Beauty Banter: Anti Oxidants

With it being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there has been so much focus on early detection, prevention and how to take better care of your body. One way of doing this is keeping up with a diet and skin regime rich in antioxidants.

What are antioxidants exactly? Well they are nutrients and enzymes that work bloody hard at preventing and repairing damage to your body's tissues. They do this by slowing or preventing the effects of free radicals - a process that causes damage from oxygen and leads to cell dysfunction or breakdown. Basically, an apple going brown - thats your skin without antioxidants. Gross.

So to boost your diet full of these skin-saving antioxidants, best you start packing your grocery trolley with broccoli, avo, sweet potato, blueberries, pomegranate, almonds and tomatoes.

And for your face? Make sure your beauty products are packing some heat in the antioxidant department too.

I've been using Africology's  antioxidant Masque and Serum this month. The serum contains a patented formula of A Palmitiate which boosts collagen, and DMAE protects cell membranes, which prevents skin damage and ageing. It also boasts one of my personal favourite skin ingredients, Evening Primrose oil. As a lifelong eczema sufferer, I swear by the stuff.

The masque uses the same patented technology, but is given a super nourishing kicker in the form of borage seed oil and Omega 6 fatty acids, which contains GLA - a super antioxidant. This makes it great for reducing pigmentation (yay for me) and it does a great job of reversing the effects of year-end stress and being over 30. Both chronic conditions I am suffering with currently.

The gems at Africology are also donating R10 per Antioxidant product purchased to CANSA, which you would have seen on my Instagram feed earlier this month if you were paying attention.
You still have until Friday, so go do your face and the amazing people at CANSA a solid.

Power tools from Paul Mitchell

Okay, I meant power tools for girls. And I'm not talking about drill bits and pliers in a shade of pink. Hair styling gizmos surely count as power tools? Well they should, especially the ones I am about to share with you.
Yesterday a very exciting launch went down. I couldn't be there in person due to meetings, but I had spies and insiders give me the skinny on what all the fuss was about.

Paul Mitchell has launched a new styling tool range called NEURO Intelligent Styling. The range consists of a hairdryer, smoothing iron, styling cones and rod, and hot rollers.

In a nutshell, this range is killing the competition with their patented SmartSense microchip, and their IsoTherm titanium plates - ensuring fast, perfectly regulated heat.

If these guys are designed for incredible international stylists like Takashi Kitamura, and are destined to be staples in salons - then I certainly wouldn't mind owning these myself. The dryer boasts 1874 watts of power, 4 heat settings and a cool shot button.

230 degrees Celsius in 30 seconds. That'll do pig, that'll do. Beautifully cushioned plates and bevelled edges make for a user friendly design. The SmartSense chip is working its magic the whole time, reading the temperature 50 times per second and responds in a quarter of a second, optimising heat recovery. Fancy no?

The curling rods heat up to 230 degrees Celcius in 60 seconds, feature and automated shut-off system which you can customise and features the wondrous SmartSense chip for seriously fast heat recovery.  And it comes in 3 sizes so all hair of all lengths and thickness has a friend.

Retail Box is yet again ahead of the game, and will be stocking this range this month. So send out your Christmas wish lists to those who love you asap.

Life via iPhone

The last few weeks I have thrown myself in to exercise and running. Not necessarily for the coming summer, but because I entered Gun Run half marathon on a bit of a whim and then didn't do an awful lot about it. So 3 weeks before the race I pulled my socks up and ran as much as I could. I don't have a problem with fitness thanks to SWEAT1000, but I needed time on my legs before the run. It could have gone better in the end, and my time wasn't fabulous, but I finished and felt fine afterward, so its another half marathon ticked off the bucket list.

Cape Town in the spring time is one of the best times of the year. The wind crops up every now and then, but other than that the weather is perfect for being outside and enjoying all of the beautiful things our city has to enjoy. I've also recently discovered a few new coffee spots in my area. I am rather obsessed with cortados these days ( an espresso cut with a spot of warm milk), and Bootlegger in Sea Point makes the best.

