Saturday, December 18, 2010

Summer Foundations

Right,Im sitting,its very very hot and its 10pm at night,SUMMER IS HERE( despite the fact its bucketing down raining outside!)!

Over the past few weeks,foundation wise I have only been wearing mineral powder(Im not a fan of using mineral powder and depending on it for complete coverage!) as my liquid ones seem to "sweat off" with the heat(I get quite sweaty in the face,gross and way too much info I know!) so I thought time to find a foundation that will be more heat resistant than my normal ones.

Now having two children and a husband being a one income family means I cannot buy all the high end brands I would like to try(as you have noticed all my product reviews are more budget friendly) so I found 2 foundations from 2 different brands both varying in price but still affordable.

I have decided to put these foundatuons against each other,see which one is best for standing up to heat and humidity,which has the best staying power,what each of their different benefits are etc etc.

So the 2 foundations are: Revlon Colorstay Make Up for Normal/Dry skin and Australis Stay Put foundation.

I wore these 2 foundations on the same day, for the same length of time,at the same time(one on each side of my face)so I could fairly review them.
So first I will write a bit about each of the foundations!


Revlon Colorstay Make Up Normal/Dry Skin

Price:$41.95(Purchased at Radius Pharmacy Paraparaumu NZ)
Size:30mL
Packaging:Glass Bottle with a screw top lid,open neck so the foundation pours out
Price per mL:$1.40 approx

Benefits of using Colorstay Make Up

- Lasts for up to 16 hours
-There are a whopping NINE shades available
-Contains an SPF 15
-It is super easy to apply
-A little goes a long way
-It is very lightweight
-Offers medium to full coverage
-Comes in two different formulations for different skin types(combination/oil, or normal/dry)



Australis Stayput Foundation

Price:$23(Purchased at Radius Pharmacy Paraparaumu NZ)
Size:23mL
Packaging:Glass bottle with a pump for easy dispensing
Price per mL:$1


Benefits of using Australis Stayput
-Contains moisturising multivitamins and antioxidants
-Doesnt melt or smudge in heat and humidity
-Very Lightweight
-Offers medium to full coverage
-Very easy to apply
-Contains and SPF 15
-Stays Matte and keeps you shine free even when your face is sweaty and gross
-More tight budget friendly


So what foundation is better?

Heat and Humidity:While Revlon Colorstay did a good job at staying put when it was really hot it did smudge a little and slide off a tad. Australis stayput was made by an Australian Company for Australians and their massive heat and it stayed put,so the winner here is AUSTRALIS


Long wearing:Now while Australis withstood heat,when it cooled down it faded and wore off earlier than Revlon Colorstay(in the areas of my face that Colorstay hadnt slid off) so in normal conditions I think Colorstay would have longer wearability,so the winner here is REVLON

Price:While Australis had a smaller bottle by 7mLs(Australis has 23mL while Revlon has 30mL) Revlon was more expensive at $1.40 per mL while Australis was a budget friendly $1 per mL,so the winner here is AUSTRALIS

Shade Range:Australis Stayput has only 5 shades available while Revlon has 9 shades,the winner here is clearly REVLON


Coverage:Now this is truly a tough one,both offer amazing medium to full coverage and they both do a great job so the winner here is AUSTRALIS AND REVLON

Heaviness/Lightweight:I'll admit it is very VERY hard to choose as the are both very lightweight,but I did notice Australis was a little lighter weight than Revlon. The winner here is AUSTRALIS

Product Usage:I did notice with Australis I did have to apply a little bit more than Revlon so the winner here is REVLON

Packaging:Revlon to look at is more aesthetically pleasing but there is the problem of how the foundation is dispensed. We have a wide open neck with a very liquid foundation and if your not very careful you can pour too much product out and not need it all which is wasteful. Australis has a pump which is great for product dispensing but when the foundation gets low the pump ceases to work(all foundations with pumps have this problem) but it can be remidied by turning the foundation upside down the removing the pump when you want to use the foundation. So the winner here is AUSTRALIS

