Summer Sun with Nivea Sunblock

Summer Sun

I don’t know about the rest of the country but here in Cape Town, we have experienced some rather horrible wet winter weather. But now that spring is here, we have had a few beautiful days where the heat has forced this heavily pregnant hippo out into the summer sun. But then I noticed something that I haven’t noticed before… I was as white as a dam sheet! I was horrified. I was always the tanned girl and in winter to fight the whiteness, I used spray tan by a professional. But then it hit me, I didn’t spray tan or lie in the sun since before winter, before I fell preggers. Was this my natural skin colour? Eew! LOL!

So I headed outside to Big Bay to sit on the grass, enjoy my day and get some sun but I had to put on sunscreen because I knew I would just burn red and peel. I went to the cupboard and found last year December’s sunblock which had become lumpy… In the bin it went. The sunblock I apply to my face everyday just wasn’t going to do so I had to get new sunblock.

I found myself standing at the sunblock section of Clicks staring at all the different brands and the dam prices. Since when did sunblock cost this price? My eyes hit Nivea and as usual I reached for the ‘light feeling sunblock’ because I hate feeling oily.

I headed off to the beach and applied my sunblock and I must say, it felt great!  I reapplied it every few hours and I did get a tan even with sunblock but I also didn’t have stuff sticking to me from being so dam oily. My face also didn’t break out a few days later. I really recommend this sunblock for your summer days.

Just remember though that you must put the sunblock on 30 minutes prior to sun exposure as well as again after swimming and every couple of hours that you are in the sun.

I hope you ladies become beautifully bronzed this summer and not tomato red 

BURN = SUN DAMAGE = AGEING

Happy beautifying

Spring / Summer trends according to New York Fashion Week for your make up

Spring Make Up Trends according to New York Fashion Week

 

So we have seen hat trends this spring are all over the show with Marc Jacobs bringing in smokey eyes once again but without any dramatic effects. Just your plain and average smokey eye. We suggest you keep this trend in the evenings only and use light tones of brown and grey to achieve it. After all, it is spring so lets keep away from the harsh blacks.

How to achieve this look: brush a light shimmery white or cream on your entire lid and up to the brow. From your lash line to the crease, apply your grey or brown eyeshadow. Brush this colour along the bottom lash line of your eye. Use black eyeliner to line the insides of your lash line. Apply a lot of mascara to top and bottom. Keep the rest of your face neutral. 

Colouring your lips a bright pink or red is HOT this spring. I suggest hot pinks and bright reds and nothing into the sadder tones of wine. Keep it funky and young. Just apply the lipstick and add some clear gloss for a spring time flare. I am loving this trend and have been sporting pink lips in the hot summer sun. This trend was inspired by Anna Sui’s show at NYFW.

Zac Posen was all about long, full lashes at his show. These can be achieved by either using false eyelashes, eyelash extensions or using Maybeline’s illegal length mascara. This trend along with the pink lip together will ooze sexiness wherever you got this spring.

Monique Lhullier wowed the crowd with her blue eyeshadow trend but she kept it subtle just like the smokey eye trend. It isn’t about statements on the eyes, the eyes have taken a back seat, it is just a dash of colour. I suggest only applying a light baby blue from your top lash line to your crease of your eye. Put on some mascara and leave it at that. For night time use a darker metallic blue and follow the smokey eye instructions.

Oscar de la Ranta never disappoints with his trends. He had dewy skin on his models and it looked fantastic. To achieve a dewy look, use creamy products like a runny/shiny moisturising foundation with no powder then use cream blushes and eyeshadow. You are looking for that “shiny” look. 

Just be careful of how you combine the trends if you want to be adventurous. Tomorrow I will show you on my own face how to achieve the day trends combination and the night trend combination where I combine STATEMENT LIPS, BLUE EYESHADOW, FULL LASHES AND DEWY SKIN FOR DAY and then the SMOKEY EYES, BLUE SHADOW, FULL LASHES AND DEWY SKIN WITH STATEMENT LIPS FOR NIGHT. 

Remember, we must tread lightly here because normally emphasis is placed on either the lips or eyes and here we have colour on both so need to play the eyes up a bit lightly. I will show you how I do it  but for now, just perfect one trend at a time.

Happy Beautifying!

Spring / Summer Trends

10 Fashion Trends for spring/summer

Top 10 Spring/Summer 2012 fashion trends
1. Thick heels
2. Neon colours
3 Creamy neutrals
4. Stripes
5. Colour blocking
6. Whimsical flowing materials
7. Bold floral prints
8. The one piece
9. The cowboy hat
10. White

Fake it til you make it!

