If you’re a Beautuber, an MUA (makeup artist) or just a beauty-lover with a TIK TOK obsession – you’ll know the Marshmallow Sponge Beauty Blender craze by influencer and hashtag. This revolutionary product is changing the way we face beat! Yup! It’s affectionately known for its baby-like softness, faster application and steak-free finish! Which is a total win if you’re planning a full weekend of close-up content creation.
This squad-approved slice of makeup heaven has exploded onto the international beauty scene and will soon be available in SA! Receiving rave reviews for its spongey superpowers from local Tik Tok beauties, bloggers and influential instagrammers – there’s no doubt that beauty lovers will hitting that sparkle emoji, to share their excitement!
Internationally adored and makeup-artist-acclaimed, it was only a matter of time before this game-changing beauty blender hit South African shores! The first to launch the product in SA is Tasneem Nagdee, creative director and founder of Marble Skin Co. – a local beauty brand with an international passion for revolutionary self-care beauty products and trends.
The brand first graced the e-commerce scene with its groundbreaking IPL Hair Removal Handset, amidst the 2020 beauty home-care frenzy. They kept wow-ing South African beauty-lovers with innovative products – such as their Alya Skin Pink Clay Mask (which works wonders by the way) and their Slick Stick Hair Slicking Wand – all amazing and all available in SA!
‘‘After months of sourcing, testing and product-refinement, we are so proud to launch our Marble Skin Co. Marshmallow Sponge Beauty Blender to South-African beauty lovers. We’ve been absolutely blown away with this product, which is why we knew we had to share it with our local beauty community!’’ – Tasneem Nagdee, Creative Director and Founder of Marble Skin Co.
When it comes to beauty – it’s all about blending! Which is why the brand will be introducing not one, but two incredible Marshmallow Sponge Beauty Blenders. Online shoppers will be able to experience the rounded marshmallow sponge – for easy foundation application. Or the half-cut marshmallow sponge – for precision application around the eye area and for powder contouring. The revolutionary beauty blenders will be available for purchase, either individually or in a beautiful set of four – perfect for sharing with beauty-besties!
The Marble Skin Co. Marshmallow Sponge Beauty Blender range will officially be launching on the brands’ e-commerce site (www.marble skinco.co.za) on Friday 1 October 2021. So best you get your primer, foundation and ring lights ready… because it’s bound to get blended!
Many women dream of having luscious lashes to brighten up their faces and let their souls shine out to the world. Eyelash extensions are an exciting innovation; when done correctly they can maximise our beauty and minimise our insecurities.
Yolandie Venter – Owner entrepreneur of Yolandie’s Lash Extensions Boutique – is an award-winning lash extension expert and shares her top secrets on lash extensions to leave you fluttering with excitement.
What are lashes made from?
In general, there are three kinds of extensions. Mink, Faux Mink, and Silk. The most common eyelash treatment is the application of synthetic individual eyelashes. These are made from Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) which is a flexible and lightweight fibre with a soft sheen.
Many years ago, eyelash extensions were made from real hair, from the mink which is a small mammal similar to the ferret. Unfortunately, these animals are still farmed for their fur, the strands of which are used as the extension. Thankfully, it is now very rare to see real mink eyelash extensions used in the industry – but it is worth checking that your salon’s products are vegan and cruelty-free.
Both lashes labelled Faux Mink and Silk are generally made from PBT. Confusing, I know, but suppliers often label their lashes to describe the feeling of the lash, not the material it is made from. PBT lashes are soft and flexible which helps them bond effortlessly and flex with the movement of your natural lashes. This makes them comfortable to wear and prevents you from rubbing them which aids in their longevity.
What Lash styles are there?
Classic eyelash extensions
Classic eyelash extensions are a soft natural way to achieve that glorious youthful no make-up make-up look. They are applied at a 1:1 ratio to your natural lash line only. So, if you have 50 natural lashes per eye, 50 extensions will be placed, one next to each lash to achieve the look of a doubly full lash line.