Benefits: With this its hard to judge as its a little of each to their own. While I love the fact that Revlon has two different formulations for different skin types,I also love the matte finish and the fact that it contains moisturising multi vitamins and antioxidants.I love the fact that they both contains SPF 15,they are both lightweight and that they both offer great coverage. BUT for ME PERSONALLY Australis is something I can afford to continue using so for me the winner here is AUSTRALIS

Overall Winner:AUSTRALIS STAYPUT FOUNDATION

(please note that these views are my own views and all info is based on my personal opinion,yours may differ.I must add that this was a VERY close call and I still think Revlon Colorstay rocks and I will purchase it aswell as Australis stayput when my budget allows me too)

If you want to see another vs review(battle of the bronzers or the review of Australis perfection brush on foundation follow the link http://simplystunninglygorgeous.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Product Review: E.l.f Eyelid Primer


Product Review: e.l.f Eyelid Primer

Well it has been far too long since I have posted and Im sorry to any of my faithful followers so thought I'd do one of my many product reviews that I have been putting off doing !

Now e.l.f (eyes,lips and face) is an american brand and sadly do not ship to NZ unless it is a BIG order(like over 500 products),although there is someone who sells a few e.l.f products of TradeMe

I love this primer,some beauty reviewers on YouTube say its comparable to the popular Urban Decay Primer Potion at a fraction of the cost. Now I cant say either way as I have not tried Urbcan Decay Primer potion but cant say the e.l.f primer is GREAT!

It brings out the pigment in my shadows really well,even my cheap shadows,the shadow stays put ALL day and there is very little creasing(with my eyelids there will be some creasing no matter how good the primer or shadow is)

I purchased this for about $13 from TradeMe(americans get it for about $1!) and I have to say it is actually worth the $13!

If you can find it,grab it it is definatley a worthwhile buy!


Till next time stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous xx

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Ugly Face of Beauty

Ok its been over a week since I last made a post but I do have good reason and it is due to what Im working on for this blog.
As Ive said before I am not a professional and what Im working on  requires a fair bit of research and everytime I think Im nearly done I decide to take it in another direction! So while I work on that I have to come up with a few ideas to keep this up to date. 

Today my mind is filled with Cosmetic Surgery. I have always wanted cosmetic surgery,have been wanting breast augmentation since I was 16,lipo since I was 21,abdominoplasty since I was 19 and always thought I would get a facelift when I hit 50 but after seeing a programme called The Ugly Face of Beauty that all changed

Here is a link to watch some episodes online http://www.casttv.com/shows/the-ugly-face-of-beauty   although I will warn you that some of the content is graphic BUT if you are interested in Cosmetic Surgery or even considering having a procedure done I think you may enjoy it

Stay simply stunningly gorgeous!xx

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

I see Red I see Red I see Red


Instant Glamour:RED LIPSTICK

Avon My lip miracle in incREDible


I tend to shy away from red lipstick and focus more on my eyes,one night I could not be bothered doing much make up wise(I think I was coming down with something life threatening for me not to want to do my make up!) anyway I did a very light smokey eye with winged liquid liner and popped on some red lippy and WOW! Instant glam. I know your not sposed to do smokey eye with red lips but it really did look fantastic.
 On another occasion I was in a time  crunch so swept a beige eyeshadow over my lid,put some liner on my waterline chucked on falsies on the outer corners and swiped on some red lippy,the look took all of 5 mins(most of that time was to allow the eyelash glue to become tacky) and I was ready to go
I do suggest trying it out sometime,its bold but its timeless elegance!
Loreal Glamshine in Timeless Ruby


Tips for wearing red lipstick
-Make sure your nails and lip colour dont clash. Hot pink nails and bright red lippy is a no no.French Tips and Red Lips=Class!
-Dont wear red on your lips and nails unless they are the EXACT same shade
-Dont go overboard with blush if your wearing red lipstick keep it light or skip 
-Use lip liner as red lipstick tends to bleed
-To avoid getting lipstick on your teeth after you apply your lipstick place your finger in your mouth, gently close your lips around your finger, and then pull your finger out of your mouth. This will remove the excess lipstick from your lips. Blot your lips using a tissue. For extra protection use a tiny dab of vaseline and lightly coat your teeth with it,not the best flavour but the vaseline can help act as a barrier
-If you have a cool complexion choose true reds or pinkish reds
-If you have a warm complexion choose reds with a brown base like rusty red or brick red
-If you have slightly yellow teeth a blue based red will help your teeth look a bit whiter
- Choosing between a matte and gloss finish is a personal choice. Matte has more staying power whereas gloss is a bit more modern but can smudge alot easier and will require more frequent application
- Take time to get used to it. If you arent used to such a bold look,wear red around the house at first and look in the mirror often to get used to it. It will grow on you and if for some reason it doesnt(might just not be the right shade) at least you gave it a go!
-Confidence. If you arent comfortable and confident in your make up choices it will show on your face.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Product Review:Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Extreme Pout to go


Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Extreme pout to go

I am a huge fan of lip plumpers,I find that they plump out the little lines in my lips and make my lips slightly poutier and alot make a great base for my lipstick. Recently I lost my last lip plumper that I loved(which was a sally hansen one too) so when I spotted this at Postie Plus for only $12 I had to have it.

It comes with the full size Lip Inflation Extreme,two mini tinted ones and a little lip shaped purse that is sized to carry the tints in.

It contains the breakthrough plumping Hydro-Collagen Complex with micro spheres of Marine Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid which capture and retain moisture. It contains Cinnamon extract which you can really smell

First off I’ll talk about the lip tints,there is a pale pink and a darker hot pink shade,both contain a slight shimmer. They both contain the same formulation as the regular Lip Inflation Extreme but are tinted(well duh!).

Now onto the Lip Inflation Extreme. Firstly the packaging is gorgeous,there is something about gold packaging that feels very high end to me(although many probably view it as tacky!).
You apply the formula with a brush that is attached to the lid,it is like a clear gloss and gives a glossy finish and that can be good but also bad. If you are using this under your lippy and want a matte/non glossy finish you cant achieve it,you also have to apply more of the lipstick to get the same depth of colour you would get if you werent wearing the Inflation Formula.
 If you apply it over your lippy(so you dont use so much) the colour will transfer onto the brush which can taint the formula and you transfer your lip shade onto the brush.

When you apply it it does tingle,almost sting but I find that with alot of plumpers,if you have sensitive lips,this will probably burn. Definatley do not use it on any broken skin.
I found it did slightly plump my lips but not as well as the lipstick plumpers I have used in the past although it is a noticeable plump.

So quick overview
-Gloss formula so impossible to use if you want a non gloss look
-Has a noticeable plumping effect
- Great if you want plumper lips and a glossy effect
-Has a tingle when applied but is quite a strong tingle
-Comes with two lip tints in pale and hot pink
-Comes with a cute red lip shaped purse to carry your tints in

For $12 it is good value for money,although personally I would not pay any more than $15-$18 for the entire set.

All in all good,not great but good


Sunday, November 7, 2010

Give yourself an at home manicure!

The key to healthy and younger looking hands is treating your hands with kindness. The hands on our skin is exposed to so much in our day to day lives and they are generally the one part of our body that recieves the least amount of TLC so is one of the first parts of our body to show signs of ageing.
If your like me,regular professional manicures are not really an option,so why not treat yourself to an at home manicure?!

I will take you through my weekly manicure regime(I will also list the products I personally use,alot are Nutrimetics Products but I am not trying to endorse or sell them,it just happens to be what I use)

Weekly at home Manicure
Step One: Before you do anything,cut,file and shape your nails,I use Manicare Nail Files. Only cut if needed. Never file wet nails because like your hair when it is wet,nails are weaker and more suseptable to breaking.

Step Two: I soak my hands in a bowl of water with a little bit of my regular cleanser(I use Nutrimetics Hydrafinity Gel cleanser but any cleanser will do) for 5-10 mins. This helps soften rough cuticles and dry skin.

Step Three: I then smother my hands in Nutrimetics Nutri Rich Oil(Vaseline or a thick cream will work just as well) and then cover them with plastic wrap and leave it for 10 mins

Step Four: After I remove the plastic wrap I then exfoliate my hands,for this I use Nutrimetics Nutri Spa Rejuvinating Hand Scrub,you could use your regular exfoliator or you could use salt or sugar as a more budget friendly option.After I rinse off the exfoliant I then exfoliate my nails and cuticles with Avon Nail Experts Soft Cuticles Warming scrub,you could always do this with normal exfoliator or the sugar/salt scrub, I just use the cuticle scrub as my cuticles are shocking.

