Review: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

When this product first hit the stands I was extremely skeptical; I thought of it as fancy water. As the product became increasingly popular it was often compared to Bioderma's Micellar water as a strong contender. Micellar water is a very new concept to me and I wasn't going to pay a lot for the Bioderma product if I'm not even sure what exactly it is. When this was released for R80,00 at Clicks I immediately picked it up because it was an acceptable price for a product I was unsure about.

Micellar water is made up of tiny little oil molecules suspended in water and these molecules grab onto impurities and make up. You pour some of the product onto a cotton pad and simply wipe everything away. I have the product made specially for sensitive skin and I can literally pour the entire bottle into my eyes and it would not burn. One bottle has lasted me over two months and I use it almost everyday!

I use it mainly as an eye and face make up remover but I often use it during the day when I have been sweating and not wearing make up as a quick clean. Sometimes when I do this I am super surprised at the dirt that is then on my cotton pad. I do not use this as my only way to remove make up because then a use way too many cotton pads. I double-cleanse when removing my make up; I start with a cleansing oil on my entire face to get rid of the majority of my make up and then I use this to remove my eye make up and anything the oil might have missed. This also removes waterproof make up like a dream and you do not have to tug at your eyelashes to get rid of the mascara. I often use this on a cotton bud to fix my eye make up like winged eyeliner because it is not thick and doesn't disturb the rest of your make up. 

This is honestly I product I would recommend to anyone on a budget or anyone just looking for a good beauty find. I am definitely going to repurchase this!! 

August Favourites

This month was extremely experimental for me in the beauty department. I tried out new make up looks, new hair products and even contouring. I always felt like contouring on me would look like a mess but now it is my favourite step in my make up routine.

A lot of the things I've been loving this month are products I loved last month but a couple of new things have made their way into my heart.

OGX Kukui Oil Curl Cream

I absolutely hate curl creams because they always make my hair coarse like I used hairspray or they end up giving me poodle hair. I went out on a whim and decided to buy this because I heard incredible things about OGX and it is now one of my all time favourite hair care products. It gives my hair perfect waves and it nourishes it. I used to hate my freshly washed because it was super frizzy but with this my hair dries wonderfully!

I honestly recommend this to anyone with thick, coarse and curly hair!

Pure Argan Oil

I personally do not use Moroccan Oil because it is too expensive so I use the drugstore dupes for it like the Tresemme oil elixir which works just as well but I went into an organic shop recently and I came across pure argan oil. Not only is this really moisturising and nourishing for you hair but for your skin as well. It also helps with scarring. I use a couple of drops for the ends of my hair and sometimes a couple of drops into my bath and my skin ends up feeling amazing. This is honestly an incredible product. The only issue I have with it is that it smells weird but I suppose it is because it is pure oil(it is worth it).

Charlotte Rhys No. 17 Eau de toilette

I am a complete sucker for different scents and perfume so I am always buying and trying out different things. Charlotte Rhys is a Cape Town based company that sells candles and room diffusers in a number of scents and then they launched the eau de toilette in those particular scents and I knew I had to get hold of my favourite one which is called No.17. 

The scent is very musky making it feel like a unisex scent but it is so light and floral at the same time which makes it feminine and perfect for everyday! Honestly, it is so beautiful and so affordable!

Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette

This palette is perfect for someone who is serious about their brown smokey eye. It has five matte shades and two slight shimmer shades. This palette is pricey fro someone who is just starting out with make up but I think this is so worth it if you love nude eye looks. I love using the lightest shade called Bone as a matte brow bone highlight when I do not want a shimmer look to it. I also use the two darkest shades called Cocoa and Rich Chocolate to fill in my brows since I dye them. It gives me the best look and matches the colour of my brows perfectly! Definitely a great investment!