Classic eyelash extensions are a great choice for anyone with a decent amount of healthy natural lashes, younger clients who just want to fill a few gaps in their lash line and clients looking for a medium intensity boost.
Flat lashes
The Flat lash is still applied on a 1:1 ratio, but the design of it is very different. The regular classic lash mimics the natural bend of your own lashes and is conical under a microscope. The Flat lash is shaped like a long plank with a double tapered tip that looks like a snake’s tongue.
The tapered split starts at the middle of each extension, giving the illusion of each lash strand being thicker, while the tapered tongue softens it to make it look natural. Flat lashes come in both sheen and matte. Matte Flats are more natural-looking whereas the standard sheen lashes are darker, shiny and more dramatic.
Russian Volume
Russian Volume is an extremely advanced technique that only experienced and highly skilled eyelash technicians should offer. Sadly there are eager but underskilled technicians offering this treatment which leads to overloading your natural lashes.
Russian Volume eyelash extensions use multiple ultra-fine hairs that are handcrafted into fans at the time of application by the therapist using specially designed tweezers. The therapist places these bouquets of the eyelash onto the natural lash in a fanned effect, to create coverage and fullness. Although each fan is made of multiple strands, the connection point to the lid is still 1:1. This ensures that the extension is encased within the natural lashes, and results in great retention of the extensions.
Russian Volume is perfect for the older client with sparse natural lashes, where extra coverage and a soft fluffy look is required. If you are looking for that thick, glamorous look, rather try heavyweight classic lashes (or mega/dark volume set 5/6D) as you can achieve a similar level of fullness.
The Russian Volume technique is intricate and time-consuming and takes many hours of practice and training. These technicians are rare, so it is worth making sure you research your technician.
Cluster and Flare lashes
Cluster and Flare lashes are not the same as handmade Russian Volume extensions. CLuster lashes are machine-made multi-strand lashes that are purchased in beauty stores. Unfortunately, some salons are trying to pass them off as Russian Volume extensions and charge high prices for a subservient treatment.
Cluster or Flare lashes – sometimes called ‘party lashes’ – are temporary and for short term wear only. These should be applied with a weak latex-based strip lash glue and removed after a few days. Some therapists use strong glues on multiple lashes which inhibits the growth patterns of the natural lashes and causes damage over time.
Pre- and Pro-made Volume Fans
Pre- and Pro-made Volume fans are a relatively new eyelash extension treatment. Pre-made volume or Pro-made extensions (as they can be called) create the illusion of a Russian Volume set without a high skill level. These fans are pre-made and save the therapist loads of time during treatment. Each pre-made fan is selected to suit the natural lash, using a combination of 2/3/4/5/6/7/8D on the natural lashes to ensure that the lash artist never overloads them.
No matter what you are seeking, lash extensions come in such a wide range of product shapes, colours and sizes there is bound to be one for you. The important consideration is to choose the expert carefully, as their advice makes the difference between a fairy tale or a nightmare ending. So, make sure you thoroughly vet your lash salon to avoid losing your eyelashes due to a bad application.
A soft glam makeup look is different from a ‘glam’ or an ‘everyday’ makeup look. The smokey eye look is so 1999, the most replicated makeup look in the beauty world is the soft glam look.
This makeup look can be worn on a normal day, runnings errands, out with friends or even to a wedding. While a glam look is strictly for special occasions and an everyday makeup look would be subtle enough to wear to work.
I am by no means a makeup expert but I’m that girl that loves any and everything feminine. I have also been wearing makeup since the age of 12/13 years – so I do know a thing or two.
The eyeshadow colours I used are Midnight, Control Freak, Black Beauty, Sunset, Friday, Connie and Fairytale.
No makeup look is complete without lashes. I used the Luxe Lashes in Femme.
Contour
Contour darling!
To contour my cheekbones, I used the shade ‘brownie’. My ultimate FAVOURITE, FAVOURITE, F-A-V-O-U-R-I-T-E highlighter is Moonlight. It looks white but appears yellowish gold on my cheekbones. It’s the best I’ve come across yet, super pigmented and lasts more than 10hrs.
