If you know RAIN then you know all about their amazing range of products and how incredibly fresh and natural they smell. I particularly love the Biologie range, which comprises of a variety of different scrubs, soaps and lotions which not only leaves your body feeling cared for, but also leaves you uplifted.

I’ve been fortunate enough to try out the Imvumvu Tree mist – a new addition to the already amazing RAIN product range. Initially, I wasn’t too sure how to use it and thought I would carefully think about it before using it. I hunted for reviews on the internet, but there wasn’t much to go on (either that, or I haven’t looked hard enough).

Anyways, after visiting the RAIN website (duh!) I was finally educated on the matter. In short, these mists are made from essential oils that heal you. Aromatherapy has always been an interest of mine and I read up on the benefits of these oils before. So, when I realised what these mists are all about, I was completely ON BOARD with it.

Let me just say this one thing before I get technical – WHAT A LOVELY SMELL. I carry the Umvumvu mist with me all the time because it lifts my mood instantly. When I’m at the office, I ZEN it out with the mist and all I need now is a bonsai garden with a miniature waterfall behind me and I’m sorted.

The Umvumvu mist contains:

• Cypress Essential Oil to clear mental blocks and to release negative patterns
• Petigrain Essential Oil to Cleanse, energize – the sunlight for the soul
• Vetiver Essential Oil for grounding and strengthening

Whenever I feel tired or down, a quick spritz gets me going again – it WORKS. They retail for R125 – get them at your nearest RAIN store or online!

If you need a “lift-me-up” on the go, then this little Umvumvu is just what you need!

Click on the picture to go to buy your own!

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First off… I am officially the mastermind behind this …

My smugness would be unflawed had this picture not been such an affirmation of my dorkiness. That being said, “Live long and prosper“.

I’ve had the pleasure of trying some uh-mazing Dermalogica sponsored products. I’ve never tried them before and I probably wouldn’t have made an effort to buy my own either, but now that I have, I’m rocking back and forth like a tik-koppie thinking about my next fix.

The brand low down:

Dermalogica sprouted from Jane Wurwand’s desire to see a product line that embraced her belief that skin care is a health issue as opposed to a “beauty” issue, and in 1986, it all began.

Jane wanted products that were free of irritants and ingredients that usually causes breakouts that would improve the health of the skin, and now, over 20 years later, Dermalogica is the number one choice of skin care professionals worldwide.

All the products are manufactured in the US and what’s most impressive is that they’re probably one of the first brands to never have tested their products on animals!

The products

I’ve been blessed with the following Dermalogica products:

• 50ml Multi-active toner – 250ml retails for R520
• 3ml Ultrasmoothing eye serum – 15m retails for R760
• 22ml Skin Hydrating Masque – 75ml retails for R590
• Sample sized Pre-cleanser – 150ml retails for R520

 

 

Multi-active Toner

This spray on toner helps to condition the skin and prepare it for proper moisture absorption. I used the toner after I cleaned my face with a facial sponge and hot water. I absolutely adore spray on facial products as they’re super quick and easy to use. I felt a little tingle on my skin thanks to the Balm Mint and Arnica. It also contains soothing Lavender, so you can imagine how amazing it smells.

UltraSmoothing Eye Serum

This little dynamite encourages collagen-producing activities to help smooth fine lines and targets the signs of ageing around the delicate eye area. Not knowing what consistency to expect, I squeezed the tiny tube and almost spilled all the liquid because of my over eager pinch. If I only get one Dermalogica product, it will be this one.

Precleanse

Once again, my heavy hand left me with too much product on my face and with Dermalogica, a little goes a very long way. The precleanse is a lovely oily cleanser that smells amazing – almost citrusy. “Thoroughly melt away layers of excess sebum (oil), sunscreen, waterproof make-up, environmental pollutants and residual products that build-up on skin throughout the day with skin fortifying Olive, Kukui and Apricot oils.” Leave it on for a little longer to double up as a face mask. Also… try not to get it in your eyes (based on a true story).

