Beauty Rescue101..

The beautiful month of Ramadan is upon once again and I decided that in my absence and because I know I've been a bit busy lately, I need to leave some beauty tips behind.
I know you lovely ladies all take somewhat of a make up sabbatical during this time but these simple tricks can leave you feeling and looking fresh as spring daisies.

1. The lips tend to take quite a beating during this period as you find you're licking them more than usual. Try not to lick them!! I apply a delish lip sugar scrub to get rid of excess dry skin. **Please do this outside of fasting hours as I do not want to get into serious trouble if you interpret this incorrectly. It's sugar based and deliciously tempting so please adhere to the rules. Apply lashings of a good vitamin lip balm and this can be done liberally and throughout the day. There really is no excuse for dry chapped lips, and its a complete eyesore to look at.

2. As the days are quite cold as well, you don't realise that your skin can become very dehydrated because of you not drinking and eating. Think dried PRUNES!!
On waking I do a rose water cleanse and spritzer mist which I use during the course of the day as well..mouth closed at all times!! Decant your rose water which I told you how to make in a previous post into a handy pocket sized spray atomiser and pop into your bag for use during the day. It saves on expensive moisturiser in between your prayers as well. Chanel Hydra Essence beauty mist is amazing if you feel like your skin needs some extra love..♥♥

3. . Moisturise..moisturise..and moisturise again!

4. I tend to look more washed out during this time but after all my moisturising and facial sprays I give my cheeks a good old pinch to get the blood flowing adding a rosy blush the natural way.

5. Keep eyebrows neat and well groomed. I know some do not remove anything from this area but like I always say 'Each to their Own. Invest in an eyebrow brush and tidy up as its the frame to your beautiful picture.

6. Hydrate!! As cliche as this whole drinking water may sound, it can't be any truer. Your body loses so much water and minerals during the day and that's why you feel fatigued during the fasting period. Forget about the fizzy drinks. Drink up and quench your skin thirst.

7. You're spending a great deal baking & cooking and what's worse than ugly hands and yellow tumeric stained nails! Dip those fingers in a warm bleach soapy bowl for a quick brighten. Weekdays are busy I know, but on the weekend book yourself a paraffin wax dip for your hands. Believe me yaaaalll thank me later. Don't forget to creme those hands before you doze off to slumberland..♥

Keep safe..keep warm
And a blessed Ramadan to you all
Lots of love xx

Daddy love..❤️❤️

It's Father's Day weekend so I've compiled a list of heavenly treats for the amazing men in your life. I do so love a man who takes care of his appearance, and if he doesn't..well then it's best you do your bit and nudge him in the right direction. In fact, I love birthdays and any occasion to buy gifts and I normally do a combination of different things just to keep it interesting.

1. If he's the sporty type, then a good mustard bath soak is perfect for those tired muscles. It's therapeutic and soothing, and great for just a relaxing hot tub chill. 

2. I LOVE Lancome and so I was quite excited about this 'Lancôme Loves Men' campaign. Cleansers, moisturizers, anti-ageing and shaving products to keep him looking fabulous and fresh faced for years to come. It's never too early or too late to start beauty routines and make sure to give him some quick tips as to "how to" if he's a newbie. Trust me..he will appreciate the extra attention.

3. Those who know me well, know that I am head over heels..stars in my eyes kind of lovestruck with the Jo Malone cologne intense range, a perfect buy for both. The Velvet Rose and Oud has an alluring scent so provocative and indulgent, but yet still not overwhelming and I'm dreaming Arabian nights and desert safaris ala 'Sex in the City' style.

4. Massage treatments like manis and pedis are a real treat..I mean who doesn't love smooth sultry caresses instead of rough touches. Do a dual booking for you and your baby daddy/husband and you can enjoy it together.

5. A variety of good quality chocolates always tops my list. No explanation required.

6. And then Brunch is always a good idea..whip up a couple of pancakes with sweet strawberries, some fresh fruit and a little sparkling something to drink and get all the kids around the table. The love of a family is the best gift anyone can receive.

I don't have the luxury of having my dad around..so I spend these special days with those closest in my life. Love and appreciate who you have in your life..for tomorrow is never certain..❤️❤️

Keep warm and cosy this loooong weekend..

Big bear hugs

Xx

My Winter must have..

Yes the days are getting awfully dull and grey, but that's absolutely NO excuse for you to start looking that way too. I recently came across this fab moisturizing lotion while reading one of my fave weekly glossies a couple of weeks ago, and thought I'd share this little gem with you guys. 

DOVE SUMMER GLOW..a rich nourishing lotion with a subtle gradual self-tanner to leave you sun kissed throughout the drabbest of winter days. 

The idea of spray tanning my half-naked self wasn't a very comfortable thought and all the rules & regulations pre-application and what not to do for 24hours after application..blah blah blah. I might as well have gone into total hibernation. Just way too much fuss for me. 😱😱

Three weeks later, my post-bathing ritual hasn't changed. I've replaced my normal Dove Moisturiser with the Summer Glow and apply as I normally would have my regular lotion. I did exfoliate initially which is something I do regularly, before I started using it. It's developed into a natural looking, healthy sun kissed glow which needs no maintenance. It's simple to use and I get dressed almost immediately after application. There's no waiting period, no smell and doesn't leave you streaky like a bronzed tiger gone wild. It does advise to wash hands afterwards, but I do forget sometimes and still no orange hands, so that's an indication of how really gentle it is.

