#NiveaDelightYourSenses

I was thoroughly delighted when I received a cute little Nivea drop recently. Like I have mentioned in the past, I prefer oils over lotions simply because they seem to save me time. Needless to say the fact that this particular lotion contains oil intrigued me. I received the Orange Blossom & Avocado oil scent to try and I adore it.

Let's just say the scent puts you in a good mood and I could always use more of that. I promise you it is like happiness captured in a bottle. As you can imagine, the addition of oils add intense moisture, which has been a bonus for my skin. I seem to take a beating when it comes to winter time and dry skin. It is not a pretty sight. 

Another major factor for me when deciding on how to moisturise is the consistency of a product. I absolutely loathe spending more time than I need to rubbing in a product. Now you would expect a product this nourishing to be thick and impossible but, it is certainly not.  The formula is light and makes for an easy application. Consider me converted!

No doubt I will be repurchasing the lotion once I have finished this one. Perhaps I will even try another variant. How about you? Have you used any of the #NiveaDelightYourSenses lotions? I would love to hear from you.

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

Life lately :Instagram Round Up

It has been quite some time since I have done one of these Instagram round up posts. Let's just say life hasn't been very Instagram-able this year. Between mourning the loss of the year I thought it would have been and every one else seemingly returning back to normal: I was uninspired. And that's putting it mildly.

I'm not sure what I was expecting for 2021 but, it sure as hell was not this. I have been living in this limbo between preparing for the future and wondering exactly what that future would look like. To top it all off, my special birthday month (May) turned out to be bittersweet. More bitter that sweet I might add. However, it wasn't all bad. I have also been feeling a great sense of rebirth. You know when they demolish a building to put up a completely new one. That's the feeling. So in the spirit of that feeling I have decided to post about the moments that did in fact make it to Instagram. These tiny glimpses really made me smile these past few months. 

Lunch dates with my family will always make me happy.

 

An honest review on a product I adore. You can read it here

I love being a soccer mom and the kid is amazing at it. I'm ecstatic that he gets to play again.

I love impromptu beach dates and really like wearing this dress. It makes me feel sexy.

Going anywhere with this guy is fun and every now and then we remember to take a picture together.

The way to my heart :)

 I have been hesitant to do this post for a while with everything going on in the media but, having recently decided to ALWAYS put my mental health first (thank you Naomi Osaka), I felt like I needed this. I needed to be reminded to purposefully look for the little bits of magic in every day. I've dealt with depression for as long as I can remember and I can say for sure expressing myself helps a lot. With that being said, I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my world. Please drop your Instagram handles in the comment section below and tell me what you think about this post. 

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

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.

Denim and Stripes!

I don't like doing look posts. There are numerous reasons why but, the main one would probably be that I never feel like I look quite good enough to do a look post. I follow countless fashion bloggers and their look posts always set the bar so high that I often feel discouraged to do my own. 

Lately, I have had a change of heart however. Listen, I have realised that I will never be the bloggers that I idolise but, I need to give myself a little more credit. Sometimes I can actually look very put together. This particular outfit made me feel really feminine and sexy which is why I decided to share it. 

I don't wear jeans or shirts often because most of the time I am either in uniform or in sweatpants. I instantly fell in love with this shirt from Mr Price because I could literally think of a few ways to wear it. I decided to pair it with jeans (also from Mr Price) and these cute shoes from Woolies which I got on sale. The necklace is a gift and the glasses I stole from my person :) 

I look forward to seeing what other looks I can create with this shirt. Thank you for reading this post. What is your go to item at the moment? Let me know in the comment section. 

TILL LATER, LAUREN! 

 

Payot: Masque Charbon

 Hi everyone! 

I know it's been a while since I have posted but, to be honest, this pandemic just sucked  the life out of me. I was uninspired and unmotivated and really not in the mood to blog about anything . However, with life returning to somewhat normal, I have a few beauty, fashion and lifestyle posts lined up. Let's dive in to the first product I am beyond excited to share with you! 

Now I'll be the first to admit that I am the queen of beauty on a budget but, this mask is definitely worth your coins. The mask is ultra absorbent and aids in deep cleansing and exfoliating combination to oily skin. It also rids the skin of toxins,excess sebum and impurities thanks to the charcoal and kaolin it contains.  The french brand was created in 1920 by Dr. Nadia Payot and if I'm being completely frank, it seemed a bit out of my range purely because its a bit pricey. So needless to say when I got a good deal on the mask, I jumped at the chance to use it. 

What I adored about this mask was how amazing it smelled to begin with.  You know how most charcoal masks dry to an impossibly hard cast, this one does the exact opposite. Also you don't have to scrub half of your face of to get it all of. I've seen a major change in the few weeks I've been using it. The first week however, a few pimples appeared but, I figured it was just the charcoal pulling the impurities to the surface.

Lets just say if I can, I will repurchase this mask without a doubt. I look forward to the next few weeks if masking. Do you mask? What is you favourite one at the moment? I look forward to hearing from you  

TILL LATER, LAUREN  

Black Friday

Just a little throwback look post to what I wore on Black Friday. Yes, I was working so I didn't spend much time looking for bargains. Nevertheless,  I guess  I still saved money either way.

*Bodysuit, jacket, skirt and glasses : Mr Price
*Stockings : gifted
*Shoes: Legit

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

Let's get Candid! Revlon review.

