Best eye palette on the market right now

I can honestly say the best eyeshadow palette on the market available right now is the Stila Eyeshadow palette in "Into the Light". It has 10 shades in it of which two is a matte ivory and nude shade, one is a matte black and the other matte chocolate brown (both can be used for brows) and the other 6 is highly pigmented and shimmery shades of nude browns with the addition of a bluey grey.  Included is a black Stila twist eye pencil to round your look off.

The quality of the eye shadows were really unexpected and blew me away completely. They are intense, silky and stayed the whole day without creasing and crumbling.

So so so impressed by this palette I actually don't have the words for it. You'll find it in selected Woolworths and Truworths cosmetic departments.

Doing makeup YSL Style

I was very honored to be sent a set of the very exclusive YSL makeup brushes recently. They will be available for retail from your Yves St Laurent counter soon, so keep an eye out for them.  The feel of the brushes are incomparable and of the highest quality with no animal cruelty.

The Polishing Brush:
The ideal multi purpose brush – it can be used for foundation either at the end to polish and blend or remove any excess foundation, or can be used to apply foundation for a super sheer polished finish -. The POLISHING BRUSH is also great to apply any cream formula, blush or bronze for the perfect polished nude natural glow. Made of synthetic fibers.

The Eyeliner Brush:
Made of synthetic fibers. Two functions: one to be used with powders and gels, and the other one as a perfect grooming tool for eyebrows.

The Long Eye Blending Blush:
Perfect for blending powder shadows and creating sophisticated smoky eye. Made of superior goat bristles.

The Blush Brush:
For use with powder blushes and for a natural sophisticated glow with CRÈME DE BLUSH. Made of superior goat hair.

The Medium Eye Shader Brush:

To be used for powder and creamy eye shadows. Made of marten.

Viva la Juicy!

Inspired by a glamorous girl who is confident and captures hearts with her chic femininity, the three fragrances will transform even the most forlorn into a hopeless romantic.  A Juicy Couture girl will always have an extra sparkle in her eye when her favorite song starts playing and will endeavor to stay till the last dance. A night of fun and laughter means waking up full of Viva, so why not stay out late! She is a fashionista who takes any classic look and gives it a trendy, modern edge to create a statement that is always fresh and chic.

The fun glam brand of JUICY COUTURE has taken SA by storm and in a short while launched three stunningly iconic fragrances locally.

Juicy Couture is bursting with mouthwatering top notes of watermelon, mandarin and pink passion fruit mingle with the sparkling freshness of bright marigold and fresh green apple, enhanced by a splash of water hyacinth and crushed leaves. Subtle middle notes of tuberose wrapped in wild rose with sophisticated princess lily are followed by base notes of Caramel Crème Brulée and Vanilla meld with elegant precious woods and Patchouli.

Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum, 100 ml : R795

Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum, 50 ml : R545

Viva la Juicy defines a groundbreaking olfactive experience, evolving a classic Oriental Vanillic Fruity structure into true new floral gourmand territory. Embracing the House of Juicy’s signature juicy addiction, Viva la Juicy has an unexpected wink of surprise:  the fragrance drives from the back with its delectable caramel, vanilla and praline base.

Viva la Juicy Eau de Parfum,100 ml : R795

Viva la Juicy Eau de Parfum, 50 ml : R545

Viva La Juicy La Fleur is a veil of Viva la Juicy’s modern floral gourmand structure—a luminous bouquet with juicy accents. It combines a sparkle of mandarin and wild berries with a hedonic blend of dewy honeysuckle, gardenia petals and jasmine. Signature creamy gourmand notes, reminiscent of the original Viva la Juicy, linger in the background as the sheer scent envelops your skin. A splash of wild berries, mandarin and waterlily floats lightly on the top, sparkling with a bright, ethereal wink. A harmony of sheer florals entwine into a modern heart of lush honeysuckle, gardenia petals and soft jasmine. Creamy vanilla, mouth-watering caramel and warm sandalwood create an enticing drydown that draws you in.

Viva la Juicy La Fleur Eau de Toilette, 75ml : R745

Viva la Juicy La Fleur Eau de Toilette, 40ml : R545

Juicy Couture fragrances are available exclusively at Edgars.

A little bit of history on the brand...

Los Angeles in the 90’s was alive with crimpled hair styles, butterfly clips, slap bracelets and overalls. Toni Braxton Un-Break My Heart was top of the charts and two fashion-obsessed friends founded the multi billion dollar brand Juicy Couture.