Are you a fan of the soft glam look? Would you replicate this makeup look?
Raise your hands if you’ve got oily skin concerns. It’s not a competition but I bet my skin is oilier than yours. I’ve yet to meet anyone other than my mum who’s face produces as much oil as mine.
I loathe it and even though they tell you that oily skin is less prone to wrinkles which means you look 20 at 40 years of age, I still don’t care for it.
What causes oily skin?
There are many factors that contribute to the production of oil on your skin. Diet, genes, weather are just a few. I can’t do anything about my genes, not much I can do about the weather either. But I do have control over my diet although cutting out butter, crisps, cake, ice cream and all that good stuff is quite THE commitment. I’d rather have an oil-free face without the diet restrictions. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I want to have my cake and eat it – literally.
Treatment for oily skin
There are ways to treat oily skin by increasing your consumption of certain foods like almond oil, leafy green vegetables, oranges, berries etc. But if you’re not one for fruits and veggies aka the healthy stuff then your skincare regime has to be on point.
Oily skin is especially exacerbated in summer and it’s why most people prefer not to wear makeup or at the very least wear minimal makeup during this season. The sweat, sun/heat all mixed together create what I call “melt face”, a term that is used to refer to a face that is just glistening with oil.
It really is quite a nuisance to constantly have to blot oil off your face or to touch up with press powder. I don’t want to not wear makeup because I’ve been unfortunate or fortunate enough to be born with oily skin and I also don’t want to have to do so much to avoid looking like the inside of a greased non-stick pan.
So, I went shopping for skincare products at Edgars the other day. 2018 is the year of fabulousity and what better way to show you’re fabulous than with clear, flawless shine-free skin?
I walked into Edgars like a woman on a mission and right on cue, someone came to ask me if there was something they could help me with. “I am looking for skincare products that would not only make my face look flawless but also shine-free”, I proclaimed.
Sensai was recommended and tested on my face. The sales representative for the brand wiped off the makeup I’d applied that day, exfoliated, cleansed and moisturised my skin with Sensai products and while the products felt great on my skin, I was hesitant to spend so much money on another product that possibly wouldn’t be ride or die for my skin. Don’t you just hate it when you spend so much money on a product expecting fireworks but you get firecrackers instead? I’ve had that and I’ve come to realise that expensive doesn’t always mean effective.
Clinique is a brand I have known about since I was a teenager. It’s not cheap and neither is it expensive. It’s right in the middle, a mid-range product, I’d say. I’ve used Clinique on and off a few times and I don’t have any complaints. Not knowing whether to take a chance and spend a lot of money on something new or go with the tried and tested, I reluctantly went to the Clinique counter because I was looking for something new but force of habit led me to the familiar. If it ain’t broke…
I told the Clinique beauty consultant about my skin concerns; oily, large pores, prone to breakouts. I explained to her that I still have the Clinique Clarifying Lotion Cleanser and the Clinique Moisturizing Lotion but needed a cream to help combat the oil and keep my face looking flawless.
This moisturizer is light-weight, oil-free and fragrance-free. It claims to instantly blur imperfections, provide hydration while giving you a matte finish. You can wear it alone without makeup or under your foundation. You can even apply it over your foundation but I haven’t tried that yet.
Verdict– I’ve been using this product for over a week now and I love it! It’s got a light rose pink colour (I think, I’m not so good with colours)and is lightweight. It’s moisturising without being oily. I haven’t noticed that it blurs out any imperfections on my face. My large pores are still visible after applying it BUT when I put on makeup over the moisturiser, my skin looks flawless and matte with a glow. You can skip the primer process because this moisturizer primes well. If I had to rate it, I’d give it a 7 out of 10 because it doesn’t completely keep the shine off my face. The first four hours my face still looked matte but by the 5th hour, my face was beginning to glisten although not as much as it would have on another product/primer . Next time I’ll do the powder before foundation trick after I apply the Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer just to see if it controls the oil for longer.
