Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
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Hey girl, what’s on your lips?

Put on some red lipstick and live a little…

Red lipstick, red shoes, red dress… I love the power of the colour red. I have been on the hunt for the perfect red lipstick and have everything from MAC to Revlon and Essence but I wanted to find balance in price, coverage, colour and wow factor. This hunt is what uncovered Maria Cosmetics.

Red lipstick to me is the holy grail of beauty products any pale girl should have. I’m not talking about fire engine or cheap reds, I’m talking about the darker and deeper reds. Those reds with with a little blue, black or purple undertone…

I spoilt myself with Jukebox Joan and My Madonna from Maria Cosmetics

What I really love about my Maria Cosmetics lipstick is the velvety texture and that it stays for quite a big part of the day. It also helps that I know it was made just around the corner in the Cape 🙂

You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye. And I got that red lip, classic thing that you like.

Taylor Swift’s “Style”
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BaoCare Acne – the review

Have you ever had such a bad day that you stuffed your face with anything within reach – and the next day you have a breakout of note? It still happens to me!

The times I have a product to test that will address my skin problems, I am happiest. Previously I have written about BaoCare Radiance and its quick “rejuvenation” of my skin and today I’m talking acne/zits/karbonkels/the eew stuff.

I know the power of baobab oil, but when it is combined with tea tree, calendula and evening primrose you have a host of anti-microbial properties in one concentrated product. BaoCare Acne contains high levels of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which in turn sends chemical signals that summon white blood cells (Source: Wikipedia) that helps to balance sebum (icky stuff) production. I sound pretty smart now, right?

BaoCare Acne has a pleasant, soft fragrance and is gentle on the skin. For best results I would recommend applying it twice daily after cleansing. Because it contains tea tree oil, avoid sensitive skin around the eyes.

Is it worth the buy?

Yes! I would never hesitate in recommending BaoCare products. They even have it in a small 10ml size if you would like to first try a little before spending the big bucks.

My breakout (which can turn really ugly) subsided within 24 hours. I’m still treating it with BaoCare Acne to have no return breakouts.

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The Oolala Review (part 2)

This part of the review talks about the creams, (s00n the acne treatment) and face mask. You can read part 1 of the Oolala Collection review here.

Oolala Collection Day Moisturiser with SPF15

The most important things I look for in my day cream is that it should have an SPF, get absorbed into my skin and be a good companion for my make-up.

The Oolala Collection day cream has a nice consistency that doesn’t linger on your skin after application. After about 20 minutes I saw an improvement of fine lines around my eyes.

The day cream is suitable for all skin types and is unisex.

Oolala Collection Hyaluronic Serum Moisture Boost Day

I loved this serum! It is packed with oils such as grape seed, sweet almond, jojoba and tea tree and yet it feels so light on my skin. It makes a huge difference to how my skin looks and feels.

I applied the Hyaluronic serum and gave it 5 to 10 minutes and then applied the day cream over it. You can use it as a standalone product from any other Oolala products as it is still effective under any other day cream.

Just a note on the oils… if you look at what each of the oils do on their own you have an antioxidant from the grape seed oil that will fight free radicals (that causes premature aging) and jojoba which is a moisturiser. Check out the ingredients in Oolala’s products – because that is what sets it apart from other skincare products.

Oolala Collection Colloidal Silt Ultra Mud Mask

This is going to be the shortest ingredient list you’ve ever seen… water and silt. That’s it. However there are trace minerals including colloidal silver, calcium, magnesium, iodine and boron in the silt. I think the colour of the mask is mostly derived from the iodine… and no, it doesn’t stain your face.

I didn’t check out the ingredient list before applying on my face – and it turns out that I have an allergic reaction to iodine. It is still a great product, it’s just sensitive skin problems 🙁

I used the hyaluronic serum to get the inflammation under control.

My neighbour tried it out, she loved the Silt Mud Mask and had no negative reaction to it.

…and I’m still waiting for the review from a new contributor to my blog, but will update as soon as I have it 🙂 She and her dad is reviewing a product each for me.

Do you have any questions about your skin and which Oolala Collection products Daniella would recommend?

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The Oolala Review (part 1)

I get quite a bit of products that come across my desk and I try to share my thoughts as honestly as possible. This time around I got to test out a whole load of Oolala Collection’s skincare products.

My skin

I have a sensitive skin that is almost the colour of porcelain. (Think, the lightest foundation… but lighter.) In winter I struggle with dry patches, have a bit of sun damage and I’m petrified of fine lines and wrinkles.

