Review | The Body Shop Fresh Nude Foundation

I know it has been forever since my last post. I've started this amazing new job, but because my clients are based in Australia, I am at the office by 6am because of the time difference. It is crazy, but I am loving it. Unfortunately it has left me pressed for time with the blog, but I am finding a new routine and getting back on it.

My last post ironically enough was also about The Body Shop, and those Shade Adjusting Drops are actually perfect for the foundation I'm chatting to you about today. It is their latest offering since they've beefed up their makeup range (which I am loving right now - I only keep drugstore products in my office/car/handbag after being a victim of a smash and grab a few years back - and their makeup range is as good, if not better than many of my favourite high-end products). The new Fresh Nude Foundation is enriched with English rose water and aloe vera, which hydrates and keeps the skin feeling beautifully fresh and comfortable all day. It also contains SPF 15 for the lazy girls who forego sunscreen in the winter months. Hands up, I know you're guilty. I am too.

There are a whopping16 shades so they have something for everyone. It seems like there are 4 shades with varying undertones for the following skin tones: 

Fair: Chelsea Porcelain, Bora Bora Tiare Kyoto Blossom, Bali Vanilla

Medium: Hawaii macadamia, Fiji Sand, Sahara Light, Yorkshire Rose 

Olive- Tan: Santorini Sunset, Atlas Dunes, Sicily Amber, Yucatan Honey

Deep: Andalusia Almond, Seychelles Cinnamon, Caribbean Mahogany, Tuscany Chestnut 

I generally stick to completely matte foundations because I'm not sure that I like the shiny look I tend to get with dewy foundations. But I am an old hag so a youthful glow is nice.....so I'm not being difficult here at all.

I'm also going through a break-out phase while my skin gets used to office aircon and the change in season. Yay.

Anyway, this is a semi- matte finish and I actually really like the way it looks when it is freshly applied. It gives a really natural glow without being too shiny. Even though I do like the way it looks on it's own I have needed to dab on some finishing powder and reapply some during the day to keep things tidy. It is a light to medium coverage foundation so it covers what I need it to, but it does build very well to get heavier coverage on those blemishes. Overall I am very happy with it. I took a snap of it before blending, after blending, and in sunlight so you can get an idea of the type of glow it gives you.       

It's comfortable and light weight and is probably a better option for regular to dry complexions. That being said, I love the texture and the colour - I am using Sahara Light 030 - and how it melts into my skin. So oilier chicas, don't write this off. Give it a sample and see how it wears it on your skin for an afternoon, because I think you might really like it too. Its worth the odd dab of powder for such a pretty glow.

Go pop into a store and test it out, or just take the plunge and pick it up online at www.thebodyshop.co.za. At R275, it is as well priced as any drugstore brand out there. 

Beauty Review | The Body Shop Shade Adjusting Drops

I don't lose my mind over beauty products. I have my staples and I love trying new products, but not many have made my jaw drop like the ones I have to tell you about today.

Actually they straight up annoyed me. Only because they made me so mad that I didn't think of this idea first!

Everyone needs these Shade Adjusting Drops from The Body Shop.
Seriously. Us girls are forever trying and buying every new wonderful foundation on the market and spending a small fortune on the habit too. Then the seasons change and our favourites end up being a shade too light or too dark after a few sessions at the beach. Money wasted. Down the drain. Because lets be honest, you don't stash it for the following summer-  by then you've bought a ton of new products to play with. We all do it. Its okay ladies, this is a safe space to confess your sins.

The Body Shop invited me to their launch and sent me these drops afterwards to test out and I know I'll never be without them forever more. They work with every single foundation and BB cream I tested them with. A drop changes your current foundation by a half a shade according to the official press release, but I am quite careful and prefer dotting gently and mixing half a drop at a time. Waste not, want not - just like gran says.

The Lightening Drops have a concentration of white and pink pigments which neutralises yellowness while lightening the shade of your foundations/BB creams/tinted moisturisers.
The Darkening Drops have a concentration of black and red pigments which helps with foundation that makes you look too light and ashy. They darken while keeping the natural depth. I've had my fair amount of buyers remorse after buying foundation in the wrong lighting. I don't know about you, but the introvert in me never goes back to a store to return stuff. So now I don't have to.

If you're struggling to find whatever new and wonderful foundation has launched this month, in the perfect shade for you, you can simply create it using these drops. I am utterly obsessed at the genius of this idea.