Step Five: I dry my hands with a clean towel and use the edge of the towel and gently dry the nails and cuticles.

Step Six: I then use a popsicle stick(lol) to gently push back my cuticles. You can use a cuticle pusher or orangewood stick which are available in pharmacies. If I have any loose/sticking out bits of skin around the nail I use either fingernail clippers or nail scissors to cut them off. I  NEVER cut my cuticles,personally I wouldnt even let a professional cut my cuticles as it lays a welcome mat for infection(please note that this is my own personal view on cuticle cutting)

Step Seven: I then take my Nutrimetics Nutri Spa Intensive Hand balm and massage a good amount into my hands,around my nails and cuticles and right up past my wrist to my elbows. For this step any good hand cream or moisturiser would do the trick

Step Eight:(Almost Done!) I use a clean,dry towel and wipe the balm/moisturiser off my cuticles and nails and the immediate surronding area of my nails. I then apply a base coat,let it dry,apply 2 coats of my nail polish,let it dry then apply and top coat 

Voila,at home manicure! May not be as relaxing as a professional one but it gets the job done

Let me know if you try it!

Till next time,stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous! xx

HEAD TO NZSALE FOR DISCOUNTED L'OREAL!!

head to nzsale.co.nz for some great L'oreal deals,not sure how much longer it has to go,it started Saturday so head over,check it out and pick up some bargains

Im stoked to find that my perfect lipstick shade that I thought was discontinued when I could no longer find it,it still exists!! So Im going to have to get it at some stage!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

My first vid on YouTube!

My first vid on YouTube,more of an introduction but check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpO8IlVjag0

Products I want to try

With the weather being hotter my make up look completely changes. I go for lighter shadow,less eyeliner,lighter weight foundation or a tinted moisturiser,bronzer and lip glosses rather than lipsticks. There are two products I want to try this summer so am hoping I get a chance to

First on my list is Nivea Visage Q10 Plus Anti Wrinkle Tinted Day Cream with an SPF 15

For only $20 your getting an anti wrinkle cream,tinted moisturiser,SPF15 to protect against sun induced premature ageing and it contains UVA/UVB filters!  I love products that have more than one benefit and I have to say that this is one of those types of products

Next on my wish list is Maybelline Shine Sensational lip gloss. I dont know much about the actual lip gloss itself but I saw a review on You Tube that left me keen to try it
  So those are two products on my summer wish list,of course there is alot more I want but Im being simple and sticking with these two products so if I do get a chance to try them I'll let you know how I get on

Till next time ladies,Stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous xx

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Can you fake it till you make it?

Today my post is a bit different than usual,Im not talking about products or make up looks I am talking about confidence and self esteem and can you fake it?

Now the reason this thought came about was because lately I have been feeling very low,I feel disgustingly fat,hideously ugly and just that I am not a nice person at all. When I feel low I usually have a cuddle with my daughters or I'll put on an outfit that I love,do my hair,play with my make up and 30 mins later(ok 2-3 hours!honesty here) I feel heaps better,but lately that hasn't been working for me.

Looking back over the years I went back to my school days and remembered myself at about the age10-12. I was horribly timid and shy. 
One nasty look or mean word,my bottom lip would quiver,eyes would well with tears and I would be destroyed. No exageration here, I was scared to look at people on the street. At school I was bullied often, and it was drummed into me to the point where I believed everything that these bullies said was true. To this day I still can't 100% forgive what was said as I still carry a little bit of hurt for the young girl that is still inside me but I can see now that what was said was nasty and kids being kids.

Anyway back to my point,because of the bullying I went to a high school that was in a different area away from the bullies and my peers,it gave me a chance for a fresh start. The only problem was, I knew NO ONE!

So,you have painfully shy me,new school,100's of people I dont know. My first day at high school was the start of a new me,I somehow got courage,put a smile on my face(maybe it was a grimace,I was so terrified) went up to a group of girls who obviously already new each other and introduced myself with as much confidence as I could muster. And from then on I adopted my mantra:Fake it till you make it.

