Essence nail polish

Nude nails are all the rage now.  And it looks lovely and sophisticated.  I also decided to try nude nails and bought Café Ole from Essence.  I love the colour.  It is the only colour I want to wear now. 
 

But I am less than impressed with Essence.  In all honesty it was cheap, and you probably got exactly what you pay for.  The nail polish cost all of R25.  It is a dream to apply.  The paint brush is wide and works well.  The consistency is perfect and it applies easily, dries quickly and does not smudge while applying.  The other great thing was that it was fairly opaque, even though it was a light colour.  One coat looked decent.   Two coats gave a lovely finish. 

However, it does not last even 24 hours.  It chipped really badly after one day.  I will definitely buy a nude colour nail polish again, but I will not buy Essence, unless I want to experiment with an unusual colour.  It is cheap enough for experimenting.



This is what the polish looked like after 24 hours.  Not good ! 
The colour also looks funny on these photos; it i a lot more like the photo on top.

I found mine in Dischem, but think it is sold elsewhere as well. 

Fordoun Spa

This will be my first Spa review.

Flotation pool

I spent two days at Fordoun Hotel and Spa in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Rasul treatment

I had three treatments in the spa:  A Swedish full body massage (one hour), half an hour in the flotation pool and a Rasul treatment.  They offer a full range of body treatments, massages, aromatherapy, manicures and pedicures.  They also had special treatments for pregnant moms.  Their full range of treatments (and prices) are given here.

Their one unique selling point was that they made products from local ingredients and had some treatments and products inspired by traditional Zulu herbs and practices.  They have a traditional healer as director. For example the Rasul treatment used the mud used by local Zulu women. 

The spa was big, the staff were friendly and professional and the therapist knew what she was doing.  The spa is a bit on the expensive side, but they have packages available that makes it all a bit more affordable.  My skin was silky smooth afterwards, I was totally relaxed and during the massage she did amazing things to my legs and knees.

The hotel is 5 star and was lovely.  The rooms were enormous, the bathroom was as big as some other hotel rooms I have seen, the staff were friendly and the meals were great.   Every single person greeted you as you walked around on the property.  The setting is lovely.

 
All in all a worthwhile trip !

Clinique Long Last Glosswear

I just finished this very nice lipgloss.  It is quite dark and provided lovely colour for my lips.  I sometimes wore it with lipstick, but I mostly used it alone and it provided enough colour.  It is glossy and fairly sticky.  I guess the only complaint would be its extreme stickiness.  It was quite long lasting.  The colour I had was called bonfire.  You can see other colours here.

Just one complaint to the engineers designing these kind of things.  Why do you make the applicator too short to reach to the bottom of the tube?  I could not reach about the last 1/5 of the tube. 

This tube is very old, and looks slightly battered after years of travelling in my handbag.

The length of the applicator means you are not able to get to the last bit in the tube.   

 

 

Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer

I guess the problem using a type of product you have never tried before is that you have nothing to compare it to.  I have never used a tinted moisturiser before.  I have used tints (as in concealers and foundations) and I have used moisturisers, but never the combination.  And I did not like it the first time

I would have written a very different review of the Clarins HydraQuench Tinted Moisturizer after a single use.  I would have said:  I hate it.  I felt like it was neither a good moisturizer, nor a good foundation.  It did not feel as if it penetrated my skin and moisturised it at all.  Definitely no hydra quench.  It felt like it sat on top and functioned like a foundation.  It was a little ‘stretchy’ like a foundation.  But it was a really light, almost see through foundation, so it did not cover everything I would want a foundation to cover.  On the plus side, I did not look heavily made up and very natural and I liked the colour.  It blended very well with my skin tone.  Since the tint is so light, I do not think it would matter much if the shade did not match your skin tone perfectly.   It also had an SPF of 6. 

However, I continued using the product all week.  And my skin was soft and smooth at the end of the day.  It was almost as if the moisturiser kept moisturising during the day.  And I used a normal foundation later in the week and found that it also did not cover up everything I hoped a foundation would hide.  So maybe I was a bit harsh with the poor tinted moisturiser the first time I used it.

According to Clarins:  Skin-smoothing pigments deliver radiant translucennt colour and reflect light perfectly for a beautiful natural looking complexion.  They optically minimize fine lines, imperfections and signs of fatigue to deliver an instantly fresh and luminous complexion.

