The beauty products you really DON’T need to buy

I am a self-confessed shopaholic, my life’s motto sounds pretty much like the 7 rings lyrics “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it”, so it’s no surprise that I’ve bought and tested all the items on this list.

I am sorry to say this but you can live without these items and if you really MUST HAVE them, there’s so many affordable DIY options.

Sheet masks

Now, I love me a good moisture masking session as the next beauty babe and I have tried a few sheet masks from different brands, however I haven’t witnessed any radical, skin perfecting results from any of them. With an average price of R50.00 each, these are hardly considered affordable and for what you get out of it, it isn’t worth it in my opinion. 

Most skincare products are only able to offer great benefits if they are on your skin for a long time, think serums, treatments and moisturisers. Rather save your coins on the sheet masks and opt for cheaper DIY alternatives with natural ingredients like the ones below.

Lip exfoliating products

I bought two different types of these and wrote a review of one here which you can check out, needless to say I am not impressed. The other I tried was very affordable but also not worth it.

You could do a better job with brown sugar and honey, a wet toothbrush or a damp face towel.

Eyeshadow primers

This is just unnecessary, I know, I know, the Primer Potion fan club will have my head for this but I’m not saying you don’t need to prime your eyelids, I’m saying just use your concealer because there aren’t that many affordable eyeshadow primers out there that does the job better than your concealer.

Hot cloth cleansers

I’m not going to lie, the one product I used was amazing, my skin was moisturised and it removed about 90% of my makeup. However it was overpriced, considering the size and how long it lasts.

You can purchase virgin coconut oil for about R50.00 for 500mls… to make the awesomely effective hot cloth cleanser below.

Refreshing facial mists

I’m not talking about makeup setting sprays as most of these have a different set of ingredients to specifically increase the wear time of our makeup. I’m talking about the refreshing mists that’s supposed to give your face a pick me up during the day. Essentially most of these are made up of 95% water and essential oils which make them smell amazing. I personally love the citrus ones and the one I use is R95.00 for 60mls. There are so many recipes online for these, SaneshMakeup has introduced many to her rose water spray on her channel, here’s my own variation below:

My Hair Heroes

Hair for me is one of the most important part of my look, if my hair doesn’t look good or my eyebrows aren’t on fleek, well then I know my look isn’t complete.

I have tried an array of hair styling products over the years. There are some that didn’t sit quite so well with me and some which I always find myself grabbing off the shelves over and over again. So without further a due here it is my list of favourite hair products:

Aussie Mega Volume Shampoo

My hair feels squeaky clean after using this shampoo. Its smells great and offers an instant volume boost without drying my hair out.

TreSemme' Mousse

This mouse smells great and can be used on wet or dry hair. I usually boost its lifting power by using a shot of hot then cold air from a blow dryer with mu head upside down. This mouse is perfect for use before curling your hair as it smooths down nasty fly aways.

Pantene Hair Soufflé

Dry hair, a result of the elements and over styling can be a real downer especially if you want your hair to look healthy. This beauty magician adds moisture without being oily, I use a few pumps before drying my hair and my hair smells wow and feels silky too.

Sunsilk Hair fall hair treatment

This tub has seen me through me long locks and shorter wisps and I adore how soft it leaves my hair. A little goes a long way and the 330ml tub usually lasts me about 6 months or more. I don’t condition after every wash but whenever I do, well this is the one I want to use.

PS If you have oily hair, you can condition your hair before shampooing.

Beauty Bonus DIY Hot Oil Treatment

You Need

• Amla Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Castor Oil
• Olive Oil

Method 

• Mix 2 parts of other oils to 1 part castor oil in a glass container (I usually use a shot glass for this).
• Then warm up, you can do this by placing the container in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds or safer method is to place container in hot water. I love living life on the edge and I’m also very impatient and lazy so I use the microwave.
• Then apply to your hair, you can leave this on your hair for any amount of time preferably longer than 30 minutes. For a deeper treatment leave overnight, just make sure to sleep on a towel or old pillowcase you don’t want to stain your fine linen now.
• Wash out as normal, for oily hair don’t condition when washing.
• Use as often as you like but not every day.
• PS you can add a few drops of essential oils, like peppermint or lavender to add a nice scent to this.

My Crowning Glory