Now my whole Fake it till you make it is focused on confidence and self esteem. When I feel low or shy I pretend that Im not. If I feel ugly or low, I do hair,makeup,outfit etc,put a smile on my face,hold my head high and pretend that everyone thinks Im gorgeous, now they very well probably dont but in doing so it builds my confidence.  I do this everyday till I am in a place where I do feel beautiful and the confidence is natural. Sure from time to time it is going to get knocked back but thats when I start faking it again and it never fails me.
I know Im not the prettiest,Im certainly not the thinnest(ok not thin at all!!)I dont have the clearest skin,I dont have the best hair but I can realise that beauty comes in different forms,shapes,colour and sizes

The thing is when you are confident,it shows and you become more attractive because confidence can make you seem happier and when it is true confidence it shows in your face

So if your feeling low,ugly,shy etc FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT. Wake up in the mirror and think"I am a beautiful person,inside and out",repeat it everyday till you believe it!
And remember it doesnt matter if your fat,thin,tall,short,young or old,if you have a heart,are kind and stay true to yourself,your beautiful,no matter what anyone says. Dont let anyone bring you down !

I dont know if this helps anyone,or if its even read worthy and just my emotional babble,but here I am,laying it out in internet land for all to see.

Till next time stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous xx

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Products Im in love with right now

Thought I'd share a few products Im using alot and loving right now-these are also mini reviews. A few products I wont be doing a mini review on as they deserve a review all of their own

First off is an eyeshadow quad I've had for awhile now and use ALOT and it is the Australis Intenifeye in The Big Smoke


The reason I love this particular quad is because you have 4 great colours,white,gray,deep navy and black. They all have a shimmer to them which is something I love in eyeshadow. This quad gives you everything you need shadow wise to create the perfect smokey eye.

Lipsticks,well I have someone very special to thank for this and her name is Sonja. After asking for some make up ideas/challenges she suggested bright pink lips which I tried,and LOVED and now two of my previously neglected lipsticks are now constantly in my handbag make up kit!Please note the photos may not be the exact shade as I use,it was very hard to find photos of the exact shade

Both are Avon products the first being Avon Smooth Minerals Lipstick in Pink Berry which I didnt actually want when I bought it but it came in a bulk lot,I wanted one product and the whole lot was less than what the product I wanted retails for so I got it and now I am so so glad I did!!

The main benefit apart from it being pink is that it is a mineral Lipstick. It also has a glittery sparkle,Im trying to determine if the sparkle is silver or gold,I thought it was gold but now Im leaning more towards silver. It has quite decent staying power and it is so so pretty

My next lipstick is Pro to Go in  Rose Sorbet. Im not even sure if Avon still sells this as they like discontinuing products that I adore(Like my mousse foundation which was perfect for me!)This I also didnt order,got this a wee while ago and it was a replacement product,total opposite to the nude shade I ordered
This pink is a much brighter pink than Pink Berry.

It has a slight,subtle shimmer and the coolest packaging,rather than having a lid you pull off and twist it up like most lipsticks this has a little thing on the side you slide up the lipstick top flips open and out slides the lipstick,very cool  and easy one handed application! This looks amazing on,I either use it on its own or as a base for Pink Berry if Im wanting a little more shimmer. Good staying power and amazing colour!and it glides on so smoothly

Onto mascara.I have mentioned this fleetingly in a previous eyelash post and that is Avon(again) SuperCurlacious mascara in Black(I only ever use black mascara).Its wand its curved which not only curls but helps apply the formula evenly.

Its is long wearing and doesnt flake and easy to remove with a little eye make up remover,While it is amazing it does nothing for volume (which is fine as it doesnt claim to but thought I'd just add that in)Its quite affordable too so wont break the bank

Hairspray I love is Garnier Fructis Style Elastic Power Fix Hairspray.It claims its extra strong and on their "hold scale" has a rating of 3 out of 5 which is pretty good.

I love that while it holds my hair in place that it doesnt make my hair rock hard and is pretty easy to brush out.