With the intention to create a label equal to that of other major labels, but more affordable to the general public, Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor designed a line to include a variety of athletic and casual wear, most notably the velour tracksuit that won Juicy Couture a great deal of popularity. Pamela and Gela quickly garnered fans from all spheres, including some famous faces. The company became an overnight success after Madonna was spotted wearing a ‘Marge” embroidered track suit made for her compliments of the girls.

Originally only available in limited locations, the brand was acquired by Fifth & Pacific Companies, Inc. in 2003, and is now available in approximately 127 stores globally, online at the Juicy Couture Store and in a number of international department stores. The brand continues to evolve, bringing the same confident, whimsical and feminine attitude to everything it creates and by 2013 it has become an inspiring global phenomenon.

“Juicy Couture embraces the bright and glamorous fun of its Los Angeles heritage by discovering the couture in the everyday, and delivering an element of surprise in all of its designs.” LeAnn Nealz, Chief Creative Officer and President of Juicy Couture.

Their signature logo can be found on all Juicy Couture items and consists of two highland terriers holding a shield bearing three hearts and Love G&P (for Gela and Pamela). A crown lies on top, while a Juicy Couture banner flutters above the slogan, "Made in the Glamorous USA". However the brand has dabbled with a variety of slogans and symbols and is known to seldom use one single slogan at any particular time - unless when a slogan is attached to a certain product, such as "Viva La Juicy," and the Viva La Juicy perfume.

Some interesting slogans include:

· Her Royal Juicyness

· Wake Up And Smell the Couture

· Go Couture Yourself

· Cupcake Couture

· Bundle Up, Wear Juicy

· The Joy Only Bling Can Bring

· Peace, Love, and Juicy

LOVE THIS BRAND!!!!!

The Gliss Ultimate Oil Elixir range is pure golden

The absolute ultimate range in the Gliss brand has been launched recently. Ultimate Oil Elixir. It is the range from Schwarzkopf that has won the most prizes internationally and set to blow our hair out of the water so to speak.

The range comprising of the shampoo, conditioner, mask, hair repair leave in treatment and hair repair oil offers ultra repair for hair that is stressed, has a strawy feel and looks brittle and is a frizzy mess. Like mine. Argan Oil, liquid Keratin and natural oils are the heroes here where hair needs regeneration and care from the inside the most.  For the outside there are very fine organic shimmer particles in the hair  - yes, GOLD! - to reflect light and make hair look even healthier and shinier.

I have started to use this on my mane of straw and I can honestly saw I think I'll stick to this for a while, I can see my hair likes it a lot.

Prevage Lash and Brow Serum - you definitely want to read this.

For any woman who struggles with the aftermath of the below discussed brow trend roller coaster we have experienced, Elizabeth Arden has luckily partnered with the world-renowned Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute to develop the ultimate tool for women to get back on trend: PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum.

This revolutionary new treatment is clinically proven to make brows (and lashes) appear longer, fuller and healthier in as little as two weeks.

“I have been testing PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum on my customers and the results are outstanding after just six weeks of application” remarks Gillian Lentin of BrowXpress in Johannesburg.

When asked about current eyebrow trends, Lentin comments “I've built a business over the past ten years with a client base who are all trying to get a fuller brow, so I’d say the thick brow is definitely back on trend”.

She adds “However, it’s important to remember that like hairstyles, brow styles should be suited to and shaped to an individual’s features and not to current style trends”.

Directions:

Apply once daily at bedtime to clean eye area. Using the applicator, apply one stroke of PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum to the base of upper and lower lashes, from the inner to outer corner. Follow the same directions for brows, covering the entire eyebrow area. Continue using 3 - 4 times per week to maintain the desired look and condition of lashes and brows.  

PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum features a fine tip applicator wand and is housed in a chic carrying pouch for easy storage and travel. 

Retails at R695 for 4ml.  Applied every evening for the past two weeks I have seen one incredible difference in my lash thickness and length. Now together with my fav mascara my lashes have gone from drab to friggin fab in no time!

And now a little more about that brow roller coaster...

The Egyptians started it with Cleopatra’s signature cat-eyed make-up and thick, sculpted eyebrows and since then the art of decorating the ‘windows to the soul’ has spread like wildfire and become a beauty trend through the ages and all over the world.

Shaping, grooming, and constantly maintaining brows has become a necessary beauty practice. It-girls, actors, and models alike have been defined by their brows, for better or worse, for the past century.

1920s – The Thin & Droopy Brow

Brows in this era were typically pencil thin and straight, slightly slanting downwards and lining the eyes beyond the edge of the eye, giving a nostalgic, pensive look.

1930s - The Thin Arch

Building on the 1920’s trend, women in this era were spotted flaunting thin, but extravagantly arched brows making more of a strong, powerful statement.

