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15 May 2017

Monthly Favourites: April

I know I'm about half a month late with this post, but can we just ignore that part? Things have been very busy and time seems to have flown past even quicker than usual. If you're wondering where I've been for the past few weeks, go have a read at Thursday's post here.

This month features mostly skincare products and I think I've finally found a "new" groove with my skincare routine. Let me know in the comments section if you'd like to see an updated skincare routine post?

Makeup


I've had the Max Factor Face Finity All Day Primer for a while, but I've only started using it regularly this past month. The primer is fragrance-free and white, but the consistency is different to other primers. It's not runny, nor is it thick, it also doesn't feel particularly creamy, but it's definitely not silicone-ey like the Maybelline Baby Skin. It applies easily to the skin and I've tried it under many different BB creams and foundations without noticing any pilling. The primer forms the perfect base and BB cream and foundation glide on over it. It contains SPF 20, which is a bonus.

What would a favourites post be without at least one L.A. Girl product? This past month I have been loving the finely-milled translucent (loose) powder to set my oily T-zone. My newest eyebrow obsession is the Shady Slim Brow Pencil in the shade "Brunette". I believe this product was around R80 and the shade selection is excellent. It has a skinny pencil on the one side (not too waxy, not too pigmented), and a spoolie on the other side.

Skincare


I recently did a post about the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range (you can read it here). I've been enjoying all the products in the range, but the two standout products have been the Micellar Water Cleanser and the Water Gel Cleanser. The Micellar water struggles to remove my (sometimes waterproof) mascara, but apart from that it cleanses my skin beautifully and leaves it feeling nourished, not dry and tight like some other micellar waters and makeup removers can do. The water gel cleanser produces a rich lather and my skin is again left feeling hydrated and supple, which is no mean feat. Both products also have a pleasant fresh scent, and the prices are extremely affordable (less than R100 each and mostly on 3-for-2 at Clicks or 20% off at Dischem).

Eye creams are, to me, a bit of a gimmick as I don't tend to ever see results, no matter which type of eye cream I use. That being said, I do feel that my eye-area can benefit from a bit of moisture, even if I don't see the results. The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate comes in very interesting packaging. You press the flat side lightly and then the product is dispensed around the roller ball. It's very cooling and soothing, and, although I can't vouch for this reducing my wrinkles, it definitely de-puffs my eyes in the morning. There's no stinging and no breakouts, just hydration.

I have been eyeing the new Clinique range and finally settled on the Clinique Pep-start 2-in-1 exfoliating cleanser. I've been using this every morning in the shower and I'm hooked. It reminds me of their 7 Day Scrub Cream, but a little less gritty and harsh. My skin feels clean and exfoliated without being overly red or sensitive. This is also gentle enough to use everyday, although I won't recommend that people with sensitive skins use this more than twice to three times a week.

And there you have it, my favourites for the month of April! What were your favourites this past month? Let me know in the comments section.

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

11 May 2017

Personal Post: Life Update

Gosh, it's that time again. I feel like when I sit down to write these posts I am either 1) deeply depressed and distressed, or 2) extremely happy and proud. Luckily, this post relates to the latter.


Those of you who follow me on social media would have seen me post pictures of myself in a bright red and turquoise gown with a big red bonnet on my head: at the end of April the degree of PhD was conferred on me. Now for those of you who aren't into academics this might not be a big thing, but for me it was The Biggest thing. If I may be so cheesy: it feels like everything I've ever done (at least academically) has led to this point. It was the proudest day of my life and I am enjoying all the privileges associated with this honour. Those of you who have studied will know that things like this tend to hang over your head like a dark, depressing cloud until the day you finish it. Never has this been more true than with this damn PhD: I've been busy with it for six years (it's a long story, literally) so it has become a big, big part of my life. When I finished the PhD everyone kept waiting for the post-PhD depression to settle in. It did hit me, but in a way that I didn't expect (I won't go into details here otherwise this post will never end). I'm currently just thrilled to be DONE. And I mean that in the most literal sense. I have been going to school or studying since I've been six years old: the only break I've ever really had was between my Masters degree and my PhD somewhere in 2010/2011 when I wasn't studying for six months. So now that the PhD is completed, I have finally stopped studying. No more degrees for me. I will, however, be doing all the Yuppiechef cooking courses now that I have all this free time...


Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

P.S. Thank you for all the well wishes and the messages of support, you mean the world to me! x