May 2013 – Page 2 – All Dolled Up

May 17, 2013

Beauty Wishlist #1

I’m currently on a self-imposed spending freeze after a rather expensive trip to London where I lacked even more self-control than usual. Since I’m not allowed to buy any non-essential skincare or cosmetics for three months (*cries*) I thought I would share my wishlist with you of things I would buy if I could: Borghese Active Mud Face & Body Mask (R390) – I first heard about this blackhead-busting mud mask when Fleur included it in her March favourites video. I love mud and clay masks as I find them so effective at clearing out pores and getting rid of…

May 16, 2013

Winter Skin Savers: Your Body

I don’t know about you, but my whole body feels so dry at the moment and if I don’t slather on moisturiser twice a day, I end up looking like a scaly wreck. I have a major weakness for anything that promises soft, supple skin, so I’ve ploughed through more than my fair share of body oils and moisturisers in search of the holy grail. In my opinion, these are the ones that deliver during these drying times (see what I did there?).

May 15, 2013

Curling Your Hair with a Flat Iron

We’ve had quite a few requests for this post over the past few months, but the truth is that not only are Camilla and I not very good at it, we also prefer to curl our hair using hot tongs or barrel curlers. Help is at hand, however! There are literally thousands of video tutorials online that teach you how to curl your hair with a straightening iron so I’ve scoured YouTube to find the best. They vary slightly in approach but the general principle is the same. Seeing it in action is also definitely much easier than trying to…

May 14, 2013

What You Actually Need: The Top 10

I often forget that not everyone has the same affinity for make-up that Jules and I have, and that for most people, the world of cosmetics is a daunting one. We recommend a lot of products on this blog, but the fact of the matter is, you don’t need them, strictly speaking. None of us need five mascaras or twelve foundations (*avoids eye contact*), but what we want them all the same. With that being said, there are certain products that are essential if you want to avoid looking like the crypt keeper – and so with that in mind,…

May 13, 2013

Review: Essence Gel Eyeliner

Let me start off by saying that Essence as a brand has completely surprised me. I assumed that, since their products were so ridiculously cheap and seemed to be aimed at the teen market that the quality would be questionable. After trying some of their nail products with varying degrees of success, I still wasn’t convinced but decided to try the gel liner as I’d heard a few good reviews. It also seemed like a low-risk purchase considering that it costs only R40! It is an amazing product and all the others I’ve tried from Essence since (like the cream…

May 10, 2013

Flawless Face Series Part III: Concealer

Concealer helps to even out your skin tone, cover blemishes and disguise dark circles. It comes in various forms – pens, creams, sticks – you will need to play around a little and see which formulation you like best. I like to separate concealers into two categories: those for the under-eye area, and those for blemishes/the rest of the face. I always use two different concealers for these areas and I don’t like to interchange them. I like to use stick or a cream concealer for blemishes, and a light reflective concealer for under the eyes – the reason being…

May 9, 2013

Mother’s Day Beauty Buys: Luxury

Charlotte Rhys Candle with Silver Lid – R201.85 Cath Kidston Rose Manicure Gift Set – R219.95 Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful (hardcover) – R333 Three Month rubybox Subscription – R349 REN Moroccan Rose Otto Bath Oil – R440 Elie Saab Le Parfum EDP (30ml) – R550 Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair – R585

May 8, 2013

‘Beauty’ at the Met Ball 2013

I say ‘beauty’ because, quite frankly, 80% of the attendees looked horrendous. Now, I know the theme was Punk: Chaos To Couture, but some celebs took it a little too literally for my liking. Here’s a round-up of the worst looks of the night. Images via

May 8, 2013

Review: Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Mask

I asked Jules to bring this mask back from London for me because I had been dying to try something from the Origins range, and this product seemed the most suited to my skincare needs. This mask claims to rapidly reduce visible redness, blotchiness and reactivity – the perfect anecdote for my irritable, sensitive skin. The magic ingredient, allegedly, is mushrooms (which you will no doubt have gathered from the name), which Dr Weil maintains are essential for the well-being of your skin, and play a particularly crucial role in the reduction of inflammation. Does it work? No. Or rather, not in…

May 7, 2013

Mother’s Day Beauty Buys: On a Budget

If your mum is anything like mine, then she doesn’t spend lots of time or money on herself. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to spoil her with a treat from the beauty department and here are my favourite finds if you’re on a budget: Essie Nail Polish in Ole Caliente – R100 African Extracts Spa Treatment Pack – R100 The Body Shop Honey & Oat 3 in 1 Scrub Mask – R125 LUSH Dream Cream body lotion – R155 Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Cream Mini Kit – R160 Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina – R180 Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara – R180

Posts Written OnMay 2013