I've also been using it for highlighting and contouring. A few dots of the lightening drops up the nose and across the forehead and under the eyes do wonders for a tired complexion. And then you add some dots of the darkening drops along your jaw line and you've got supermodel cheekbones in a flash. They blend so easily and the finish is flawless.

Here is a rare image of me getting my face in front of the camera for you all - but this is how badly I wanted to give you a demo of how well these work. They are suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin - which is important for me as I turn red and blotchy if you look at me too hard. My camera is having a timeout for whatever reason so I attempted these on my cell camera. I apologise for the average quality, but you get the idea.

 Grab them in store or online quickly - on my last trip to pick up some of my Body Shop basics, stocks were selling out!. They are R300 each and will save you hundreds in the long run.

STYLE | THE BEST OF THE POETRY WINTER COLLECTION

I always shop for winter as early as possible - thats when you get the good stuff. I find that from June onwards, the replenishment stock is basic and boring.
So as soon as a brand launches their Autumn/Winter collection, that is when I head to the shops and start picking out my favourite pieces.

Poetry is South Africa's answer to Anthropologie. The fashion, accessories and homeware are so effortlessly feminine and chic, that almost anything you buy there is an instant classic. This year they teamed up with local artist, Andrew Sutherland. His work was printed onto the softest blend of silk and cotton and made up into the comfiest tunic dress you'll ever let caress your bod. Because of the classic shape and that it looks equally great with sandals as it does with boots and a trench, you'll have this in your cupboard for years.

Here are few other of my coveted items from the collection. Its all in store and online already, so get going before it sells out.

BEAUTY REVIEW | CLINIQUE BASICS

As I've said before, this is my year of focus and drilling down on what I want and what I don't. It means whittling down my wardrobe to quality basics and doing the same with my skincare. I am tired of bouncing between products and trying every single new "miracle" product that launches. I am always happy to play with makeup, but now that I am in my thirties, my skincare regime is precious.

This is why Clinique is the perfect fit for me for 2016. I signed on as an ambassador without needing to think twice. I'd used their products for years and they'd always worked in my twenties. Then we parted ways for a while. Even their cult classic, the City Block tinted moisturiser gave way to BB creams in my life and looking back, I should have stuck to what I knew worked.

So here I am, back together with Clinique and I've changed up my 3-step system to suit my old-lady skin - riddled with adult breakouts and pigmentation - and I am delighted to report that my skin is in love. My pesky and painful breakouts on my chin have cleared and I've noticed a massive improvement in hydration. I also have dry skin that gets nice and oily by 2pm and since using their Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion for dry/combination skin, I haven't reached for my blotting powder in weeks. Between this moisturiser and their Even Better foundation (more on this later), I have found my routine. My balance. My focus. And clear skin - at last!

For those who've never given Clinique's 3-step system a bash, I'd recommend popping in to one of their skincare counters in Edgars, Foschini, Truworths and Stuttafords stores. Get a skin analysis done and get some trial products to suit your skin type. Their face wash is the perfect mild foaming wash (they also have a non-foaming options if you hate foam washes. I personally love it. I don't really have a reason why). It is gentle and non-drying which is ideal if you're struggling with dryer skin like I am.

The next step is toning. I know many beauty bloggers advise that you can skip this step, and maybe you can. But I've always been a fan of some extra cleaning. The big kicker with Clinique is that their toner is actually a mild exfoliator. The one I am using, Clarifying Lotion 1 was developed for dry and flaky skin, so the ingredients working away at your skin are good 'ol Salicylic Acid and Butylene Glycol. However, the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1 also includes Witch Hazel, to tone the skin; and Acetyl Glucosamine, for skin healing.

Now for some makeup. My friends in the beauty blogging industry have been raving about Clinique's makeup for ages and yet I'd never tried any other than my staple tinted moisturiser. The consultant in-store had one look at my pigmentation and recommended their Even Better foundation which evens out and corrects. It works like a bomb I am pleased to report. It provides a medium coverage, which is easily buildable if you need to. I found that with my stippling brush, it blended seamlessly into my skin and I didn't need more than one good layer. The finish is more on the matt side, which I prefer. 

The lovely team at Clinique also treated me to one of their brand new Clinique Pop™ Lacquer Lip Colour + Primer. I was given Cocoa Pop to try out and it has turned out to be the perfect pinky/nude combo. A little darker than the "your own lips but better" kind of nude, which I think is ideal going into winter where I go darker and richer with just about everything. The formula is lightweight, and because of the built in primer, it really does stay put for at least 6 hours. So it perfect for everyday workwear.