I always do the powder before foundation trick but skipped this step particularly to test this product fairly.
This eye cream is said to hydrate, brighten and refresh. You can apply any time you feel your eyes need a boost.
Verdict: I personally haven’t seen the benefits. I could be rubbing vaseline under my eyes for all the difference it’s made but then again, I’ve yet to find an undereye cream that impresses me. I’d give this cream a 4/10. It’s cute, nifty but I can’t say I’ll be reaching for it again after I run out.
Verdict: I love this lip colour for two reasons; it is creamy and moisturising on the lips yet has a matt finish. It is essentially a primer but I use it as a nude lippie. The only negative is that it cakes a little and dries after prolonged wear but nothing I can’t handle. I’ll score it a 7.5/10.
For cleansing without stripping skin of protective lipids
Verdict: I love this one. It does what it says. The liquid soap is gentle yet cleansing leaving my face feeling revived and refreshed in a way. It’s like it cleans my skin while moisturising it without the heaviness of oil. I give it an 8.5 /10.
The final step is when I use my foundation brush to apply the Clinique Anti-Blemish Foundation which is not only oil-free but has some anti-bacterial properties that help prevent blemishes.
My overall impression is good. I would definitely recommend it. So it didn’t leave my face matte for 8 hrs but it’s worked better in controlling the oil on my face than any other product I’ve ever tried so it gets a thumbs up from me. The flawless finish I also get after applying my foundation on top of the Hydroblur moisturizer is out of this world.
I also found the kit to be a great purchase because I saved some money. If I’d bought each item individually, I’d have spent R1170 but instead I spent half of that. I feel like I’m #winning!
Have you tried the Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer? What are your impressions? Yay or Nay?
Thanks for reading. If you’ve enjoyed reading this post and want to see me do more product reviews, please leave a comment down below. x
Founders of Flawless Xtensions, a beauty bar in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria are best friends and have known each other for more than 19 years. At the time the brand was established in 2009, it was just two friends importing and selling great quality hair to colleagues and friends. Seven years later, Flawless Xtensions has grown to become a trusted brand for excellent quality hair, a brand that is now worth millions.
Kanyinsola Latinwo (on the left), a lawyer by profession and co-founder of Flawless Xtensions has always had a keen interest in hair. “My love, or should I call it ‘obsession’ with hair started right from when I was a child. I had several dolls growing up, and would spend countless hours combing and shaping each one’s hair into different styles, taking into cognizance the shape of their faces, hair texture, and the event they are to attend with their girlfriends or Ken doll”, she says, laughing.
“Fast forward to my adult years, I became obsessed with styling my own hair till it looked perfect. I guess other people noticed because, I began to get calls from girlfriends and aunties soliciting my advice on what hairstyle to do next that would suit their facial structure, or what colour of highlights would make their skin pop or to even recommend a salon that could provide them with the desired look,” she continues.
Kanyinsola’s bestfriend, Tosin Kalegha (on the right) who co-owns Flawless Xtensions is no novice to hair either. Tosin studied Economics and Law in Canada but it was when she was in high school that hair suddenly became a means to an end.
“My love for hair began when I was in high school in Canada. It was difficult finding a reasonably priced hair stylist within close proximity of where I lived, which was a suburban white/Asian neighbourhood. As such, I was forced to teach myself how to do my own hair, which included anything from cornrows to relaxing my hair, and then, of course, fixing my weaves. Then I started doing my friends’ hair as well. So, I really wouldn’t call it love in the first instance, more like a necessity, which eventually developed into a flare for hairstyling and love for anything hair-related, ” Tosin says.
While Kanyin describes her interest in hair as an ‘obsession’, Tosin explains that hers was initially born of necessity. However, both women agree that hair is a woman’s crowning glory and it is this mutual belief that makes their partnership the success that it is.