It is also Breast Cancer Awareness and I've tried to get involved as much as I can with the different brands doing their thing to raise awareness and raise funds - all while rocking as much pink as possible. I now have pink hair, pink beauty products, pink dinnerware and even a fair amount of pink clothing all in the name of donating and getting involved. I know some of you may think it is a superficial way to contribute - but what I've learned about charity work in my time in corporate is that the easier you make it, and the prettier you wrap it up, the better you'll do for your cause. So I tip my hat to the brands who have given of their time and energy to a wonderful cause.

Pineapple/ Ananas/ Piña

Whichever way you say it, the pineapple is rather hot right now. Pineapple print seems to be just about everywhere, from tote bags, to bedsheets.

It's very young and girly, so you need to be careful with how you style this print - or else you're going to look like the 2014 remake of "13 going on 30". A shopper/tote bag or printed vest is probably safest - or anything beach related with this print is pretty.
If you're going to take the trend to your accessories, keep it dainty and simple with a ring or bracelet. And for some flirty fun, you can always express your summer love affair with pineapple print by upgrading your phone case.

Shop the trend here:

Country Road tote bag, R349 at Woolies
Pineapple ring, R25,99 at Mr Price
Printed vest, R29,99 at Mr Price
One piece costume, about R400 at Cotton On
Printed beach bag, R59,99 at Mr Price
Pineapple charm bracelet, R150 at Romeo Foxtrot Designs
Printed phone case, R325 at Phonecases.co.za
Pineapple candle holder, R399 at Superbalist

Le Creuset Cuppa for CANSA (Giveaway)

Each October, we are made to face some scary truths. We are bombarded with breast cancer stats, tales of loss and the subsequent signs you need to look out for. But we are also inspired, made to feel hopeful and also completely amazed at the incredible strength that women possess, and how they handle their journey with grace and determination.

There are some wonderful companies doing some wonderful things to raise awareness and money to help women who need assistance on their journey to recovery, as well as to inform those in society who may not be aware of the symptoms, or what their options are if they are diagnosed.

 One such company is Le Creuset, and their concept is simple. Host a Cuppa for Cancer. Get your girlfriends together and have a tea party. Make some pretty cupcakes, whip out your tea set and then get those betties to dress up for afternoon tea. And then charge them and donate. Get them to donate some more. And then some more.

No good deed goes unnoticed here and you could win a shopping spree from Le Creuset worth R10k.
You can hop on over to their website for the free printables and submission details over here: http://www.lecreuset.co.za/blog/host-a-cuppa-for-cansa-and-win

You have until 31 October to submit your tea party pictures, so get cracking.

September's favourites

I have been wanting to get around to a post like this for ages. One of the most wonderful perks of being a blogger is that I quite often get asked to try out new products and I have so much to tell you about. This does mean that my bathroom cabinet and vanity area look a bit like a disheveled beauty salon at times - but I'm certainly not complaining. Adding to this, and much to my poor husband's dismay, I am a total beauty junkie. So I also buy a fair amount myself too. This has got to the point where Dave takes me by the hand in Clicks and leads me to the aisles we need to get to, completely circumventing the beauty section. Mean isn't it?

Here are the products that I loved in September.

Naked 3 Palette: I bought this while travelling, and I haven't looked back. I am a big fan of Naked 1, and when 2 was launched I wasn't too excited about the shades. But when I saw the pretty, pink nudes that lined the tray in the Naked 3 palette, I was sold. I think having palettes 1 and 3 makes for a pretty solid eyeshadow collection. As always, they are the perfect travel companion too. In SA, you can trust good 'ol Rubybox to hook you up.

Sorbet BB Cream: This stuff is only R100 at Sorbet salons or Clicks. I know it launches ages ago, and I obviously wasn't paying enough attention because it was recommended to me by a friend whose skin always looks so flawless. So thanks for sharing your secret Liv, because this is a really great product. The coverage is medium and leaves a subtle glow on the skin. It has become a daily favourite and is in serious contention with my Bourjois 123 Perfect CC cream as the best budget buy for your makeup bag.