I hope you found this review helpful. If you have any questions on Clinique products you'd like me to research for you, or do a review on, please let me know in the comments section. I've linked to the Clinique online store for each product so you can shop from the comfort of your desk. But I would always preach that you try some out in-store first. 

Travel | Bliss up the West Coast

Pack some snacks and make yourself comfy, because this is a long post!

Few road trips beat a leisurely drive along the West Coast. You're spoilt for views of field of flowers, sea views and long stretches of farmland either side of you. Not much farther along the road through Veldrif, you'll find Rocherpan. Tucked away and so rustic you'd almost miss it. Or you might actually miss it and drive halfway to Namibia like I did.
Pro tip: when someone gives you very specific directions, turn off your lame John Mayer mix CD and actually listen.

Photo: Alfred for The Good Holiday

Once you arrive at the reserve, you're confused. You expected rustic, which it is. But not to the point of camping. You'll find yourself quite impressed by how modern and chic the facilities are. I'll be honest. I did not expect such comfortable accommodation. The chalets are simple, clean and comfortable and they all face the breathtaking view of the water. And that little body of water houses a massive flock of bright pink flamingos that gracefully wade along the edges each morning and evening. The architect of these adorable eco-cabins is Justin Cooke from Architecture Co-Op. He did a fantastic job of ensuring they blended seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, while also using environmentally friendly materials. The cabins functions almost entirely off the grid with solar water heaters, gas stoves, and solar panels. You can't really ask for much more.

Photo: Alfred from Vuurtoring

The reason I went along on this trip was to play stylist and part-time model for CapeNature's latest online campaign. Our mornings started at 5am to get our shots of the flamingos and other bird life. I've never been a big nature person, and I was (embarrassingly) the cliched city girl asking an absurd amount of questions on the possibility of being carried away in the night by snakes and spiders.
Rocherpan actually shifted my narrow perspective somewhat, and I relaxed into nature and stopped fussing and worrying enough to really enjoy it. And you're actually forced to. The day moves at a slow pace after a bright and early sunrise, inviting you to come in after a morning of bird spotting, to a big breakfast fry up, and then to take to the balcony with a good book for the rest of the morning. I slipped on a comfy long dress and sandals and moved through the day at my leisure.

Photo: Alfred for The Good Holiday

Photo: Alfred for The Good Holiday

You can find the sandals (you'll see them when you scroll a little further down) HERE and a similar dress, even more perfect for lazy lounging HERE. I love finding cheap and cheerful holiday outfits from Mr Price!

Once the weather had warmed up enough, we made for the beach. We had kilometres of uninterrupted coastline at our disposal and after some beach reading, strolling and posing, we set up a picnic which was well oiled with some amazing wine from Avontuur.

The next day started much the same and I can officially be considered "outdoorsy". After spying on those long legged pink birds, we had a go at some biking through the reserve. Initially I'd wanted to go for a trail run - but after discovering it was snake 'mating season', I decided that I wanted to be off the ground.

The next evening we decided to put together a massive feast of a braai, and whip out the really good wines. Avontuur had spoiled us again with a selection of their finest wines. After our feast we ended up roasting marshmallows, all the while clinking our glasses and laughing very late into the evening. We then extended our evening into the early hours of the morning to do some star gazing. And when you are so far away from city lights, you get to see the best views our galaxy has to offer.

Photo: Alfred for The Good Holiday

Photo: Alfred for The Good Holiday

I hadn't expected to be won over by rustic cabins, environmentally conscious and nature-crazed hosts, bird watching and the general tranquility of the surrounds (I am a city girl, 100%), but to be honest, I will definitely be back Rocherpan. You're a total gem and when I need a break from the madness of city life, I couldn't think of anything better than a weekend with you.

Photo: Alfred for The Good Holiday

To get the full experience, check out the video we worked on all week - shot and edited by the phenomenal Dee Lourens from The Good Holiday. She was assisted by some of the best action and nature photographers in the biz, Alfred from Vuurtoring and Louise from Green Girls in Africa (Check her blog post on Rocherpan for a beautifully detailed post on the inner workings of this clever eco-friendly hideaway!). Go show them some love - I promise you'll find yourself inspired!

Travel | Stellenbosch Valley Part 1

I was part of a lucky bunch of travel and lifestyle bloggers who were invited to spend two days sampling the finest fares of the breathtaking Stellenbosch Valley. Too often when plotting a day out in the winelands, I head for the regular tourist spots and better-known wine farms. I forget about old gems and don't take the time to scout out new places to try. So it suits me very well to join in on these trips, because then when it is my turn to plan a day out, I look like a total pro/wine snob among my family and friends. And now I get to share these secret spots with you too!

