Brows on fleek at the Brow Bar

The Brow Bar entrance

My eyebrows is going grey and I can't keep on plucking the grey out. (My way of dealing with it!) I have been colouring it in, but by the end of the day it is gone. We have been walking past the Brow Bar in Clearwater (West Rand, Gauteng, ZA) forever. The Wedding was the perfect occasion to test it out. I sponsored the Eldest, who went to a Brow Bar in Melrose Arch. I tested out The Brow Bar nearer to home, and found that they had moved location to the business park next to the Mall. (That's a plus for me as I hate going into a mall nowadays with the parking fees... It feels like a total barrier having to drive into those huge parking bays, or is it just me?)

Products that deserve a mention for winter

Products that's great for winter

The products that I am loving right now that's great for Winter: Revlon Colorstay Foundation, TheraNaka Eye Gel, Optiphi Facial Cleanser, Avon Nail Enamel Majestic Mauve and Matsimela Home Spa Baobab Seed Kalahari Sugar Scrub.

As much as I hate winter, and the dryness that comes with it, I am enjoying the following five products at the moment. There is something about a good product which makes you feel extra special for the day. This is my favourites at the moment.

Five Products for Winter

1. Revlon Colorstay Foundation 24hrs

I bought this foundation a month ago, when my trusted brand was finished. I used a gift voucher from a friend, and it is just over 300 ZAR at Edgars. I must say that I am seriously considering staying with this one. It is exactly the colour and the finishing I need right now. It also covers the winter red (broken blood vessels, and winter flashes) on the cheeks. Loving this so much! (It hides many sins!)

2. TheraNaka Protective Eye Gel

This South African brand eye gel has been part of my skin routine since I got it in November last year. Sometimes I forget the eye gel, but I really can't anymore. This is such a soothing gel. Apparently it helps to prevent wrinkles whilst moisturizing the eye area with an advanced molecular film. I have been using it around my lip area as well.  It believe it helps with the lines. This 20 ml has been lasting forever, and I am using it royally.

3. Optiphi Facial Cleaner

I got this at a brand meet about three weeks back. This is a wonderful cleanser, make-up remover, pH balanced toner and mild exfoliator. It changed my beauty routine somewhat, as I only use this, leave it one for a few minutes while a brush my teeth, and wash it off again. It is soft and nourishing, while taking care of dead skin cells. I can also skip the toner part.  WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN. It is 4 products in one. 

4. Matsimela Home Spa Baobab Seed Kalahari Sugar Scrub

I haven't found a Matsimela product that I don't like. This natural oily sugar scrub is divine for winter skin. I was skeptical about using a scrub on my skin as it is so dry. But this a moisture bomb for the skin. I got it at a Matsimela Blogger Meet last week. I use it at night with my bath, and my body is wonderfully hydrated, even the next day. The smell is of course divine. This is such a pamper in winter. Now I also know that it is not only the smells that are divine, but that each product has unique actives that targets specific issues. Guess what is everybody getting for presents this winter? Because it is also very budget-friendly.

5. Avon True Colour Nailwear Pro+ Nail Enamel

As upcoming M.O.B. (mother of the bride) I am busy searching for the perfect nail enamel for the wedding. The Majestic Mauve colour of the Avon True Colour range seems to be THE one. I also love that I only had to put on one layer to have the desired effect. It's a stunning colour for winter, and makes my hands look BOSS. I buy monthly from an Avon representative, and there is always a special that's worth the while. (Check my Insta for a close-up of my nails.

What are the winter products that you love? Please share?


Disclaimer: I got the TheraNaka, Optiphi and Matsimela as blogging gifts. I am so glad I did, as I would not have known about it. I was not paid to write this.

Once you've gone lip plumping, you cannot go back!

NuSkin Lip Plumping Balm

I have never had lips, but I have noticed that the little bit that I have is disappearing even more! Age does not treat us fair! We get more of what we don't want (like hair), and less gets taken away. In my case it's the eyes and lips. My eyes and my brows and my lips are disappearing. And the nose gets bigger!

