Posts Written OnMarch 2013

Nail Revolution: Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat

Seche Vite

We all know the feeling: sitting patiently, waiting for our nail polish to dry. And then, just when you think you’re ready to go, you touch something and it smudges. RAGE. But fear not, help is at hand…I give you Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. What is it? A fast-drying top coat specially formulated to penetrate through nail polish to the base coat, forming a single solid coating over the nail for a more durable finish. What does it promise? To cut drying time dramatically, and to leave nails resistant to chipping and peeling. Does it deliver? YES. I have been…

Estée Lauder Free Gift with Purchase

Free Gift with Purchase

If you’re a serious skincare addict like Camilla and I then you probably already know about Estée Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair, which has long been a favourite of beauty editors the world over. It’s known for being the best anti-ageing serum on the market, and it has 30 years’ worth of dedicated fans who will testify that it really does leave skin looking smoother, younger and more radiant. The problem is that, like many high-end serums, it’s extremely expensive. I would argue that although it’s pricey, it’s still great value for money because a bottle lasts forever and the product…

Review: Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara

Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume mascara

Julia and I aren’t exactly what you would call faithful when it comes to mascara brands – we are constantly on the look out for the next best thing. My two favourites, up until now, were Maybelline Great Lash and L’Oreal Extreme Million Lashes. Julia’s was Max Factor Masterpiece Mascara. But that’s all changed…we’ve both fallen hook, line and sinker for the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara. This mascara promises the most extreme volume (hence the name) and “wraps lashes in instant, jaw-dropping drama”. As usual, Julia and I did our reviews separately and did not consult each other.…

Must-Have Cream Blush: Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful Pot Rouge

“Pretty Powerful symbolizes my belief that all women are pretty, and with the right tools, are empowered to a higher level of pretty – it’s about being confident and about being who you are” – Bobbi Brown. That’s a philosophy that I can subscribe to, can’t you? Bobbi Brown has released a limited edition Pretty Powerful Pot Rouge for International Women’s Day (which took place on 8 March 2013), with all sales in South Africa going to HeartBeat, a charity that cares for orphaned and vulnerable children suffering from the impact of HIV. This item was only released in four…

Link Love #1

Camilla and I read loads of different beauty blogs and often see interesting posts that we think our lovely readers might also enjoy. And so today, we’re sharing the (link) love: Things I love… from Kiss Blush and Tell A great round-up of Tori’s current favourites, including the Rimmel BB cream that we’re busy testing (review up soon!). Beauty Battle: Luxury vs. Budget from What I Heart Today Lily’s videos are some of our favourites on YouTube and she blogs every single day which is amazing. This is a fantastic comparison between similar high-end and budget products with her verdict…

February Favourites

Sorry this is so late guys! We shot it at the end of February but then had problems getting it up on YouTube. Here are our February Favourites nonetheless. Camilla’s Favourites: Eucerin Hyaluronic Filler My skin has been so parched lately – I felt like no matter how much water I drank or how much moisturiser I put on, my skin was still dry and flaky. I had been dabbling with the idea of hyaluronic acid for a while, so this product couldn’t have been recommended to me at a better time. In short, I love it – for the…

Beauty Evolution: Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad 2004

I’m not afraid to admit that I am a huge fan of Lauren Conrad. I was an avid watcher of Laguna Beach and The Hills, and have followed her career as she branched out into fashion design and writing. Her two non-fiction books, Lauren Conrad Style and Lauren Conrad Beauty, are firm favourites of mine and a great addition to any girl’s book collection. She also runs an awesome website called The Beauty Department with her glam squad, hair stylist Kristen Ess and make-up artist Amy Nadine, and a lifestyle blog at LaurenConrad.com. I love her modern classic style and…

Crisis Management: How To Cover An Enormous Spot

Powders

I woke up on Friday morning with a spot of such epic proportions that I was actually lost for words when I looked in the mirror (usually an expletive of some description springs from my lips in these situations). I took photos of it (for documentation purposes only, obviously), but I’m not ready to unleash them on you…however everyone who was in contact with me over the weekend will vouch that is was/is chronic. As I write this on Sunday night, it shows no signs of abating, so good coverage is my only option. I’m going to take you through…

Flawless Face Series Part II: Foundation

Flawless Face - Foundation

There are four basic formulations to choose from: powder, liquid, crème, and stick foundation (I could have included ‘mousse’ in here but I didn’t, because it’s crap). You need to consider the following when deciding which is best for you: Most importantly, what is your skin type? This is essential – is your skin oily, dry, combination, or sensitive?  You don’t need to pick just one option – I have an oily t-zone, dry cheeks and my skin is incredibly sensitive. What level of coverage do you need? Which texture do you prefer (ie matte, dewy, luminous, velvety)?  You should…

Shopaholic: BeautyBay.com

Beauty Bay homepage

The sad truth about living in this beautiful but ever-so-slightly third world paradise, is that there are plenty of beauty brands that aren’t available here. Luckily, with the massive boom in ecommerce, and in particular the popularity of beauty sites, there are now plenty of great online stores that ship internationally and for FREE! One such website is BeautyBay.com, who stock a massive range of haircare, skincare, make-up and nail products from amazing international brands. Some of the highlights include Too Faced, bareMinerals, Deborah Lippmann, Mario Badescu, Neom , This Works and Urban Decay. Worldwide delivery is free, or you…