Catrice Absolute Rose Eye Palette

This is a gorgeous eye palette from the drugstore for an amazingly affordable price. What I love about this is what a subtle mauve smokey eye it creates prefect for day time but the colour is buildable for an evening look. I loved this palette in winter because it is so cool toned. Catrice is an amazing drugstore brand with many dupes for high-end products.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I have always been a big fan of Benefit but the brand wasn't sold in South Africa in over four years making it almost impossible to get hold of. Once I heard they were being sold here again I went to their counter and purchased this straight away. It was quite expensive but I love this mascara. It is so lengthening and that is all I want in a mascara! The actual brush for this mascara is very similar to that of the Lash Sensational mascara from Maybelline in case you have more of a budget!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Happy Nude Year

I have been watching Youtuber KathleenLights non-stop this month and she always talks about liquid lipsticks and I heard this product was such a good drugstore liquid lipstick to try out so I bought it and loved it. It does not dry out my lips as much as I thought it would considering it is matte and the colour is just such a perfect day to night nude that you can wear with any look anywhere. It has a coral undertone which makes it perfect for spring. The only thing I do not like about it is that it smells like paint.

Lovisa Gypsy Necklace

I love the look these sort of necklaces give an outfit but I only have the large statement necklaces so I purchased this because it is small and understated but still gives a boho look. I love wearing this during the day for something a little bit extra.

Typo Weekly Planner

I am an absolute freak when it comes to planning and being in control. I found this weekly planner that has these big blocks open for everyday and I  use it to plan out my week and to brainstorm blogpost ideas and when they will be going up. Each month's pages have different patterns and colours. I use markers and pens of different colour and plan out my week. It is perfect to get your life organised!

Let me know in the comments below what you have been loving this month!

Style Icon: Victoria from Inthefrow

Victoria is a London-based blogger and Youtuber who I think does not get the credit she deserves.

Not only is she gorgeous with amazing style; she is smart to. She also has a PhD! She is really good at make-up and I'm a religious viewer of her YouTube channel!

Can I just say what major hair and closet envy I have!

None of the photos above are mine. I took them from Inthefrow.com.

Winter Smokey Eye

I am one of those girls that only wear make up when I feel like getting dressed up because I don't see the point in wasting my make up when I am just lounging around! However, when I do my make up I absolutely love it. It is honestly my favourite thing about going out.

I always wear a brown or rusty smokey eye because it compliments my blue eyes and I just feel a traditional black smokey eye is to harsh on my skin. I have been loving a purple brown smokey eye with dewy skin and nude lips.

This is how it looked:

The products I used:

- MAC Strobe Cream as a primer

- MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC15

- Maybelline Fit me Concealer

- MAC Prep and Prime Concealer in LightBoost for under my eyes

- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

- Catrice SunGlow Bronzer for the Contour

- MAC blush in Well Dressed

- MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft and Gentle

- RAIN Biologie rehydration face mist to give my skin more glow

- Catrice Eyebrow Filler gel

- Rimmel Eyebrow pencil in Dark Brown

- Catrice Eyeshadow Primer

- Stila Into the Light Pallete

 - Inglot quad (do not know the name of the colours)

- MAC pigment in Vanilla

- Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara

- Estee Lauder Creme Lipstick in Crystal Baby

How I did my Eyes:

After blending the Eyeshadow primer all over my lid I used Bare (The lightest colour) in the Stila pallete for all over my lid to just set the primer. I then used Bliss (The middle colour at the top) in the Stila pallete as a transition colour in my crease just so that the darker shades can blend easily. After that I used Sunset (The colour to the right of Bliss) in my crease and the outer corner of my lid just to build up colour and shimmer. I then used the dark purple from the Inglot quad very lightly in my crease just for a little bit more depth. This colour is definitely buildable depending on the brush and amount you use.  I also used the Gold from that quad and packed it on the middle of my lid and blended it out for some more sheen. I used the Black eyeshadow of the Stila pallete to line my eyes for a softer look. Be sure to drag the colours with a small brush under the eye for a more smokey effect. I used the Vanilla pigment to highlight my brow bone and the inner corners of my eyes. I then finished off with mascara.