Some reviews can be found here, here and here.  I am not the only one who did not like it.

Revlon Top Speed Nail Enamel

I love nail polish.  I like wearing it not only because I like it, but because it can hide many sins.  I often have paint or ink or grout (I tiled a large part of my house in the evenings over a few months – trust me tiling is hell on hands and nails) under my nails.  I can either paint them or struggle to get them perfectly clean.  I often choose to paint them.

I have never used Revlon nail polish before.  I wished I did.  I will definitely buy it again.  This product is amazing.  It goes on smoothly and lasts and lasts.  If you do not garden or tile, you almost get a week out of it. 

The colour I tried is a bit odd.  It is called lingerie pink, is very visible and I am not sure that it goes with my skin tone.  It felt a bit Barbie-ish for me.  Maybe if you are very pale it would look better than on my slightly tanned hands.   The colour is also very light and needed 3 coats to give an even cover.  And I think the polish got a bit thick with 3 coats, thus scratching more easily. 

Summary – Lingerie Pink :  No

Revlon Top Speed – A resounding YES !

After a week of wear

Saving on cosmetics

There is no need to pay full price for skin care products.  I like using Clinique. For its price it offers good value.  I used to live in New York for a short while and started using it there because it was so much cheaper than anything else.  It is an American product and outside of America it is a bit more expensive relative to other brands than it was in America.  Lucky readers who travel can pick it up there.

Clinique runs specials from time to time where you need to purchase one or two products and then get a free gift.  I only ever buy my Clinique when these specials are on.  Just keep your eyes open when your bottle is less than half full and buy the next time the special comes around.

The last time I bought a special they had this offer.  The gift was claimed to be worth R1000.  It included: 

• A large cosmetic bag (one I actually use daily),
• Key ring change purse (which I also use in my handbag)
• 7 Day Scrub Cream
• Dramatically Different Moisturiser (30 ml)
• Youth Surge SPF 15 Decelerating Moisturiser
• Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector
• Eyes 1 2 3 Colour Compact
• High Impact Mascara
• Superbalm Moisturising Gloss (7 ml)
• Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream

 I liked all these products and have reviewed some on my blog; just click on the product above for the reviews on my blog. 

This boils down to half price cosmetics, since I paid about R 900 for the two products I had to buy to get this gift.

Someone else also thinks these gifts are cool.

I know this Clinique gift does not help the reader, since it is an old offer.
Currently Clarins has similar offers of free gifts of travel sized products when you buy two products.  These are worth checking out.

A powdery girl

I recently discovered that there is something perfumes I instantly like have in common.  They have a powdery undertone.  Examples are Prada’s Infusion D’Iris (my current favourite perfume), Kelso Flower and recently discovered Chloe Love. 

I am not a powdery kind of girl.  I am also sure that if you asked the people in my life to associate me with a fragrance, it would not be powder.  I am not subtle or quiet or particularly feminine, all things I would associate with someone who is powdery!  

Are there any other powdery perfumes out there I should investigate?  Is powder even an accepted way to describe perfumes?

Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection shine mist from Lee Stafford

A product I discovered through Rubybox is Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection shine mist from Lee Stafford.  I am not much of a hair care girl.  My hair care buys consist of shampoo and conditioner (and I believe a good conditioner is key).  I buy Rubybox as a cheap way to get cosmetics I would never buy, but also to expose me to new things I would never think of trying.  This was definitely one of those.  I loved it so much that I went out and bought myself a full size one, thereby defeating the aim of saving money.  In effect I am spending more, because I used to blow dry my hair just fine without this product.  And now I believe I need it. 

It is a watery mist you spray on your hair.  I have no idea how much you are supposed to use.  I just give one or two spritzes per bunch of hair.  It is supposed to protect your hair against the heat.  But it does so much more. 

Why I like it: 

• It smells nice
• It makes your hair feel soft and shiny
• Your hair shines more
• Your hair is easier to style.  It straightens more easily and stays straight a bit better.

If I blow dry my hair I spritz a bit on the wet hair before I start.  If I use a hot iron I spritz a bit on the dry hair just before I iron it. 

It costs about R100 for a bottle.  It can only be found in Clicks.   

Where has a hair straightener been all my life?  I am not sure whether this is just one really, really good brand or whether I would like them all.  It is on my list to try another brand as well.