Ten steps to Confidence even if you don’t have it

10 steps to confidence – or at least faking it til you get it!
1. It’s not about you.
Understand people’s actions, even when hurtful, rarely have anything to do with you. It’s easy to read into the negativity of others and see it as a challenge to our ego. Yet this type of reaction can trigger unnecessary stress and prevent you from focusing on the positive things in your life. People are people; there’s never a need to link their behavior and your happiness. Knowing this gives you freedom to feel the confidence you deserve.

2. Wear clothes that make you feel good
If it is a pair of heels or a handbag, maybe its jeans or a pair of sunglasses, wear the clothes that make you feel good cause when you feel good, you become confident!

3.Keep up appearances
You can’t just put on the clothes that make you feel good! You’ve gotta do the whole job! Shave, moisturise, put on make up and do your hair and watch your confidence soar!

4. Buy clothes that fit. Wearing clothes that fit well and flatter, no matter the shape of your body, provides an enormous boost to your self esteem. Don’t wait until you’ve arrived at a magical ideal to start dressing your best. Clothes never make the person, but it’s hard to feel confident inside when your outside sends signals of uncertainty. Love what you’re wearing and the world is likely to love it too.

5.Don’t slouch
Sit up straight, stand up straight and walk tall. Slouching is the first sign of a lack of self confidence. Your shoulders down and rounded is a defense mechanism to keep people from noticing you. Keep your chin up and your spine straight and present yourself as open and confident by not slouching. Plus standing up straight makes you seem taller!

6. Make peace with your body. You will always want to stay active and improve your health, but your confidence comes with the understanding that no matter your size, shape, number of wrinkles or height, you are a person who deserves love and dignity from yourself and those around you. Truly know this, and confidence will bleed through your skin. Stand in front of the mirror and instead of seeing flaws, find something good and repeat it in your head a few times til you believe it. Find something new everyday and soon you will love your body!

7. Work out and eat well
Even if you aren’t aiming for a 6 pack or aren’t the skinniest girl on the block, leading a healthy lifestyle with exercise, rest, good diet and plenty of water will make you feel good about yourself due to the release of endorphins. A little cardio like a brisk walk or some Yoga and pilates 3 times a week will boost your confidence by a lot! Cut out sweets & white wheats as well as gas drinks and alcohol. Drink at least 2 liters of water.

8.Walk the walk and talk the talk
Walk as if you have somewhere to be. That is not too fast and not to slow. Once you have that down to a T, add a little attitude to your walk. There! Now that’s how confident people walk. Now for your talk. Don’t be soft spoken. Speak up without shouting, speak slowly and clearly like you know what you are talking about. Avoid slang and have correct grammar. Now you are on your way!

9. Be enthusiastic, positive & smile
Playing it cool is a great way to ignore your honest emotions and bury the authentic you. Be happy and excited, and allow the world to see it. Your joy will be infectious, your confidence contagious. Keep positive thoughts in your head, read self motivating books. Smile even when you feel like you’re down and try sweep negative moods and thoughts under the rug. Soon you’ll feel happy all the time and this will exude confidence.

10. Pamper yourself
Taking time out for yourself will always boost your confidence. Whether its time to paint your nails, take a candle lit bubble bath or having a massage or pedicure at the salon. A little time out makes you appreciate yourself and feel good which in turn boosts confidence.

Fake it til you make it!

Ten steps to Confidence even if you don’t have it

10 steps to confidence – or at least faking it til you get it!
1. It’s not about you.
Understand people’s actions, even when hurtful, rarely have anything to do with you. It’s easy to read into the negativity of others and see it as a challenge to our ego. Yet this type of reaction can trigger unnecessary stress and prevent you from focusing on the positive things in your life. People are people; there’s never a need to link their behavior and your happiness. Knowing this gives you freedom to feel the confidence you deserve.

2. Wear clothes that make you feel good
If it is a pair of heels or a handbag, maybe its jeans or a pair of sunglasses, wear the clothes that make you feel good cause when you feel good, you become confident!

3.Keep up appearances
You can’t just put on the clothes that make you feel good! You’ve gotta do the whole job! Shave, moisturise, put on make up and do your hair and watch your confidence soar!

4. Buy clothes that fit. Wearing clothes that fit well and flatter, no matter the shape of your body, provides an enormous boost to your self esteem. Don’t wait until you’ve arrived at a magical ideal to start dressing your best. Clothes never make the person, but it’s hard to feel confident inside when your outside sends signals of uncertainty. Love what you’re wearing and the world is likely to love it too.