Over the years, the love and support received from their clients gave these two business-savvy friends the confidence to expand their business from just selling hair extensions into opening a beauty bar. Flawless Beauty Bar opened in October 2016. The salon, located on Tunde Fisayo Street offers a range of beauty services including:
Natural hair styling
Buying and selling of hair
Weaves, hair extensions and wigs
Highlighting and colouring
Hair perms
Braiding
Nail extensions, manicure and pedicure
Professional Makeup
Barbing for males and females
Both women are equally talented and work full-time jobs. They also both share equal responsibility when it comes to the management of the business.
“The business is an equal partnership. It’s an interesting dynamic. We both have different skills and expertise. I think I am more of a people person, interacting with clients, marketing etc. She (Tosin) is more into sourcing for hair vendors, interacting with them, orders and supplies etc. I also handle all payments while she deals with the bookkeeping and accounting.” Kanyin adds.
When both women started the company, they never expected or planned to become a household name. The trade aspect started as a means to make extra money in University, in addition to their monthly allowance and now they are bonafide entrepreneurs.
Managing a full-time job while running a business has not been without its challenges, but these ladies make it work and look relaxed while doing it. Their bond is further strengthened by their partnership, and, in spite of their crazy working hours and often sleepless nights, they speak to each other an average of an hour every day.
Kanyin and Tosin pride their business success on their excellent service – I would know, I have experienced it many times. They go over and beyond the usual to guarantee customer satisfaction. This, they attribute to the number of repeat customers and referrals they receive.
“We offer a wide range of virgin hair extensions of the best quality, sourced from different countries, and of different textures. Quality is one thing we do not compromise – with that we have gotten a number of referrals over the years.” Kanyin concludes.
If you’re looking for great quality human hair that you can wear for years to come, I’d definitely recommend Flawless Xtensions, just be ready to spend. Good hair does not come cheap. Their beauty bar services are equally great. I’d give them 9 out of10 (my highest rating ever).
Say goodbye to ombre lips, two-toned lips are the latest and hottest beauty trend. I first spotted this trend on Instagram and it immediately grabbed my attention. The lips, not unlike the eyes are the focal point of your face. I’m that girl who aims to buy the brightest, boldest and most unique lip colour at the shop. Anything from purple, blue, pink or black, I’ve got. So, the two-toned lips trend instantly became a ‘ must try’ for me.
The two-tone lips trend involves using two different shade/colour of lipsticks and keeping them completely separate from each other – no mixing whatsoever which means not smacking your lips together, ladies!
Application
Select two different colour lipsticks you wish to apply. They can be complementary or clashing colours.
2. Apply whichever of the two colours you want on your top lip, keeping your lips separate (partially open), apply the second lipstick to your bottom lip and voila!
I skipped the lip lining step but if you must use a lip liner, make sure it is the same shade as the lipstick you apply. It is no longer two-tone lips if you use a different lip liner shade to your lipstick.
Your top lipstick may bleed onto your lower lipstick as you’re bound to close your lips at some point. To avoid this, use a matte lipstick instead of a glossy one.
For fuller looking lips, use similar tone lipsticks like two different shades of pink or a moisture rich lipstick.
If you love colour like I do, and are feeling a tad daring, try clashing colours like purple and orange or blue and green – have fun with the look!
My Verdict
While it was fun trying something new, I find the trend impractical and inconvenient as I had to keep my lips unnaturally separated to keep the colours from mixing. My choice of purple and orange was a bit OTT and not at all a look I’d wear in public. If you’re thinking of trying this trend and wearing it to the office or anywhere outside of your house, I recommend going for complementary colours.
I’d say this is a hot trend but do I see it becoming as much a hit as ombre lips? No!
Have you tried this beauty trend? What are your thoughts?
Over the past few months, beauty has become a little obsession of mine. I am constantly on the hunt for the best beauty products out there. I have always had a love for all things beauty related but the fact that I’ll soon be turning 30 years old has got me a little spooked and concerned for the future of my skin.
