Vintage Maybelline Advertising

An ad for Ultra Lash (later renamed Great Lash) - the world's first "automatic" mascara

I’m sure you know the famous story of how modern mascara was invented? If you don’t, it goes like this: Back in 1915, there was a young chemist living in New York named Tom Lyle Williams, who’s sister Mabel had recently singed off her lashes and eyebrows in a small kitchen fire. He noticed her applying a mixture of Vaseline and coal dust to her eyelashes to give them a darker, fuller look and the idea was born. Two years later, after establishing a company called “Maybelline” (Mabel + Vaseline), he launched Cake Mascara, and later, the first “automatic” mascara which reloaded…

NEWS: No More Animal Testing In The EU

No more animal testing in the EU

This is arguably the best news I’ve heard all year! The European Union has, after almost 20 years of tireless campaigning from animal rights groups, confirmed that it will be banning the import and sale of animal-tested cosmetic products (including ingredients) for member states from March 11 2013. This means that from this date onwards, anyone selling new cosmetic products and ingredients in the EU will not be allowed to test them on animals anywhere in the world. This ban does not just affect luxury products either, it applies to everything from skin creams to toothpaste. This is a very…

REVIEW: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

Here’s the official blurb on this foundation: Mattifying liquid foundation for up to 12 hours. Natural shine control, for fresh matte finish. With camomile to help calm, cucumber to help clarify and cotton to help control shine. Talc free, oil free, paraben free, fragrance free 5 shades to choose from And these were our personal experiences with the product: Jules: Shade: 203 Sand Coverage: Light-medium but I only use a very small amount and then blend it out with a buffing brush. Definitely buildable. Look & Feel: Perfectly smooth application and it feels totally weightless (I HATE being able to feel…

Shopping Guide: 36Boutiques

36Boutiques Beauty

36Boutiques is an online shopping destination for fashion lovers that has been around for a couple of years. They stock a range of local and international labels, and while they specialise in clothing, shoes and accessories, they also have an amazing range of beauty products – many of them French pharmacy brands. The site is packed with cult beauty favourites (see below) and make-up must-haves from the likes of Bourjois, Stila and Essie. Towards the end of last week, I saw a couple of tweets saying that they had re-launched their site with a new design, so I promptly alerted…

We Need to Talk About Kiehl’s

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

A brand that needs no introduction, surely? In a nutshell: It is an American cosmetics brand that specializes in making premium skin, hair, and body care products. Founded as a single pharmacy in New York City’s East Village in 1851, Kiehl’s was purchased by the L’Oréal Group in 2000 and currently has more than 30 retail stores worldwide, as well as concessions in various high-end department stores. When Jules and I heard that they were opening a store in Sandton, we actually contemplated flying up there for a day just to shop. Thankfully sanity prevailed, but I think it’s safe…

Girl Crush: Blake Lively

Blake Lively - Allure magazine

“Crush” is actually not a strong enough word for how I feel about Blake Lively. I’m actually obsessed with her perfect features, glowing skin, thick, glossy hair, endless legs, Hollywood smile and extremely hot husband. She also famously refuses to diet or exercise… so basically a fine example of just how deeply unfair life can be. Let’s look a little closer, shall we? Excuse me while I cry myself to sleep now. Images via.

Brand I Wish Was in SA: Laura Mercier

Laura Mercier Oil Free Flawless Face Kit

Laura Mercier’s main focus is, and always has been, flawless skin. Consequently, her range of foundations, tinted moisturisers, concealers, and powders are so outstanding that they have reached cult-status amongst professional make-up artists and discerning make-up lovers alike. Her approach is very simple: prime the skin, apply foundation, apply concealer and then set with powder. As someone who struggles with rosacea and acne (WHY ME?), I have been through the mill with concealers and powders and can safely say that I have yet to find a brand that does a better job than Laura Mercier. Additionally, all of her products…

The Original YouTube Beauty Queen

Discovered this little gem after seeing Lisa Eldridge post it on Facebook. It’s footage of Joan Collins being interviewed by Michael Parkinson while she puts on her make-up and the look is pure 1980’s glamour: gold-and-purple eyeshadow, dark brows, glossy pinky-red lips and a big, fat, stripy line of blusher down her cheeks. Despite the dated make-up, she has plenty of sensible things to say on the subject and seems like a total pro. Enjoy!

Beauty Spotlight: Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

One of my biggest beauty gripes is mascara that smudges, especially on the bottom lashes. I have quite long lashes so I am particularly prone to it, which means I am often left with a lot of darkness under my eyes – not ideal. (Shame, the problems I have to deal with – sometimes I don’t know how I muster the strength to face the day!) A few months ago I started hearing a lot of positive things about the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara and decided to give it a go. This product is specifically designed to coat the bottom…

My Manicure: Essie "Tart Deco"

Essie Tart Deco

Pretty, nê? This is one of my favourite nail polishes from Essie. It’s bright without being neon so totally appropriate for you office-bound types, and looks fantastic on toes too (especially if you have a tan or are lucky enough to have naturally darker skin). My only issue with it, as with all of the lighter Essie colours, is it needs a few coats before it turns opaque. Essie is available from Clicks, Dischem, Foschini, Edgars, Wellness Warehouse and various pharmacies, and is priced around R100 each. Image by me.