The Summer Series: Makeup

Since its soon to be summer in my hemisphere; I thought I should put together a series of blog posts dedicated to what to wear and use during the hot summer weather. I've seperated it all into makeup, skincare, body and hair. This post is the makeup post.

October Favourites

My October favourites this month isn't very many products and its mixed between skin care, hair care and makeup. I've been trying out my fair share of products lately so heres what made the cut...

Avon Glow Blusher Bronzer Duo

Avon Blusher Bronzer Duo in Rose Glow - R149.95

This duo is part of the Avon Glow range aimed at having a bronzed glowy skin that is great for summer. Its packaged in a dark gold, reddish bronze box and the actual compact is the same colour. It comes with a generously sized square mirror inset at the top which is pretty rare lately.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Fair - R105.00

I was surprised with this concealer as I didn't expect it to work so well. It has a runny consistency which is great for blending out and it makes it easy to work with. It does provide quite a heavy coverage but it looks natural so dark under eye circles are a thing of the past.

Bioderma Sebium AI Intensive Care

 

 Bioderma Sebium AI Intensive Care - R167.95.

Oh the lovely world of French skincare. Bioderma has to be the best skincare range out there if you ask me and this AI cream is probably their best creation. This cream is specifically for acne-prone skin. It helps get rid of the bacteria that causes inflammation of spots.

The 5 Minute Face

Ever wake up and discover you have ten minutes to get yourself ready for the day ahead? I'm guilty of waking up and not putting makeup on and just heading out the door makeup-less...

Life Update & Skin Care

Hello everyone! I'm back! I decided to come back on the 1st of a new month to get a proper fresh start on life and my blog. I'm not going to be posting very often just once in a while to get back on track and I don't want to push myself too hard or put too much pressure on myself. Its been a really hard and long month but I'm slowly getting there after a long time. I feel like I'm becoming myself again but not really if that makes sense...?

Budget Beauty: Freeman Beauty Pineapple Enzyme Mask

This is my second product from the Freeman Beauty Feeling Beautiful range and once again I'm not left disappointed. I have another mask which I did a full review on here and that mask made me want to try other products from their range. It was about R15 more expensive than the last mask but thats expected because the first mask was bought a while ago and bought at the local Dischem store.

Clarins Cleansing Milk

The Clarins Cleansing Milk - R265.

Now this stuff is what makes me want more and more Clarins products. I bought this on a limb because I've been looking for a cleanser that doesn't dry out my skin and milks usually do the trick without making skin overly oily. This cleanser is specifically for combination or oily skin and you do get cleansing milks for dry and normal skin so its for everyone. I really can't describe how much I love this product, its so soft on the skin and it really cleans my skin of impurities while moisturising and removing excess makeup. As you can see this contains all natural products that are good for the skin and doesn't involve harsh chemicals that could irritate the skin. It contains Bio-ecolia which preserves the skins balance, vitamins A and E which improves your skins quality over time, Gentian which tones and heals your skin with its healing properties, Iris and Hawthorn which helps decongest your skin leaving it clean and lastly Hydrophilic acids which help cleanse the skin. All good and healthy ingredients that love your skin.

The product is very thick but almost watery and silky when applied to the skin. I literally use a pea sized amount as it spreads easy and you can feel how clean your skin feels and once your skin is dry, the skin doesn't pull or feel tight in anyway. I first remove my makeup with my trusty Bioderma (how I like love that stuff!) and a cotton pad and then wet my face and apply the cleansing milk to my skin and rub it in circular motions into my skin. It gradually thickens while washing your face and neck. Its so gentle that I can use my ring finger and gently remove excess eye makeup from the eye area and it doesn't burn my eyes or irritate them in any way. I then use a "harsher" face wash afterwards (if need be) as I feel that the cleansing milk isn't really a face wash but more of a light cleanser.

