Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette

The Catrice Absolute Nude eyeshadow palette is such a tricky one for me to be honest. Don't get me wrong the colours are perfect for nude eyes and they are shimmery and matte but the pigment and crumbly-ness of the palette throws me a bit...

Budget Beauty: New Garnier BB Cream

I'M REPOSTING THIS AS SOMEHOW THIS TURNED INTO A DRAFT WHEN I RE-EDITED MY BLOG. The new Garnier BB cream designed for people with combination to oily skin. What a beauty. I featured this in my October favourites and a FOTD post AND in my The Summer Series: Makeup post. I've been promising to do a full review for a while now so its finally here...

Budget Beauty: The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator - R99.

 The Body Shop seaweed range is aimed mainly for people with combination to oily skin. This exfoliator is incredible. Its oil and soap free which helps control sebum but it doesn't strip my skin too much and leave it dry and tight.

Dove Intensive Repair Deep Repair Treatment Mask

Dove Intensive Repair Deep Repair Mask - R52.99

I think our hair definitely defines us and if your hair looks dry and dull; you're not going to give off a very good first impression. Although I'm not saying don't embrace messy hair if messy hair is your thing but at least have healthy looking messy hair.

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.

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

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

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

Budget Beauty: Catrice Defining Blush

This is the Catrice Defining Blush in Peach - R35.95. I got this at the end of February and have been using it since. I find I reach for this most times than other blushes own. It's a very pigmented colour so you don't need a lot otherwise it'll come out an extreme pink on your cheeks and possibly make you look like a Barbie doll - literally just sweep your brush lightly through it and thats more than enough. I first move my brush sideways along my cheeks and then in circular motions to properly blend it in. It's quite a matte powder so there's no shimmer but it's not so matte that it leaves your cheeks looking dull, if that makes sense? It makes your cheeks have a rosey, peachy, healthy glow. It's very soft to the touch and it stays put for a long time which is lovely as I hate always having to touch up my make up. I also love the packaging. It's so simple yet attractive and the see-through case makes your eye catch the colour of the blush. I always think that packaging is important - if it looks crappy no one is even going to bother to even look at it as it didn't catch their eye. All in all another good product from Catrice - are they ever going to disappoint me?

Happy Monday and I hope everyone enjoys this week!

xxx

Budget Beauty: Make Me Blush

Woolworths Make Me Blush Lip and Cheek Tint - Cherry Cherry R49.95

I was watching TV and I saw that Woolworths was advertising a new make up range. I didn't think much of it until I saw this baby in Woolworths when I went winter clothes shopping. For a cream blush it is quite cheap as some cream blushes range from R100 and over. rsonally I don't like the little container it comes in. I think they should have made it black instead of white but thats just me being fussy. I think the white makes it look cheap - I like cheap products that look expensive ;) It was R49.95 so I can't really ask for much I guess. It doesn't look like theres much cream blush in here anyways which is disappointing because the colour is amazing but I will say that it will last a long time as you don't need to use a lot.

What I do is rub a bit on my finger - its a wonderful creamy, soft texture - and then dab it onto my cheeks - I don't put it on my apples of my cheeks as I find the colour is too bright and harsh for my apples. I then use my kabuki brush to blend it in little circular motions. The colour doesn't come out as red as what the product looks like, it blends in to a lovely rosey, flush of colour that looks completely natural. I find myself reaching for this nearly every morning as I like the way it looks dewy on my cheeks and not powdery like powder blushes can do.

As a lip tint it does work well but you have to add a lip balm before you use this as it doesn't blend very well on your lips on its own. It gives your lips a stained cherry colour thats not too bright or light. When I bought this I only saw two colours available and that was like a coral colour and this one that I have which is Cherry Cherry. I chose my Cherry Cherry one because I knew I wouldn't use the coral colour on my lips. I'm not too sure if there are more colours available and hopefully there are because I wouldn't mind laying my hands on a pinky coloured one!

With that being said I think this product is definitely worth it and a good make from Woolworths. As always Woolworths has impressed me again!

xxx

Budget Beauty: The Fragrance Boutique

The Fragrance Boutique in South Africa (see link here) sell high end perfumes in their own packaging and bottles and sell them for a lot cheaper. All the oils have been imported from Grasse in France and they sell brands like Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Chanel and everything you can think of. I've had Dior before and Chanel and they smell exactly the same as the original.

