Friday 15 December 2017

BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ON HER CHRISTMAS LIST

Christmas day is around the corner! I love this time of year, filled with music, good wishes and so much love. Have you started writing your Christmas List yet? 
I know this blog is also read by men so I'd like to ask you…  Do you already know what to buy for your mom, sister, wife or girlfriend?.
Well, I have compiled a list of beauty products that will fit perfectly under your Christmas tree, for you, or your loved ones. 
Grab a pen and read my recommendations below: 
 
EXUVIANCE DEEP HYDRATION TREATMENT 
This is a lightweight water gel formula that enriches the skin with  powerful ingredients. This overnight moisture mask slowly melts into the skin, providing a long-lasting hydration boost to both the surface and lower levels of skin. This treatment works while you sleep, reversing the damage from environmental factors that age your skin like pollution or UV rays.
 
I really love this product! I've been using it for the last month and I have noticed a big improvement in my skin. I forgot to mention that this gel also refills the deep reserves of natural skin moisture, restoring the skin and leaving you with a feeling of suppleness and comfort. Apply it at night with a nice massage after cleansing your skin. Leave it for 5 minutes and then seal it in with your night cream. Use it 2-3 times a week or whenever you feel your skin needs a boost. Suitable for all type of skin.
 
To find your nearest stockist please visit www.genop.co.za or you can purchase Exuviance online at either www.skinmiles.com or www.dermastore.co.za” 
 
CLARINS MULTI – ACTIVE INSTANT EYE REVIVER
 It took me a long time to find an eye cream that suits me. Did you know that the eye contour skin is 3 - 5 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face? That’s why it's so important to find a product that targets dark circles, fine lines, dehydration and puffiness. This is what I found with Clarins Multi-Active instant Eye Reviver - enriched with illuminating pigments that instantly lighten and brighten the eye contours. 
I loved this products massage tool tip, made of Cryo-metal, which enhances drainage to help reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. The cooling sensation while you apply it, is heaven! 

LA ROCHE – POSAY LIPIKAR REPLENISHING CLEANSING OIL
Cleaning your skin with oil? Sounds strange right? La Roche – Posay is always innovating with products that target all your skin's different needs. This is a deeply nourishing formula that protects the skin from drying out, leaving the skin nourished and cleansed. I like using this cleansing oil at night, so I go to bed with the feeling that my skin is revived with its highly concentrated ingredients, during my shower. I also love using it after shaving my legs, it restores and moisturizes my skin after I literally sanded it with the blade. This product is soap, alcohol and paraben-free. Excellent for people who suffer from dry skin or eczema. 
 
 SALON CARE ENZYME EXFOLIANT 
Talking about enzyme exfoliants is so new for me. I often saw them at spas where I have facials, but I never tried them for myself. I am so glad this product was sent to me. This is a smooth exfoliant based on pineapple and papaya enzymes.  It is safe yet effective and can be used for all skin types. It speeds up results and polishes the skin and removes dead skin cells making the skin softer and smoother. Suitable for all type skins but especially for those with very sensitive skin. 
 
TIERRY MUGLER ALIEN EAU SUBLIME
A perfume is the perfect accessory to complement your look. It says a lot about your personality and can become your signature scent that makes others remember you.
There's Nothing like wearing a perfume that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Alien Eau Sublime is a symbol of empowerment and serenity. This is a fragrance with notes of Mandarine, orange, galbanum, jasmine, tiare flower, heliotrope, cashmeran wood, and white amber; definitely my favorite from Tierry Mugler. If you are looking to try a new perfume that makes you feel feminine and attractive, you better put this one on your list. Just keep in mind that it is a limited edition so maybe buy two ;)

LAMELLE HELASE PHOTO REPAIR CREAM 
Finish the year looking pretty and using a cream that repairs your skin from all the sun damage of the previous 365 days. 
Why is this product so special? Because it can physically repair skin cells on an atomic level. This cream not only protects your skin from the full spectrum of the sun’s harmful UV rays, but also repairs the DNA of skin cells that have already been damaged through over-exposure. This is definitely a must have product for the festive season. 
 
KAHVE BODY SCRUB
Kahve is the sexiest summer body scrub. Inspired by the benefits of coffee and matcha, Kahve Skin body scrubs embrace the antioxidant and healing properties of nature's finest ingredients. I wanted to add this product to a post that I plan to write about Post Partum Beauty Products that Every Woman Should Have, but I also think that this body scrub is not only for women but also for men. 
 
I love using it in the shower with my husband and scrubbing his back with a gently massage. He also does it on my back.  I’ve also used it on my upper legs and tummy to reduce cellulite after the birth of my daughter. Due to its  high quantities of caffeine found naturally in the Robusta bean, this product also stimulates drainage, refines contours and tightens up the skin.  Everytime I use Kahve,  my skin feels soft, shinny and vibrant. Buy it for you and an extra one for your loved ones.
For more info or to buy online visit: WWW.KAHVESKIN.COM

VICHY IDEAL SOLEIL 3 in 1 50 ANTI TACHES AND ANTI DARK SPOTS
During Summer sunny days where you are relaxing by a swimming pool or by the beach, you need to protect your skin with the right products. This is a tinted sunscreen non-greasy texture for daily use. This product corrects dark spots day after day thanks to its pigmented/colored formula enriched in Phe-Resorcinol, an innovative active ingredient against spots and protects from UVA rays. As it comes in only one shade, I advice you before you buy it, to try the sample on your skin and see if its matches your skin color. 
 