Holiday survival products

Holiday survival beauty products

As much as I love holidays at the coast, it does not do my skin and complexion very well. I tend to break out in spots. My hair goes frizzy! My skin also burns immediately. I go blood red, and after that my skin starts peeling. This year I only spend two hours in the sun. I had sunscreen on my face and arms, but thought that my legs would be okay without sunscreen. Big mistake... (Don't you think I should know by now?) I am still peeling two weeks later!

Little Miss also struggles with her eczema, and we had to look after her feet very well. It dries up underneath her toes especially, and cracks open in sores. We still haven't found the magic formula to take it away completely, but the Oh So Heavenly Cream has been a lifesaver!

The Entertainer app takes us to new experiences

The Entertainer app was part of the goody bag of a previous meetup of Jozi Bloggers. It was such a hit in our home, that I bought myself the app again for this year! It is R495 for a whole year, and we have already surpassed that amount through savings.

The Entertainer works on 2 for 1 deals. We have mostly used the Food & Drink option, but there are Beauty & Fitness, Attractions & Leisure, Retail & Services as well as Hotels worldwide to choose from. (Kicking myself now for not using it more! I could have!)

On Saturday Hubby and I got an unexpected free morning when Little Miss was elsewhere entertained. We switched on The Entertainer app which works on location and we found a quaint breakfast spot in Linden at A la Bouffe! The owner was as gracious to let us use the app for breakfast, as it states "Main Meal". (As we had used similarly at every other establishment we had visited.)

Al la Bouffe

I must report that we have never had an issue using the app. All the restaurants knew what it was, and accommodated us when we announced that we wanted to use the app. We usually also only announces it when we want to pay, so that it can be reflected in the invoice.

The breakfast was divine!

Vegetarian omelet

Egg and salmon breakfast

We have added a new breakfast spot with some other favourite restaurants! We would not have found it without The Entertainer!

I am also allowed to ping the offers which has enabled our working lady to also go out for a couple of dining experiences!

Now where can we go, and how much can we save on our next outing?

What have you found through The Entertainer?

The legacy I want my daughters to make their own #BeautyLegacy

The most recent Dove Beauty Legacy campaign made me think again about the legacy I want my daughters to have! Now, at this very moment!

I want them to know they are beautiful!
Inside!
AND
Outside!

When you are young, you are always looking at the flaws and the shortcomings in the mirror.
You are always  trying to get thinner and fitter and working off the big bum.
Always feeling that you are not the optimal version of the version you think you should be!

Now I know how much time I have spend on these time-wasting thoughts and activities.
I like myself so much more now that I am older. When I think about my younger self I know that I was beautiful already, and I should have spend my time on LIVING!
I am definitely not a more beautiful version of my younger self, but I am happy with who I am now!
I like my big bum because I can SIT on it!  (Thank you Wise Age!)

[For health reasons I need to get rid of a few kilograms, but it won't stop me from fretting about how I look and have an impact on what I am doing!]

I look at all the young girls that is the same age of my two daughters.
They are all beautiful!

I want them to know that, and I want them to live that!
To have the confidence to march out with gusto into Life and know that they are beautiful at that very moment in time!

In the spirit of Women's Day and Month in South Africa!

To my two daughters:
You are strong!
You are beautiful!
You can do whatever you set your mind out to do!
You are the best version of yourself right now!

Do not wait for a photograph years later to say to yourself that you were beautiful all long!
Don't let anybody else tell you something different! Because it will not be true!

I am telling you the truth now!
You are beautiful!

Dove #BeautyLegacy campaign: "The way a girl feels about beauty, starts with the way you feel about yours." - Dr Colinda Linde #quote #Dove

A photo posted by Karen Du Toit (@karentoittoit) on Aug 4, 2015 at 3:48am PDT

Disclaimer: I got the Dove "BeautyLegacy drop.
                  Follow the #BeautyLegacy hashtag to watch the beautiful video and message that goes with it!