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Beauty Booty: Dermalogica Stress Relief Candle, R180Reviewer: Leigh van den Berg, Beauty Editor, Women24
I've always been crazy about scented candles, so I jumped at the opportunity to give this guy a bash. Featuring a blend of lavender, tea tree, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary and sandalwood essential oils, it's a super-soothing mix that's sure to calm even the most stressed of execs. Still, tea tree and eucalyptus aren't my favourite "favourites" as I find them a little harsh on the nose. However, I'm pleased to say that the way they've been used here, you actually don't really notice them. If anything, the candle gives off a soft, sweet lavender aroma that has a slightly zesty undertone. And just lighting this baby up sends your senses drifting off to a half-day package at the spa. I also like that it's kinda nifty in size (a little bigger than an espresso cup), making it just fab for travel or to merely sit unobtrusively on your desk while you work. (I've been doing a lot of the latter and like to let it burn merrily next to my mouse – while I burn the midnight oil – and appreciate how it's therapeutic, tension-busting scent manages to ease away any hysterical sense of "am I going to make this deadline or not"). So, if you're looking for the perfect gift for someone who's running in circles, but in need of a little lightening, quick relief, (or who just happens to like lush-smelling candles), this would be an absolute must-buy.
Dermalogica Stress Relief Candles are seasonal items and sold over the December period only in Dermalogica Platinum salons. To find one closest to you, call (011) 268 0018.
Beauty Booty: Estee Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof Mascara, R265 Reviewer: Caro de Waal, Editor, Food24
Ok, I am a mascara queen. I have tried every single kind you can get including one that vibrates. Still, I've never bought the same one in a row as I've never really fell in love with one. But I have to say, I have been using this for over a week now and I am tres, tres impressed. It extends my lashes into a gorgeous curl (and I really need that with my stumps), separates and adds volume without clumping. I can't believe that it's waterproof too! I swam the whole day recently and it didn't come off like a dust and sit on my face all day like other waterproof mascaras seem to do. The cherry on the top is that it comes off pretty easily with eye make-up remover. (Obviously not as easily as normal mascara, but better than any other waterproof I've tried). I now use it every day – regardless of whether I plan to swim or not, so kudos to Estee Lauder for producing such a top quality product! It we were to rate things out of ten, I'd give this a 9. High praise from a fickle "mascara fundi" like myself.
Beauty Booty: The Body Shop Merry Cranberry Hand Crème, R85,00Reviewer: Kele Scheppers, Entertainment and Fashion Editor, Women24
I'm convinced that nothing smells as delicious as the Body Shop's Merry Cranberry hand crème - it's fruity, light and gorgeous! I especially like how, despite being nice and thick, this cream absorbs into your skin almost instantly. (Our hand wash at work tends to seriously dry out your hands, so it's a real relief to find a product which can counter the effects. Still, if you suffer from very dry skin, you might want a product that provides a bit more heavy-duty moisture). This one is enriched with cranberry seed oil and lanolin to leave your hands moisturised and soft without feeling sticky or greasy. As for the product's packaging, it comes in a festive-looking maroon tube with a flip-top lid for easy application, so you get just the right amount each time you give it a squeeze. With its long-lasting fragrance and real hand-softening benefits, this isn't just a hand cream, but an indulgence.
Beauty Booty: Perfect Chic Nail Enamel in 09 (a sexy, fire engine red!), R85Reviewer: Kerry Gibbs, Content Producer, Food24
I don't really wear nail polish as I would rather nobody notice the torn and bitten entities that one might call my fingernails. Still, this bright, cherry-red nail polish caught my eye as the products were being handed out and I just had to have its lushness somewhere on my person. I would have done more damage than good with the polish brush in my hand, so a friend with a steady hand and perfect aim did my nails for me. We were both impressed by how easily and smoothly it went on with no streaks. After just one coat, my nails looked sexy and added a fierce element to my outfit. I left her house with a slightly lighter handbag than when I walked in. As for my mani, the polish stayed perfect and glossy-looking (sans top coat!) for an entire week – and would have lasted even longer if my nail biting tendencies hadn't kicked in.
