Leigh reviews Ofra's lip gloss

Hey OFRA Cosmetics, thanks for the lip gloss!

http://lipglossismylife.com/2012/03/22/hey-ofra-cosmetics-thanks-for-the-lip-gloss/

OFRA Cosmetics is a professional cosmetic line created by international make-up artist Ofra Gaito and is now available in South Africa. Last week they sent me a lip gloss for my birthday (thanks guys!).

OFRA Cosmetics lip gloss in Strawberry, R150.

The shade reminds me quite a bit of MAC’s Plushglass in Ample Pink. It’s kinda like the perfect ‘your lips but better’ type of hue, one you’d wear if you wanted to do smoky eyes/neutral lips on a big night out.

Well hello there little boy...

Ingredients-wise, I can’t tell you what’s in it as I can’t find this information online but I do like its sweet caramel smell as well as the fact that it’s not too sticky and doesn’t dry out your lips.
If you want to try OFRA Cosmetics for yourself, visit their US website to get a look at what they offer.
You can then place your order with a local agent. To find one closest to you, give their head office a ring on (011) 786 9027.

Thanks Ofra!

Love, love
Leigh

Emmy reviews Tip Top Toughen up Maxi Growth Base Coat

http://rougebeauty.co.za/tip-top-toughen-maxi-growth-base-coat/#more-637

Tip Top Toughen Up Maxi Growth Base Coat, R75.99 (available at Clicks)




What they say: Help rebuild the nail from foundation to nail surface with Toughen up Maxi Growth Base Coat for Weak/Post-Acrylic/Damaged Nails, an intensive strengthener that returns thin nails to a healthy condition, using key ingredients.

What we say: This is the only base coat I ever use. I have incredibly weak nails that are prone to splitting and peeling.

When I have this base coat on, my nails feel stronger, break and split much less, and they actually grow. This base coat has remedied my nasty nails – I just make sure I have it on all the time now, and my nails look great, and are much stronger.

See what Emmy has to say about Eco Tools

http://www.glamour.co.za/2012/03/22/today-glamour-loves/glamour-loves/today-we-re-loving

Today we're loving EcoTools Bamboo Eye Brush Set!

EcoTools is a French brand that has been around since 2008. Their aim is to deliver cosmetic tools that not only work, but are kind to the environment too. This nifty set contains 6 different eye brushes housed in a handbag-sized pouch, making them perfect for travelling!

Our vegetarian staffers are so excited about these brushes because they are 100% cruelty free. Instead of animal hair, the bristles are made out of synthetic taklon - and the greenie points don’t end there. The rest of the brush is made out of renewable bamboo and recycled aluminum! You’ll find this set and the rest of their range in selected Pick ‘n Pay stores countrywide (R119.99).

See what we were loving yesterday!

Into your eco-beauty? You might like these eco-friendly nail varnishes!

Emmy is the daughter of a sailor, animal loving, coffee addicted, beauty product junkie editor of rouge.

Today see what Leigh has to say about Optiphi

OptiPhi Shimmer Shield SPF 15 review

http://lipglossismylife.com/2012/03/19/optiphi-shimmer-shield-spf-15-review/

19 Mar Back in the day I used to secretly idolise my Aunt Ethne’, my mom’s most glamorous friend, who thought nothing of rocking up for a Wimpy burger in a fur gilette and sequin hot pants. All the cosmetics she pulled out of her bag where either Guerlain, YLS or Dior which where always nice and heavy thanks to their opulent gold packaging. I also liked that despite being ever so poised, she was never afraid to zex things up a bit be it with six-inch stillettos or Stikini’s on the beach (hey, it was the 80′s!)…
Anyway…
Award-winning local brand optiPhi have a hot little limited edition in their Shimmer Shield SPF15 (R300). Essentially, it’s a spray-on sun tanning/protection oil that’s enriched with mega moisturising jojoba. The best bit, however, is that it’s chocoblock of copper coloured shimmering pigments. Just LOOK at how pretty it is:

Oooh... well hello there...

The moment I pulled it out the package my first thought was ‘God, Aunt Eth would’ve sooo have had this on her bathroom shelf…’ I could just picture it sitting there next to her Jean Paul Gaultier perfume bottles, tempting me to give it a sneaky spritz while hoping to goodness she wouldn’t notice that I’d been digging through her things…
What I like about this glitzy little gem is that the sparkles aren’t really perceptible on your skin. Sure, it give you a little glimmer, but you hardly look as though you’ve been playing with the body glitter fairies. It also doesn’t have a smell so it won’t interfere with your perfume and leaves your skin feeling like you’ve given it a slick of Bio-Oil as opposed to anything greasy or tacky. I’ve even been using it on my legs and arms at night to give the a little sheen when I hit up events.
Next time you’re in a salon that stocks optiPhi make a point of checking it out. You could also snap it up as a freebie thanks to this current special:


Thanks optiPhi, this is definitely the most indulgent way to beat the summer sun…

Love, love
Leigh

See What Leigh Van den Berg has to say about Nimue

Nimue Super Hydrating Serum review; it really is ‘super’!

