Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation
Jules and I were given a bottle of this a couple of months ago and I must be honest, I didn’t touch it until the beginning of this year because my love affair with Dior Diorskin Nude BB Cream was still going strong. However, I am kicking myself for not using it sooner because it is gorgeous! Although the formulation is lightweight, the coverage is excellent and it evens out my skin tone beautifully. The finish is luminous and glowy (my personal favourite, as you will no doubt be aware of by now) and it has fantastic staying power. It only comes in 10 shades, which is unfortunately rather limited, but the shades do seem to be adaptable to different skin tones – Jules and I wear the shame shade (02), which is something we have never been able to do before. It retails for R370 and it is available from selected Woolworths and Edgars Red Square stores, or online here.
The Body Shop Mango Sugar Body Scrub
I really rate The Body Shop body scrubs – they contain just the right amount of grit to ensure that your skin is left feeling smooth and supple, and not in the least bit raw (which is ideal for an enthusiastic exfoliator like me). This scrub is oil-based and contains salt grains and organic sugar to buff your skin to baby-soft perfection. What I also like about this scrub is that it moisturises as well as exfoliates, so your skin won’t feel parched after you’re finished scrubbing. Although, that being said, I like to follow up with a generous helping of Kiehl’s Crème de Corps afterwards, just to make sure my boyfriend won’t be able to keep his hands off me…It retails for R130 from The Body Shop store or online here.
LUSH ‘I Love Juicy’ Shampoo
Jules and I have both written about this shampoo numerous times, but I had to mention it again this month because, well, it’s just that good. Over the past month I have made a point of using this clarifying shampoo once a week – I use a lot of very rich, heavy products so I like to detox my scalp weekly to ensure that all the grease is properly removed. This shampoo contains various fruit enzymes to zap impurities and leave your locks looking shiny and healthy, and it smells deliciously zingy too! It retails for R78 for 100g, R155 for 250g and R225 for 500g. Available from LUSH stores or online here.
LA Nail Professional Polish Remover Pump Dispenser
My mom bought me this nail polish remover pump dispenser from Planet Nails in Somerset West a while back and I absolutely love it. It’s such a useful addition to my nail care routine and, as a clumsy nail painter, it’s great because you just push the cotton wool onto the pad and it dispenses the perfect amount of polish remover. No more fiddly caps and spillage to worry about – plus it makes me feel like a professional, sitting there with my little pump dispenser. Oh, and it cost R20! In the words of my father, how can you have so much fun for so little money?
Dr Lewinn’s Renunail Sensitive Nail Strengthener
Keeping with the nail theme, you all know how much I love my OPI Chip Skip – it zaps all the moisture out of your nails to ensure a chip-free manicure (moisture on your nail plate is what causes polish to chip). However, after 6 months of continuous use, my nails went on strike – nothing could stop the peeling, flaking and chipping, and it got so bad that for a couple of weeks I couldn’t wear anything on my nails at all (#firstworldproblems). Enter Dr Lewinn’s Renunail: this nail strengthening formula is infused with diamond dust and pearl powder (lush) to gently bring your nails back to life. It hardens the nails without making them brittle, and it stops them from peeling and flaking. You apply one thin coat daily to clean nails for four days. On day five, remove the formula and repeat the program three times, allowing nails to rest for two weeks in between each program. I recently finished my first course and the condition of my nails has improved tremendously – so much so that I have been able to enjoy chip-free mani’s without the need for a nail dehydrator first. Unfortunately this product is not available in South Africa (sorry, sorry, sorry).