I have a few more products I would like to list but will save them for later

Until then lovelies stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous xx

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Product Review: Nivea Body Summer Beauty Firming Gradual Tan Body moisturiser


So I've had this in my beauty cabinet for awhile and thought,its almost summer,may as well try it


Well it is safe to say my first attempt was a disaster! I was all streaky and patchy around my knees,ankles and feet 3 days in so thought"Hmm lets try this a different way" so I thought the fake tan approach

I shaved and exfolaited in the shower,then used a normal body moistiser on my knees,ankles and feet then applied the product

Well I have to say the product stinks,it smells so bad!But unlike some other gradual tanners it dried pretty quickly(which is good as I put it on at night so I dont smell throughout the day!)Once I figured out how to apply it,and once I got past the smell,it was ok!
But after 3 days I had to stop as I was pretty damn tan!(ok lightly Tan lol Im pretty pale to begin with).

Firming wise though....hmmm not too sure if I can rate it as I only used it a couple of days and was focusing more on the colour,not the firming properties.

So when you put together the smell and streakiness the product kind of sucks BUT if you forget the smell and take into consideration that my fake tan approach produced great results and in only 3 days its fantastic so I am kind of on the fence here about how to rate it.
The bottle says to use as a daily body moisturiser so the fact that I used it differently to get good results I guess I cant rate it very highly!
But hey its doesnt cost much and if you want to use my fake tan approach do so,you may love it!


Battle of the bronzers

With summer fast approaching and having alot of summer days Im using bronzer more and more(I will not tan in the sun,I hate the thought of what the sun does to my skin,I burn,blister and peel, a hot look but not the good kind!)

So I usually use Thin Lizzy 6 in 1,have done for a good 3 years but when I ran out and saw my bank account balance there was really no $50 to shell out for thin lizzy.
Being a fan of most designer brands products I went on their website and saw they had a few reasonably priced bronzers ranging from $9.99 to $24.99

When I went in all I could find was their Mineral Multi-Colour Blusher & Bronzer for $13.99,not exactly the one I wanted but I grabbed the bronzer and went off happy as can be. This is kind of what it looks like(the shade is not exact)

Now when I use bronzer I use it as a blush,cheek contour,face framer and use it on my neck,chest and shoulders if they are bare

Well I can say I am impressed with their compact,it has this gorgeous slide out mirror which is awesome,but thats as far as my being impressed goes
The brush provided,well, it sucks unless you like stripes so I tossed it into my brush box as it is good as an eyeshadow blending brush!

So I used a regular powder brush to apply and well when you consider how little it costs I suppose it is worth what you pay but it is very much a case of you get what you pay for which dissapointed me as I love Designer Brands make up!

The multi tones in the compact meant it could end up being quite uneven and I realised it has some chunky glitter particles which is a sign of cheap manufacturing,so I have to say I was most dissapointed with this.

Now onto Thin Lizzy. Its roughly $50 and you get 2 compacts,2 brushes.2 scented lip glosses and 2 double ended eyeliners in black and brown
Well the lip glosses,I HATE! They are sticky and I hate the scent,but then again I have a friend who loves the lip glosses (although she isnt a huge make up fan) so I guess its personal preference

I love the eyeliner,I use the black for my waterline often and the brown for my eyebrows so getting 2 is a bonus

The brushes are also great and I will often use one to apply mineral foundation

Onto the bronzer itself. Alot of people complain Thin Lizzy makes them orange and (now I dont want to offend anyone) but I have found it is only orange when you apply it incorrectly.Its has a sublte sheen,nothing too glittery and no chunky particles.When applied correctly it gives you a gorgeous bronze glow

So really Thin Lizzy is great value for money and is a fantastic product and one I will have to stick to(although I have to wait for my bank balance to get over its little virus,ha ha)

It is safe to say Thin Lizzy is definatley the winner here!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Product Review:L'oreal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Anti Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner

Today I am reviewing L'oreal Paris Elvive Smooth Intense Anti Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner

This particular duo is as the title says,anti frizz and it claims to be for:Difficult to smooth,Dry or Wavy hair

It claims 48 hour anti frizz,contains Silk protein and Argan Oil and "Smoothes,Calms,Nourishes,Sleek, Fluid, Managable hair"