Here is a review of the entire range, and a review of the spray.  Here is an interview with Lee Stafford. 

Questions on Monday

I have so many questions about beauty products.  If you read this, please leave a comment and answer this question:

  Is there anything that really really works for dark circles under your eyes? 

This is my biggest beauty problem.

Prevage hydrating fluid

I was very excited to use the Prevage Hydrating Fluid.  I live in Durban, where things are very moist and humid, and it was marketed as a light hydrating fluid, perfect for this kind of weather.  I thought it was just so-so.  I would use this lotion if I had it, there was absolutely nothing wrong with it, but I am sure you can buy better lotions for the price.  It is not cheap, and comes at R850 for 50 ml.  My skin did not feel super soft or super hydrated.  It felt like I needed a little bit more.  It was very non-oily, exactly as claimed.  The greatest advantage lies in the fact that this lotion moisturises without adding oiliness.  If that is very important for you, give this lotion a chance. 

The entire Prevage range is supposed to be anti-aging.  I have no idea how to evaluate whether I look younger after a few weeks of use.  I have fine lines, not really bad, but there.  And they only seem to get worse over time, regardless of what I use.  This was no exception.  Maybe with longer use one would see something.  I only used it for two weeks by the time I wrote this review.

Another pro for this product is the bottle.  It has a pump action and locks securely.  You therefore do not need to put your dirty fingers in a tub of lotion and there is no mess if you throw it in a bag.

A con is that there is no SPF in the lotion.

The manufacturer claims:  This sheer oily hydrator infuses skin with viral moisturiser.  It helps to correct the appearance of visible signs of damage left behind - fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and discolouration.  Skin feels smooth, refreshed and beautiful. 

Some reviews can be found here, here, here and here.

Questions on MONDAY

I have so many questions about beauty products.  If you read this, please leave a comment and answer this question:

  Do dry shampoos actually work for other people?  I do not think it works.  Or am I just not applying enough of the stuff?

Rimmel nail polish

I have to wear a very, very red uniform to work.  (And I hate it!)  So I bought some very, very red nail polish to go with it.  I bought Rimmel Lasting Finish and the colour was called Double Decker Red. It is a lovely colour.  A bright true red, not as orange as it looks in this picture.  The application is easy and perfect.  One coat was enough.  While I love the very, very red, the quality of the nail polish is really not good.  It chips after one day!  With a top coat it lasts 2 days !  I expect a little bit more from a nail polish.  Maybe this is good enough for something you pick up for R10 at a flea market.   

Questions on Monday

I have so many questions about beauty products.  If you read this, please leave a comment and answer this question:

Most times when I do eye makeup I end with little Panda eyes about an hour later.  Dark lines under my eyes where my makeup smudged.  How do you prevent it?

Not quite as bad as this !

Clinique youth surge SPF 15, age decelerating moisturizer for dry/combination skin

I have an amazing husband.  The kind you can send to the store to buy you tampons.  The only requirement is that you give very clear instructions, like brand names and sizes.  Dear husband offered the other day to buy my moisturiser for me.  I could not get to the mall and he could and I needed it, etc.  I love Clinique and gave him instructions to buy a Clinique moisturiser for my skin type.  It seems that was not clear enough.  They have a version for younger skin and one for older skin and since I did not specify which I needed he was lost.  Clever man that he is, he asked the sales lady, and clever sales lady that she is, she asked him how old his wife was.  Well, given my age, he came home with the version for older skin.  I have only ever used the version for younger skin.  I spent about a day being upset that I was considered old, and that my husband bought a much more expensive product than I had hoped for.  (Yes, I know, I should buy these things myself.)  After all my unhappiness I started using the tub, and have now just finished it.  I love it.  (Proof that I am old?)

Clinique's description of "Youth surge SPF 15, age decelerating moisturizer for dry/combination skin" : Leveraging Sirtuin technology, Clinique science uses youth-extending agents to create a daily moisturizer with visible effects. Lines and wrinkles seem to evaporate, replaced by plump, vibrant skin alive with collagen and elastin. Skin gains strength over environmental agers. Looks younger, longer.

This cream is incredibly moisturising, it was a little bit on the oily side, but I liked it.  I often used it as a night cream, I think because it was so very creamy.  It really fed a winter skin nicely. Maybe it would be a bit rich in summer.  I am not so sure about the looking younger part, though !

