Winter Warmers

I'm sharing some of my winter skin favourites this morning because I know exactly how harsh the elements can be this time of the year.

Always remember that it's best to load your skin with vitamin-enriched products early to combat excessive drying, and you will definitely reap the benefits as your skin matures. I cleanse as normal with Chanel Lait Douceur which is a smooth cleansing milk, and tone with Chanel Lotion Douceur. This reminds me there's a review on that soon. I like mixing and matching my products and don't always stick to one brand for the whole routine. High end low end it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that I'm getting the best results possible for my skin. I also have a bit of sensitive skin and it seems to get irritated easily especially when I'm trying new products. I'm way more cautious now and have limited the amount I take on board my skin in terms of brands. A very small amount of Vitamin E Moisture Cream is enough for the whole day and it's not heavy or oily in any way. It's light, easily absorbed and just as fresh as the pretty pink packaging.

As for this little bullet, firstly the size is perfect to pop into an already full make-up bag, and yes I was swayed by the packaging simply because I love pink everything. It's only been a couple of weeks but it's refreshing and soothing on the eye area after a late night out. I also love the almost dewy glow it leaves just below my eyes. These two have become daily staples and just enough to get me through with no skin drama. Both are in Body Shop stores nationwide so it's best to invest!

There's a fine line..

So there's a topic that I have been sitting with for a good couple of months now, and only because it's taken me quite a while to marinate it all and finally embrace my decision.
A couple of months ago I was introduced to the possibility of having botox and fillers after having a very in depth consultation with a reputable professional. Hesitant at first and not knowing what to expect, I have since decided against any sort of such treatments.
Let me just say the clinic I consulted with was extremely professional and obviously knowledgeable regarding all of this. Knowing me, I had a million questions and they were addressed very comfortably and with great ease. At the time when I was researching all of this I had just turned the big 40, which was probably what kick started all of this silly behaviour. With that came the 'instant' wrinkles which I'm sure had been there all along but just made its presence felt because I was now older. I have since accepted the absolute madness of the way all this age stuff affects ones mind. Let me please highlight I am referring to my own mind here, because I poked and prodded every line, every frown and eventually I gave up.
Regardless of how easy it is to make an appointment and just pop by for a quick botox shot or two or three, as was recommended for me, I don't think I would ever do it. What I did see in the mirror was me just beating myself up when every wrinkle and line was a part of me and of my journey through this blessed life. The ups and downs, the constant 'mommy worrying' about my children's first everything in life. Would they be ready for anything this big world would throw their way? Every wrinkle reminded me of where I had been. My precious heart that had been through too many losses, one too many break ups and the daily shake ups.
I'm happy to report I am not ready to betray my beating heart so it's peaceful once again even though some days my boobs do seem like they could do with a good old lift, and my tummy is not as tight as I would like it to be. Oh see here I go again!

This is my story and everyone may feel differently obviously, just know that self love and acceptance is never an easy feat when we as women are constantly bombarded with unrealistic images which are contoured and filtered to the point of an apple now looking like a orange.

I accept that I am never going to be perfect in any way but I refuse to compare myself to a twenty year old who has never walked my path. Because note to self here..I have already walked all of hers!

For those of you interested in the clinic I went to, It's called Heart Charm Aesthetics and based at 21 Atlantic Road, Muizenberg Ph: 021 788 9466. They have an amazing team and offer some great treatments as they specialise in skin rejuvenation.

Dreamy Cream

This has been on my shelf for a couple months and honestly, it's probably one of the better products Lush has on offer. Ok, so I'm not much of a Lushie as I think they're a tad bit overpriced for basic kitchen ingredients mate.
I did however find this Dream Cream very nourishing and it worked very well especially for my son who is prone to very dry, sensitive & almost eczema type skin. I love the fact that it's made with oat milk which is soothing and calms the skin, and rose water which is my ultimate 'go to' when my skin needs a bit of extra love. Those who know me, can attest to my rose water obsession as I'm always importing only the best quality rose water money can buy.

It's light and spreads easily, and well worth the heavy rands spent. Let me know what you guys think about this cream? I vote YAY!