I can feel and see the difference in my skin after using the cleansing milk diligently. My skin feels softer and more moisturised and I don't have dry patches like I used to get and its controlled the oil production in my skin and keeps small breakouts at bay. I wouldn't say this helps get rid of pimples or blackheads as such but it does clean the skin properly which definitely helps to prevent pimples and blackheads. I wouldn't recommend this though if you have acne prone skin and want to focus on that instead, although this does help in the long run as it keeps skin clean. This is a great cleanser if you're looking for something light that helps dry and oily skin and works great to remove excess makeup and dirt from your skin.

xxx

Links below:

Clarins

Clarins Promotion

About two weeks ago Clarins had a promotion where you buy two products, one being a lotion and one a serum or toner and you get a free bag, Eau de Jardins and two free sample products of your choice. I'm a bad beauty blogger though. I didn't even know that Clarins was running a promotion, apparently there were adverts on TV and in magazines but I didn't even know about it until I went to the Clarins stall one Saturday (I wasn't planning on buying anything either) and the sales girl told me about it... well I couldn't say no to an offer like that, now could I and the sales girl really was good. So for literally 10 minutes or longer the sales girl and I stood there discussing the different products that Clarins had to offer, what was best for my skin and what I wanted out of the products and I ended up walking out with two Daily Energizer products, a free bag, perfume and two free samples... I was happy as can be, although my bank account wasn't.

Now I love this bag, its a great size and great for piling in a few things in on the go if you're going to the beach or a day out. The Eau de Jardins perfume is a winner! It smells so good and you can smell it all day. It's supposed to uplift, refresh and captivate and let me tell you, it does all of the aforementioned but I will do a single post about that later once I know exactly how to describe it - yes its that good. The two free samples that I got was the Hand and Nail Treatment Cream and the Beauty Flash Balm. I chose the hand and nail cream for my mom because shes a sucker for hand creams and I don't really like hand creams. They leave my hands greasy and I just don't like the feel of cream on my hands - cringe. My mom says it softens your hands from the first use and it really sinks in so there's no feeling of grease on your hands. I chose the Beauty Flash Balm as I've heard so many good things about it and before going out and buying a full version I wanted to try it first. So far so good but I've only used it twice and I haven't fully formed an opinion yet so I will do a seperate post about that soon. The two Daily Energizer products are great so far and again I will do a seperate post for these two.

xxx

NYX The Runway Collection Eyeshadow

I hope all South Africans enjoyed the extra public holiday yesterday and had a well deserved long weekend but unfortunately we have to get back to reality and start our four day week... Isn't it funny how quickly you form a habit of relaxing and sleeping in late, wasn't it so hard to get out of bed this morning and not be in a bad mood? I all but fell out the bed this morning and on went the heater and kettle while dragging my feet around the house to get ready. Hardest thing I've ever done today truely but anyways I digress...

The NYX Runway Collection eyeshadow in Caviar and Bubbles - R119.95 from Clicks. What a cute name! These colours are the perfect shades for a neutral or smokey eye and come with a nice sized mirror so you can do your makeup on the go and the sleek black packaging is so pretty I could stare at it all day. They range from shimmery colours to a few matte colours and I love that you can mix two colours together to get a really awesome colour and I must say I use every colour except the black - black looks way to harsh on my eyes and makes them look sunken in which is not a great look. I use these to create a very natural barely there look or a subtle smokey eye, I really love all the neutral colours on my eyes, I'm such a sucker for neutral eyeshadows. As you can see from my swatches the last photo shows the bottom row of colours and you can see the bottom row has very pigmented colours while the top row are very subtle with a mix of shimmery and matte but still pigmented enough for a subtle but buildable look. These eyeshadows are very soft and creamy, they spread very well and last throughout the day. They give a nice healthy pop of colour and the shimmery eyeshadows aren't full of glitter, they're more of a soft shine which is great as I really don't suit overly shimmery shades. Over all this is a great palette that offers a wide range of looks and have gone onto my repurchase list.

xxx

Links below:

NYX

The Body Shop Body Mist

The Body Shop Vanilla Body Mist - R110. Wow this stuff is to die for! I'm a real sucker for anything that smells of vanilla and this body mist is just so lovely. The smell lasts for ages and you get random whiffs of it throughout the day. This vanilla body mist isn't too sickly sweet like those perfumed deodarants, its more like a pure vanilla scent. If you spray too much on then I guess it will be sweet but I just spray three or four sprays (two in my hair and two on my clothes as the scent lasts longer in your hair and fibres of your clothes than on your skin). I like that you don't need to carry around the bottle in your handbag for a re-spray throughout the day because it really does last that long so that's a bonus as this bottle is quite big and heavy to carry around in your bag, plus its glass so it could break very easy. I got this in February for my birthday from Stephen and I'm only like a 1/4 way through the bottle only. Honestly this is a repurchase for me, I really love it! No bad word to say at all and a big big bonus The Body Shop is animal cruelty free!

xxx

Links below:

The Body Shop

What's On My Nails #6 // Swift Sherbet

Avon Speed Dry 30+ in Swift Sherbet - R87.95

This is my favourite colour of all time. I have never found a colour like this, I was instantly attracted to it when I googled pictures of this colour and I wanted it then and there. It was actually on special when I got it so it only costed me R49.95 but the usual price is R87.95.

Its a very summery pastel orange that looks great against my skin colour and makes my nails pop. I was definitely impressed with this one more than the other one from this range in Vamp It Up (see full review here) which lasted only two days with a base coat and top coat. I've worn this nail polish twice now and both times it has lasted five days until the first chip appeared. Two coats of this are required as the first coat is pigmented but streaky. The formula is quite thick and easy to spread not very watery like Vamp It Up (I don't mind it watery as it spreads better.) Also this nail polish didn't dry in 30 seconds like the other nail polish it only took 10 seconds longer, which still is better than waiting for 5 minutes before you can apply the next coat, I think it took longer because the formula is thicker. By far my favourite nail polish this month especially if I've worn it twice already!

xxx

May Favourites

So today I'm doing my May favourites, there's not too many products that really stood out to me last month but these are definitely the winners for May and every other month. It's a real mix of all products ranging from hair to skin to nails, I love it when that happens!

Anyways my favourites for May are:

Clarins Cleansing Milk

Catrice Cosmetics Infinite Matt Makeup in 010 Light Beige

A Beauty Blender dupe (see full review here)

Avon Speed Dry+ in Vamp It Up (see full review here)

Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick

Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner

Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula (mini size)

Tip Top Protein Base Coat

I've been using the Clarins Cleansing Milk for about two months now and I can really feel a difference in my skin. It hydrates my skin but not too much that it makes it oily and it removes excess makeup and cleans your skin. My skin hasn't felt so soft and hydrated in a long time and I'll be doing a full review once I'm completed satisfied.

The Catrice Infinite Matt Makeup is the perfect shade for me. I've also been using this for about two months and I'm completely sold. It's so easy to apply and its matte so it doesn't make my t-zone shiny but its also not that matte where you skin is flaky and visibly dry, it still provides hydration. I would say this is medium coverage and is definitely buildable and I find that it covers dark circles like never before while also brightening the eye area. It covers redness and blemishes (with a little help from concealer) but it still looks natural because it allows your freckles to show through it. I find I get the best look out of it when I use my Beauty Blender dupe which has also made it to my May Favourites without hesitation. It blends foundation out so well and almost gives it a sheer, dewy effect when the sponge is damp.

The Avon Speed Dry nail polish is my favourite colour and I love that it really does dry in 30 seconds, I just wish it would last longer.

The Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick is a no brainer. These lipsticks are so soft and hydrating to your lips and provide such a nice colour on your lips.

Advance Techniques conditioner is a conditioner that I don't think I'd be able to live without anytime soon. This make the ends of my hair so soft and shiny and manageable that I can't stop playing with my hair after I wash it. And paired with the shampoo these two are a killer team.

The Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula is one that surprised me. I really don't like the smell of a chocolate cream, nor do I like smelling like chocolate, for some reason I find the smell quite nauseating. Anyways like I said this surprised me. I thought I wouldn't like it just based on the smell but I reach for it all the time because of how soft it makes my skin during these cold days and I've gotten used to the smell now. My skin is visibly smoother and I'm definitely getting a bigger sized bottle though.

The Tip Top protein base coat is my favourite. It doesn't allow coloured nail polish to stain my nails and it makes nail polish last for longer. I've worn this on its own too and it has an incredible shine too while making your nails feel stronger. Repurchase again and again.