My very first foundation was a Revlon one. I have a lot of fond memories of that foundation. For starters: it was the first foundation that actually fit my skin tone. I felt very sophisticated and grown up. Soon I started to venture in to other foundations and naturally other favourites arose. Which is why I was especially excited to take it back to basics for my latest review. When I saw the new Revlon Photoready CANDID foundation I had no idea that it even existed to begin with. Yes, I am not the coolest of bloggers.

Although the packaging was probably the drawing card for me ( I am only human) ,  I have to admit that the words "anti pollution foundation" was the thing that ultimately convinced my broke ass to buy the foundation. Apart from having an amazing natural finish, the foundation actually contains ingredients that protects against anti blue light aggressors. This refers to the light that emanates from digital devices such as computers and smart phones. It also leads to photo aging (aging from exposure to light) and considering the staggering amount of time we all spend on these devices; I figured it would probably do me some good to have even a little bit of protection.

There are so many things I love about the foundation. The texture is so creamy and blendable that it feels like you might be spreading butter across your face. (Not that I have ever done this but still). Just one layer gives you that barely there look. Although I like to add a little extra on my nose and underneath my eyes. The coverage is also amazing to me and all without that heavy feeling. I really hate when I am frequently aware that I am wearing foundation. I have mentioned the beautiful packaging but I want to take special moment to mention the pump/tube hybrid. It just makes life so much easier for me. No leakage and I get to control exactly how much product I use. All in all this my favourite Revlon foundation so far and I am going to keep repurchasing until Revlon decides to send me a complimentary stash. HA!

This little tube of love retails for R149,95 (22ml) and I am currently using shade 400 (Macadamia). The range also includes the Photoready Candid Concealer and Photoready Candid Setting Powder which I cannot wait to dip into. How are you liking the range?

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

Behind the scenes: CATRICE's eye foundation

Have you ever spent what seems like an eternity on a beautiful eye look just to have it half disappear in the middle of the day? Or half of the glitter you have applied to your lids end up on your cheeks? Yep, as melodramatic as that sounds: no one likes wasting a good eye look. That might be the main reason I was so intrigued by Catrice's Eye Foundation.

Now you might be wonder why on earth would I need this in my life but the real question is: why would you not? It's waterproof and matte which means there is no need to reapply your make up during the day.

The primer creates a smooth canvas for both powder and cream eyeshadow. You  guys know the struggle of cream eyeshadow when it creases or glitter that won't stay. I have a glittery cream eyeshadow that I adore and trust me, with this eyeshadow primer,  it won't budge. Not even if you pay it to.

So you see, I have really found this eyeshadow primer useful. It has made my life so much easier and I am definitely going to repurchase (It retails for R69,95). Are you using an eye primer that you ready to tell the world about? Start with me, I would love to hear from you.

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!

Winter Beauty Savers #2

Hi there!

Welcome to my second instalment of my "winter beauty savers" series. This is going to be a quick one because I have only used the product once; but I'm just so amazed that I just couldn't wait to share it. You see, I have been struggling with my hair for the longest time. If its not split ends; its breakage and winter is especially damage inducing.

I recently bought this Tresemme Keratin Smooth 5  benefits mask after seeing everyone rave about it on social media. Saying that I'm desperate at this point would be an understatement so, I was really hoping for the best with this one.

 I haven't bought the Keratin Smooth Shampoo yet so, I used this hair mask with a different shampoo and kept it on for about half an hour because I figured my hair needed a bit more TLC. I was astonished by the results however.

 The mask promises up to 72 hours of frizz control, supposedly detangles, softens and  tames fly aways all with the help of Marula Oil. Guys, let me tell you after one use I was ready to cry. 

My hair was visibly more silky. It was also more manageable and overall just looked a lot better than it had been for the past few months. If you haven't guessed already, I am definitely going to repurchase this until I cannot anymore. I have high hopes for the long term results. 300ml retails for R84,95 and it is worth every cent.

Have you used this hair mask from Tresemme? I would love to hear what your experience with it was like. If you would like me to check out your blog, leave the link in the comments:)

TILL LATER, LAUREN!

Words : Self worth

Realising your own worth is probably easier said than done. I would know. Having battled with depression up until I gave birth to my son, I was always one to sell myself short.

Looking on the bright side must have been alot easier before social media became such a prominent part of our lives. On my worst days: it seemed like everyone was doing better than I was. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter taunted me with perfect relationships, luxe holidays and to-die-for wardrobes.Yes, nowadays it is easy to get caught up in your own pity party.

This is why I actively look for ways to inject a little positivity, not only into my own life, but into the lives of others. We may not all lead perfect lives but, I strongly feel that we all have a purpose. God did not create any rejects and, while doubting ourselves might be the easy route to take, let's not.

Let us force ourselves to seek out the positive things. To be honest, no one else will help you achieve it. Waiting around for validation from others is a futile pursuit.  Trust me, I used to be the queen of seeking validation from others. And even when you do get it; it's a hole that doesn't stay filled up for long.

To make a long story short, I wrote this post with one purpose in mind. To make sure we all realise that there are always going to be difficult times. Shit is always going to happen but, wallowing in your sorrows is not going to get you anywhere. Pull yourself together and soldier on while you still have the opportunity. And while you are at it: sprinkle a little positivity wherever you go.

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

TILL LATER, LAUREN!