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.