So those are my favourites for last month and I can't wait to see what this month brings for me!

xxx

Budget Beauty: Clicks Cosmetic Sponge Spin Top

So we've all heard about the famous Beauty Blender and the mixed reviews about it in the blogger world. Personally I don't think the real Beauty Blender is worth it. Its like over R100 for a sponge, I'm not sure how they can justify that price, I think its ridiculous. A lot of people say its worth every cent and a lot of people say its a waste because they've used it once but I can't comment on that since I don't own a Beauty Blender. Whatever the comments I've found a cheaper version of the Beauty Blender and it works!

I've always used my hands to blend in my foundation because fingers can blend foundation out a lot better and you can feel the contours of your face easier then I'd use a cheap (clean!) triangular sponge and dab it everywhere to suck up extra foundation that was just sitting on my skin. I use this Cosmetic Sponge Spin Top from Clicks (R24.90) in the same way that I would use the cheap sponge because I find that this doesn't really blend in foundation properly on its own (it's only down fall) so I still use my hands and fingertips to spread the foundation over my skin and then this little pink egg of a magician steps in. Honestly this sponge just rocks my socks right off. I first wet it and then squeeze it out in a towel so that its damp and it expands a little bigger then you bounce it on your skin with the bottom side of the egg and it blends out the foundation naturally and it gives your skin a fresher look to it (don't ask me how maybe because its damp but I've tested it against my normal sponge and the normal sponge just made the foundation look flat) and the pointed side of the egg is perfect for blending the concealer under your eyes and by your nose. Also just a tip don't "wipe" your foundation with this rather bounce it even when you're blending in concealer. When you wipe it across your face you're just wiping your foundation off and bouncing it takes the excess off while blending it in.

Honestly I am SO happy with this sponge! My foundation and concealer have never looked more natural and blended. I'm in love and have abondoned foundation and concealer brushes and all my cheap sponges. It's just my hands and this pink egg now forever together... haha!

Happy Friday!
xxx

Links below:

Clicks

Budget Beauty: Catrice Prime&Fine Smoothing Refiner



The Catrice Prime and Fine range consists of this primer, an illuminating base, a highlighter, an eye primer and a translucent loose powder. This range prepares your skin for makeup and reduces the size of your pores and fines any wrinkles or lines you have. I have the highlighter and this primer. I haven't got the illuminating base product as it looked quite shimmery and I didn't want to look like a disco ball but I might try it out soon.

Anyways this primer is very soft and "fluffy-like" and it feels light on the skin. When I first put it on I was sceptical as it felt very oily on my skin but as it settles it makes your skin feel soft and moisturised, the oily feeling goes away and thankfully it doesn't make my skin break out. This is great for foundation as the foundation just glides over my skin and stays put and doesn't fade or slide over my skin during the day. I don't have very visible pores so I can't really comment on that front but it does eliminate the site of fine lines like the ones under the eye area. My concealer that I use used to settle in the lines under my eyes after a while and this primer stops that from happening. My eyeshadow doesn't crease at all anymore and it doesn't stray from my eye area. I find my blush stays on for longer too and its easier to blend when I wear this primer. It creates a moisturised, smooth base for makeup and makes all makeup stay on for longer. Even with all the makeup on you can feel your skin is softer and smoother and you can visibly see a difference in your skin as it smoothes and fines everything out.

It comes in a small jar but you literally need a little bit for all areas so this product will last for a long time and at only R54.90 a pop I think its pretty worth it for such a great product.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Cosmetics

What's On My Nails #5 // Absolutely Blue

Essence Colour & Go Absolutely Blue - R24.95

Tip Top Nail Chic Protein Base Coat - R41.50

The Essence Colour & Go range is a quick drying nail polish. Personally I don't find it dries all that quickly but it dries quicker than normal nail polish. The colour I got was Absolutely Blue, I was stuck with this colour and a minty colour when I bought this. Eventually I put down the minty colour and I got this instead because I have a minty colour already and I had nothing like this colour - it was pretty hard to put down that mint colour though! This colour is like a powdery, blue and almost bordering on slight purple. I love this colour, its so pretty, feminine and it draws attention to your nails without being too "in your face".

