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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Crabtree & Evelyn are a brand which silently but proudly portray luxurious British heritage. The brand stemmed from a family run business that made home-made soaps with an international themes which has since grown into a huge international company which is known for quality toiletries and they have stemmed into fragrances and even food. Crabtree & Evelyn are the ultimate hipster company as they made “natural” cool before “natural” was the in thing to do. Working in harmony with nature their products are inspired from a time when the garden played an important role in daily life and they use plant, fruit and flower essences for natural fragances and soothing solutions for the skin.

From two of the recent #BWB or Bloggers Who Bless Cape Town meets – we have been totally spoilt with their wonderful handcreams. The one I’ve been using on my paws is the Iris Hand Therapy. Firstly, it is small enough to carry around in your handbag, they certainly pack a punch in these harsh winter months. They touch your skin and are absorbed leaving you with wonderfully smooth and soft hands that have no left over residue or greasiness. A real winter-must have. On top of this they leave your hands smelling absolutely gorgeous and long after use they leave a very faint scent of beautiful iris. These hand creams are award-winning and its not hard to see why. They certainly win my vote for best winter handcream for 2014 that I’ve used so far ;) Have a look at the entire handcream range over here at their website.

For 50g this product retails at R180 but you use such a little product it can last you for ages so, its well worth the investment!

Crabtree & Evelyn are not only an easy solution for a gift for the special ladies in your life as their products will happily work in harmony with everyone, they are a healthy and smart choice for daily use.

What is your favourite Crabtree & Evelyn product?

Don’t forget to visit Crabtree & Evelyn’s website, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @Crabtree_SA

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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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Hi lovelies! Today I have something a little different for you. As some of you may have seen on Twitter, I am honored to be a part of an amazing group of ladies called Bloggers Who Bless or #BWB. To find out exactly what #BWB is about you can check us out HERE and while you're there, go have look around the site! The posts are always honest and helpful so it's definitely worth a read. Now and then I will be reviewing products for #BWB and it may not always be nail polish, nail art or hand care related but I will always try and make it as informative and entertaining as possible. So let's get on to my very first review...

After the first #BWB meet up in Cape Town, I got sent an AMAZING goodie bag which contained 2 gorgeous tubes of Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturising Hand Therapy (Iris and Lavender). I'll admit, this was the first time I've heard of the brand but that is because I have been sleeping under a non-beauty-related rock for the past 24 years! After stalking the internet and the Crabtree & Evelyn website, I was ready to test this product and man, I was not disappointed!

First off, let's talk about the packaging. Crabtree & Evelyn Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy comes in a beautiful tube that reminds me of all those little paint tubes that you always see in art supply stores and want to buy, even though you have no idea what you are actually going to do with it! This immediately had me feeling all giddy and excited because yes, I am that easily excited. It's the small things in life people!

The actual cream had a bit of a buttery feel to it when I first rubbed it between my fingers which had me a little worried as I don't like to use heavy greasy products on my hands during the day but this worry went away very quickly! After I rubbed the cream in, my hands felt soft, moisturized, smelled divine and absorbed into my skin with no effort! I'll admit, I fell pretty hard for this product because it's truly amazing. In fact, it now is the cream I use before I take my nail art photos for the blog because it makes my hands look so moisturized without looking oily. Out of the 2 scents I received, I preferred the Iris but that's only because I've never been a fan of Lavender scented products. The only downfall about this cream is the price tag. It is quite a bit more expensive than the average hand cream on the market but that being said, it isn't an average hand cream! At the moment I'm actually planning the heist I'm going to pull when this cream is finished because I want...no, NEED a lifetime supply of it!
You can keep up with Crabtree & Evelyn via Twitter, Facebook and also remember to go check out their website. 

Lots of mad love...
Thea

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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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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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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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Dermalogica products have been around for years, this is however the first time that I have ever used them and I have to tell you, I am loving them.  Yes, I know, I haven’t tried their full range or even a complete range but the 3 sample products that I received from the #BWB goodie bag have definitely left me wanting more.

