Beauty reviews: October 2010

Beauty Booty: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex, R495
Reviewer: Leigh van den Berg, Beauty Editor, Women24
Lauder's bestselling eye treatment has gotten a little revamp. (It used to be called Eye Recovery, but has been reborn as Eye Synchronized Complex. It now boasts an improved texture, souped up ingredients and three gold bands around its previously all gold lid). It also makes use of the same anti-aging tech that the Advanced Night Repair face serum does, Chronolux technology, something that helps to 're-set' your clock genes, the one's that keep your skin's cell repair cycle on track. In short, however, it means that you'll wake up to fewer fine lines. It also includes a host of eye-lovin' ingredients, things like mulberry root extract (a great antioxidant) and caffeine, the latter of which is renowned for helping to combat under eye circles and puffiness. What I liked best, however, is its texture. It absorbs in a flash and leaves a velvety smooth feeling in its wake, making it a great primer for concealer. This is why I use it both day and night. It's definitely helps to reduce morning puffiness after later nights and, thanks to the addition of mega-moisturising hyaluronic acid, it plumps up fine lines upon application. I used to use the old Advanced Night Repair for eyes, but abandoned it along the way for another Lauder eye cream, Time Zone. Having used this, I can tell you it's my favourite of the lot.  

Beauty Booty: Woolworths African Spa Mongongo + Marula Exfoliating Brown Sugar Body Scrub, R59,95
Reviewer: Tammy February, Online Producer, Women24
I was a little wary of trying out this product when it first arrived on my desk. For one, while I adore sweet-smelling scents, I was nearly overwhelmed with the sugary scent when I first opened this jar and was worried that I would end up smelling like a pot of brown sugar. Luckily, I was wrong – this product is absolutely fabulous. When I first applied the scrub (which, by the way contains green rooibos, ginger and vitamin E extracts – all powerful natural antioxidants), one of the first things I picked up was that in comparison to previous exfoliators, this one didn't feel very harsh on my skin at all. In fact, upon applying the scrub, it dissolved effortlessly into my skin, but left me feeling velvety smooth afterwards. (I would certainly recommend this for anyone who has a sensitive skin because it's much gentler on the skin than a salt scrub).  I also find that I only need to use this product twice a week because my skin retains that silky-smooth softness for more than a day. Just be warned, you won't be able to stop touching your skin because the texture feels that good.

Beauty Booty: Guess Seductive EDT, from R295 for 15mls
Reviewer: Deirdre Ingpen, Lifestyle Publisher, Women24
I love perfume and if I had loads of cash would have a dressing table littered in bottles.  But the flavour of the month for me is the new Guess perfume called Seductive.  It's a blend of woody, vanilla and bergamot notes that come together in a gentle scent that is not too overpowering, floral nor sweet. It's the perfect summer perfume that leaves you feeling sexy during the day without having to worry about having put too much on. The bottle is inspired by the "Guess logo" and comes with a cute gold charm with two hearts.  It's certainly pretty enough to add to a collection although not over-designed like many you see today.

Beauty Booty: Sunsilk Shine & Strength shampoo, R35,99
Reviewer: Catherine Shone, Editor, Food24
Sunsilk has a new range where they've partnered with professional hair experts for each varient. To create their Shine & Strength shampoo and conditioner, they teamed with celebrity hairdresser Jamal Hammadi. When used together, the shampoo and conditioner is meant to give your hair the shine and radiance of a child's hair; natural, glossy, radiant and full of moisture. (It contains something called Nutri Henna Complex to help enhance your natural shine). I found this shampoo to be very gentle and it really does help with putting moisture back into my hair. (I blow-dry my hair every morning so I worry about it drying out). I also don't always use conditioner it as I find this tends to make my hair a bit oilier if I over do it. So this was great – moisturising enough to help me not have to condition. As far as shine goes, I suppose it did enhance that and my hair does look like it's in better condition, but it's hard to really tell how much. But as far as an entry level shampoo goes, it's pretty good and I would buy it again. I also liked that it smells lovely and fresh.

Beauty Booty: The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture hair butter, R95
Reviewer: Meagan Karstens, Content Producer, Women24
As far as conditioners go, I'm usually very basic because I use very little of it (curse genetics and oily roots!). I do, however, find that come winter season, my hair tends to be a little wayward, slightly dry and somewhat damaged. With that being said, The Body Shop's hair mask (bless you!) couldn't have come at a better stage in my dull hair's life! Application is easy: shampoo as per normal, follow up with the mask, rinse and voila! While I wouldn't recommend the product for hair that needs to be brought back from the dead, I do think it's ideal for those us who give our hair a beating with hair irons and blow-dryers, and I will continue using it as a once-a-week treatment to help keep my locks shiny and in tip top shape.

Beauty Booty: Mellerware Marco Aldany Sofisticatto & Go travel hair straighteners, R199,99
Reviewer: Zayaan Schroeder, Content Producer, Women24
I have been through three hair straighteners in my life and I must say that this one is a winner. Being a mini, it's great for travelling. It also comes with a handy thermal travel bag, so you can just pop it in the bag when you're done – no need to let it cool down. It's slim and sleek and the vibrant blue ceramic plates don't take too long to heat. It's not too complicated with just an on/off button and one heat setting. I prefer something with a heat control though because I have fine hair that doesn't need a high temperature, so it does more heat damage that it needs to. It works nicely on shorter hair and fringes so no more forehead or ear burns. As it's smaller than other straighteners, it's easier to maneuver and handle, so it's awesome for creating curls.

Beauty Booty: Nivea Light Feeling Sun Lotion SPF30, R77,99
Reviewer: Catherine Shone, Editor, Food24
This sunscreen is awesome – and I do use a lot of sunscreen – my favourite up until now was the spray on stuff as it was easy to apply but I found it didn't last very long whereas this one is easy to apply and you can put a certain amount in your hands that you know you are going to use. There is no wastage. It isn't greasy and doesn't leave your hands feeling sticky.  It smells nice, soaks in quickly and sand doesn't stick to it. Very important for me.  It has UVA and UVB filters, Vitamin E and moisturizing ingredients which protect the skin from dehydration. I find with the South African sun being so hot it is obviously vital to protect your skin with a sunscreen – but I particularly like this one because it isn't sticky and it rubs straight in – so you don't even feel like you are wearing sunscreen. At the same time though it is not very water-proof – but with the water in Cape Town being so cold, that isn't really a problem for me.

Beauty booty: Clarins Eau des Jardines treatment fragrance, R440 for 100ml
Reviewer: Sam Wilson, Editor, Women24
I tried out the new Clarins fragrance, Eau des Jardines, which my high school French tells me means Gardens¹ Water? Hmmm... sounds much sexier in French doesn¹t it? Maybe that¹s because English gardens make one think of mulch and sturdy wellies. This fragrance, however, DOES make you think more 'Versailles' than 'Highgrove'. It¹s fresh and summery with bergamot, orange, and Brazilian grapefruit. (How do I know the grapefruit is Brazilian? I read the insert.) It also has that fabulous OClarins factor¹ - the aromatherapeutic properties that many of their products have. When I spritz myself with this in the morning, I definitely experience a little Olift¹.
What more could you want? I love it.


What products have you tried out this month that you loved or loathed?