I first tried this colour without a base coat or a top coat and it lasted a day literally - that was my fault too but generally Essence nail polishes don't have the longest staying power - I wish Essence nail polishes lasted for longer than two days because they have such great colours. I then applied this Tip Top protein base coat, that I got when I bought this Essence nail polish, the second time I painted my nails and this really makes a difference! When you remove your nail polish it makes the nail polish just glide off instead of you having to vigorously rub it off and it also protected my nails from getting stained. It made my nail polish last for an extra day too which is great for the Essence nail polishes.

All in all I think I'll only buy Essence nail polishes because of their wide range of beautiful colours and because they are very affordable but I wouldn't buy it if you're looking for something that'll last longer than two days. The Tip Top Protein Base Coat is excellent, easy to apply and at R40 a pop its very afforable for a product that works so well. Tip Top also have a wide range of colours and the base coat has convinced me to try their nail polishes out very soon.

xxx

Links below:

Essence

Tip Top - their Facebook page

Catrice Multi Colour Compact Powder

Catrice Cosmetics Multi Colour Compact Powder - R44.95

The Catrice Multi Colour Compact Powder is very unique as its a blend of compact powder, bronzer and blush all in one thats not overly pigmented. I use this on my cheeks when I don't want any proper blush or bronzer and it gives a lovely bronzey, pinky but natural colour to your cheeks. It looks natural because of the pale compact powder mixed in, this one is particularly for light skin. I have used this all over my face and it stops shine but it just doesn't look right when I put it all over my face. I'm not sure what it was that made it look odd but it really didn't look at all natural. I think its best suited for a little bit of dusting here and there on my skin and is great for some slight colour to my cheeks, it may look great for some people all over their face but its just not for me. It is a great product though and I always reach for it when I'm not in the mood for heavy blush or bronzer.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Cosmetics

Orlane Vivifying Lotion

I got this Orlane Vivifying Lotion out of a Glossybox when Glossybox was still in South Africa so this is only sample size. The Orlane Vivifying Lotion preps your skin for other treatments for your skin. It's alcohol free and is suitable for all skin types and also maintains the skin's natural pH balance. I apply this one a cotton pad and gently wipe it across my skin, its also great at removing makeup although that's not what you use this product for but still you can use it to remove makeup as its not harsh. It really tones, smoothes and cleans the skin and it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and healthy. For the record I have combination/oily skin and this doesn't make my skin too oily at all, it actually moisturises it so lightly but thoroughly, even now in winter when my skin is more dry/combination it manages to keep any dry areas at bay. This is definitely an all round product meant for all skin types and for all seasons. Best Glossybox sample ever.

xxx

Links below:

Orlane Paris

Budget Beauty: Catrice Volume Plus+ Mascara

The Catrice Volume Plus+ Mascara - R44.95 - is one of my favourite mascara's ever. This one is particularly for length and you get one for curl too. I have short eyelashes so I always look for a mascara that'll lengthen my lashes a bit more, I've never understood a mascara that's meant for curling because I've never heard of a curling mascara that actually curls properly and stays curled. Anyways, I love this brush of this mascara, I really hate those plastic brushes. Either it's just me and I don't know how to apply mascara with a plastic brush or its the plastic brushes that puts too much mascara on and it just looks clumpy and gappy on me, whatever the reason I stay away from plastic brushes. I prefer the fibre brush. It combs through the lashes and grips them while adding the perfect amount of mascara without clumping and making my eyelashes stick together which is exactly what the Catrice Volume Plus+ Mascara does. This brush is quite big but its not awkward so you can do your bottom lashes and those tiny lashes on the inner corner of your eyes. I usually apply one coat of this and its enough but if you really want the dramatic effect you can add two. I like that it doesn't make my lashes look dry and wiry like some mascara's do as the formula is very creamy. All in all this affordable mascara really does lengthen your lashes while making them look full and healthy and the fact that its a fibre brush is such a bonus for me but it doesn't beat my Maybelline Great Lash mascara and I doubt any mascara will.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Volume Plus+ Length Mascara