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You know the whole ‘put down your phone and enjoy the moment’ thing? Well that’s me. Which also means that I suck at posting about events because I never take enough pics. I usually walk around and try to chat to everyone, sipping on champers and soaking it all in.

Exhibit A

And that is exactly what I did at our most recent Bloggers Who Bless event… A Macaron making workshop at the grand 15 On Orange hotel. I was super excited about the workshop and I couldn’t wait to taste a macaroon. Wait, is it Macaroon or Macaron? That’s if you want to get all technical.

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Ai, the poor klapperkoekie. I still love you long time.

I love this definition of a Macaron: Like a sandwich cookie gone to finishing school, the Macaron is a delicately refined meringue-based confection made of ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites, and filled with ganache, buttercream, caramel, or fruit jam. A mainstay in the French patisserie canon, the ideal Macaron has a smooth, almost glossy exterior, and visible filling. – http://gourmetfood.about.com/

The workshop was extremely informative and we were shown how to make gorgeous meringues, salted caramel and ganache fillings, and of course wonderfully delicate Macarons.
Macaron making is an art. And one that I hope to master. My first try didn’t turn out the way I hoped, but the workshop inspired me to try again.

For a moment there I thought I had piping down, but no. Here is proof that I was there:

Thank you for the pic Sarah

This was the result:

They still tasted good though ;)

It was a beautiful day spent with beautiful people at a beautiful venue. Thank you to all the amazing Bloggers Who Bless ladies, 15 On Orange and Executive Chef Sanel and Pastry Chef Retha. It was such a fun event, and I learnt a few things too.

And thank you Heather for always organising such fun events! Have a look at Heather’s amazing post on the workshop HERE.

Give 15 On Orange a call on 021 469 8000 if you would like to try it for yourself. Booking for a group of 12 or more go for approx R259 pp.
xoxo
Pretty Please Charlie

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At our most recent #BloggersWhoBless event, we were spoiled with a couple of Dermalogica travel size products. I was quite chuffed… well, because it’s Dermalogica. No need to explain anything here. What did surprise me was the fact that some of these impressed me just as much as Dermalogica’s PreCleanse did. I didn’t think that was possible.


Special Cleansing Gel
This is a lovely soap-free foaming cleanser that leaves my skin clean, but not feeling tight or stripped. It really is very gentle. What impressed me most was the fact that I only need the tiniest drop of cleanser. When I say tiny, I really mean tiny. I keep on using too much. The cleanser is expensive at R480 for 250ml, but you can get a 500ml bottle for R700 which really is great value for money.

Multivitamin Power Firm
This little powerhouse aims to combat lines around the eye area with ingredients like Retinol, vitamins C and E, as well as silicones to shield vulnerable skin. It has a balmy feel to it and feels lovely to apply. It also works as a lovely base for smooth and even under eye concealer application. R740 for 15ml.

Daily Microfoliant
I wasn’t too excited when I saw this one. I tried a sample years ago and I wasn’t impressed. Either Dermalogica changed it or (most likely) I was just to dof to understand the product back then (being used to exfoliants/scrubs that were grainy and hard). This is what it is: ‘Unique rice-based powder formula activates upon contact with water, releasing Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that micro-exfoliate dead cells, instantly leaving skin smoother and brighter.’ When I tried it years ago, I expected a scrub. Now I know better. This product is absolutely lovely and I rate it up there with the PreCleanse. My skin is left looking radiant and feeling soft and smooth, without any irritation. I highly recommend this product, especially if you have sensitive skin and most other forms of exfoliation tend to aggravate your skin. R850 for 75g.

Skin Smoothing Cream
If you have combination or dry skin that is sensitive, then this cream is a must. Especially during winter. It immediately calms and soothes my skin, whilst leaving it perfectly moisturised and soft. I have loved it for years, and I will for many years to come. This is one of my mom’s favourites too. R630 for 50ml / R880 for 100ml. Again, this is a pricey product, but it is really worth the price tag and a little goes a long way with this one too.

xoxo
and xoxo for you too Dermalogica

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For years now I’ve heard so many go on and on about Dermalogica’s PreCleanse. Everytime Dermalogica is mentioned, the PreCleanse will pop up somewhere in the conversation or write-up. My sister started using Dermalogica last year and she also can’t stop raving about it. Now, I know Dermalogica (I mean, who doesn’t!) and I know that their products are awesome. But to be very honest, most of their products do not fit my budget. And being a beauty blogger, I get exposed to a lot of products, most of which I enjoy using. Plus I’ve got the double cleanse down. So why should I bother with this product?

Because it’s freakin’ AMAZING, that’s why!

I received a sample size of this magic oil at our most recent Bloggers Who Bless event. I must admit I was curious and quite keen to give it a proper try.

I was completely blown away. I used a few drops on dry skin and massaged it all over my face and neck. Make-up, sunscreen, oil and dirt just melt away. Take note… do not add water at this stage or the product won’t be as effective. Once this is done, I rinse my face with lukewarm water and it’s as though the product and everything it has dissolved, just disappears. I usually follow the PreCleanse with a gel cleanser. Because the oil has done such a fantastic job with the first cleanse, I can feel that my gel cleanser works deeper and is actually cleaning my skin, and not just trying to work through layers of make-up, etc.

I have recently also incorporated a facial massage 2 to 3 times a week as part of my first cleanse at night, and my skin just feels amazing when I do it using PreCleanse (have a look at my post on the facial massage technique here).

Benefits of Dermalogica’s PreCleanse:

• Removes oil without clogging pores.
• Conditioning essential fatty acids nourish skin.
• Enables your current cleanser to work more efficiently.
• Can be used on any skin type. It is ideal for oily skins.
• The gentle formula can be used on sensitive skin.
• It’s gentle enough to use to remove eye make-up and it will even remove waterproof make-up.

The only negative is the price. It is expensive at ZAR520 for 150ml, but the benefits far out way the negative.
This product is worth its weight in gold and worth saving for. And with Mother’s Day around the corner… anybody reading this?!

Since using this product, my skin is clearer, softer, smoother and more radiant. Dermalogica gets 5 stars for this one.
xoxo

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