

Estee Lauder

Revlon

Clarins

Elizabeth Arden

Woolworths

Essence

Givenchy

Black Up

Chanel

Bobbi Brown

Michellori

Gosh

Calvin Klein

Benefit

Wet n Wild

Design

Clinique

Colours

Smudge

Lancome

LaGirl

Foschini for Beauty

Inglot

Kryolan

Bourjois

the BALM

Urban Decay

Yves Saint Laurent

NYX

Beauty Treats

Justine

L'Oreal

The Body Shop

Almay

Physicians formula

Max Factor

Avon

I tried to include as many brands as I know of in this post, so forgive me if I missed a few.

I also understand that not all of these brands are available at stores near you bit, with the beauty that is online shopping, you can buy from stores like Woolworths, Redsquare, Clicks, Mac and Dischem online.

I hope that this post has opened your eyes and minds so you don’t have to open your wallet for #fakemakeup ever. 

International brands resellers

There are reputable resellers of international make up brands and if you decide to purchase from them, do a little homework by:

Asking for proof of authenticity
Checking for reviews on them from other sources
You can even email the brand itself to confirm if this is a legit reseller.

Remember as the saying goes, you rather be safe than sorry

Tried, Tested and Loved

This is the 1st edition of #TTL & I want to make it a regular feature on my blog. I love writing product reviews, I always feel my opinion counts a whole lot and so I love sharing it with anyone who will listen.

Here's a a few products I started using this year and my take on just how awesome they are.

Justine Tissue Oil

I know like where have I been?, I had to switch to this one because I couldn't get my hands on my usual Cocoa Heaven from Bramley.

I like the smell and feel of this oil, its quickly absorbed into the skin and keeps me moisturised without feeling greasy. That’s a pretty grand feat for a beauty oil. I use is whenever I remember too and mostly at night on my face.

Price: R60 for 60ml on special ( They are having a special on 2x 100 ml for R190)

Get Yours From: Local Justine sales rep find yours here

Brush Egg

Ok so, many of my peeps are telling me I don’t need this but, they are soooooo wrong. This mini beauty babe makes brush clean up a breeze, it takes me half the time to wash my brushes and get them really clean. I use this with baby soap and water and it works on both synthetic,natural and combo brush types.

This is pretty hard to come by, I haven’t seen them in many stores. You can buy yours from one of the IG sellers and this one often has them on special.

Price: R60.00

Catrice Long lasting lip pencils

I love lip liners, well I love makeup so this isn’t a shocker. I ordered these ones from Takealot when they were having a sale. Got them at a bargain price. The shades are pretty flattering for most skin tones. They are soft and highly pigmented. If your lips are in super great condition you could get away with using these as matte lip sticks. They can be used to line or full in lips and maybe switch up the colour of lipstick by layering them on before or after lipstick application

Price: R18.00 each on sale 

Get yours  from: Takealot or Dischem

Can we ever have too many of these

Pantene Aqua light

I usually use this refreshing spray after I wash my hair or to tame fly aways when I’m tying my hair. It has the most freshest scent ever and isn’t sticky. You can spray as much of this as you like and I promise you there will be no sign of oiliness in sight. Curly hair beauties should try this as a leave in conditioner, you will be amazed at how soon you will fall in love with this miracle worker.

It softens hair and makes frizzy hair more manageable without weighing it down.

Price: R70.00

Gets yours from: Clicks, Dischem, selected Checkers and PnP

Need another one of these soon

Design EyeShadow Palettes

I have ready great things about these palettes from Hayleigh. I was so eager to try them so I jumped at the opportunity when I saw this in Edgars at the beginning of January. You might only spot them at one of their beauty sales so if you see this in the store then you have to act fast. The colour pay off is awesome and I can create a variety of looks with this palette. The golden bronze shades can be used to highlight and bronze. This has to be one of my new favourites.

Price: R53.00

Gets yours from: Edgars whenever you can

Rich Naturals

Have you tried any of the products above, Comment below and let me know what you think.

PS The notebook used in the pics is part of a 2 pack from PnP got at a steal of R29.95.

South African Youtube Beauty Vloggers My Fave's

If you don't know by know, I am a huge YOUTUBE addict. Mostly beauty videos but I also enjoy watching music and DIY videos. I follow a lot of beauty bloggers on youtube but the local ones appeal to me more as I find them more relatable and the products they feature are easier to get my hands on.

Below you will find my favourites, a few reasons why you have to check out their videos and my favourite video from each of them.

Natalie Fay

I discovered this youtuber very recently and I'm loving her videos. Her tutorials are easy to follow and she creates amazing looks. She is also filling in the void for Indian South African Beauty youtubers. She has a very sweet, humble and honest approach and its very easy to feel like you "know" her just from watching her videos.
My favourite video from her is her Romantic Make Up and Messy Updo tutorial, I think I have watched this like 10 times already.

Beautiful Natalie

Sanesh MakeUp

This beauty youtuber offers fun, colourful tutorials and hauls. Another one of the very few Indian South African Beauty youtubers, she uploads new videos every week. The products she uses are readily available in South Africa and You can tell she favours good quality products. She has a beautiful smile and mad eyebrow shaping skills.
My favourite video from her is her Colourful Eye MakeUp look, which makes me want to go out and party.

 Gorgeous Saneshnie

Pink Peonies Blog

I first started reading her blog and once I discovered her youtube channel I was hooked. She offers great video reviews and tutorials. I like that she uses both high end and budget friendly make up. She also shares good information about online shopping which is very useful especially if you are buying from international sites.
My favourite video from her is her GRWM Valentines make up look  where she shows you 3 different lip looks in one make up tutorial.

Lovely Luzanne

Canvas Fashions 

Simônè is a gorgeous Durbanite who posts interesting and easy to follow tutorials. Her channel features monthly favourites, reviews and her own quirky spin on you tube tags.She posts content at least twice a week, so you know you in for a new treat each time you visit her channel. She is a budget beauty queen who offers excellent reviews on affordable make up. Oh and she has a totesadorbs blog too.
My favourite video from her is her Smokey Eye + Full Face Tutorial, I mean can you say Va Va Voom!

Stylish Simônè

Hayls World

I feel like I have known Hayleigh forever, just take a look at her videos you will see what I mean, She is funny and offers an array of videos from nail tutorials, reviews and beauty favourites. I troll, I mean monitor lol her blog to see when she uploads something new as I've come to expect awesome videos from her and she always comes through for me.
My favourite from her is her Christmas Makeup look a smokin hot look that will flatter many skin tones.

Fabulous Hayleigh 

So there you have it, just pop by their youtube channels and you will see why I cant get enough of their awesome videos.