I received  the following samples for review:  1 x 22ml Skin Hydrating Masque, 1 x 50ml Multi-Active Toner, 1 x 30ml PreCleanse as well as a sample eye cream which I sadly lost when I was away in Johannesburg.  I have been using the 3 products listed above over the last couple of weeks and I can tell you the following:

The Skin Hydrating Masque is a refreshing mask that hydrates and replenishes dehydrated skin.  I have been using it once a week for the last few weeks.  The application is easy enough, you simply apply it over your already cleansed face and throat and then let it absorb for 10-15 minutes, thereafter rinsing it off thoroughly.  I personally found that it definitely does hydrate the skin and I love the supple feeling that gets left behind after the rinse.  You can pick up a 75ml tube for R590.00.

The  Multi-Active Toner  is great at refreshing and hydrating your skin. The first time I used this was after flying to Johannesburg – my skin was dehydrated and felt incredibly ‘icky’ and this completely perked me up (even over my makeup). The directions state that it’s a refreshing facial spritz which hydrates and smooths the surface for application of your moisturiser which would follow.  The toner includes soothing lavender, balm mint and arnica and is free from all artifical frangrances and colours.  You can pick up a 250ml bottle for R520.00

The PreCleanse is absolutely phenomenal.  It’s a deep-cleansing oil which melts away anything and everything (impurities & makeup) from your skin, leaving it feeling amazingly soft, clean and nourished.  Basically you use your clean, dry hands, massage a few drops of the PreCleanse oil over your face until it creates a light, milky emulsion and from there you rinse your face with lukewarm water.  I just can’t even explain to you how much I love this product and if I could afford it, I would ensure that I am never without it, but alas, for R520.00 for a 150ml, it just isn’t in my budget.

You can find Dermalogica products at all good salons or you can click here to find a salon nearest to you.  Dermalogica can also be found on the following platforms:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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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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From the recent launch of the #BloggersWhoBless network, founded by the wonderful Heather from FemmeLifestyle, we were given some of the most mind blowing goodie bags which included some a selection of books from the wonderful Penguin Books, now, I don’t need to go into detail about Penguin as they must be one of the most renown publishing houses and book distributors around.

I was overjoyed with the choice available to choose from but since when I do read now its normally study material which makes my soul die slowly or recipe books which are my new found addiction, even though I’m still mastering this thing called cooking I do believe I have an inner Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsay dying to get out and present some serious cooking skills. I chose the book called “The Only Recipes You’ll Ever Need” by Tony Turnbill which retails for R310 over here.

The most amazing thing about this recipe book is that its concise and to the point, each page showcases four individual variations of dishes we already know and love in order to break the mould, so to speak, of cooking boring food. The book is not thick or incredibly heavy and it contains 250 recipes. It’s even endorsed by Gordon Ramsay on the back cover…

“Simple and delicious dishes for every night of the week. This book’s a great staple for any kitchen.” – Gordon Ramsay

If why I love it is not enough to convince you, then you’ll have to take Gordon’s word for it!

P.S. Don’t forget to give @PenguinBooksSA on Twitter and let them know we sent you!

x flea143

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The Victorian Garden, a South African, organic skin care company, recently re-launched their hair masks and I was fortunate to receive one to try out. After going very blonde last year, which I must admit I have loved, my hair is soooo dry! This is probably largely because I heat style my hair – usually everyday, naughty I know. This is a habit I am trying hard to break!



I have been testing quite a few different hair masks and treatments and was keen to try out The Victorian Garden Hair Mask. I am currently using their Mango and Vanilla Exfoliating Salt Body Scrub, which I love.
There are two hair masks in The Victorian Garden range: a Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, with Peppermint and a Cocoa & Mafura Butter Hair Masque, with Orange & Rosemary.



I received the Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, with Peppermint to review. The mask is recommended as an extra nourishing treatment for dry or damaged hair, to help repair, moisturise and protect the hair shaft for smoother, shinier hair with less frizz. The formula combines Jojoba wax, Shea Butter and Avocado to deeply penetrate the hair and plant proteins to build strength and manageability. Rosemary and Lime essential oils assist in root health, soothing a dry and itchy scalp, while revitalising Peppermint balances pH and promotes hair growth.

I must admit I am always hesitant when trying new hair care products, as many of them leave my super fine hair unmanageable but I was keen to see if this masque could work its magic on my hair!
You do need a bit of time when using a hair mask – so for me the evenings or weekend mornings work best. The mask has a pleasant botanical fragrance, which smells quite strongly of rosemary but I did not find the smell lingered in my hair after rinsing. To use, apply the mask after shampooing from mid-lengths to ends of hair. You do need to leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse well.