This one that I have now is Dolce & Gabbana The One for women and the 50ml bottle for womens perfume is only R250 - that's nothing compared to the normal prices of high end perfumes. It's a warm, floral scent with a strong sweet smell to it that does die down when it dries. It's a very feminine fragrance. In the top notes you can get a smell of peach, bergamot (my favourite), mandarine and lychee. So the top notes are quite fruity but not so fruity that you smell like a walking fruit if you get what I mean? In the heart notes you smell madonna lily, exotic fruits, jasmine, muguet and plum. The base notes are filled with vitiver, vanilla (another favourite), dry amber, musky notes and mossy notes. All in all the fragrance is a floral, fruity smell but the floral smell is a lot stronger. I quote: "It's a vibrant floral touch of warm citrus notes." and this describes the scent perfectly. The smell does last for a long time and you get whiffs of it as the day goes on.

The Fragrance Boutique is a very smart idea for those you want high end perfumes but can't afford it. Of course you don't get the beautiful packaging of Gucci or Chanel but you do get the scent and that's what people notice.

Now go out there and get some high end perfumes for a lot cheaper!

xxx

*PS - my thoughts and prayers go out to the families and people of Boston. Be strong Boston, we are all praying for you!

Budget Beauty: Feeling Beautiful



Freeman Feeling Beautiful Clay Mask - R39.95 from Dischem stores



As you can see by how used this is I've had this mask for quite a while - since last year to be exact - and I'm in love with it. I got it from one of the local Dischem stores. The Freeman Feeling Beautiful Clay Mask (you can see their range of products here) has avocado and oatmeal in it and this one is more suited for oily/combination skin as it draws out all the excess oil from your pores. Generally I have oily/combination skin but in winter my skin gets very dry so I wouldn't recommend you use this in winter as it does dry your skin out and leaves it feeling tight in winter. Trust me, I know from experience!

Basically what I do is I wash my face and pat my skin dry and I apply this mask all over, even on my neck. I let it dry completely and then thoroughly wash it off. You can feel it drying on your face because you start feeling like you can't move your mouth or crease your forehead so that's a sign when you need to wash it off. It's a very thick consistency so you don't need to worry about pouring a lot into your hand as it spreads very easily and as a bonus this mask lasts for a very long time.

Once you've washed it off you can feel your skin is softer and smoother. I wouldn't say that you can visibly notice a difference (well you can in a way because you don't have those shiny bits from excess oil but I mean pimple wise I don't see a difference.) but you can feel the difference in your skins texture which is nice as make up goes on so much smoother and more evenly. It does remove oil very well and you can feel your skin is oil free and matt for about two days - which for me in summer is a big yippee! If your skin is very oily, even in winter, I would suggest putting cream on afterwards because of how tight it makes your skin. I apply this mask once a week or once every two weeks depending on my skin.

Freeman has a wide range of products, which you can see in the link I put up, and I'd definitely try all their products out and repurchase this avocado and oatmeal mask again.

Have you tried any Freeman products?

What face masks would you recommend?

xxx

Budget Beauty: What's On My Nails #2 // Perfect Nude

I love a perfect nude nail polish, I go out my way to look for nudes or pinky nudes. I really love them as they are so classic and easy to wear.



Essence Nude Glam - R34.95


I found this beauty about a month back and I haven't worn it yet and I wanted to smack myself that I didn't wear it sooner. This is Essence Nude Glam in 01 Hazelnut Cream. Its a beautiful creamy colour with a purple shine to it when the light catches it which is the 'Glam' bit to the nail polish. I was a bit skeptical at first about the purple shine to it but I bought it anyway. Its a very subtle shine and if light doesn't catch it you don't even notice it as you can see in the photo.

What I also love about this nail polish is the brush. Its a wide brush so it covers your nail perfectly without having to apply a million strokes for your nail to be covered with a tiny brush. I apply two coats as the first coat is a bit too light and slightly streaky but you can get away with one coat.

I've missed my nude nails so much and I'm so glad I've found the perfect nude with a great consistancy, brush and colour.

What's your perfect nude?

xxx