While I may not be able to turn back the hands of time and stay in my twenties forever, I can at least try to reduce the signs of ageing by adopting good skincare habits and more importantly using good beauty products. Good genes isn’t enough and with so many beauty products out there to choose from, we all need a little help. Here are 15 beauty products every woman should own before 30:
1. Eye Cream – The eyes are the most important when it comes to ageing. Whether it’s the lines under your eyes when you smile, the bags or the tell-tale signs of crow’s feet, you can minimise this with a good under eye cream. Under eye creams are expensive but the price is a small fee to pay if it does what it should. I recently started using Guerlain Super Aqua-Eye Serum which is said to plump the lines under the eyes for a youthful look, R1795 at edgars.co.za.
2. Night Cream – This is important if you want to maintain a youthful glow. After your nigh time routine, slap on a dollop of night cream and let the properties rejuvenate and moisturise while you sleep. Bodyshop’s Drop of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask, R300 at the time of purchase, bodyshop.co.za.
3. Primer – If you wear makeup then you MUST own a primer. There are different kinds that can help to moisturise or mattify but the one thing they all have in common is that they help prime your skin, ready for makeup which helps your makeup last a long time without you having to worry about touch-ups. The Inglot Mattifying Under Makeup Base helps my makeup stay on for longer but it doesn’t do much for me in terms of oil control. Inglot Mattifying Under Makeup Base R389, inglotsouthafrica.com.
4. Foundation – Obviously the next step after using your primer on your face. Finding the right foundation for your skin tone and type can be one of the most exhilarating shopping experience of a woman’s life. I am prone to breakouts and use the Clinique 3 step solution so this foundation was recommended to me. It is oil free and offers full coverage but most amazing of all is that its ingredients help treat breakouts. Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup R450, clinique.co.za.
5. Concealer – If you regularly suffer from blackheads, breakouts or redness then you need to add the concealer to your makeup routine. Even if you have perfect skin, you still need a concealer to highlight certain facial features like your forehead, under eye and bridge of your nose. To highlight, you will need a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. Estee Lauder Double Wear, R360, esteelauder.co.za.
6. Press Powder – The press powder is great for a matt finish. Whatever dark spots your foundation and concealer may have missed, the press powder will take care of it. It is perfect for those warmer days (like we have now) when your makeup might want to slide off your face from the heat. Clinique Perfectly Real Compact Makeup, R490, clinique.co.za.
7. Highlighter – Apart from the fact that the highlighter is one of the latest beauty trend, have you seen what it does to one’s face?! It illuminates and makes you looked sun-kissed and gorgeous. I LOVE the highlighter and it looks great on any skin. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish, R390, maccosmetics.co.za.
8. Blush – Blush is a girl’s best friend. Depending on the shade of blush you buy, it can also double up as a contour powder. Mac Blush Powder, R275, maccosmetics.co.za.
9. Mascara – Long, seductive lashes is easily what most women want. I suppose it is why we spend so much money on strip lashes and individual lashes. You can however, take your lashes from barely there to boom in just a few minutes. The right mascara can make you look like you’ve got falsies. The Mac In Extreme Dimension 3D is great for lengthening and creating volume and it won’t clump. R250, maccosmetics.co.za.
10. Lip exfoliator – There is nothing more pleasant than the feeling of soft, kissable lips. Whether your lips are being kissed is another story entirely but you have to care for them. Often times when you speak that’s what people look at. Dry, cracked lips are not attractive so to keep your lips looking perfect, exfoliate them. Wild Olive African Artisans Lip Exfoliator, www.wildolive.eu (price available on request).
11. Nipple cream – Nipple cream is bae! After exfoliating your lips and just before you put on your lipstick, use nipple cream to keep your lips moisturised yet matt. It is like primer for your lips and helps your lipstick last longer. Another use for nipple cream is to help moisturise your hands – they keep mine super soft. Clicks Nipple Cream R31.95, clicks.co.za.
