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. 

Splurge vs Steal

If you haven't tried one of the dome-headed sponges to apply your makeup, you have been missing out. The finish you get using these to apply your foundation is almost perfection. They get into every nook and cranny and angle on your face and blend everything together flawlessly. The original and best is the Beauty Blender and has achieved a cult status overseas. It retails at various outlets here for between R220 and R250 - which is quite a bit to spend on a teeny little sponge.
Some local retailers are stocking dupes for as little as R50, but I've found that these tear easily and don't do near the same job.

Enter TopShop and their version. At R99 it is less than half the price of the Beauty Blender, and in my opinion, does the same job. I have been using this one since just before Christmas and it still holds its shape, is in mint condition and delivers a smooth finish every time. I am guilty of overlooking TopShop's makeup department, but never again, because there are some great budget beauty buys to be found, and their range of makeup tools and accessories is brilliant.

So there you go, a flawless face, at half the price.

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My daily make-up routine

 

Given that I work in the arse-end of fashion by day (clothing manufacturing), I don't have the time, nor the inclination to bother with a fussy make-up routine.  I've been shopping around and testing some products and these 8 products are what I find works for me.
All of them offer great quality and are all idiot-proof - which is a must for me when I am on the run. My new make-up routine is also easy to travel with, take along for after gym or pop into your handbag. And best of all, these products are all budget friendly. Besides the Bodyshop concealer and MAC powder blush, all are available at Clicks or Dischem.

Meet my make-up "A-Team"

1) Bodyshop Concealer Pencil
Long lasting, great coverage and blends easily. My new best friend.

2) Revlon Photoready BB Cream
My favorite out of the drugstore BB creams. It has the best coverage and colour in my opinion. You're not going to do better in this price range.

3) Physicians Formula Correcting Powder
This is my favorite new find. I am not too into looking dewy - because by 11am my skin looks oily instead. So I need a mattifying powder that lasts the day. This works wonders, and the different colours swirl together blurring lines and correcting your skin tone.

4) Mac Powder Blush in "Pinch 'o Peach"
Love this colour. All MAC make-up is worth the money. The pigment is fantastic and you won't be able to use another blush in your life. Also, the colour selection is gorgeous.

5) Eco-Tools make-up brushes
Discovered these via the All Dolled Up beauty blog. They're cruelty free and made from sustainable bamboo. They work like a charm and are unbelievably affordable. I bought the 6-Piece Starter Set as well as the Foundation Brush and I am in love.

6) NYX "The Curve" liquid eyeliner
This is a game changer for me. I am awful at applying liquid eyeliner and generally would stick to a kohl pencil. But I found this didn't last all day without a little smudging or fading. This curved eyeline looks a bit space-age bit it works. It rests perfectly in your hand, and your hand then can rest on your cheek and you can swipe along your eyes easily - and it comes out perfectly.

7) Maybelline Great Lash mascara
You all know this one. Its a make-up bag staple.

8) NYX "Push-Up Bra for Eyebrows" brow pencil
I loved this. It was a fun extra that I popped into my shopping cart initially but I am now finding I use it daily. The nude end of the pencil is used to highlight your brow bone and the corners of your eyes. I also use it to line the bottom of my eyes to make them appear brighter. You then use the brown end of the pencil to fill in your brows. Brush into place with the Eco-Tools brow brush, tap a little hairspray on and they'll be perfect all day long.

And that kids, is my 5 minute face. Easy peasy.
I'd love to hear your tips for a flawless face in a hurry, or your go-to products/miracle workers. Chat to me in the comments section.
xx

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New In: The Quirky Stylista for Mr Price

Pic from: http://thequirkystylista.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-quirky-stylista-and-mr-price.html

Funeka of the Quirky Stylista blog , known for her amazing style has released a project range for Mr Price. Its about time too. This lady has won plenty of awards for her style - including Glamour's Women of the year Style Icon awards, as well as Marie Claire's Best Street Style award.

Can you say that you dress so well that you've won awards for it? No, sadly you can't. So let Funeka dress you instead. Get on down to Mr P and snap up a few of these pieces. Or you can avoid the queues and shop online like I did. If you haven't discovered the joy of www.mrp.co.za yet, now is the time. Clickety-click.

I look forward to seeing more blogger collaborations in future. Some of these girls have serious talent when it comes to styling and design and its something I am thrilled to support.

These are the two items I've ordered: The "Chic Happens" active top, and the "Stylista" slogan tee.
As ever, Mr P gives us style for less - I mean really, at R49,99 for the tee and R99,99 for the sweater, can you really afford to miss out?

Pics from: www.mrp.co.za

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Spoiling Mom - Some last minute gift ideas

Mother's Day is coming up this weekend so you still have time to put together the perfect gift for that special lady in your life.

As I get older I find I have more and more in common with my mother, and much more respect and admiration for her too.

Seeing many of my friends become mothers has also taught me what it really entails. Its beautiful and heartbreaking, and while terrifying, it is so rewarding. I am constantly in awe of the dedication, bravery and selflessness it takes to be a good mother and while one day a year really isn't nearly enough to honour our beautiful mums - its a good start, and definitely a day to be cherished and to really make an effort to spoil her rotten.

Here are some last minute gift ideas I've sourced for you from Woolies, Poetry, Lush and Mr Price Home for that wonderful mom of yours:

1) Slippers from Poetry, R299

2) Weekender Bag from Woolworths, R250

3) Floral apron from Mr Price Home, R79,99

4) Bon Bons from Woolworths, R49,95 and Toffees from Poetry, R25 each

5) Silk scarf from Poetry, R99

6) Delicious Gifts cookbook from Poetry, R160

7) White crate from Mr Price Home, R99,99

8) Buffy Bar, R85 and Dream Cream, R155 both from Lush

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Budget Beauty Buy: Foundation

So you spent most of your salary on these Trenery boots:

And then you're scraping the rest together to buy this Ted Baker bag at Stuttafords:

Sooooon. Soon you will be mine.

But then you ran out of foundation and are now doomed to spending the rest of the month indoors eating baked beans mashed up with unsuccessful Lotto tickets until payday makes you beautiful once again.

Fear not, because if you can live without a few latte's and add up the change lying around in your car you'll find that you can afford this wonder product: L'Oreal Infallible Foundation.

For all of R199,95 at Clicks, you get a great foundation, that does what it says it does. Long wearing, great coverage, yet lightweight. Currently I am between pills, so I am between the fading of some pigmentation and the beginnings of hormone induced breakouts and without makeup my skin looks like a moon crater. Can you tell I'm feeling sorry for myself?

I snapped this up the other day and I am so impressed I would go so far as to say I rank it up there with MAC, INGLOT and Smashbox and is now a firm favorite. It has great coverage, hasn't needed a re-application and hasn't aggravated my oily T-panel. I needed something that ticked all of these boxes due to current skin conditions and I really didn't think that I would find the cure at Clicks.
Yet, here it is. I HIGHLY recommend you give this a bash next time you're on the hunt for a budget-buy foundation.

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