5.Don’t slouch
Sit up straight, stand up straight and walk tall. Slouching is the first sign of a lack of self confidence. Your shoulders down and rounded is a defense mechanism to keep people from noticing you. Keep your chin up and your spine straight and present yourself as open and confident by not slouching. Plus standing up straight makes you seem taller!

6. Make peace with your body. You will always want to stay active and improve your health, but your confidence comes with the understanding that no matter your size, shape, number of wrinkles or height, you are a person who deserves love and dignity from yourself and those around you. Truly know this, and confidence will bleed through your skin. Stand in front of the mirror and instead of seeing flaws, find something good and repeat it in your head a few times til you believe it. Find something new everyday and soon you will love your body!

7. Work out and eat well
Even if you aren’t aiming for a 6 pack or aren’t the skinniest girl on the block, leading a healthy lifestyle with exercise, rest, good diet and plenty of water will make you feel good about yourself due to the release of endorphins. A little cardio like a brisk walk or some Yoga and pilates 3 times a week will boost your confidence by a lot! Cut out sweets & white wheats as well as gas drinks and alcohol. Drink at least 2 liters of water.

8.Walk the walk and talk the talk
Walk as if you have somewhere to be. That is not too fast and not to slow. Once you have that down to a T, add a little attitude to your walk. There! Now that’s how confident people walk. Now for your talk. Don’t be soft spoken. Speak up without shouting, speak slowly and clearly like you know what you are talking about. Avoid slang and have correct grammar. Now you are on your way!

9. Be enthusiastic, positive & smile
Playing it cool is a great way to ignore your honest emotions and bury the authentic you. Be happy and excited, and allow the world to see it. Your joy will be infectious, your confidence contagious. Keep positive thoughts in your head, read self motivating books. Smile even when you feel like you’re down and try sweep negative moods and thoughts under the rug. Soon you’ll feel happy all the time and this will exude confidence.

10. Pamper yourself
Taking time out for yourself will always boost your confidence. Whether its time to paint your nails, take a candle lit bubble bath or having a massage or pedicure at the salon. A little time out makes you appreciate yourself and feel good which in turn boosts confidence.

Summer Soft Feet in a few easy steps

How to get softer heels for summer in 10 easy steps:

1. Using a foot file, file your heels as much as you can
2. Soak your feet in hot water for 15 minutes
3. Use a foot scrub or make your own from cream & sugar to scrub off dead skin cells
4. Rinse off your feet and dry well
5. Mix vaseline, baby oil and lotion together
6. Apply to feet and wrap feet in plastic cling wrap or plastic bags
7. Put on socks and leave over night
8. Remove socks and cling wrap
9. Wash feet and dry well
10. Rub in more lotion and feel how soft they are

Non Remy, Remy and Virgin Remy Hair and the differences

Non Remy Hair

Non Remy hair is human hair that has been taken from hair dressers and donors who cut their hair from long to short. This might be from many donors and does not last so long. This hair is dull sometimes and has been chemically processed many times in the donors life. This hair is cheap and feels “harder” then remy or virgin remy.

Remy Hair

Remy is not a brand name. The term refers to the characteristics in the collection of the hair. They select premium quality un-damaged, healthy hair. The hair is shinier, softer, more durable and has a longer life than non-Remy hair. Non-virgin Remy has been chemically processed, typically for texture (curls) or color.

Virgin Remy Hair (Brazillian)

The best type of Remy hair is virgin, also called “cuticle” hair. When hair is harvested from a donor, the cuticle remains intact. The cuticle protects the hair from damage.

Virgin Remy is not chemically processed for color or texture. This means the hair has not been permed, dyed, colored, bleached or chemically processed in any way. Virgin Remy is very soft and 100% natural. The color of virgin hair is called natural because it is not processed for color. The natural hair color for virgin Indian, Asian, Brazilian, Mongolian and Malaysian virgin hair ranges.

The texture of virgin hair is generally straight, wavy or curly in texture. However any hair that has been chemically processed for texture, for example yaki, body wave or curls is no longer virgin. Sometimes, virgin hair texture may be altered to make curls and waves using a high pressure and heat method. The hair is still considered as virgin because no chemical processing is used. If Remy hair has been altered in color, it is chemically processed and no longer considered virgin.

Virgin Remy hair last longer and is much less likely to tangle than non virgin Remy hair In a nutshell, all virgin hair is Remy but not all Remy hair is virgin