It comes in a jar, which I know many people complain about.  It costs around R565 for 50 ml.  I was told by a Clinique sales lady that they have a money back guarantee on all products, even if already opened and used.

Here is a review.

Tattoos

Full disclosure!  I have no tattoos and do not think I will ever get any either.  I can kind of get why someone would get a tattoo.  What I cannot get is why most people get the really, really ugly tattoos they have.  If you spend the money to get something permanent on your body, why not get something really, really pretty.  Something small and delicate.  If ever I were to get a tattoo, it would look like this:

This is a Tattly temporary tattoo.  Isn't it just too lovely and delicate?

Kiehl's

Let me confess.  I have NEVER heard of Kiehl's, the iconic New York skin care brand.  And to make it worse, I lived in New York and have never even seen their very iconic shop.  How I wish I did!

Kiehl's has recently launched a shop in South Africa, only one shop in Edgars in Sandton City.  You could read about it all over the beauty blogs.  Look here, here, here and here and many many more I did not link. 

More recently some reviews of Kiehl's products started coming out on beauty blogs.  I have never seen or touched their products, but the reviews seem very good. 

Rubybox is sending out a Kiehl's box this month.  I am patiently waiting for my bit of Kiehl's. 

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream

What Clinique claims: Treat hands to 12-hour hydration, soothing comfort. Rich, restorative cream strengthens skin's moisture barrier against environmental stressors. Even boosts skin's ability to retain moisture-so hands look and feel smoother. Conditions cuticles and nails.

I really liked this cream.  A small amount goes a long way and a it was not greasy.

Pros

Need a small amount

Not greasy

Moisturised hands very well

Penetrates rather than sits on top

Great tube – squeezes out a small amount easily

In between

Smell is subtle, forgettable

Cons

Although there are no cons for the product, it is a bit expensive, but probably worth the money.

This is sold at Edgars, Red Square, Truworths and probably a few other places as well

You can read a review for it here and here.

Questions on Monday

I have so many questions about beauty products.  If you read this, please leave a comment and answer this question:

Does it matter if you mix products from different ranges?  Do you need to have your cleaner, toner, moisturiser from the same range? 

Incoco nails

I received one set of Incoco nail wraps in my March Rubybox.  I have been saving them for a time when I would want to have my nails looking nice for two weeks, since that was what the package promised.  At first I did not do it because I was going diving, and that would be hell on nails, then I was tiling a spare bathroom (yes, I tile, and grout) and then ….. And then when I decided I had to use them NOW, I broke a nail and had to wait for it to grow out.  So I can attest that Incoco nails do not spoil in the package while waiting for you.

I would seriously suggest that you read their instructions on the website, there is a video to watch and also read the instructions that come with the nail strips.  It is not super hard to use, I only messed up one strip on my first try.  The nails stick really well and you are not able to move them once stuck down properly.  The fronts are filed kind of under your nail and break easily.

They claim that these strips last for 14 days.  I removed mine after Day 9, when a giant chunk broke off my thumb nail while I washed my hair.  There were small cracks near the tops of most of my fingers and a chip on one other finger.  I must say that 9 days is the longest any nail polish has ever been on my fingers, but it was not quite the 14 days promised.  My nails also seemed to grow fairly fast and it would have needed to come off after 14 days if nothing had chipped simply because the nail bed would have grown out to much by then.

These pictures were taken just before I took the polish off, on Day 9.  It shows where it started chipping and it shows how my nail beds have grown out. 

I love the more intricate patterns. 

It is expensive.  It costs R100 for a set (and is sold by the Rubybox boutique and in Red Square stores).  A set comes with 16 fingers so that you choose the appropriate sizes for your nails.  That means that if you cut some of the strips in half and use all the sizes you are able to get two applications out of it.  I saved the one half, and went to a great deal of trouble to seal the packet, but when I came back to it 3-4 weeks later, the strips looked fine, but they would not stick to my nails and chipped almost immediately.   Moral of the story; this cannot be stretched to two applications.  I guess it is a good deal for a special occasion, in stead of a salon manicure or when you go for one of the intricate patterns (which I love).  Unfortunately I had a plain colour, a very very cerise pink. 

The application was neat, no smudges, scratches, or other imperfections; in any case, not if you managed to stick it on straight.  It took about twice as long to apply than it takes me to apply nail polish, but it was MUCH neater and you did not need to worry about touching things before it was properly dry.   If money was no object, this would be the only nail polish I used. 

