Quick Review Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

I've wanted to try the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream forever. It has been around for a very long time and holds somewhat of a cult status in the beauty industry.

It is said to help with cracked lips, minor burns & dry or flaky skin.

Price R300 for 50ml
You can buy it from Clicks, Dischem, Foschini or Edgars.

Now I must say reading all the fab reviews online, I had very high expectations for this product.

The first thing you should note is that this is not really a cream, it is more of an emollient with a balm like texture. It has a bit of a medicinal scent which doesn't linger for to long so it's easy to ignore.

It is quite dense so I would recommend using at Night Only unless you are using on your lips as a lip balm, then it's okay to use during the day as well.

Whilst it did soften my lips and offered an extra boost of hydration I wouldn't buy it purely for the purpose of using it as a lip balm. There are more affordable options that work just as well.

I've used it a few times on my face after my cleansing routine at night and found that my skin was much softer the next morning. You have to make sure that you massage it well in to the skin or else it will leave an oily residue behind.

It also helped soothe a scrape that I had on my leg so it does deliver in that aspect.

I don't however find myself buying this again, I didn't notice any major benefits to my skin (maybe I need to use it for longer than a month) and feel it might be more beneficial to those with extremely dry skin.

Have you tried out this product, let me know your thoughts below:

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.

Review The Body Shop Strawberry Shower, Scrub and Soften Range

I must firstly admit that I have never purchased anything from The Body Shop. Not sure why but I just haven’t. Now don’t get me wrong I’ve heard of them before even popped into the store a few times but still not sure why I didn’t buy.

I received this gift set for my bridal shower last year from a super awesome friend of mine. I only got around to trying it a few weeks ago and boy am I impressed. Let me just say that I love strawberries and I know they don’t taste like much but they look and smell amazing. These products evoke a feeling of luxury and serenity. They contain only the best ingredients and left my skin feeling soft and smooth. Oh and the smell, I adore the smell. I used the Shower Gel and Body Polish in the shower and my skin felt clean without being dry or stripped down of its natural oils. For those of us who think we don’t need a body scrub, trust me we do. I wasn’t big on the added routine in the shower but the benefits on my skin really outweigh the time. I suggest using it once or twice a week. That’s all you need. Exfoliating your skin helps with easy absorption of the moisturising products that you apply afterwards. This means your skin can truly benefit from all the ingredients these products contain. I topped the routine off with the Body Butter which melts in your hands and into the skin.

Image Source: The Body Shop

Now these products have converted me and as much as I love a beauty bargain, I also adore great quality products that deliver what they promise. These products have made it onto my must have list and I will be sure to get them again.

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.

Review Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser and Dirty Works 8 in 1 Miracle Cream

So, I was going to start this post of by saying how I will be blogging much more and blah, blah, blah.
I decided to just get into it, I have a new found passion for fashion and make up & really want to share my thoughts with others.

So here it is First up is the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer which took me forever to get my nimbly hands on. Most stores claim that these little aqua tubes of goodness  fly off their shelves and at R89.95  for a primer we can all understand why.

I must say that this is a great product for those of us that are just getting comfy with wearing make up more often and if you looking for beauty on a budget. I have super sensitive skin and it really did keep it well hydrated. My make up did last longer when using this but I found my T-Zone to be a bit oilier. I'm sure I will get this again because there aren't many clear primers out there of this quality and price.

Pro's
Super Affordable
Makes skins smoother
Cute packaging that prevents wastage 
A little goes a long way, 2 dots of this is good enough to cover my whole face.

Cons
Hard to find 
Makes skin shinier when used with liquid makeup

Now onto our next star, the Dirty Works 8in1 Miracle Cream. Needless to say I was so chaffed when I found this baby on special at Clicks for R69.95. Felt like I won the beauty lottery, I know I'm over dramatic but still when you read all the rave reviews on this cream it makes you want to go out and grab one. 

I really like this cream, use it day and night and it does make skin softer and firmer at the same time. Although I didn't notice much difference in my skin tone but hyper pigmentation seems to be the bane of my existence, yes a little more drama for you.

It comes in a little glass jar and the retro aqua and pink packaging is tre' gorge' (yes those are my own words for amazeballs awesomeness).

Have you tried any of this beauty babies that everyone cant stop raving about, pop me a comment below and let me know what you think.