The Oolala Collection products I’ve tried…

Hyaluronic Oil Moisture Boost Night

This serum is packed with oils! I used it 3 times a week to get rid of my winter dry patches – and it worked! Since I sometimes don’t leave the house, I would do the treatment will sitting at my desk instead of at night.

The only thing I could complain about is that it has quite a strong scent, but it is to be expected with tea tree oil as one of its ingredients.

I didn’t have any of the other products whilst using this, but the website notes that you should alternate with the SkinESSENTIALS Night Moisturiser for best results.

In this product you will find ingredients such as grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and tea tree oil (there is more). I already have most of these oils at home to mix into my shampoo/conditioner, so I know that they are excellent.

Gentle Apricot Kernel Scrub

This was probably my favourite product from the collection! It smells divine, plus it feels more like a cream with a slight texture. I could actually imagine being at a spa having a facial with this.

After using the Apricot Kernel Scrub, my skin felt extremely soft. I wish this was an all-day-every-day cream! If you get nothing else from Oolala, get this.

Radiance Repair Serum

This little tester was packed with surprise. I do have some sun damage and pigmentation and decided to whack it onto a patch on my lower jaw line (I should’ve take a photo).

The patch is a bit lighter now, but it could also be because of the mixture of products I used. I also applied some of this serum onto a particularly nasty cat scratch on my hand and the redness subsided very quickly.

Once again, it is packed with extracts from natural ingredients like arnica, cucumber, elder tree, ivy and more.

2in1 Deep Facial Cleanser With Toner – Alcohol Free

This is everything you want your facial cleanser to be. It is alcohol free and has a toner to get rid of excess oil, dirt and dead cells. It feels like a gel, but not as gross, and it doesn’t make foam.

One thing I have noticed is that my pores seem to “look a little less prominent” after using this morning and night for about a week.

This is one of the cheaper products from Oolala Collection, but I think that it is worth it for how it made my skin look and feel.

Do you have any questions about your skin and which Oolala Collection products Daniella would recommend?

Next part of the review…

This will contain reviews about the cream and zit care (from a teenager). Plus I will let you know if the day cream messed with my make-up or not!

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Matsimela Home Spa Gifts
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The right gift at the right time…

Last week was an exceptionally stressful week for me. The previous Friday I was in at the fertility clinic (and wrote all about it here) and then we had to wait for news.

…but on Monday, out of the blue, a wonderful package arrived from Matsimela Home Spa.

I have been in desperate need of a day at the spa for months now, but I don’t have even half a day to indulge. So when Saturday rolled around and I was still waiting for news… I unwrapped the bath bombs and finally had my mini spa day – at home. Just to top it off I used almost everything in my gift bag. I even sat out on the patio in the sun with the Rose and Litchi bath soak open next to me to feel like I’m in a garden.

This, by the way, was the first day hubby took out Lexa – so I could take advantage of the peace and quiet and use the only bath in the house that just happens to be in little Lexa’s room. (It used to be our main bedroom. Sigh, now we only have a shower.)

…and guess what, the next day my good news came through!

Even though I received this as a gift, I have bought a lot from Matsimela over the years. I am a huge fan of South African products… and it’s a bonus when it’s as beautifully made as this.

It is almost Christmas and if you don’t want to break the bank but still like to buy something special – this is the answer. My sister and mom already received Matsimela products for their birthdays this year 🙂

For me, when I find a product line that I love, I try everything they have – and you will find their products in my car, handbag, desk or next to the couch. I will even sneak hand cream into hubby’s car – and sometimes he even lays claim to it.

Want to enter my memory competition early?

Find the competition here and use this winnerwinnerchickendinner as the password… sneaky sneaky 🙂

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Beautiful beauty products

Sometimes I just want to sit and take beautiful photos of beautiful things – in pink. Then I take pictures and never write about the products and only share it on Instagram. Well, this is a photo post to show you what you’ve been missing out on.

 

 

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New Launches from Oh So Heavenly

I’m always on the lookout for travel-sized beauty products (because you know how much I love to travel). These little beauties come packed and ready to travel.

…and they have launched a full range of day and night creams!

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Roundup of beauty trend predictions for 2017

It is interesting to read what the fashion magazines predict for this year. I’ve summed it up to save you a bit of time.

