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31 March 2014

How to clean your makeup brushes

Makeup brushes come into contact with our makeup products and our skins. Not washing makeup brushes regularly can lead to breakouts, and even an uneven colour distribution. You use a coral blush today, and tomorrow a pink blush, and the next day your peach blush is looking a bit muddy on your cheeks…

The two main questions that usually come up when talking about brush washing are 1) how often to wash the brushes, and 2) what to wash them with? The first answer depends on how often and how much makeup you wear. If you wear a full face of makeup for most of the week, I would say you should wash your brushes once a week. If you don't wear that much makeup, I'd suggest you wash your brushes once a month. I wash mine once a month,  but if I wear a lot of BB/CC cream (I like to use a brush to blend everything in), then I normally just wash that brush more regularly, and the rest of the brushes once a month.

The second answer is something I like to play around with. I used to wash my brushes with baby shampoo as it is very mild, but then I heard that you sometimes need to use something anti-bacterial to ensure that the brushes are disinfected. I bought the MAC brush cleanser solution and I use that every second month. I'm not too fond of it, because it's very watery so I'm not always sure how much to use. I also can't really tell if my brushes are clean, as the cleanser doesn't really foam. I like seeing a bit of foam and in my mind that tells me the brushes are really being cleaned, so it's a bit disappointing if you can't see that! 

This month I tried something new-- I used LUSH's Karma Komba solid shampoo bar (you can see my review for its normal use here). It's a gentle clarifying shampoo, and I found the solid bar of soap to work much easier than a bottle of shampoo. I probably won't use this every time, but I've heard a lot of girls using different types of shampoo, so I'm sure it will be fine. If it's safe for my hair, I'm sure it will be safe for my brushes! I have a couple of sample bottles of shampoo lying around which I was actually saving for when we go away, but I seem to have accumulated too many, so I will be using them to wash my brushes and see how it goes. I've also heard that some girls use tea tree shampoo as it cleanses the brushes nicely, and the tea tree disinfects the brushes too.

Right, so onto today's blog post. My husband kindly agreed to be my photographer while I show you how I clean my brushes.

What you need

Dirty makeup brushes
A small clean towel
Brush cleanser or a mild clarifying shampoo
A place to wash them, preferably a sink





STEP 1

Wet the brush under a running tap. We don't have a mixer on our taps, so I normally use the hot water tap until the water runs too hot, and then I switch to the cold water tap. You can fill the basin with a small amount of water, but I find that normally you either have too much water in the basin, or that the water becomes dirty very quickly and then you anyway need to fill the basin again. It is important to be very careful when wetting/washing the brushes so as not to get the ferrule (the metal or plastic part where the bristles come out of) wet. Getting the ferrule wet can lead to bacteria growing at the base of the bristles, and can cause the glue to come loose and then the bristles fall out.


STEP 2

Put some of the shampoo in your hand and swirl the brush in the palm of your hand, working up a lather. If, like me, you're using a solid shampoo, swirl the brush directly on the bar of soap and then swirl it in the palm of your hand. Rinse and repeat if you think it's necessary. I normally find that the brush I use to blend my foundation and/or BB/CC creams usually isn't clean on the first swirl, so I rinse it lightly and then go back in with the shampoo.



STEP 3

When your brush is nice and clean, gently rinse it under the tap. Be careful once again not to get the ferrule wet. Once the water runs clean and there are no soap bubbles left in the basin or on the brush, you are done.



STEP 4

Lightly wring out the bristles between your fingers and shape the brush into its normal shape. This is the shape in which the bristles will dry, so you need to shape it now.



STEP 5

Take your towel and fold it double (if you have a lot of brushes, fold it lengthwise) and roll up the one end a few times. I roll mine so that there is enough space for the biggest brush. Place the brush with the handle on the rolled-up part of the towel, so that the bristles lie on a downward incline, with the bristles hanging slightly off the towel. You should never let your brushes dry upright, as the water will seep into the ferrule. It's probably not necessary to roll up the towel, but I like to do it as I know my brushes will dry safely.



STEP 6

Continue the above steps with each of your brushes and let them dry completely on the towel before putting them away or using them.



And that's it! I hope you enjoyed this blog post. I certainly enjoyed putting it together, and now my brushes are clean-- bonus!

What do you wash your brushes with? Let me know in the comments section!