Enough banter for one morning as I do actually have a full day ahead :))
Happy Friday loves
xx

Sweet like HONEY

So totally shameless when it comes to faking it with bronzers and cremes, which are standard on my beauty shelf all year round.
I'm just horribly pale and it makes me feel a bit more acceptable to myself during the cold season. I
also love to hibernate so this is just brilliant for when I finally do surface at the start of some sunshine. No streaking and easy to apply whether you're at home or like me in the South of France.

Honey Bronze is just super sweet for that sexy glow we all love to love all year round. The highlighting dome is a must for a natural sun kissed look and it's made it to my top personal favourites list already.

Oh Honey..smart girls FAKE it!!

**PS. Did I mention the Sales?

Sexy Friday up ahead..
HRH Bodyshop Queen

Bold and Beautiful

So I'm having a bit of a confession morning..

I admit that I am an absolute crazy person when it comes to wing liners and no matter how long I've been doing this, I always go into complete panic mode when faced with liquid liner. I'm happy to report I've been using the Bold Oversized Felt Eyeliner from The Body Shop which is a chubby stick liner and it's relieved most of my liquid anxiety. I now have a steady application as my grip is a lot firmer and I think that's key when using a liquid liner. I'm loving the fat koki looking stick and it's just made my life a bit easier. 

As far as eyeliners go, I'm obsessed with the Velvet Gel Eyeliner, I just smudge around my lower eye to create a sultry smokiness. Eyes spy gorgeousness up ahead!!

**PS. Keep your eyes and ears open for The Body Shop Flash Sales as I picked up some of my favorites last week for a total steal. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Snow up ahead so keep warm..xx

HRH Bodyshop Queen

True Beauty comes from the heart..❤️ #stepup&standout

As a mom of three I place a great deal of importance on education, and have also made great sacrifices to ensure that my kids have access to the best level of education. It is however very sad that so many children in South Africa are just not that fortunate to have this basic human right. The Body Shop, together with Media 24 and Badisa are doing an amazing collab and using all proceeds from the sale of the Peppermint Cooling Foot Spray to help those less fortunate kids. It's a great initiative and would like to encourage all who can help make a difference by purchasing it.

I'm also always on the lookout for great gift ideas and have added this to my 'go to' list for upcoming celebrations where gifts are required. It's perfect for a baby shower as a token to the 'mom to be' who definitely needs a bit of TLC as most of us moms know how tiring it is to be carrying a baby to term. 

Brides also take quite a bit of strain with all the wedding planning so it's ideal as a bachorlorette party gift as well. 

Mother's Day is also just a stones throw away so that's another special occasion and gift sorted. Mix it all up with some delicious chocolates and flowers and mom will appreciate the great sentiment. 

I've included the you tube link just for reference to this campaign. 

http://youtu.be/KVbssO3C0ZQ

Whatever the occasion it's a great way of giving back and life is just like that. The good you do comes back to you..

Sending a little love all around today..xx

A spot of tea please!

The Body Shop has literally gone to the ends of the earth this time to create this awesome new range of green tea products. The Fuji Green Tea Bath & Body range is infused with green tea leaves all hand picked from the Mount Fuji region in Japan.
Now after more than three weeks of being dismally under the weather, and when green everything just looks so much more appealing, this is exactly what my Doctor ordered!
It's detoxifying and invigorating and to all of you who swear by drinking green teas, this is the equivalent in skincare. Loaded with antioxidants, it's been a skincare secret with Japanese women as they believe it to retain moisture and tighten pores.

There's a little something for everyone in this range from exfoliating soaps and scrubs, to hydrating body butters and delicious sorbets. I personally adore the bath tea salts and infuser ritual and use the exfoliating soap, which is just bliss after after a long day. Seal your entire tea experience with lashings of either body butter, body lotion or the sorbet. My skin gets a whole lot drier during the colder months so I prefer the body butter pour tous types de peaux, which has a 24H intense hydration benefit. The Eau de Cologne leaves a clean and crisp freshness and is the perfect blend of green tea with top notes of  bergamot, lemon and mandarin, and floral notes of Camellia, Jasmine and Violet. It's in stores as of 6th April, so go and grab a little something to soothe your senses and calm your mind.

Happy almost weekend my loves..xx