Review : Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel

 I have been dying to post about this product from the moment I bought it but, I figured, in order for me to give an honest review, I needed to give it a little time to see whether it really makes a difference to my skin. I have to admit, the uncomplicated packaging really won me over but, I have been duped many a times by charming packaging. It's really important for me to spend my money on products that  make a difference in my life so I was definitely rooting for this water gel. 

According to Neutrogena, if you want hydrated skin and a healthy glow, this is the product for you. The lightweight formula contains Hyaluronic acid and also promises supple skin that lasts throughout the whole day. I have been using the water gel for about 5 weeks now, both morning and night and there are a few things that I like about the gel.

• The texture- It is super lightweight and not greasy which makes it easy to wear under your foundation. It also absorbs super quickly so you don't spend your precious time rubbing your face.
• The light blue pot with the white lid is , as I  have mentioned, quite a charming change for someone who normally prefers a pump bottle. I like that it looks pretty on my night stand.
• It has a comforting smell that is not overwhelming. This is important to me especially since we cannot escape any smells while wearing our masks.

• Even though the gel absorbs very quickly you immediately notice how it quenches your skin.  This probably stood out for me the most. While my skin is not particularly dry, the gel made a visible difference. I looked well rest and hydrated every time I used it.

I have to admit that I normally prefer a cream that has a thicker consistency, especially for night time, but this gel has really changed the way I look at gel formulas. So much so that I have recommended it to all my friends. There are a few other products in the Neutrogena Hydro Boost range and after my great experience with this gel, it goes without saying that I am eager to try some of them. You can find this product at most stores and it retails for just under R140.

Have you tried any of the Hydro Boost products? I would love to hear what you think about it.

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

PS: Special shoutout to Xylon and Thando for helping me take these pictures.

Pencil me in.

I live for pencil skirts. They are just about the only kind of skirts I can wear without looking frumpy. When your behind is as big as mine you dont take chances looking frumpy. 

However, pencil skirts are often associated with the more formal or corporate world and its not an item you would consider to be casual. But fashion leaves nothing untouched. I love the idea that a pencil skirt can be dressed up or down. This post is dedicated  to finding ways to making the pencil skirt an everyday item instead of only for the office.

Denim anything is the perfect way to bring some casual into your wardrobe. And a plaid shirt; but tuck it in to give you that carefree but polished look.

Or try a bad ass leather skirt and take it a step further with a leather jacket.

If its slightly chilly outside pair your pencil skirt with a shirt and sweater. Side note: how cute is this skirt?

Be your most authentic self. Add layers and over-the-top shapes if your skirt is more on the plain side.

Last, but not least. Switch up the footwear. Nothing says "modern" like adding a pair of sneakers.  Add a lightweight bomber and you are good to go.

How do you wear your pencil skirt? I would love to hear from you!

*I do not take credit for the images in this post

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

On the fence: Beauty Edition

Hi everyone! 

Hopefully  the week has been  treating you well and if it hasn't, we can only go up from here. I had a lot of fun doing my previous  post (On the fence) so I decided to extend  the series to beauty products as well. While I'm not necessarily on the fence about  the two products  I'm reviewing  today...I was in the beginning.

 I am a  creature  of habit so it's not unusual for me to stay inside my comfort zone.  I had been looking for  a new mascara for quite some time and I have had my eye on this one from Maybelline for longest time so I decided to take the plunge. I'm also not someone who takes hand cream too seriously ( not that I like being ashy), but its just never been a proirity. Let's talk about the products.

This mascara really frustrated me in the beginning. I kept getting it all over my lids, but I was determined to give it a shot because  I have heard amazing things about it. I'm not sure if it's the small brush or just the way I was holding the wand, but I couldn't get a proper application  at first. However, I was dead set on liking this cult favourite. I paid less than R100 for this one so I'd say it's not a bad investment  for such a low price. Eventually I figured out how to handle the small brush properly and now I reach for this mascara  everyday.

Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black.

The hand cream from  Isabella  Garcia   was a gift from my mom and it really surprised me. I'm unlucky enough to pick up greasy, not easily absorbed formula's but this one is exactly  the opposite. This one is part of a limited edition  set of three so I have two others to try as well but, so far I'm thoroughly impressed.

 It contains notes of white musk, amber, orange blossom, coconut and rhubarb. Fancy hey? It's amazingly creamy without  the greasy residue and leaves my hands both looking and feeling gorgeous. I guess I'm converted  now. The Isabella Garcia  La Parfum Creme Trinite retails for R325 on takealot.com last time I checked.

Isabella Garcia Last Parfum Creme  in Hypnotique

Are there any products  that you were not completely  sold on at first but adore now? Or maybe the internet really hyped up a product and it left you dissapointed. Tell me about it.  I would love to hear  from you. 

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

On the fence: See through shoes

I always post about the trends I love on the blog because I dont have the energy or time to be posting about trends I dont like (blogging is hard work yall). But today, I'm going to switch up things a bit. Today I'm posting about a trend I really want to love but, I'm a little on the fence about.

See through (plastic) shoes have been on my radar for a while now and, while I have seen so many celebrities and street style sensations pull off the look; I'm not sure it's a trend that the regular person can master. For starters, I think your feet have to be exceptional looking to even consider this trend.  Yep, you simply cannot be showing off your average looking feet. You have to do the trend justice.

My other thought is "what happens when my feet starts to sweat"? How will I be walking with slippery feet? Can I add powder to the shoes or how do I keep my feet from sweating in my see-through boots? Ok perhaps I'm putting way too much thought into one trend but, that's just what I do. I over think.

On the runway.

I could probably manage these hey?

Are fishnets the answer to sweaty feet?

As you can see celebs and models make it look so easy but ,I feel like it's their job to sell us dreams.  And as much as I am dying to get a pair of boots like the pair below. I'd rather approach this like I do most new things in life: with copious amounts of research. So if you are reading this, help a girl out. Is this a trend you have tried/would try?  If so...do you have any tips?

I want to need it!

Kim goes a step further and adds a see-through dress.

I would love to hear from you!

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

*I do not take credit for the images in this post