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

27 March 2014

Review: The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil


My serum was finished, and The Body Shop had a 3-for-2 sale and had just brought out their serum-in-oil in South Africa, so you can guess what happened next...

What they say: "Wake up to beautiful skin with new Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil, a technical innovation combining the power of a serum and oil to indulge, replenish and recharge skin with moisture overnight." They promise eight hours beauty sleep for your skin, and that your skin feels recharged, replenished, and softer. They promise that your skin will look softer, rested, and more radiant. Phew! All this in a 28 ml bottle! 

Seeing that my serum was depleted, and I didn't really feel like splurging R600 on a new one, I thought this serum-in-oil would be perfect. As the name suggests this is a two-in-one product. I've been using it for a few weeks and I really like it. My skin is in an alright condition at the moment, so I can't say I'm seeing a big difference, but it does make my skin look plump, soft, and hydrated. I think this serum-in-oil will be brilliant once winter makes its appearance.

The serum-in-oil has the texture of a thin oil, and is almost colourless. It has the typical soft "Vitamin E range" smell. I apply it at night after cleansing my skin and applying eye cream. The dropper makes applying the oil a breeze and by no means a messy affair. I apply about four drops to my skin and gently massage it in. Apparently you're supposed to gently pat it in, but I normally don't have the patience for that! After letting it sink in for a few minutes, I apply my night cream.

While typing this I was wondering what mrs. Hirons would think of this, and lo and behold, she has done a short review on it. The verdict? She has added it to her list of serums/oils to use at night!* You can read about it here.

You can purchase the serum-in-oil from The Body Shop for R140.

Would you like to try this product? What other serums and oils are you using? Let me know in the comments section.

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

* For those of you unfamiliar with mrs. Hirons: when she gives a product the thumbs up, you know you can trust it.

24 March 2014

Currently testing

I thought I'd do something a bit different today and let you in on a few products I'm currently testing. This will be a show-and-tell type of blog post so you will have an idea of upcoming reviews and posts. Without further ado, let's get to the products!



L'Occitane sample kit

I received this cute sample kit in my March Rubybox and I am so glad I chose to receive the L'Occitane box instead of the surprise box. It contains a little almond oil shower oil, a Verbena Eau de Toilette, an extra-gentle milk soap, and a teeny tiny shea butter hand cream. I have been intrigued by L'Occitane for a while, and I have already tried the shower oil and hand cream. So far so good!



essence 'Like a Trip to New York'

I bought this when I was browsing in Dischem the other day and remembered reading about this on Not Another Poppie where Chantelle raved about this as a great budget perfume. The bottle is super cute and the perfume smells of citrus and summer.



Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

After hearing everyone talking about it, I saw this on special at Dischem and decided to try it. The shampoo doesn't foam up, but does produce a thick and creamy lather.



The Body Shop Blueberry Scrub/GeleƩ

Seeing as this is a limited edition range, I was obviously suckered into buying it. It looks and smells just like blueberry jam. Sold.



Essence Nail Care

Essence has updated their product range and included, amongst other things, a couple of nice nail care products. The one is a moisturising cuticle cream that smells like strawberry cream sweets, and the other a 3-in-1 nail oil.



The Bodyshop Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil

The Body Shop claims that this is a "serum in oil". Now I'm not sure if this is supposed to replace your serum, but mine is finished anyway, so I'm using this instead of a serum, and before my moisturiser. I am quite fond of the Vitamin E range, so I have high hopes for this.



REN sample skincare products

I received a couple of sample bottles to try as I am keen to see what the fuss is all about. I have a cleansing gel (Mayblossom T-Zone Control), three day creams (Hydra-Calm Global Protection, Ultra Moisture, Vita-Mineral), and a night cream (Frankincense Revitalising). I have already used the Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream which I loved.



Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream and CC Eye Cream

I am currently in the midst of a love affair with Bourjois, and these two CC products are my most recent additions. The one is a CC cream, and the other a CC eye cream. Genius.

You can look forward to reviews of these products in the next few weeks (maybe months, we'll see how it goes!). I hope you enjoyed this "Currently testing" blog post. Would you like to see more of these or would you rather just wait for the review? Let me know in the comments section.

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

20 March 2014

Review: Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask

Charcoal masks seem to be all the rage at the moment, and when I saw the Freeman's Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask (phew, what a name!) in Dischem, I was very intrigued to try it out.