Now to let you know a bit about my hair is it is naturally wavy but very frizzy if blor dried or left to air dry,the only thing that reduces the frizz is if I straighten my hair or use an anti frizz serum which I dont like to use as they are often very very greasy and to be honest Im on a budget so cannot afford to always have a good quality serum on hand. Lately all shampoo and conditioners have been failing to produce the result they promise

There are a few reasons I bought this particular shampoo and conditioner
1:I heard rave reviews on it on the TradeMe health and beauty messageboards

2:It cost the same as most other shampoo and conditioners at the supermarket

3: It claims to fix all the problems I have been having with my hair and I was at the end of my tether will all the other shampoo's I had tried but did not get results from

I loved this Shampoo and Conditioner from the very first wash.It smells great and the thing I loved about the conditioner the most was when I smoothed it through my hair and rinsed it out it didnt feel all slick and greasy like most of my previous conditioners but my hair still felt smooth and silky.

I was very sceptical about how it would leave my hair once dry so I blow dried my hair(no brushing or trying to style like I usually do just a straight blasting) and wow I was so shocked when I saw how frizz free it was once dry,especially seeing how rough I was with my hair!Plus my hair felt so soft

Ok so it passed the first test,the second was how it would leave my hair once air dried(just leaving my hair loose and letting it dry throughout the morning) and I have to say it kept its promise,my hair was not at all frizzy and again was so so soft

So the 3rd and final test,how frizz free would my hair remain for 48 hours? Well my hair wasnt completely frizz free but bear in mind I had slept on it and played in the wind with the kids,running around but there was very little frizz and it was as soft as it was at the start of the 48 hours

My hair has been so much more manageable in the week I have been using this and I will continue to use this shampoo and conditioner for good!!

So how highly do I rate this product?So highly there arent enough stars to rate it with. So below I'll just leave a list of why I love it

-Smells Lovely
-Left my hair silky and soft
-Kept its 48 hour anti frizz promise
-My hair is alot more manageable
-The conditioner doesnt feel slimy or greasy in wet hair

So thats my review,I got each of these for less than $6 at the supermarket so it is such a bargain,you get so much for so little!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Why am I getting pimples?

So you cleanse,tone and moisturise. Eat pretty well. Stay hydrated but those damn pimples keep popping up?!
Well I have a little bit of info that may help you combat those spots,starting with reasons why they may be coming back to haunt you!



How clean are your hands,make up brushes and sponges? Dirty brushes and sponges are riddled with bacteria,your hands even moreso so cleaning is the key.If I can get to soap and water when applying my make up,I use either a baby wipe to wipe my hands(being a mother I always have these on hand) or a hand sanitizer.
If you use a foundation brush or a sponge and have a spot leave covering this till you have finished otherwise you will spread the pmiples and wash in hot soapy water before using again. Also do not use the wand or stick of concealer straight on to blemishes as this will contaminate your concealer,dab some on your hands and then blend and before moving onto another part of your face wash or wipe your hands using a baby wipeor anti bacterial wipe or use some hand santizer.
Also if you use a concealer brush on pimples make sure you wash it after each use in hot soapy water

Are you washing off all of your cleanser? If you dont wash your cleanser off thouroughly each time it can cause you to breakout. If possible do what I do,cleanse in the shower
If your the kind of woman who likes to be at a sink,use a face cloth to help wash it off and make sure you dont miss your hair and jawline.If a standard face cloth is too harsh for your skin,use a muslin cloth available at most baby stores

Like a glass of wine or 10(well any alcoholic beverage really)? This is going to be absorbed by your bloodstream and can wreak havoc with our skin,make sure your drinking plenty of water between glasses of wine(or whatever your drink of choice is

Got clean pillowcases? Bacteria breeds in your pillow and hey you sleep on it every night! Turn your pillow each night,change your pillowcase every few days. Latex pillows are also more hygenic than feather or down types

Stress and Hormones! This one is so obvious I wasnt even going to mention it but hey may as well! For women stress and hormones are linked and when we are stressed,our hormones go out of whack causing a surge of cortisol and oestrogen. No matter how busy you are take time each day to relax. Have a nice hot bath or shower,slap on a face mask,lie down in a nice warm room and listen to some music.Go for a walk.Get plenty of sleep to help your skin regulate and repair itself


Till next time lovelies,stay Simply Stunningly Gorgeous