12. Lipstick – Wearing the right shade of lipstick does wonders for one’s self confidence. The nude lip is taking over from the infamous bold, red lip. The nude lip when done well creates a pretty and natural look. Mac Touch Lipstick, R220, maccosmetics.co.za
13. Lip Pencil – What is lipstick without a lip pencil? A lip pencil is like a magic pencil for the lips. It can make your lips appear fuller or smaller. You can also use it on its own or use it to line your lips before you put on lipstick. Did you know that if you own 10 lip pencils and 1 lipstick, you can trick people into thinking you own more than 20 lipsticks – I kid you not! Mac Chestnut lip pencil R210, maccosmetics.co.za.
14. Makeup remover – Washing the makeup off your face can be painful but not if you have a good makeup remover. I use baby wipes and Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to wipe my face at night and it wipes off so clean and gentle I don’t usually have to wash my face afterwards. Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, R79.95, clicks.co.za.
15. Perfume – Perfume is the ultimate! Unless you are allergic to perfume, every woman should own a bottle or two – one for daytime and one for night time. YSL Black Opium R1540, redsquare.co.za
I had the privilege of attending my first ever Jackie Burger soiree, an event that took place last week Saturday, 13 August 2016 at the P.J Olivier Art Centre. The theme for the show was Awaken Grace in celebration of Women’s Month.
Jackie Burger is a South African style icon, she was an editor at Elle magazine and holds a lot of clout in the South African fashion industry – she is sort of like the Anna Wintour of South Africa except she is much more experimental in her style.
Skipping the ‘what to wear’ phase which I will discuss at length in my next post, I arrive at PJ Olivier Art Centre 45 minutes late and slightly harried from having gotten lost trying to find the venue. No idea how long the event was on for, (only thing I knew was the start time) I said a silent prayer hoping I hadn’t paid R650 for a ticket to a show that was only one hour long. Thankfully, this was not the case and the show ran till after 4pm, as I later discovered.
While we were all sipping Graham Beck champers, guests were introduced to the various aspects around the theme for the day which was focused on the five senses – sound, sight, sense, touch and taste.
Jacquie drew on her own journey that sprung from a growing desire to find balance and perspective in her own life. “We live in a progressively desensitised world where we are observers rather than participants. I, too, fell into a rut of chasing the next big thing instead of living in the now and allowing myself to give and receive with grace.
“The word ‘surrender’ comes to mind: to surrender to and embrace a more conscious way of living; to allow ourselves to fuel our senses with the beauty of our surroundings and find solace and inspiration in our unique sense of self”, she explains. She then opens the event by inviting the guests to a consultation by the Mac cosmetics team who helped us find the shade of red lipstick to suit our skin and style. That day, I found that I could use a mix of Night Moth lip liner and Ruby Woo lipstick to get a shade of red that matched beautifully with my skin tone and outfit.
We enjoyed a five-course ‘taste sensation’ designed and presented by Johnny Hamman and Marius Uys of Slippery Spoon Kitchen in collaboration with Woolworths Food and Beaumont Wines. Then there was a hair show by Dawid Kriel of Institute Aesthetic, a conversation with Dr Yvette de Villiers on the importance of living with grace, a library production of the iconic white shirt in collaboration with Habits and many more.
Jackie is an inspiration, I found myself drawn to her easy grace and charming personality. I love seeing women in power and particularly love seeing women uplift one another which is really what the event was about. I will gladly pay R650 to attend the next event and would definitely recommend it to others looking to be inspired and to enrich their lives.
I’ve been wearing make-up since I was 13 years old but didn’t know much about primers until a few years ago. However, I am no expert. I got curious about primers because I like to know what’s hot and happening in the beauty world. If something is supposed to help enhance your look, you better believe I know about it. I may not do everything I hear about but I am “in the know” ;).
Primers are quite frankly a must if you work over nine hours a day and don’t want the hassle of having to keep re-applying your make-up every hour. Also, if you have oily skin and love make-up, the primer is your best friend. I happen to work over 9 hours a day and I also have a very oily skin so I NEED a primer. Primers do for your face what a waist trainer does for your figure. Through sheer magic (don’t quote me) it smoothes and holds your face in place so that whatever you put on top makes you look significantly better. Whether you want to “erase your pores”, mattify or prevent your make-up from smearing, primers are just the thing to achieve a flawless finish. Thanks to Beyonce, we all want to look flawless.