What they say: "Pollution…debris…it's a wonder skin can breathe! This unique mask and scrub works double time to detox skin. First, naturally purifying Activated Charcoal helps absorb oil and impurities without over-drying. Then, Black Sugar helps exfoliate away dulling skin cells for softness and clarity. Perfect for all skin types."

The instructions are to apply the mask to your skin and leave it on for 5-7 minutes. I like to leave mine on for a bit longer, so about 15 minutes. You are then supposed to gently massage your skin and rinse the mask off with warm water.

The mask is a black sugar polish and looks more like a scrub than a mask. The mask is more difficult to apply than, say, a clay mask, but it's luckily not too messy. It has a lot of sugar in it and also a bit of oil, which makes it more easy to spread. For those of you who worry about the smell: it doesn't smell like charcoal! It has a soft, almost sweet smell. According to the ingredients list, it contains both banana and coconut extract, so maybe that's what I'm smelling.



While applying the mask it gets a bit warm, but it doesn't burn. I was also a bit worried about the amount of sugar in it, but it's not abrasive at all. Just be careful to not apply it too roughly. Being a sugar polish it doesn't dry hard, so it continues to sit comfortably on your skin, and if you don't watch the clock you might forget to remove it!

Just before rinsing it off, I massage the mask lightly, and it's as if the sugar crystals has started dissolving in the warm oils, so it's even less scrubby. After rinsing it off, my skin feels very soft and even a little brighter. It's definitely not a mask promising you the moon and stars, but it's a lovely mask to use once or twice a week.

You can buy it for R60 at Dischem.

Have you used this mask yet? What did you think?

Until next time!

Hildegarde

xoxo

17 March 2014

Three Favourite Lush Products

Ever since I made my way to the Lush store in the V&A Waterfront for the first time, I fell in love. Yes, their products are expensive, and yes, you could get away for much cheaper at other places… But it just won't be the same. I love nothing more than to use a Lush product at the end of a long/crappy/miserable/(insert adjective here) day. Lush products are expensive, so I use mine sparingly and as "special occasion" treats.

Lush makes their cosmetics by hand from fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, and essential oils. The products are vegetarian, and some are even vegan. Lush invents their own products and they contain little or no preservatives. The products also don't always come in packaging, making it very green. I won't harp on about the rest of their business model or their values, you can read the rest on their website.

Today I'm excited to be blogging about my three favourite Lush products. Now, there are definitely not only three products that I love, but these are my three most-used, most-loved Lush products.



Ultrabland Facial Cleanser


What they say: "Ultra effective, ultra gentle face cleanser. A rich, soft oily cleansing cream that cares gently for all skin types. Invented by them, for them, this is the Lush founders' number one Desert Island product."

Ultrabland is a thick, pale yellow cream with an oaty smell. During the winter of 2013 I really struggled with my skin, and by using this religiously every morning and evening, my skin did a complete turnaround. Now I use it a couple of times a week during the evening, as it is a bit too heavy for everyday use in summer. I apply a generous amount to dry skin and massage it in. I then remove it with a clean hot cloth. The oils in the cream gently remove all traces of makeup and leaves my skin soft, clean, and hydrated.

The only negative thing I have to say about this, is that it is a pain to wash my post-Lush washcloths! The oils and cream are absorbed by the washcloth, so it's difficult to completely clean the cloth. Currently I rub wet washcloths with a bar of Sunlight soap, then I soak it overnight in a bowl of boiling water with a splash of bleach before chucking it into the washing machine. Anyone have a better idea?

You can buy it for R115 (45g) or R175 (100g) at one of the Lush stores or online. 


Karma Komba shampoo bar


What they say: "Calm, fragrant hair and scalp and fewer tangles. Karma Komba is the shampoo bar to calm hair that keeps starting fights and ends up in tangles. [...] We scent it with our beautifully calming, mentally elevating Karma fragrance. It has toning orange oil, with pine and patchouli to help keep your scalp soothed and free of problems. Use Karma Komba to keep everything nice and calm, especially your hair."

I absolutely adore this shampoo bar! Karma Komba is a bar of soap that foams up to a silky lather and cleans your hair beautifully, magic! I have quite long hair, so I like to lather the soap bar in my hands and then run my hands through my hair. According to Lush, the bar should last 80 washes, but it doesn't last that long for me. Maybe it's because my hair is long, or maybe it's because I use too much at a time.