We started our day at JC Le Roux - which is incredibly well known. But not for what it should be. You're probably thinking of sweet, sparkling wines from your youth and thats about it. But what you don't know is that they do one killer brunch, and that they have a range of MCC's that will knock your socks off. (For those who don't know this: MCC stands for Method Cap Classique and is what would be called Champagne if it were made in that region in France.)

 I went for the stacked french toast with bacon ice cream. Yes. Bacon ice cream. I have become a vegetarian since the new year, but looking back on 2015, I'd be lying if I didn't mention this as one of the best brunch meals of my life. The rest of the group swooned over their Eggs Benedict as well, so thats another option to try when I head back. With spinach of course.

We then went into the most beautiful private tasting room, via a very luxe looking bar area. We were then guided through the gorgeous range of bubbly by our wonderful host, and each MCC was paired with flavoured and stuffed olives of all sorts.

After we'd picked our favourites and made some purchases, we got to have a go at sabrage. Mike from the Life of Mike blog valiantly volunteered as tribute and thankfully did not decapitate himself or anyone else.

Next on our day-drinking adventure was Stellenbrau brewery. Not many people know this about me, but I love beer. It rivals wine in my opinion. Savage, I know. I thoroughly enjoy beer, and I thoroughly enjoy the confused and amused looks I get when this petite dork orders a pint of craft beer at the bar, instead of a spritzer.

The boys at Stellenbrau treated us to a brewery tour, followed by a tasting. I could quite happily set up my bed inside a brewery. I actually quite enjoy the smell of the hops brewing. I find it soothing for some reason. That sounds like something an alcoholic would say isn't it? Oh well.

I'd highly recommend a stopover at this place. It boasts a gorgeous setting, chilled vibe and great craft beer.

For a late lunch and another tasting we pulled in at Middelvlei Wine Estate. I was not expecting to have so much fun at this rustic family-run estate. But when we were divided into teams and charged with blending our own wine, I was delighted by the challenge! We huddled and schemed and used every beaker and pipette they'd supply us with (to look like we knew what we were doing obviously) and settled on the winning combination. We then labelled our wine with a number only and then it was put out for the teams and other patrons present to test an vote for the number they liked best. To be able to tell you that our team won might be one of the happiest announcements I've made on this blog. I am also deadly serious when I say that I am adding winemaker to my CV.

This incredibly entertaining afternoon ended with a good old fashioned bore braai, complete with homemade potato salad, braaibroodtjies and delicious wors and chops. Their mantra being that homemade, authentic boerekos is what they do best. They aren't interested in fancy. The folks at Middelvlei are all about simple, wholesome food and quality time spent with family and friends.

Finally it was time to relax after an incredibly tough day of eating and drinking. So we checked into our spectacular suites at Wedgeview and then made our way to their in-house spa for a massage.

My impression of Wedgeview shall be expressed in my best "Janice from Friends voice":

"OH. MY. GAAAAAWD!!! "

Let me break it down for you...

The location: Its nothing short of divine, with mountain and vineyard views for days. And for the adventurous, plenty of trail running/ mountain biking or for the less energetic (me), leisurely strolling to be done through the property. There is also a stunning pool area to cool down in during the warm summer months.

The spa:  It is just heavenly. With professional and lovely staff - its a cherry-on-top addition to an already wonderful place to relax in the winelands.

The accommodation: No expense has been spared to create luxurious suites with every amenity you could hope for. Everything about the room lends itself to relaxation and tranquility. Shelves were packed with books and the balcony begged to be used for reading next to a fresh cup of coffee in the morning, or for romantic sundowners with a glass of bubbly.

The staff: An interesting situation here. The place is Dutch owned (by a rather famous ex-cricket captain no less), and Dutch hotel students intern on rotation every few months. Dutch people are not ugly. With one staff member looking like a clone of Leonardo Di Caprio circa 2006, and the rest looking like yet-to-be discovered male models, the girls in our group and I were a mess. All I could muster was a goofy grin and I blushed my way through every interaction with one of them. Real smooth Leigh. Real smooth.

The food: As I mentioned before, it is Dutch owned. So cheese. Good cheese. Great cheese. Lots of amazing food featuring said cheese. Phenomenal brandy. A rich and delicious dinner accompanied by the above-mentioned interns playing the piano. Oh yes, the good looking interns play piano. Did I not mention that?

Wedge view was such a treat and I'll certainly be back again for a stay in the Stellenbosch Valley.



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