Here are three primers I purchased for my oily skin and my thoughts on them:
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser: It claims to erase your pores but it didn’t erase mine, I wish it did! This primer is clear in appearance. It looks thick but feels very light and spreads easily on face. However, my pores didn’t just disappear but they looked noticeably smaller, the gel seemed to blur them out a bit. According to the label, the primer shouldn’t be used with a moisturiser but I noticed my face looked dry and scaly without using a moisturiser so before I apply this product, I use an oil free moisturiser, then the primer and my foundation last. My face looks smooth and what’s more, the primer helps to minimise my shine which is a win in my life. I will definitely recommend it to anyone oily or otherwise and for just R89.95 at Clicks, I think it’s a bargain.
Inglott Mattifying Under Make-up Base: This primer is hypoallergenic meaning it causes fewer allergic reactions. It has a white, thick gel-like consistency and applies really smoothly. Upon application my face is instantly mattified. However, my face doesn’t stay matt. After an hour or less, my face soon starts to look like I splattered it with some olive oil, almost like its releasing all the oil it’s been holding back. Maybe I have to use the primer with other Inglott products for it to work or maybe it’s not for someone as oily as me, either way, I don’t think I’ll be making a second purchase especially considering it didn’t come cheap. R389 for 30ml at Edgars.
Mac Oil Control Lotion: I love this! It has a thin consistency but is extremely moisturising minus the oiliness. It has oil-free hydration with natural colloidal minerals and antioxidants. I can go for hours without having to blot any excess oil from my face which means my make-up stays fresher for longer! I’ve almost finished my tube and I’m rushing to Mac tomorrow to buy another. Definitely worth the R150 (30ml) I spent.
If you have oily skin and use a primer that works miracles, please comment below on how it’s worked and product name.
I’d heard about Lush from other bloggers on Instagram but not one to give in to hypes, I only popped in store for the first time EVER this week – just in time for Valentine’s Day.
I am what one can term a lover of all things womanly. If it makes you look or smell good, I’ll buy it! So you can imagine how I felt when I walked into Lush at The Waterfront this Wednesday. Kid at a candy store is an understatement in describing how I felt, perhaps Alice in Wonderland might be a more apt description.
Without making this too long winded, let’s dive right in to the products. It was a difficult choice because I wanted to buy everything at the store but I managed to walk away with two things, only! The limited edition The Kiss lip scrub which came out just in time for Valentine’s Day and It Started With a Kiss lip tint.
The Kiss lip scrub – R95: Never have I known a lip scrub that you can use on your lips and also lick off so that was an exciting discovery. The smell is super yummy, it tastes yummy and the ingredients are nourishing – my lips felt smooth and soft after one gentle scrub. The fact that they are against animal testing completely won me over and I couldn’t help but wonder why I hadn’t discovered the store sooner.
It Started With a Kiss lip tint – R95: I love this lip tint because it is the perfect date lip wear. Men don’t like lipstick or lip gloss much. Sure you look attractive with it on but kissing you when you have gloss or colour on is not so pleasant for them. Believe me, I’ve done my research! My ex told me kissing me with lipgloss on is like kissing fly paper, ouch right?! The lip tint is perfect for those wanting some colour on their lips but also want to maintain kissable and natural looking lips. I love almost everything about this particular lip tint. It’s a subtle red colour that gives off a stained, natural look to my lips. It also tastes good and won’t have your partner repulsed at the thought of kissing you. What I don’t like is the red stain on my fingers when I apply it so you have to eaither wipe off with tissue, wet wipes or wash off. Alternatively, you can dab the product on your lips -from the container- without using your fingers, as I discovered.
So why not make your kiss game strong not only this Valentine’s Day but forever with their amazing range of lips scrubs.