This look can definitely be a lot more dramatic depending on the way your want to wear it; this look, however, is perfect for daytime.

Let me know what your favourite make up look is or whether you want to see more posts on different make up looks in the comments below!

July Favourites

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July was a very good month for me, I felt as if I have put my life back together and started doing things I love. I reconnected with friends I pushed away when I was in a dark place and I had fun.

Now that it is already August I thought it would be nice to write a post reflecting on July, products I've been loving or any randoms things that I have loved in July. The following is a list of things I have been obsessed with in July!

Toni and Guy Sea Salt Spray

Honestly, I like the concept of sea salt spray because on other girls who use it their hair looks absolutely amazing but when I used sea salt spray previously my hair was just hard as if I used a ton of hairspray. I thought I would just give it a last chance when I purchased this. I used it on my wet hair and then whenever I style it and I am in love with the way it makes my hair look! I have naturally curly and frizzy hair and I just want it wavy with minimal frizz and this gives me exactly that! I must say it is better on one or two day old washed hair and it does not make it hard or anything. It smells so fresh and gorgeous. I'm obsessed.

MAC Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft and Gentle

Lately I have really loved a gold highlighted look and this is perfect for that! I have very fair skin so I usually used a pearl highlighter but lately I have used a lot more bronzer for a warmer look and this highlight looks absolutely beautiful with a subtle contour. It reflects light so wonderfully because I am one of those people that love strobing! It is a very champagne sort of colour. It is absolutely beautiful.

Inglot Eyeshadow Quad

What I love about Inglot is that the actual quad is free with the eyeshadows(you can choose your own eyeshadows!) and the are a lot cheaper than a lot of places with really good quality! Their colour options are also very big. These colours unfortunately do not have names but I wanted earthy, rusty colours to compliment my blue eyes. I pack the colour onto my lids with a flat eyeshadow brush and then blend it out. It looks so gorgeous because dark smoky eyes looks extremely harsh on me so this just looks a lot better with my skin and eyes. You can wear all the colours separately but I usually wear the rust colour all over my lid, the gold in my inner corner and the cranberry and purple in my crease for an intense look with a lot of depth. This look looks amazing with the MAC highlighter!

Turtle Neck and Orange Coat

This Coat and turtleneck are both from Woolworths and are an amazing combination. I love the turtleneck because it isn't wool but more of a baggy cropped cotton shirt. It is such a gorgeous casual cut. I have the exact same in a dirty maroon sort of colour. I have millions of coats and jerseys but I do not own a bright eye-catching one. I bought this and I absolutely love it. I usually wear it with black jeans and a white shirt and a pair of Adidas Stan Smith sneakers. It also looks wonderful with the eye-look I mentioned above! I think every girl needs a statement coat!

Lovisa Gypsy Necklace

I'm not really someone that loves accessories, I mostly only wear a watch, but I am completely in love with this statement necklace. I think it looks so nice with a plain outfit just to jazz it up a bit. Every time I wear it I receive many compliments!

Vanilla Cupcake Yankee Candle

Because it is winter at the moment I love lighting a candle just to make it a little bit more cosy. I have been loving this candle because it literally smells like a vanilla cupcake. The candle also make my room smell so lovely and sweet!

Fresh WildFlowers

I love always having fresh flowers in my room and lately I have mostly always bought local wildflowers. I think the colours go so well with my yellow vase. The flowers also do not make a mess with leaves and things!

Mumford and Sons Wilder Mind album

I always thought Mumford and Sons was an okay band but when I started listening to their newer album I could not get enough. Every single song on this album is amazing. The lyrics are so deep and meaningful. It is possibly the only album I have been listening to this month! Give it a listen!

Comment down below what you did this July or any products you have been loving this month!

