Victoria's Secret - Body Mist Review

Girls, I have recently fallen in love with the ‘Victoria’s Secret’ brand, it's just so pretty and girly that I could easily get lost in that store. Being more specific, I’ve really begun to like their range of body mists, particularly the fantasies collection. There are so many different fragrances and I want them all but I’m going to share with you the three I got my hands on.

Secret Charm, was my very first Victoria’s Secret purchase and I was terribly excited about it. This particular fragrance has notes of Honeysuckle & Jasmine and stands true to its name, it’s such a soft feminine scent, making it quite romantic. These body mists are infused with conditioning Aloe Vera and calming camomile, so you not only smell great but your skin is moisturized at the same time, awesome right?

Aqua kiss, the next bottle I got my hands on is so summery, I really like it. This particular bottle contains a scent of Rain Kissed Freesia & Daisy. Anyone notice how gorgeous the bottles are? They are so appealing to the eye and you aren’t going to believe me but they’re made of plastic… Yep, that’s right, plastic and not glass which seems to be the norm in fragrance bottles. This by the way is fantastic news for a clumsy female like me, who is constantly running around and fairly "accident prone".

Pure Daydream, this is the latest bottle to my collection purchased by my boyfriend. He told me that he liked it because it was ‘playful’. He was right, this fragrance has a combination of Pearl Orchid & Pink current scents and it’s most definitely ‘playful’. It’s fruity and floral; I know a lot of you are thinking, erm… that’s not a very nice combination. Actually it is, these fragrances are soft and this one reminds me of a hot summer’s day out by the ocean.

Girls these fragrances are available in 250ml bottles so, it will last you a while (YAY). Another thing is that because these are body mists the scent isn’t as long lasting as the usual perfume bottles in your vanity, I’d suggest purchasing the matching body washes or lotions with the mists. That way you’ll be turning heads all day long wherever you go!

S

xoxo

A chocolate guilty pleasure...

So about two weekends ago, my sister and I were having our usual Saturday morning coffee
session in front of the television. On this particular Saturday we happened to be watching
‘The Great British Bake Off: Masterclass’. Which is a really cute show by the way. Little did
we know, that by the end of the show, we would be drooling at the screen and craving
chocolate like mad men… Paul Hollywood shared a recipe that was so easy and so mouth-
watering that I knew I had to share it with you all! Ladies and gents, boys and girls, those
who diet and those who don’t… The Chocolate Volcano.


Ingredients:

2-3 tbsp. cocoa powder, for dusting
165g dark chocolate (70%), chopped into small pieces
165g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, plus extra for greasing
3 medium eggs
3 medium yolks
85g caster sugar
2 tbsp. plain flour
Double cream, to serve


Method:

1. Grease six small pudding moulds with butter and dust the insides with cocoa powder, then refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water). Set aside to cool a little.

3. Using an electric whisk, beat the eggs, egg yolks and caster sugar together for several minutes until a thick, pale mousse-like consistency.

4. Carefully fold the cooled melted chocolate and butter into the egg and sugar mix. Finally fold in the flour carefully so as not to knock any air out of the mixture.

5. Divide the mixture equally between the prepared moulds. Place in the fridge for at least two hours or until firm. You can make the puddings up to 24 hours in advance and leave them in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.

6. Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan). Place the puddings on a baking tray and bake for eight  minutes, or until the puddings have risen but not cracked.

7. Turn out the puddings on to individual plates and serve, with pouring cream.


It’s important to note that you shouldn’t let the puddings bake too long, 8 minutes and they should be perfect. Don’t let the surface of your puddings crack, if they do then they’ve been in the oven too long and all that delicious goo in the centre will have baked through.

I really enjoyed this recipe and hope that you do to!

S
xoxo

*As featured in; ‘Paul Hollywood’s, Pies & Puds’

The inside of a woman's makeup bag - revealed

So this is part one of my hand bag essentials series and yes, I firmly believe that my makeup bag deserves a post all on its own. This little bag goes everywhere with me, placed in my handbag. It’s just so convenient and I don’t have to stress about re-applying my makeup before meeting up with a friend for coffee. Here’s what’s inside it…
 

For my base, I’ve recently started using ‘Stay all day (16h)’ foundation by Essence®, my colour is a soft beige in the number 10. It’s the first time that I’ve purchased this foundation so I’m still getting a feel for it but so far it’s long-lasting and light-weight which gives you a silky complexion for up to 16 hours. One of my favourites right now is the matching concealer for my foundation. It’s so creamy and light-weight so you don’t look like you caked on your makeup this morning. My colour is also soft beige in the number 20.

I always try and keep a palette of eyes shadows in my bag for a quick fix up. Right now, I have a single pot of the Essence®, Metal glam eye shadow in a number 7 called ‘Golden up’. It turns any day look to a great evening look for a night out with the girls, it’s not all that pigmented but its shimmery and it will make whatever eye shadow you apply beforehand, pop!

I have about 5 or 6 lip products in my handbag at any given time, however, at the moment I’m loving 2 very different kinds. The first of which is Lustre by M.A.C®, it forms part of the current ‘Viva Glam’ campaign. It’s a beautiful warm winter colour with a touch of shimmer, I dig it. I really like the lipsticks from M.A.C®, they are long lasting and the colours are just, wow. The second lip product which I’m really enjoying is ‘Wearing just a smile’ by Essence®. It’s a nude pink and it’s great for a day look to the office, I can’t get enough of it, winter or summer.