15 Mar Like I’ve mentioned before, I was a spoiled little cow in regards to my birthday and yet another of my ‘shame, you’re old’ surprises came from local in-salon skin care brand Nimue. Aside from a mooi little lip gloss from their new-ish ColourScience make-up collection, they also gave me one of their best-selling booster treatments; Nimue Super Hydrating serum (R575).


Was this pure serendipity or do you think they took notes while reading my blog? (If you remember, it was their hydrating mask that saved the day when my skin freaked out towards the end of a facial late last month…) Anyway, I was super impressed with its efficacy so I’m now thrilled to own a bottle myself.

In a nut shell, Nimue’s Hydrating serum is something you can use as an ‘add on’ or ‘booster’ and incorporate into any skin care routine. It makes use of a ‘nanotechnology delivery system’ to saturate your skin with moisture that goes the distance. Ingredients-wise, it makes use of soothing Shea butter and skin softening urea as well as collagen, elastin and silk. The last three ingredients are all great in regards to their water-binding properties and, as they’ve hydrolized (this means made small enough to be absorbed into your skin) they can squiggle into your epidermis and hold moisture deep inside your skin.

As my skin’s often dehydrated but rather oily, I don’t wear this out in the day as it makes me look too dewy. Instead, I apply it at night like a leave-on mask and am wearing it now as I type. Also, on mornings where I’ve woken up feeling a bit droog, I’ve slapped it on, left it to penetrate for twenty minutes or so and then wiped off the excess. Afterwards, any fine dehydration lines have been blitzed in their moer and my skin feels fabulously supple.

In all, if you’ve been looking for something to help bump up your hydration levels, have very dry skin or spend a lot of time in craptastic moisture-sucking environments like heavily air-conditioned offices or planes; this serum’s a safe bet.
Thanks Nimue!

Love, love
Leigh

Look at what Kim Gray had to say about Banksia's Sanctuary Spa

The banksia boutique hotel spa 

http://www.kimgray.co.za/2012/03/13/the-banksia-boutique-hotel-spa/

I recently discovered a gorgeous spa at Banksia Boutique Hotel. Firstly, if you’re in PR or looking for a venue for a small intimate wedding, this spot is definitely worth viewing.



I loved that the Sanctuary Spa at Banksia was elegant, clean and no clutter in sight. A white, light, uncluttered room really does install a sense of calm and order. Love that!

Little Miracle

Balm Balm has a Little Miracle Rosehip Serum (100% organic) recently available in SA. It is made from luxuriously fine carrier oils, so similar to our own skin’s make up that they are miraculously absorbed leaving no oiliness what so ever. This beautifully rich blend of rosehip, jojoba and borage oils, generously infused with frankincense, rose geranium, palmarosa, juniper and mandarin essential oils will literally feed your skin, allowing it to breathe and feel totally rejuvenated!

Balm Balm – 100% Organic Facial Range - Little Miracle Rosehip Serum

We don’t call our serum a Little Miracle for nothing.  When you use it even once we know you will feel a difference.  Eight perfect little ingredients, each performing their own little miracle.  Blended together in perfect harmony they synergistically work their magic on all skin types.

The ultimate moisturisor for face and neck. Use alone, day or night, or in conjunction with your regular moisturisor for an added boost to moisturise and refine your skin's texture..

Why Balm Balm Little Miracle Rosehip Serum is so special...

-          Like all things Balm Balm, it is 100% Soil Association Certified Organic.

-          It is made using the finest carrier oils so it slips straight in, leaving no greasy residue.

-          It is super gentle so works miracles on even sensitive skin

-          It smells divine, plus the essential oils make you feel happy and comforted.

-          The best ingredients available at a very affordable price, because Balm Balm believes every woman should have a little treat at least once a day.

                Our little miracle list of ingredients are:

                ROSEHIP:                restores

                BORAGE:                 revitalizes

                JOJOBA:                  nourishes

                FRANKINCENSE:     oxygenates

                ROSE GERANIUM:  balances

                MANDARIN:            soothes

                PALMAROSA:          protects

                JUNIPERBERRY:      stimulates

            

RRP – R279.00

Stockist details: Headoffice 083 296 9966