Shwarzkopf Color Freeze Shampoo and Hair Mask: I attended a relaunch of the Schwarzkopf range a while ago at GHD Style Bar. I've been using their products for years on my heavily bleached hair and it works like a bomb. Their fantastic stylists recommended trying these two products to better preserve my blonde and to keep it from becoming dried out and natty. These will become repeat purchases without a doubt. It isn't easy keeping fake-blonde hair soft and shiny and this does exactly that. I also love how long salon products last. You really only need to use so little. Especially the hair mask. I just dip my pinky finger in the tub and that is enough for me. You'll find these either at GHD Style Bar, or have them delivered to your door with RetailBox.

Soap & Glory Heel Genius: I went a little batshit crazy in Boots while we were in Thailand back in August. They kept luring me in with 3-for-2 specials, and gift sets and various other specials which i dutifully took advantage of. So I now have almost every product in their range. But with my recent increase in running training leading up to the Gun Run this past weekend, their foot mask/cream was a lifesaver. If you're travelling, pop one of these into your shopping cart. The cream is light, and smells nice and fresh. You apply before bed, slip on some socks and wake up with very pretty tootsies. Love.

Ciaté Nail Laquer in Candy Floss: This is the perfect pink. I love it. I live in it and I can't wait for summer to arrive so I can start wearing it on my toesies. Bet you didn't know you could get this brand in SA - so everyone say a big fat thank you to the kids at Clicks. They're bring them in and I couldn't be more excited.

Life via iPhone

Clockwise from top left: Wine tasting at De Grendel; Coffee with sprinkles - as it should be; Healthy Saturday morning green smoothies and chock-nan pancakes (my new speciality); Cupcakes and chai lattes for breakfast at the CY Market

It has been a while since I did one of these posts. Mostly because I think I was all Instagram'd out after our Thailand trip. And I think I am still suffering with the remnants of some post-paradise blues.  On top of that, being on the butt-end of the fashion industry (manufacturing, importing and such) means we've hit crazy season. Hence I've had to be very selective when it comes to dashing out to events and launches. That doesn't mean that I don't have tons to share with you though. I have some beautiful sunnies coming up tomorrow, a facial to end all facials and so much more.

Clockwise from top left: Sun worshipping with my little bug; The best smile from Vida my little fat squirrel; Sibling selfie at The Fray concert; My ever-inspiring gym.

On the personal side, I've had a great few weeks of very laid back weekends. Life is all about balance so they say, and I've been bouncing between my beloved SWEAT classes, yoga and running - and balancing it out with some very yummy new discoveries. My favourite being our new hole in the wall, Yo Meatball on Roeland Street. Its tiny, uncomplicated and ruddy delicious. You simply order your meatballs, your sauce and your side - and everything is one price, R55. If you go, have the chicken meatballs smothered in a creamy basil pesto sauce, with sweet potato mash. It is comfort food at its finest.

Shameless selfie while trying new Revlon lippy; A fun little vest I found in Thailand; Margaritas from Zapata with sour worms, why don't all margarita jugs come with these? ; My Forever21 shopping spree that started at the launch, and has not stopped yet.

I had a bit of a cold this past week so my weekend was spent buried in a book. I finally got around to reading Gone Girl and I pretty much read for 48 hours straight. With the movie having already being released, I needed to get it done before I heard any spoilers - and my mind, well she was blown. I don't think I have been this excited for a movie in ages. I hope they do this incredible book justice. I read somewhere we'll be seeing Ben Affleck's junk, so the movie already has that going for it.

The week ahead brings a few challenges, some exciting launches and potential collaborations. I am also in the process of redecorating at home so I'm up to my ears in projects. Just the way I like it.

So happy Monday, get to that grind - even if that means just making it to the coffee machine.
xx
Leigh