1940s and 50s - The Thick Bold Arch

Dominated by glamour it-girls Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Marylin Monroe the 40s and 50s were all about bold, big statements. The arched brow was still on-trend but these ladies changed the game by adding fullness, definition and dark colour.

1960s - The Subtle yet Defined Brow

Similar to the signature makeup that Twiggy often wore, brows in this period had to be strong enough to stand out without taking away from the overall look. Hence, a lot of plucking if not shaving of the inner brows was common. They were then filled in lightly with a coloured pencil to add in subtle definition. 

1970s - Au Naturelle

The 70’s signed the slow-down of the brow rollercoaster and saw models like Lauren Hutton flaunt eyebrows in their natural shape.

1980s - Go Big or Go Home

Probably the most iconic brows of a generation, Brooke Sheilds’ straight but full brows were typical of the 80s. Thick, dark and almost unruly brows mark the trend of this era.

1990s - Pluck, Pluck, Pluck!

With the 90s came an obsession with plucking, waxing and grooming eyebrows, creating a trend that lasted through the early 2000s. Many women are still fighting the aftermath of this process today, as thicker brows are back on trend. 

Elemis celebrates the power of pro-collagen

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and it's 21 beauty awards, Elemis presents the exclusive aqua marine Limited Edition. The silver lid is embossed and showcases the powerful hero ingredient discovered off the coast of Malta by a diver, and delivers extraordinary anti-aging results.

For a limited time only (6 months), this product will be available in a 100 ml jar at R2290 at Edgars Sandton and selected spas country wide. Around the world one jar is sold every minute. This makes this product a true legend right up there with the greats of beauty products.

For more information on this phenomenal product, please visit elemis.com

Launching lashes to amazing heights

Another phenomenal launch from Maybelline brings us Rocket Volume Express Lashes. Volume is absolutely insane and appear up to 8 times bigger and smoother and even! Due to the new ultra-sonic brush with it's hard core and evenly spaced bristles the Super-gliding power formula which is gel enriched prevents dragging between the lashes creating an uneven finish and smoothly glides between lashes coating each one individually from root to tip. Available in Very Black at R120,95, this is another fantastic launch from cult brand Maybelline.

My favorite dry shampoo in the whole wide world!

THE best dry shampoo around is undoubtedly Batiste dry shampoo. If you don't agree you haven't used it. It banishes oiliness, adds body and texture and makes hair smell great. It completely refreshes and revitalizes greasy hair between washes  so you don't have to feel too guilty about skipping one shampoo!

Available in 2 sizes, 200ml for the bathroom cabinet and 50ml for your handbag, there is no way you can be caught with bad hair. The smaller 50ml is available in the three main fragrances Original (clean & classic), Tropical (coconut & exotic) and Blush (floral & fruity). Retailing for R34,99 they are perfect for handbags, gym bags and holiday bags!

The 200ml range is available in the core Original, Blush and Tropical, but also in Fresh, Diva, Boho, Volume XXL (extra volume boost), Medium/Brunette and Dark/Deep Brown colored hair, retailing at R59,99.

Two new fragrances are now available, Paisley (rich and elegant floral fruity) and Cherry (fab fruity fragrance) to give roots a swift boost to look like a wash & blow without water!

Dr Hauschka Shower Gels to start every day in a special way

New from Dr Hauschka is their selection of four new body washes. Vitalizing Lemon & Lemongrass, Calming Lavender & Sandalwood, Soothing Almond and Nurturing Rose. Formulated with a high content of premium body oils, these body washes are so luxurious, fantastic smelling and rich feeling, I can't wait for them to hit stores from beginning June!

Azzaro Pour Homme - NIGHT TIME

Night time does seem to be the most intense time right? Aimed at seduction, this fragrance from the house of Azzaro is an experience of an intense mysterious night.

Irresistible light is initiated when the fragrance bursts with bitter orange and accentuated with rhubarb that gives it a natural freshness. Being a concentrate of seductiveness, the brightness is carried on by a fouler accord and spicy sensual notes of black pepper and nutmeg. Nocturnal elegance is represented by the bottom note of vetiver and cedar seals the fragrance's irresistible appeal.

Such an amazing masculine and intense scent truly representative of a man of the night...

Create your body with Shiseido

Shiseido presents a body creator so advanced, you yourself have a huge roll in the recreation of your body.

SMELL, FIGHT, TOUCH YOUR WAY SLIM

Excess fat and cellulite are top body concerns of women around the world.

In 2013, Shiseido launches Advanced Body Creator Super Slimming Reducer, 

with a powerful new formula, to counteract the appearance of cellulite.