Tip: For a deep treatment, apply mask to damp hair and wrap head in a towel for 20 minutes or overnight. Rinse well after use.

I was initially quite surprised after rinsing my hair,as it felt quite dry and not as silky smooth as it has using other masks or treatments. After combing through and applying my everyday heat protection and styling products to my hair, I dried it as per normal. My hair was definitely easier to manage when styling it and not as “fly-away” as it usually is. My initial reaction was completely forgotten because my hair looked awesome – it had much more body and a great healthy shine to it. I was even asked later that day, whether I had gone to the hair dresser because my hair looked so amazing
Needless to say this product is a winner – well for me anyway! I recommend that you give it a try, especially if you have dry, over-processed hair.
To find out more about these and other products please visit The Victorian Garden website.

**All Images are Copyrighted to Fiona Rossiter

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The Victorian Garden is a local company who specialises in creating organic hand crafted products using old Victorian recipes to make luscious lotions and potions, whilst deeply caring for the environment, animal welfare, the community and ‘the damage being done to our bodies and our planet by all the chemicals used in today's skincare products’. This company is passionate about creating quality products that are affordable.

Do yourself a favour and go read The Victorian Garden History. Now I want to spoil all the ladies in my life with these special products.

I love hair masks. Problem is, most affordable ones feel as though they do pretty much the same as a normal conditioner. So it doesn’t happen often that I would repurchase one – it really needs to impress me.

The Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque with Peppermint by The Victorian Garden will be bought as soon as the current one nears the end.

I received this masque at our first #BloggersWhoBless event and I was quite excited to try something by The Victorian Garden.

This masque has been designed to care for hair that is dry, damaged and/or chemically treated. Jojoba wax, Shea Butter, Avocado, Rosemary and Lime essential oils and Peppermint work together to strengthen, moisturise, repair, protect and sooth the hair and scalp.

The masque is thick and smells lovely. My hair feels soft and nourished after use and the peppermint gives your scalp a lovely tingle.

The point of this post is actually to tell you about what this product has done for Cara’s hair. I’ve been using it to condition her hair every day over the past week. I have to wash her hair every day as she goes to a play school and her favourite place to play is the sandpit. She has blonde curly hair that has always been very dry. I struggle to find shampoo that doesn’t feel like it’s stripping her hair, so a good conditioner is a must. Also, my little girl looks like she wants to sport dreadlocks in the mornings. You don’t want to know what that ‘bossiekop’ looks like when she wakes up! To sum up, naturally dry hair that takes a beating from daily washing and knots that I sometimes want to take a pair of scissors to. This masque has transformed her hair from ‘crunchy’ to smooth. It doesn’t take quiet as long to detangle and her hair is smooth and shiny and the curls form beautifully. Her hair looks healthy. Winning!

I am really impressed with this product (that is so affordable at ZAR95) and can’t wait to try more from VG.

You can shop HERE.

xoxo

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Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse

I have been coveting the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse multi-usage dry oil for months now (a friend told me about it after she spotted it in a mag – dankie Hester!) and I have been green with envy every time I read a review. I have not heard a single bad thing about this product. At our first #BloggersWhoBless event I spotted a 10ml bottle of this precious oil in our bag of spoils and all I wanted to do was go home, wash my face and try it out. Is it really as fabulous as it claims to be?

Hell yes! I love it. A few drops is enough to cover my face and neck and it sinks in immediately. My skin is left feeling so soft and supple that I can’t keep my hands away from my face. It smells lovely too. We all know that facial oils are beneficial and can be used on all skin types. I was still a bit worried to try it on my face as the past couple of weeks have been terribly hot and my skin tends to look like an oil slick within a couple of hours after cleansing. Damn hot and humid I tell you! But because the oil doesn’t sit on your skin, I never felt as though I was suffocating and my skin did not seem to be more oily than usual after using this. I have only used it on my face, neck and hands as I am way too stingy and I want this bottle to last me a long time (or at least till my birthday next month… family and friends reading this?!). Even though I am using it very sparingly, I think the big bottle will last you ages. A little goes a long way.