Skin hydrating masque

Got dry skin? Well, you’re in luck, because this hydrating masque will annihilate scaly, dry skin. Again, a little goes a very long way. All you need is a 20c sized dollop to do the trick. Spread it evenly over the face, leave it on for 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly. It left my skin feeling crazy soft and hydrated too. It was such a treat to use.

Conclusion: These products fall way out of most people’s budgets and, sadly, not too many people are able to truly understand how amazing they are. That being said, should you dive in the Dermalogica pool, your initial spend will be about R2000 to R3000 which will hold you for a couple of months because you’ll only use a tiny amount at a time. From there, you’ll just replace your products as you need them. Because the products are free from harmful chemicals and because they really work, you should, in truth, consider it an investment in your skin’s health as opposed to a beauty treat.

Details

You can keep up to date with their latest products and news in the field on Facebook and Twitter – @dermalogicasa and make sure to visit their site for more information.

Final word: I will be scraping my pennies together for my first full sized Dermalogica skin care routine very soon. :D

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My previous BWB goodie bag contained a 50ml milk cleanser from Naturals beauty. After working through the packed goodie bag, I must admit, my poor cleanser took the backseat. I am, however, very happy to report that I’ve been able to try out the milk over the last couple of days and it has now become a “Leana needs to get her next fix” cleanser.

 

The brand low-down

Tanya became passionate about natural products after the birth of her child. She noticed that, at the time, there was a need in the South African market for natural beauty products and so, Naturals Beauty was born. Now, with the aid of Louise Botes, Naturals Beauty is perfecting their formulas, branding and the day-to-day to make sure that we get the best products they have to offer.

Creammmmmyyyyy

The Milk Cleanser is a creamy lotion that gently cleanses the skin and removes impurities and make-up. It even contains apple extract which has anti-aging properties (hells yeah) and avocado oil that moisturises the skin. I usually find that cleansers leave my skin feeling tight and dry, but the milk cleanser is absolute bliss on my skin. With other ingredients like Sutherlandia and Cucumber, it will keep the skin healthy and radiant.

It’s also VERY reasonably priced at only R80 for 150ml of awesomeness. You can order yours here and while you’re at it, make sure to check out all their other amazing products.

Naturals Beauty is also taking part in “Planting season”. You can also sign up here and get awesome organic planting tips and a banner on your website with a live count down. It’s pretty cool! Ginger and I have both signed up!!

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In my most recent Bloggers who Bless goodie bag, I received a Nimue Vitamin C moisture mist. This little gem is the sole inspiration for my “Use the fancies, dammit” challenge. 

I took one look at it and knew that I’d enjoy using it – I wasn’t wrong. The bottle is as classy and fabulous as the 15 on Orange hotel:

 

The brand low down:

Nimue was initially aimed at the medical market for application before and after surgeries. Since then, it has become a globally recognized brand and today we can find their innovative products in leading salons.

Nimue knows their stuff as far as skin care is concerned and is renowned for their skin classification concept whereby skin is categorised as follows:

1. Environmentally Damaged Skin
2. Hyperpigmented Skin
3. Problematic Skin
4. Interactive Skin

Their methods of treating skin are simply based on Rejuvenation, Restoration, Antioxidation and Sun Protection.

This makes more sense than chucking skin into “age groups”. I’m sure you can agree that nobody “ages” the same and that skin damage can result from a magnitude of factors ranging from diet to exposure to the sun.

This is why you want to use the Vitamin C moisture mist:

Besides the obvious hydration factor, this mist freshens the skin as well as act as a natural UVA protector. Vitamin C is a key ingredient in many “anti-aging” products as it acts as a stimulator for the production of collagen, which means better skin elasticity and a radiant and hydrated skin.

The short term benefit: it immediately makes you look refreshed.

The best part of it all: all 4 of the skin categories can use it and you can use it over your makeup without worrying about it messing up all your hard work.