The bar is bright green with a little dried flower embedded in the top. It has the most amazing scent and the lather is nice and creamy. There has been a couple of Lush smells that I can't stand (Flying Fox and Lady Godiva, I'm looking at you), but I love love love the scent of Karma Komba. I can't explain it, but I think it might be the patchouli I'm smelling. I find this shampoo to be mildly clarifying, so I don't use it more than twice a week (I wash my hair every day, don't judge me!).

The bar of soap can become quite messy, but I perch mine on the top of the shower wall and when I travel I let it dry out completely and pop it in its tin (you can buy cute tins for most products separately for about R15 or R20).

Apart from it being expensive and not lasting as long as I would have liked, I don't have anything negative to say about this little bar of magic!

A 55g bar will cost you R95.


Snow Fairy Limited Edition Shower Gel


What they say: "The smell of candy floss and pear drops transports you back to days of standing in the sweet shop with your pocket money clasped in your fist, trying to decide what to buy."

Snow Fairy is part of the annual Christmas Collection, so it not available to purchase until about end November. I was lucky to get a big bottle of this end of last year. The shower gel is pink and smells of candy floss and pears. The Afrikaans girls will understand what I'm talking about when I say it smells like "Jannie-verjaar-koeldrank" (red raspberry cooldrink). This shower gel is, in my mind, nothing more than just a shower gel, but oh boy, the smell is amazing. I will definitely invest in another bottle come end of the year.

The price isn't available on their website, but I think I bought my 500g bottle for around R185.

What are your Lush favourites? Let me know in the comments section!

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

13 March 2014

Masks to love: Origins Charcoal and Overnight

I truly love face masks and I would like to share a few of them with you. I though I'd jump in and start with two fairly new additions, namely the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal and the Drink Up Intensive Overnight Masks. Unfortunately Origins products are not available in South Africa, so you had better rope in that overseas friend who owes you a favour!


I have a sample of the Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask which is enough for a couple of uses. I thought it would be gritty, but instead it comes out as a thick, smooth, gel-like cream. It's a very dark grey, almost black, and doesn't have an offensive smell. It doesn't smell like charcoal at all, phew!

The instructions are simply to apply a wet cloth to your face to "open up your pores" (hmm…) and then apply a layer of the mask, let it dry, and rinse off thoroughly. It applies easily and smoothly and starts drying after about five minutes (I don't apply a thick layer as I want to stretch the number of applications I get out of the tube). It tingles slightly around my nose and on my cheeks. The first time I used the mask I was worried about the tingly feeling as my skin sometimes acts out at the most random times and with the most random products. It gets quite uncomfortable trying to speak or, in my case, drink coffee, just as it would with a clay mask, although feeling less heavy than a clay mask. After 10-15 minutes (depending on how thick the layer was that I slapped on) I rinse the mask off. My complexion is bright and my skin is soft, and even though my skin tingled, there is not a red patch in sight. My skin has been going through a weird phase the past two weeks, but this charcoal mask seems to be clearing it up nicely, and keep everything in check. I would definitely purchase the full size of this mask.

I usually follow this with a hydrating mask. So either the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask, or one of the Sorbet or Skin Republic packet masks.


The Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask has been much hyped-about on both international as well as national beauty blogs. It is said to be a boost of hydration for you skin that is left on overnight, so that you wake up with plumped, hydrated skin.

The mask contains plant glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and apricot kernel oil for instant hydration; avocado oil and mango butter for longer lasting hydration; and Japanese seaweed to prevent future moisture loss.

The mask is a pale yellow cream and smells like apricot and mango, yummy! I apply this after cleansing and toning. A little goes a long way, which is a good thing seeing as I probably won't be able to get my hands on a tube again for quite a while!

The mask sinks in easily, and my skin is only slightly tacky. It feels more like you're applying a rich night cream than a mask. The first time I used it I applied it about two hours before going to bed, and by the time I went to sleep, most of the tackiness had gone.

I have to say, I didn't see any vast improvement in my skin the next morning. My skin was healthy looking and hydrated, but I think I'll be able to see a much bigger difference in the dead of winter, when the cold and dry Pretoria air sucks all the moisture from my skin.

Are there any masks you're loving at the moment? Tell me in the comments section!

Until next time!

Hildegarde

xoxo

10 March 2014

Stila Masterpiece Series Eye & Cheek Palettes

The Stila holiday gift sets have been around since the end of last year, but luckily you can still pick up the Masterpiece Series Eye & Cheek Palettes up at certain stores selling Stila products. I bought mine from Rubybox when they were running a promotion in December.