ADVANCED BODY CREATOR

Super Slimming Reducer

with the new, unique Shiseido FAT FIGHTING SYSTEM 

A multi-directional approach to counteract the appearance of cellulite.

A revolutionary way to struggle against the dreaded "orange peel" effect.

SMELL YOUR WAY SLIM

AROMACHOLOGY

Fragrance is a key element of every Shiseido product. First developed in 2002, Shiseido's revitalizing SLM (Spicy Lemony Mixture) fragrance promotes excretion of noradrenaline, proven to be effective in expressing UCP3*, fat burning protein.

The 2013 version of Super Slimming Reducer has new advanced aromachological technology that adds Kuroho. Loved by the Japanese aristocracy for over 1000 years, the Kuroho scent is proven to enrich the spirit.

FIGHT YOUR WAY SLIM

FAT FIGHTING CAPSULES

Based on three key fat targeting ingredients - Caffeine, Hawthorn Extract and Poria Cocos, 

the unique slimming technology of Shiseido does not stop at breaking down fat. 

It also burns fat and brings it out. 

1. Breaks fat down : Caffeine Complex frees fatty acids*

2. Burns fat            : Synergetic effect of SLM FRAGRANCE + Poria Cocos Extract*
3. Brings fat out     : Grapefruit oil + Western Hawthorn Extract (reduces fat accumulation)*

BOOSTED COLLAGEN PRODUCTION

Thanks to a collaboration with Dr. Michael Detmar, professor at ETH Zurich it has been confirmed that lack of collagen and weakening of the dermis, more frequent in mature skins, are causes of cellulite formation. Further to these new studies, the Super Slimming Reducer contains a specific ingredient to reinforce the dermis*. 

Promotes skin firmness by improving collagen production :  Fagus Sylvatica Extract with Collagen boosting powers*

*In vitro tests

TOUCH YOUR WAY SLIM

DEWY-GEL CREAM

Thanks to exclusive Agar gel technology, texture feels light and dewy when applied to the skin, but leaves the deeply hydrated, smooth feeling of rich cream. “Fat fighting Capsules” break instantly after the cream is smoothed over the body, releasing effective ingredients into the skin. 

SHISEIDO MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

For the ultimate holistic experience, Advanced Body Creator combines scent and texture to provide a pure experience of luxury on application. Enhance these simple Shiseido self-massage movements, inspired by unique oriental traditions, by applying fingertip pressure to certain areas to activate natural energy. Massage, teamed with a specific complex combining Hawthorn and Rice extract, improve microcirculation.

ADVANCED BODY CREATOR

Super Slimming Reducer

BREAK IT DOWN, BURN IT OUT

RESULTS YOU CAN SEE, SMELL AND TOUCH

Accellerating the look of your lashes

A new and very noteworthy mascara from Rimmel is the Lash Accelerator Endless Mascara. It is one of the best price accessible mascaras I have used in a while with amazing results. It lengthens lashes endlessly and makes my lashes feel stronger with a no brittle feel to it. It has a grow lash complex in it and upon the first use, lashes look 99% longer and 127% longer in 30 days. It is available in black, brown and extreme black and retails for R99,99 at all Rimmel stockists.

Say goodbye to any kind of dark spot

All of us are some time affected by dark spots. Be it by sun exposure, age, acne - no matter the origin, we want to get rid of them at any rate. Spots are clearly visible and can leave one self conscious and concerned and studies have found that apart from aging, spot correction is one of the biggest concern for women world wide. They have had to cover them with layers of makeup, have them treated with abrasive treatments or spend too much on dermatological visits and products - until now that is...

All skin types are candidates for dark spots and over time exposure to the sun can cause extra melanin production, acne scarring can create dark spots and hormonal changes at all ages can cause dark spots. That is why the GARNIER DARK SPOT CORRECTOR has proven to correct pigmentation for all different type of dark spots. 82% of women noticed it's clinical efficacy.

But how does it work? It prevents dark spots from appearing by fighting external aggressors that cause the stimulation of melanin production thanks to it's anti free radical action. It also has a anti dendritic action that combats spot formation that avoids melanin grain propogation. It corrects and fades brown marks with it's exfoliation action and also smoothes the skin. Vitamin C depigmentation has a brightening effect and targets existing dark spots and fights against the loss of evenness of your skin. 

Immediately after use my skin felt softer and smooth although I did feel I had to add a moisturizer on top of it. Because of the high content of vitamin c, it is very important to use a spf over this cream, so make sure your moisturizer has a sunscreen in. I use it as a serum after my toner, but before my moisturizer.

It retails at R99 at all Garnier stockists and you will be surprized of the results!