Perfect Chic nail polish is a salon brand and available in 140 colours. For more information on the product and contact details so as to find your nearest stockist, visit www.perfectchic.co.za.
Beauty Booty: Nivea Diamond Touch Crème Oil Body Wash, R24,99 for 250ml Reviewer: Cathrine Shone, Restaurant Editor, Food24
First off, I really like the packaging of this – a handy, squeeze-y type shampoo bottle. It made it really easy to use in the shower. As for the product itself, I really liked that too. I first tried it out on a weekend away at Treetops near Citrusdal. We were on the river all day, so in the evening when I took a shower it felt really luxurious to use – a total indulgence for skin that had spent a long day in the blazing sun. I liked that it felt soft and smooth going onto my skin and lathered up into a fabulously silky-feeling cream that actually shimmers! It also smells amazing thanks to being delicately fragranced with hints of apple blossom and jasmine. A nice, fresh feminine smell. It definitely made showering a lot more fun so I give it a big thumbs up!
Beauty Booty: Yes to Carrots C Me Shine Lip Gloss in Flirty Pink, R49,99Reviewer: Tammy February, Book Club Content Producer, Women24
Read Leigh's review on the Yes to Cucumber hand cream? If you have then you may also be familiar with the Yes to Carrots range – both of which can be found at Clicks. I was lucky enough to try Yes To Carrot's C Me Shine Lip Gloss – because a girl just simply can't have enough lip gloss in her beauty pouch, now can she? It was lip love at first sight, feel and touch. This pretty little tube contains 95-percent organically produced ingredients, vegetable extracts and vitamin E (for antioxidant protection) and left my lips feeling 100-perecent moisturised all day. In fact, once the lip gloss wore off, I was convinced that I was actually still wearing it because my lips continued to feel unbelievably soft, shiny and smooth. But that's not all. The really great thing about this gloss is that it enhances your natural lip colour, giving it a glossy shine and a pearly pink luminescence. That, coupled with the fact that it's quite possibly the least sticky gloss I've ever applied to my lips, makes it a must for all "gloss addicts". The only bad thing? It's fresh, minty scent makes you want to lick your lips all the time.
Beauty Booty: Yardley Skin Hydro Tissue Oil Spray for Scars and Blemishes, R65,95 Reviewer: Robyn Addinall, Content Producer, Parent24
I loved this product! Essentially, a fresh-smelling tissue oil in easy to use aerosol spray-can, it totally resolves the problem of getting messy oil all over your hands. Just one quick spritz directly to your body and there you go! Enriched it with a "Hydromide blend", Yardley says it can provide clinically proven results within 28 days, improving scars and overall skin appearance. Having used it daily, I can tell you that it really does live up to its promises. It helped smooth my skin out, reduced the appearance of scars on my forearms and left my skin feeling more hydrated. I started using it just on my arms and eventually wound up using it on my legs, stomach and just about everywhere else! It's a really great product!
Beauty Booty: Jane Iredale Powder Me SPF30 Powder Sunscreen in Translucent, R552 Reviewer: Lili, Deputy Editor, Women24
Because I'm super pale (think light red hair, freckles and the type of skin that burns in 4 o'clock dappled sunshine), I got to test Jane Iredale Powder Me. "What is that?" I hear you ask. Well, ladies, it's a dry sunscreen. Let me say that again: dry sunscreen. In fact, it's a light semi-translucent powder formulated with pure clay that nourishes and soothes the skin with pure minerals and has an SPF of 30. And it works! I tested it in the heat of the day – 20 minutes in full sun around 12 o'clock. I was feeling very hot and bothered, but my complexion stayed perfect and I didn't burn! Not a single freckle. I'm not usually a fan of powder because my skin is very dry and I tend to find that powder makes it worse, but I didn't experience any extra dryness. I think it's a perfect product for summer when you tend to sweat and shine anyway. Overall, I give this product two thumbs up.
To purchase Jane Iredale cosmetics online, visit www.faithfultonature.co.za. Otherwise, to find your nearest Jane Iredale stockist, visit www.strawberry.co.za.
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