That’s it girls, the contents of my makeup bag. Have you tried these products before? What do you think of them? Also, what are your favourites that you recommend I try out?

S

xoxo

5 Shoe must have's

A lot of us have a slight shoe fetish and I am no exception. They come in so many shapes, sizes and colours, here’s my guide to having the perfect pair of shoes in your closet:

Flats

These are such comfy shoes, especially when you plan to have a day parading around in the mall. They look good with pretty much anything (Jeans; skirts; shorts and dresses). They can even look professional and put together to give your tootsies a break from the high heels in the office.

If you are buying your first pair, try and purchase something semi-neutral, like black or grey. I’ll admit I have a few pairs and the majority consist of plain black styles. They’re super easy to combine with whatever you are wearing that day.

Sneakers

This type of shoe has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years and they are a seriously comfy item, with a little bit of style thrown in for good measure. It’s a great casual look and they are essential to every girls wardrobe, especially if you’re going to be running around.

Boots

We are experiencing winter at the moment in South Africa, so boots are a must, especially for the days when it’s so cold that you might freeze over. Knee high boots are a classic and very comfy, while ankle boots and over the knee boots have become increasingly popular alternative during the last few seasons. Flat boots are great for everyday wear but an ankle boot with a bit of a heel? That’s perfect for a dinner date, dressing up to hit the town with the girls or paired with a pair of jeans for a date out with mom.

Sandals

I know that these are currently situated in the back of our cupboards at the moment but they are so nice to have and I can’t wait to wear them again when spring comes around! A pair of rubber flip-flops are great for a casual day at home or at the beach but a pair of pretty sandals go a long way. They are versatile and can be dressed up or down for almost any occasion and you can wear them all summer long paired with a cute nail polish on your toes.

A good heel

There are countless types of high heeled shoes around in this day and age. Please don’t ask me how many pairs I own, I haven’t the slightest…hehe.

There is such a plethora of options when it comes to these shoes that you can own a pair for practically ever outfit in your closet and whose complaining there ;) but, if you’re just starting out and don’t  know where to start this is my suggestion: A classic pump. You cannot go wrong. They are great for church, work, parties, you name it. They are versatile, I have a nude pair and trust me, they are comfy and they look great, what more could I ask for?!

There you have it girls, the 5 pairs of shoes that you should possess… and if you own more than 5 so what?! I know I do ;) What’s your favourite ? 

S
xoxo

5 favourites in my closet

Make-up Brushes 101

Girls, Most of us wear make-up right? And we love to sit on the internet and gaga over all sorts of beautiful, sparkly tubes and brushes… Let’s get real though, how much do we really know about what we use to apply our make up?

I’m going to help you out here because there’s a plethora of brushes out there and sometimes it can be overwhelming… This is my guide for your next make-up haul. 

These are your essentials:

The Blush Brush

It pays to invest in a good blush brush, it does it all. It picks up and deposits blush to define, contour and shade your cheeks. It should be applied in a circular motion to the apples of your cheeks, all you have to do is look in the mirror and smile.

Blush Brush by M.A.C ©

Eyeliner Brush

It’s so very versatile. Apply precise line, to soften and blend for a smokey eye. It’s important to have a brush with a flat head and stiff bristles (It shouldn’t be wider than the tip of your finger) An angled brush is most universal and allows for control whether you are using liquid, gel or powder.

Eyeliner Brush by CALA ©

Foundation Brush

If you aren’t keen on using your fingers to apply your foundation then investing in a great foundation brush can only be a good idea. It will give you a great airbrushed look.

Foundation Brush by Chanel ©

Bronzer Brush

A fluffy brush is essential, it adds dimension to your face with a matte bronzer which is hard to achieve with your fingers.

Bronzer Brush by Bobbi Brown ©

Crease Brush

You can basically apply all of your eye shadow using this brush, use the flat side to add colour to the lid and the tip to add dimension and blend.

Crease Brush by NYX ©

These are nice to have:

Contour Brush

You probably won’t contour your face everyday but when you put in the time and effort to do it, this brush will help it be perfect.

Contour Brush by M.A.C ©

Highlighting Brush

With its small tapered tip to add highlights to the high points of your face, you can do it with your fingers but who doesn’t want to add another brush to their collection?

Highlighting Brush by Sephora ©

Shader Brush

This is practically like a crease brush, it just take your look to new heights.

Shading Brush by M.A.C ©

Blending Brush

More eye shadow awesomeness, you’re going to want this gem, it does exactly what the name says, blends, harsh and unwanted lines.

Blending Brush by M.A.C ©

Concealer Brush

Definitely nice to have when working with creamy cover ups but, it’s totally acceptable to use your fingers.

Concealer Brush by Make up Forever ©

Now that you have all these exciting brushes to play with, you have to keep them clean and here’s how:

1. Start by running your brushes under lukewarm water, rinsing out all the residual make-up. Try to avoid the part of the brush where the handle meets the head, it can loosen the glue over time. Focus on the bristles.
2. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and squirt a small amount of shampoo (Baby shampoo is good or shampoo specific for your brushes), gently swirl your brush tip in the water. If need be, gently swirl the brush in  the palm of your hand to work up a lather.
3. Rinse the brush tip under water again. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until the water runs clear from the brush.
4. Use a lint free cloth to wipe your brushes clean, shaping them as you go.
5. Lay them out on a clean cloth and leave to dry over night.

Simple as that, got a drawer full of brushes? Which is your favourite? Share your tips with me.

S

xoxo