The set comes in a sturdy cardboard box with three cardboard booklets and a little look book. It looks exactly like a teeny tiny set of books, so cute! Each booklet opens up to an artist palette of eyeshadows and a blush. There are five eyeshadows and one blush per booklet. Each "Volume" also has its own shade range and theme. 



The first volume is the Minimalist palette. It contains brown shades and is perfect for everyday looks. The colours are, clockwise from the small circle at the top, "Natural light", "Simplicity", "Elegance", "Subtlety", and "Balance". Natural light is a shimmery light mocha colour (it doesn't come across like that in the photo at all), while Simplicity, Elegance, and Subtlety are different shades of brown with a hint of shimmer, each a bit darker than the previous one. The last eyeshadow, Balance, is a matte dark brown. The larger circle, "Harmony", is a pinky coral blush without any shimmer.



The second volume is the Impressionist palette and features more adventurous colours. This palette's shade range is purples and could, for the most part, also be pulled off for a day look. The colours are, clockwise from the small circle at the top, "Canvas", "Pastel", "Vision", "Watercolor", and "Movement". Canvas is a beautiful shimmery pearl colour, while Pastel, Vision, and Watercolor are different shades of purple. Pastel is a dusty dark lilac with shimmer, and Vision is a matte plum colour. Watercolor is a sparkly dark purple, and not a colour for daytime! The last colour, Movement, is a very dark matte purple. The larger circle, "Parisian pink", is a soft dusky pink blush.



The third volume is the Modernist palette. The shade range is blue and is, as the name suggests, quite modern. The colours are, clockwise from the small circle at the top, "Glaze", "Avant-garde", "Mondrian", "Abstract", and "Charcoal". Once again the first colour is the lightest and Glaze is a shimmery white. Avant-garde and Mondrian are different shades of blue, Avant-garde being a light slightly shimmery periwinkle, and Mondrian a bright shimmery blue. Abstract is a sparkly silver, (not at all as dark as in the photo) and Charcoal a matte black. The blush, "Nouveau", is a light pink colour.

I love this set, and I love the thought that has gone into creating it. The colours are beautiful, and it's the perfect accompaniment to any travel makeup bag. The eyeshadows are soft and buttery: they apply well and last a fair amount of time, as to be expected from Stila. I especially love the Minimalist palette with the brown eyeshadows. I love Stila blushes (cream and powder), but I must say I'm not too fond of the blushes that come with this set. They apply quite sheer, and the size of the blush also makes it difficult to apply with a blush brush.

Another great thing about this set is its affordability. I can't remember how much it was, and for some reason I can't seem to locate the price now, but it's around R330. That price is for 15 eyeshadows and three blushes, pretty good value for money if you ask me.

Do you have the Masterpiece set? What do you think of it? Let me know in the comments section!

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

06 March 2014

TMI Tag: Getting to know me

I saw a couple of bloggers doing TMI tag posts and I thought it would be a fun way for you to get to know me, seeing as I am new to the blogging world.