AP24 WHITENING FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE
You may be wondering why am I suggesting a toothpaste on my Christmas list? Well, we all want to have a healthy and bright smile, especially for the end of the year festivities. I tried this product months back and I really liked it. Much cheaper than a Whitening Treatment, it delivers results from the first time you brush. Ap-24 whitening fluoride toothpaste is a premium toothpaste created and distributed by Nuskin Enterprises. With no Peroxide and no bleaching agents, this non abrasive product has revolutionized tooth whitening.  
If you want better results, brush your teeth with a dry tooth brush (don’t wet it). Also take a picture of your teeth before using the toothpaste and then take other picture right after. Then take more pictures after 2 weeks and one month. You might not see the difference on daily basis but you will be surprised when you compare the pictures!
 
That’s all for now, Hope this list was useful for you and that you get spoilt rotten during this festive season. If you want to know more about each product, feel free to send me a mail ;) 

Wishing you a lovely end of the year and wonderful festivities!  

Tuesday 5 December 2017

OPTIPHI HYDRATE AND REPAIR FACIAL


Hello lovelies J 
I have reached that age of my life where I like to invest more time in taking care of my skin. I have always taken good care of my skin but I am getting older and now is when I really have to treat myself with the right products and procedures.

So far I am not a big fan of Botox, I have never done it on my skin and I hope I will never have to do it, so that’s why I like trying treatments that aren’t invasive and help my skin to keep its nutrients and it’s youthful appearance.

Last week I went to Life Day Spa Rosebank to have an Optiphi Hydrate and Repair Facial. This year has been hectic for me, from becoming a mom to working on a few projects, all this made me feel exhausted and I could feel that this was reflected on my face, so I wanted to have a treatment that targets my ¨tired face¨ look.
Optiphi is well known as a brand that was born from the knowledge applied in the fields of producing burn wound dressings, wound ointments and even temporary skin substitutes. Their understanding of the inner workings of the skin was the key that let them create unique and highly effective skincare products with unparalleled results.

THE TREATMENT

From the moment I arrived at Life Day Spa, Xoli, my therapist, gave me a very warm welcome with her beautiful smile and walked me to the room where I would have my treatment.

After I laid on my bed and felt very comfortable with the music and the entire atmosphere, Xoli started with the facial.
First Xoli did a massage on my face and neck with aroma drops to relax me. Once I was totally relaxed, she cleaned my face with a cleanser, which has Ph 5.5, which works on all skin types thanks to its Salicylic Acid.

After the massage, Xoli made a skin analysis to check how the condition was and to know in which areas to emphasize.

She found that my skin had some open pores close to the nose area, that I also had dark eye circles and a bit of pigmentation but she said that overall my skin looks in good condition, it is just me that’s very hard on my self and so was expecting bad results. 
Then she proceeded to do an exfoliation divided in 2 parts. 
In the first part, she used the Bright and Brillance Exfoliator which has oats as the main ingredient. This was done with steam on my face. The second part is the Enzymatic Exfoliator which is without the steamer because it contains AHA which is Alpha Hydroxy Acids that activate by themselves exfoliating the skin in deeper cellular level. To active it, Xoli made her hands damped and massaged it on my face. She leaves it on my skin for around 5 min.

After 5 min, she cleaned my face and applied the Repair and Hydrate Serum on my face and the Eye Serum on my eye area along with a massage to activate circulation and minimize the dark circles. 
Right after, she put a mask on my face to help penetrate the serums, but also nourish the skin and close the pores. This mask is blue and smells lovely because it has algae and anti aging properties.
 While the mask was on (10 min), Xoli massaged my arms and hands in a very relaxing way that I thoroughly enjoyed. Oh my word, magic hands;)

To finalize this treatment, Xoli applied a moisturizer on my face, around my neck and collar, which was a hydrate and repair cream with SPF of 15 that works against UB rays and blue lights.

I must confess that I didn’t want to get up, I could have stayed there for another hour, or more.

Xoli was really amazing and made me feel really confortable during the whole treatment.
 I have had other facials before but this one was special because it wasn’t only a treatment on my face but a whole relaxing experience of fragrances, massage and a class with my therapist as she answered all the questions about the concerns that I have about my skin.


When I stood up, I wanted to see my face at the mirror and to my surprise, found my skin looking very even and radiant and not to mention that it felt the same way the whole week. My skin was looking that great, that I didn’t feel the need to put foundation or makeup for the rest of the day (My facial was in the morning), I only applied lip gloss.

I also noticed that my dark circles were really minimized and the pores next to my nose were smaller. My skin wasn’t red after the treatment which I also liked as after most of the facials I had in the past, my skin looked red and was sore. 
 I said bye to Xoli who gave me extra beauty tips to do at home and then left the Spa to pick up my son at school and carry on with my busy day.

I want to add that after a week, I still feel my skin much better every time I clean it, I still see that my dark circles don’t look that bad as they were before. My face is more relaxed and even, the make up (specially the foundation) looks much better, this is thanks to the deep cleanse and the repairing that was done during the treatment.

I would definitely recommend this facial! But for lasting results, it is recommended that you have it at least every 3 months.

If you want to have a look at the Optiphi Hydrate and Repair Facial, 
check this video out ;)