Winter Beauty Essentials

I am one of those people with extremely sensitive and dry skin and practically anything can irritate and cause red patches or rashes. During winter this unfortunately, like for most people, gets extremely worse. It gets to a point where my legs can easily look like crocodile skin, my face gets really tight, my hair becomes brittle and the sides of my mouth burst.

I have finally discovered a few products that have absolutely transformed my beauty regime in winter and I cannot recommend these products more.

Vaseline Body Cream

I always use a body butter from The Body Shop as a normal moisturizer but my body was still constantly dry. I was in the supermarket when I discovered this gem. It didn't look like much but promised to solve my skin problems so I gave it a try. Not only does it moisturize your skin, it contains micro-droplets Petroleum Jelly which then coats your skin preventing more moisture to be lost. Even with this property it does not make your skin feel oily or sticky; it seeps right into the skin. Whenever someone complains to me about dry skin I always tell them about this product because it is one of the best products available as well as the most affordable! 

 Creighton's Bath and Shower Cream

This shower cream is perfect for something soothing for the skin. I love using it with a sponge all over my entire body. The product comes in many different scents but I just felt that the Vanilla was perfect for winter! The scent is really strong when you are using it in the shower, I just wish the scent lasted on your skin afterwards.

Elvive OIL Mask Balm

My hair has always been dry because I bleached my ends but during the colder months my hair became brittle and more visibly damaged than ever before. I am a sucker for new hair products especially hair masks so I gave this one a try. When I opened the tub I fell instantly in love, even if the product wasn't good the scent was great enough to persuade me to use it. It has the most beautiful cinnamon chai smell that always convinces me to reach for it! Beside the smell, it is such a good product. It conditions my hair so much leaving it extremely soft and silky. I use it about once a week instead of conditioner along with the oil afterwards from the same range. I am honestly in love with this product!

Clarins Orange Scrub

Using a scrub was always my favourite part of my skin regime even though I knew how harsh it was on my skin. I could often feel how my old scrubs would scrub away the healthy skin as well so I actually removed it all together from my regime. I then started using this scrub after a long night out with heavy make up just to ensure that all the make up was removed about once every two weeks. I then incorporated it into my skin regime once a week because it made my skin so radiant. It is so gentle on the skin because the beads are so small and they are not coarse at all. I can feel how it clears my face of dead skin cells especially around my nose area every time I use it.

Elizabeth Arden Sensitive skin Toner

I never really used toners because I felt my skin was to young and sensitive for the products available. My skin would always burn after using it! This toner, however, has changed my skin completely! It does not dry my skin out at all. I know it's the product I have been missing. Where a spot would usually leave a mark for a couple of days it now is completely reduced after a day or two. I think this is an absolutely gorgeous product.

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Moisturizer

I am always skeptical when it comes to buying moisturizers because I hate it when my skin feel sticky but along with that I had extremely dry skin and needed to find something ASAP. Though it is very pricey this moisturizer lasts you months because it is very spreadable because it is just that good of a product. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. It honestly saved my skin.

Clarins Rose Water Lip Balm

My lips go absolutely crazy in any sort of change in climate so in the cold month my lips are dry and flaky (absolutely horrible for lipstick!). When I use this product, however, I can feel a big difference. My lips are instantly soothed. I carry this in my handbag with me wherever I go because it is honestly something that has helped me this winter. I love using it just before I apply my make up so that when I apply my lipstick my lips are smooth and the lipstick just sits nicely and isn't flaky. I think everyone should have one of these handy! 

MAC Strobe Cream

I bought this only because I had run out of my previous Illuminator but I then found out what an incredible Illuminating Moisturizer it is! I now use it as a primer under my foundation and I then mix the excess in with my foundation and it just gives such a flawless dewy finish that I love. I always found that foundation dries out my skin even the ones for dry skin and since using the Strobe Cream I find that my foundation feels and looks twenty times nicer on my skin!

Comment below which products you love in Winter!