Here is a little bit more on the oil (as per the Nuxe website):

‘98.1% of the ingredients in this Dry Oil are of natural origin, it is a unique combination of 30% Precious Plant Oils and Vitamin E to nourish, repair and soften your face, body and hair in a single step. Your face and body are left feeling soft and silky. Your hair is supple, soft and shines with health.’

I am enjoying every single drop of this oil and this is a product that I will definitely buy for myself. This is going to be invaluable during the colder months.

You can get yourself one at Truworths: ZAR210 for 50ml and ZAR330 for 100ml. I think the 100ml bottle is a great buy.

Have you tried this oil? What do you think?

On a side note... look out for limited edition bottles like this one. Thanks Heather for making me want it even more!

I love Paris in the Spring time!

 xoxo

*Disclaimer: This product was sponsored and received at an event. I have not received compensation for this post and the opinions are my own. 

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At our recent #BloggersWhoBless breakfast we all received a bottle of this unique Skin Care Oil known worldwide ..yes I am talking about Huile Prodigieuse which belongs the the brand NUXE.

I have often seen this little glass bottle of treasure on beauty blogs, and truly coveted them from a distance. The glee could not be contained when I received these for gifts in the goodie bags. This golden treasures roots are firmly based in the city of love ...yep you guessed it PARIS France.

The hard to pronounce name Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse – translated is – the “prodigious oil” and what does that mean?
The Dictionary description is as such ...
pro-di-gious: adj. extraordinary, marvelous, wonderful, exceptional.

So what did I think of this Multi-Purpose Oil for the Hair , Body & Face ...

Fragrance - 

This oil is like a veritable bouquet of flowers , with floral notes that permeate the senses and linger on the skin long after application. I kept imagining the essence of beautiful violets being applied to my skin, because quite honestly thats what it smells like to me. The fragrance is floral , soft and definitely multifaceted.

Those who do not enjoy sweet or floral scents this is not for you.

Texture - 

It is a superfine dry oil that disappears into the skin on application, it is important to stress here, that less is more. It leaves the skin with a soft iridescent sheen, comfortable and soft.

Packaging -

This product comes in a glass bottle due to the fact that it contains many plant oils and essences which cannot be packaged in plastic. I am always a little skittish when it comes to a screw on cap and a glass bottle but thats just me (clumsy).

Efficacy - 

I have been using this product for a few days now (at night) and I can see what all the fuss is about. It leaves your skin feeling lovely and hydrated , soft and does not clog your pores at all. I have been rubbing the residue left on my hands into my super curly colour treated hair .. the result is soft locks with a sheen ( I am not sure about a full application and might try it as a treatment because my hair is very fine and gets oily quickly). I love the texture of my skin and I am enjoying the treatment oil , being a therapist this type of product is always tops for me.

What you might not know is that Huile Prodigieuse is made up of  30% precious plant oils and 98.1% of the ingredients in this oil are of natural origin.

I love this oil I can see why is is revered and reputedly 1 is sold every 6 seconds. Don't miss out , spoil yourself today you won't be sorry. Did I mention that they have Limited Editions from time to time such as this ...

For more info you can contact them HERE

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Thursday, 13 February 2014

SKNLOGIC Renew Foot Balm

In general I am not a fan of foot balms. Most that I’ve tried leave a film on my feet that I don’t like; I want one that sinks into the skin. Still, I was keen to try this one and very happy to see a SKNLOGIC product in my #BloggersWhoBless goodie bag from our launch. I am a fan of SKNLOGIC and I have posted about the brand and their enzymatic exfoliator before.

Renew Foot Balm contains sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, fig & cucumber extract, orange oil and shea butter that aims to ‘help soothe sore joints, hydrate and protect extremely dry, cracked skin’.

The balm does a great job at hydrating and soothing and it doesn’t leave that yucky film that I hate. It actually gets absorbed very well and I can walk around barefoot soon after I’ve applied it. I apply it just as I am about to get into bed and the first night I tried it, I used a bit too much and applied the excess to my hands and elbows. This balm is great for very dry hands as well. This product is now my nightly hand and foot treat. Because it is so rich, I was worried that it would affect the sensitive eczema-prone skin on my hands negatively, but to the contrary, it works wonders. My hands feel soft and nourished (as do my feet) the next morning. 

Visit SKNLOGIC’s website to find a stockist near you and get yourself one at ZAR85.

This is well worth it.

xoxo

Posted by CharlieW at 10:15

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