See how much my nails grew in 9 days, you can see that the nail polish does not go all the way to the nail bed.

Chips on my nail: Day 9

You can read some reviews of it here:

http://jangsara.blogspot.com/2011/11/review-incoco-non-liquid-nail-polish.html

http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?itemid=98102

http://skincare.about.com/od/handcareproductreviews/fr/Incoco-Nail-Polish-Strips-Review.htm

http://www.geewhiskers.com/2012/04/manicure-monday_30.html

http://rubybox.co.za/incoco-oscar-night-nail-strips.html

http://www.beautybulletin.com/directory/discussions/review/?id=4947

http://www.beautybulletin.com/hands-and-feet/nail-polishes/incoco-dry-nail-applique

http://www.tailsofamermaid.com/2011/08/latest-obsession-incoco-nail-polish.html

Questions on MONDAY

I have so many questions about beauty products.  If you read this, please leave a comment and answer this question:

What do eye creams do?  Are they extra moisturising lotions that are supposed to be preventing wrinkles and make the ones you have a little bit more plump and moisturised?   Or do they just temporarily make a wrinkle appear a bit less prominent but have no long term effect.  i.e. once you stop using it you are back where you started?  Or do you get both types?

Africology cleansing gel

There are some products that are just so nice to use, indulgent and luxurious  and make you feel good when using them.   One such product was the Africology gel cleanser.  Africology is a South African brand of world class quality.  The following was taken directly from their website. 

Africology makes use of the healing essences of some of South Africa’s indigenous plants. The active ingredients in our skin care products are valuable in the repair process and assist with the restoration of damaged skin tissue. You can never be too young to start this preventative process skin care products have been developed to revitalise the skin and prevent damage done to the skin by free-radicals, stress and the harsh South African climate

Kind to you, kind to the world: 100% Natural Essential Oils, Natural Plant Extracts, Eco Friendly

If you have some time, go play around on their website.  They have many other products and the website is delightful.

The following description of the cleansing gel comes from their website:  Contains Quillaja extract and Soapwort, which are both natural, mild foaming and cleansing agents. On a metaphysical level, when the skin is reactive to emotional situations the brain sends signals that encourage protection, so the skin starts to secrete oil. When we remove all these oils from the skin by means of chemicals, the brain continues to replace oil, and so we keep on imbalancing the skin. It is better to instead work with the skin's natural oil supply rather than to erase it.  Added seaweed extract maintains skin health and has a smoothing and moisturising effect. We want the skin to not only cleanse itself, but also for our gel to firm and stimulate the skin with its astringent properties.  For oily, reactive skin. 

Use daily in the morning and evening. Apply Gel to face with damp hands, avoiding the eye area. Remove with warm water. Refresh with Anti-reactive Tonic afterwards

The gel can be ordered from their website and is sold in certain spa’s.  It costs R260.

 

My experience.  I received a sample in a Rubybox.  I was impressed by the quality of the sample.  It came in a small glass bottle with a pump, 25ml.  It looks like something that would be given as hotel toiletries (see my comments here on hotel toiletries) or sold in a travel kit.  It was really a generous sample.  The gel smells divine.  It is a refreshing wake-up smell, a kind of kick start in the morning.  It is quite a strong botanical smell.  I would describe it as Aloe or maybe mint, but I am not sure whether I am right.  It does not foam, since it does not contain harsh soaps.  It does have a slippery, soapy consistency and feels like a soapy cleanser.  My skin feels clean and tingly and refreshed after use without feeling dry and tight.  I think this cleanser is perfect.  The only downside:  The price.  Especially since I skimp on cleansers so that I can spend more on moisturisers, which I believe makes a larger difference in the look of your skin.  I would love to try the rest of the range.  If the cleanser impressed me so much I can only imagine how great the rest of the range would be.

 You can see reviews in the following places:

http://www.beautybulletin.com/brands-spas-and-salons/brands/africology

http://rubybox.co.za/africology-cleansing-gel.html

http://www.beautybulletin.com/skin-care/cleanserstonerswashes/africolgy-cleansing-gel

http://www.kissblushandtell.com/2012/05/africology-purifying-cleansing-gel.html

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Africology-Skincare-Spa/161371680738

http://julieeagleton.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/africology-travel-kit/