On a personal note: Don’t be a blondie like me and spray your face while breathing in. Also, (and I’m sure I don’t really need to say this, but if I did it, others might do it too) close your mouth and eyes when you use the mist on your face. That being said, it doesn’t taste too bad and it doesn’t burn your eyes so much… so…

*scuse me while I gather myself … I LOVE YOU TOM*

Cost and contact: At first, I was afraid, I was petrified, but very happy to see that it will be raining Nimue products from here on forward because they are very affordable. This bottle retails for R150 but check your local stockist, because I’ve seen them going for an impressive R139.00 each.

You can find your nearest stockist here.

You can like their Facebook Page here

Follow them on Twitter – @NimueSkinSA

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By now, you might have gathered that I’m really fond of my natural products. I wish sometimes I could go to Elysium – that commune in Wanderlust, and just live off the earth. When I come across and use natural products, I get a distinct feeling of being ONE with Mother Nature. Yes, I’m THAT girl.

I’ve been lucky enough to receive 3 items that are simply amazing natural products and they also evoke a sense of nostalgia (well, at least for me).

Nuxe Huille Prodigieux Multi-Usage Dry oil – BLOGGERS WHO BLESS GOODIE BAG

This little gem was sponsored in my Bloggers Who Bless goodie bag and while I was a little apprehensive to try it, I must admit that I fell in love with the smell from the get-go.

It’s basically an all-purpose oil which is suitable for your face, body and hair and you’ll be amazed to see that a little (even a drop) goes a very long way. It’s made up of 30% precious plant oils and it’s 98.1% NATURAL! That’s basically 100% and totally good enough for me. From what I can gather from Lipgloss is my life, it’s on sale at Edgars and Truworths and it’s also pretty reasonably priced too! I would totally pay R210 for 50ml of this stuff. Quite simply (and just as Leigh mentions in her post) it smells so bloody good, you can’t afford to not have a bottle at all times.

But wait, there’s more! Because Nuxe has managed to capture the scent of the dry oil and made a le parfum for us perfume enthusiasts!

*air punch*

Optiphi – Essence 1.618 – aromatic balm – CPT BLOGGERS MEET

I remember sneaking into Gran’s secret drawer and fishing out (digging out with my little nails) the scented balm she had pressed into a silver Victorian locket. And ever since then I may have come across the concept maybe… once or twice? I was enamored with it every time.

Optiphi has their own aromatic balm and it is such a lovely fragrance. It’s a lovely dark (almost plum) colour and I want to say “it smells like Killer Queen by Katy Perry”. I love that it’s tiny enough that you can take it with you everywhere you go – you can even put it in your wallet! According to my source (hiehiehie nudge nudge wink wink) this is becoming a fast favourite and it seems like they’re working different scents too. So I’m seriously excited about seeing more of these aromatic balms.

For your nearest stockist of Essence Balm – Contact OPTIPHI – 0126676244 | E-mail – info@optiphi.com or visit our Facebook Page – or Twitter page – @optiphi

Image from Complete (and utter) Disbelief

 

SKNLogic’s SKNrenew foot balm with fig extract – BLOGGERS WHO BLESS GOODIE BAG

Made from Fig Extract, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Cucumber extract and Orange oil (amongst other natural ingredients), this magnificently hydrating balm is sure to moisturise, protect and reduce the depth of wrinkles in the feet.

I generally don’t use lotion on my feet because I feel like I’m sliding everywhere and it feels like my feet double up as a dirt collector, but with this balm (because it smells so friggin awesome) I made a conscious effort to do it properly. After a good foot scrub and a lovely soak, I slathered on the balm and slipped on my wool socks and the next morning I was left with youthful looking feet.
 

I also think that at R85 for a 75ml tube, and considering that you don’t use a lot of it, it is very affordable and totally worth it. To find your nearest stockist click here and go spoil your feet.
 

I will definitely get myself these spoils again!

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