It's about R40 for a 250ml, so not too bad as opposed to what tanning salon sessions can cost and also way cheaper than the off the shelf can sprays. I have tried sunbeds before but that's a topic for another dull day.

Give it a try..or don't give it a try. This is just my own reviews on the product if you looking for some honest tips and advice.

Happy weekend loves..xx

some JO MALONE love..

When the Queen of Luxury & Indulgence sends out royal invitations..it's best to RSVP, clear your schedule and attend. So....this weekend had me feeling rather royal when invited to a fabulous pamper session at the gorgeous Jo Malone Boutique store in Canal Walk. An experience which had me reminiscing about my trip to London, and that certain British class that cannot be bottled, or so I thought. 

We were welcomed by the chic & fabulous Jo Malone stylists, and served delish coffee and chocolates before settling down and treated to a hand and arm massage using the delicious cremes and heavenly colognes from the TASTING BAR.

The stylists are very knowledgable about the products and I used that as a guide when choosing my lotions and beauty potions. After having an invigorating Vitamin E sugar scrub, I 'ordered' the Red Roses bath oil, which when added to the water dissolved into a milky wash leaving no oily residue. This was followed by a Lime & Mandarin body and hand wash, the Nutmeg & Ginger body creme and lastly the Wild Bluebell cologne.

What's great is that all these fragrances can be applied in your preferred combination and layered to create your personalised scent. How POSH spice is that!

Now I adore the smell of Saffron (NOT pronounced Safram!) and wasn't too sure how this would be interpreted into a fragrance, but the Cologne Intense Range just blew my mind. Think alluring middle eastern notes of rose, amber, Kyara wood and oud infusions, to name but a few. Nothing remotely close to the overpowering oud I was accustomed to. The Jo Malone fragrances are everything you never expected fragrances to be. 

Understated..'Timeless and elegant..but always infused with a charming dash of wit and whimsy' - mmmm sounds familiar.

Pop by their boutique stores in V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk to create your signature fragrance, or just spoil yourself with one of those scented candles which I'm so crushing on. Hugs and kisses to Raeesa and Nazley at the Canal Walk store for the wonderful experience, and to the talented artist Stephen Kulp who sent us home with a beautiful hand painted Jo Malone gift box.

Fab Monday everyone..xx

Did you RSVP?

If you got one of these a couple of weeks ago..

Then you probably would have taken an abra and it would have dropped 

you off at this island venue last night..

Chances are you may have bumped into Frieda..

Or maybe you made some new friends..

You would definitely have seen this..and right about now you thinking WOW..that would have made an awesome 'selfie backdrop'

And you would have swooned when you saw this..

But just like me, I didn't get the invitation to the Chanel Cruise Dubai collection either. I waited patiently until the morning after..the night before..to start reading all about it.

Would have been FABulous though..

Happy Wednesday loves.. And don't stop dreaming xx

some CHANEL love..

Soooooo.....happy happy delayed Mother's Day to all you superMOMS out there. I do hope it was a fabulous day sprinkled with lots of love and sweetness. I must admit I had quite a relaxing Sunday enjoying all the small gifts..and cards..and photos..and letters..and breakfast..and lunch..and tea time...it just 'Carried' ; ))

Oh and did I mention I managed to bag this beaut as part of the celebrations...well indeed I did. Les Beige Belle Mine from Chanel, an OH SO delish pressed powder for days when mommy needs more than just a hug and a kiss. It's an easy to apply all over face powder that leaves a fresh faced, radiant and sun kissed glow. It can be applied directly onto your skin when you just don't have the time to apply foundation or when you need a break from all that coverage. I apply my Belle Mine no.40 (pronounced Bell Meen) powder with a kabuki brush in round circular motions, then a dash of rose pink blusher on my cheeks, my 'must have' Chanel Le Volume mascara in 'NOIR no.10' and finish off my lips with a basic lip balm which has a colour pigment. I've been very much inlove with Labello Vitamin Shake Cranberry & Raspberry for a while now. I love SIMPLE looks..I love EASY applications..and I love NATURAL finishes.

Les Beige is also great for contouring if you have two shades and as a blush depending on your beauty trick know how. It contains a SPF 15/PA++ and is enriched with cotton flower and white rose plant cells, so it ticks the anti oxidant infusion.

It boasts the new signature creamy beige packaging, with a large enough mirror for 'selfie' touch ups, a 100% natural half moon brush which I don't know what to do with, as with all other brushes and applicators that come standard with products. They just don't make it during my makeup 'playtime'. If you figure that one out please do let me know.

It's a fresh, easy going approach to a simple make up look. No mess, no fuss..and remember what I always say...DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!

Great Tuesday loves..

xx

Mommas WISH LIST..❤️

 

It's Mother's Day weekend and I'm leaving my notepad around the house just in case my bunnies are looking for some inspiration as to what I'm loving right now, besides them of course. 

I'm already feeling these snug grey knitted slipper booties from Woolworths to help me through the loooong cold winter evenings. 

I'm also loving this cute candy stripe pink make up tote from Country Road...supercutes!

Now the annual clockwork orchid delivery is always appreciated because it's my ultimate favourite, but some pink peonies would be a lovely change. I've seen them around a while back at Woolies so I'm not too sure given the season change. Woolworths stocks them in the bigger flagship stores so probably Cavendish or VA Waterfront would be a good start to finding them. 

And last but not least, some Charlotte Rhys Linen Water. Love the soft fragrance this fabulous mist leaves and it makes me dream about being some domestic goddess.

Love, appreciate and cherish your bunnies.

Happy Saturday loves..

Xx