(I'm writing this post late Wednesday evening)
  1. What are you wearing? 
      • A white buttoned shirt and black pants (remnants from my work outfit).
  2. Ever been in love? 
      • Most definitely!
  3. Ever had a terrible breakup? 
      • Aren't all breakups terrible?
  4. How tall are you? 
      • I'm not sure anymore…I thought I was 1.72m but turns out it might be closer to 1.68m, boo!
  5. How much do you weigh? 
      • Ahem, I'm not answering that one. I can however tell you that I have a healthy BMI.
  6. Any tattoos? 
      • No. I thought about getting a small one, but it seems that once you get one, you'll want six more...
  7. Any piercings? 
      • Just normal ear piercings.
  8. OTP (One True Pairing?) 
      • Alan Shore + Denny Crane (Boston Legal)
  9. Favourite show? 
      • There are loads… Currently it's Suits, Breaking Bad, Two Broke Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, Nurse Jackie, the list goes on…
  10. Favourite bands? 
      • Too many! Favourites are Arcade Fire, Radiohead, The National, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Muse, Pink Floyd, Crowded House, and recently Lana Del Rey and Lorde.
  11. Something you miss? 
      • Not someTHING, but rather someONE: my mom (she lives in Cape Town and I'm in Pretoria).
  12. Favourite song? 
      • At the moment it's Lorde - Team.
  13. How old are you? 
      • 29, bleh.
  14. Zodiac sign? 
      • Aquarius
  15. Quality you look for in a partner? 
      • Kindness and loyalty.
  16. Favourite quote? 
      • "Don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want."
  17. Favourite actor? 
      • Bruce Willis and Nicholas Cage, don't make me choose!
  18. Favourite colour? 
      • To wear: white, black, and grey. Otherwise: blue.
  19. Loud music or soft? 
      • When it's my own music I usually like it to be loud. But when it's other people's music or I'm trying to work, then soft music.
  20. Where do you go when you're sad? 
      • Shopping, or I listen to depressing music (it sounds weird, but it helps).
  21. How long does it take you to shower? 
      • Dunno. About 15-20 minutes?
  22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 
      • 30 minutes?
  23. Ever been in a physical fight? 
      • Yes, in primary school. I kicked a boy on the shin and made him cry after he taunted me.
  24. Turn on? 
      • Passion, good manners, and kindness to animals and children.
  25. Turn off? 
      • Arrogance and bad hygiene.
  26. The reason I started a blog? 
      • I needed a creative outlet, something outside of work that I could get excited about and that I would enjoy.
  27. Fears? 
      • Confined spaces, heights, drowning.
  28. Last thing that made you cry? 
      • Can't remember, there seems to be a few things lately.
  29. Last time you said you loved someone? 
      • Earlier this evening to my husband.
  30. Meaning behind your blog name? 
      • My second name is Suzanne. So it went: Suzy, Suzy-Q, Suzy Q-tip.
  31. Last book you read? 
      • This is embarrassing but I can't remember! I've been trying to read The Hunger Games I and The Great Gatsby, but I'm not getting very far!
  32. The book you're currently reading? 
      • See previous question. I mostly read magazines (Cosmopolitan, Elle, Sarie, Grazia) and scientific papers at the moment.
  33. Last show you watched? 
      • Nurse Jackie (I'm actually watching it while typing this!)
  34. Last person you talked to? 
      • My husband
  35. The relationship between you and the person you last texted? 
      • Mom
  36. Favourite food? 
      • All the food! But seriously, I'd have to say sushi. I could eat sushi three times a day. Also love Italian food. And pretty much all desserts.
  37. Place you want to visit? 
      • Europe! Especially Spain, France, and Germany.
  38. Last place you were? 
      • Well, work. But "interesting" place would be the area around Tzaneen.
  39. Do you have a crush? 
      • Apart from my husband?
  40. Last time you kissed someone? 
      • Earlier this evening (my husband).
  41. Last time you were insulted? 
      • This morning.
  42. Favourite flavour of sweet? 
      • Strawberry or orange
  43. What instruments do you play? 
      • Piano. I'm a classically trained pianist but I stopped after doing my grade 7 UNISA practical exam. 
  44. Favourite piece of jewellery? 
      • My engagement + wedding rings.
  45. Last sport you played? 
      • Ha! I'm definitely not the sporty type. I love watching cricket, ballroom dancing, and figure skating, but that's about it.
  46. Last song you sang? 
      • Lorde - Tennis court (on the way home from work). 
  47. Favourite chat up line? 
      • Chat up lines are usually lame.
  48. Have you ever used it? 
      • Definitely not
  49. Last time you hung out with someone? 
      • I hung out with my bestie on Sunday over coffee and cake.
  50. Who should answer these questions next? 
      • Anyone who feels like it!
If you feel like doing a TMI tag post of your own, paste the link in the comments section so I can have a look.

Until next time!

Hildegarde
xoxo

03 March 2014

Review: Benefit Coralista blush


The Benefit Coralista blush was one of the things I ordered from the UK (you can see my haul post here), and is unfortunately not available in South Africa anymore, sorry! I'm enjoying the blush so much that I thought I would share my thoughts with you nonetheless.

As with other Benefit blushes, Coralista comes in a cute cardboard box with a little mirror and a small flat brush.


The blush itself is a warm coral with shimmer. It looks a bit orange and brown in the pan, but applied it is an amazing sheer shimmery coral that can be built up. This is a powder blush and is extremely finely milled with a soft, almost buttery, texture. It has good staying powder and all-in-all I am very pleased with it and wish I had more shades!




Do you have a favourite Benefit blush? Tell me in the comments section so I can investigate!

Until next time!

Hildegarde

xoxo