According to Marie Claire the 80s will be making a comeback; The romantic look with braids and tea-stained lips and eyes will be big; The smokey eye is out and the smudged eye is in; Big hair is out and sleek side-parted hair is in; Contouring and bronzers are out and lipsticks on cheeks are in.
Read the full article here

Glamour predicts Mermaid eyes, belted ponytails, Rapunzel hair, fiery ombre lips, arts & crafts nails, diamond nails, embellished braids, matte eyes/lips/skin, surfergirl blond locks, milk as a beauty treatment, bangs and no makeup.
Read the full article here

Hello Magazine has taken some inspiration from Pinterest and predicts no heat hairstyles, chrome powder nails, cut-crease makeup, braided topknots, charcoal masks, ash balayage, Jojoba oil, headscarves, microblading and lip & cheek stains.
Read the full article here

Vogue also predicts that the 80s with its bright lips are back; They are also predicting clean skin, braids, smudged eyes, surfer-style beauty, glitter everywhere, slick side partings, unexpected colour, lipstick as a blush and your ears as a focus point.
Read the full article here

Here are my predictions for 2017…I will always be lazy to create a look for work – I really just need lipgloss and mascara to get by. If however you spot me out doing anything but work I will look fabulous.

Benefit Cosmetics posie tint

Note on lip and cheek stains – Benefit Cosmetics has my favourite and it is called Posie Tint. I have had this for more than a year so it isn’t really a new thing – but it is amazing. Read the article I wrote about it here.

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Happy Girls Are Pretty – because Essence Cosmetics said so

Essence has been one of my long-time favourites for a number of reasons. It is affordable – making it a perfect starter range for teens and those (of us) on a very tight budget. You get all the latest colour trends and the pigmentation is great. You can get it from big chain retailers like Clicks (so no waiting to get to a big mall or speciality store). They bring out cute palettes for eyes that have the word HAPPY in it (who does that?).

The next holiday my teenage niece spends time with her most favourite aunt in the world she will be getting her very first make-up lesson with this beautiful Happy Girls Are Pretty palette from Essence. The best part, she will get to keep it.

My niece will also be the lucky recipient of Essence brushes and lipglosses to get her started. I feel like Oprah.

Happy Girls Are Pretty

If you missed the launch of the Happy Girls Are Pretty collection, you were probably under a rock for the past month.

The collection includes everything from eye palettes to nail lacquers and a very cute heart blush. The eye palettes sold out quite quickly (not a surprise) – so if you are still on the hunt, just phone Clicks and ask which stores still have.

Obviously I bought both eye palettes – but only because my niece would get one. This is my favourite… (and don’t judge me for my obsession with cats).

Remember to check out the competition section to stand a chance to win a little something from me 🙂

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What’s in my handbag?

I challenged my friends to send a pic of what’s in their handbags… and I was super surprised.

I will start off with my handbag contents – feel free to let me know what’s in your bag!

Handbag Contents

I don’t have much in my Nine West bag as it is only a medium sized bag. I carry around an A5 Lou Harvey notepade with a pink Parker pen, a Ordinger & Reda card holder with all my loyalty cards and a banknote or 2. I also have a Gautrain card in case I need to use public transport and carry a few coins for car guards.Then I have 4 lipglosses (MAC, SmashBox and GOSH) in case I need to go into a meeting or need to get some colour onto my face and a SOIL Relax stick (they really work). I also have a Catrice eyeshadow from the Elle magazine I bought and a Valentine’s day sucker from Woolies. The only item missing, my iPhone that is taking the pics.

Next up is my techie friend’s handbag – she is the one that does all the girly events with me.

Miss-K

Like me, Miss K has a lot of lippies in her bag and a small card holder. She also carries a full Guess purse, MedLemon, eyedrops, handsanitizer, handcream, a mini brush, mints and a harddrive.

Lastly, I have a pic of my creative friend’s handbag contents. Keeping in mind that she carries a small 15x15cm sling…

Miss-B

Yes, all of this goes into her teeny tiny little handbag – I have seen it. There are just so many random things in here, but it actually all makes complete sense.

She upcycles the bottle tops and can rings (or give it to a kid for school).She has some random forex coins, South African paper money, hair tie, lipgloss – and a coffee bean (?????). Small notebook with various pens, cherry Zambuk, an event ticket, a bizcard (?), passport pics, 2 rings, a pendant, safety pins, slogan pins, a medal, folded notes, lipstick, a gift card, wipes, purse, silver cat – and a crystal ball…

The handbag analysis

The 3 handbags say quite a bit about us. 2 of us have an unhealthy obsession with our lips but we carry quite a few functional items.

I have a few handbags and you will find a lipgloss or 2 in each – even if the handbag is not in use. I am a nomad that plans for eventualities. I travel light and change often.

Miss K plans for any sicknesses and germs. She is a planner 🙂

…and one of us have so much stuff going on. Miss B’s handbag closely resembles her mind. Full of interesting things, but a maze to navigate.

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