Hi Divas
Dr Jart is a fairly new Korean skincare brand that is taking the world by storm. They started online in 2005 and have since expanded their wings across the cosmetic market. I have always wanted to get my hands on their products and am so happy that they are now stocked at Sephora. For those of you who don't know, I am a huge fanatic of Korean skincare, especially their sheet masks. I was very excited to pick up this mask on one of my trips to Sephora in Doha. Sheet masks are a great way to try out new brands without spending a fortune on their ranges. I figured if I like this mask, I would dip my toes deeper into what they have to offer regarding their different skin care lines. The Brightening Solution mask is marketed to those who suffer from a dull complexion and uneven skin tone. The mask promises to provide a more youthful and radiant appearance while visibly brightening pigmentation problems. Since I am a woman of colour, I do have some uneven skin tone on my forehead. This is very common around woman with tan to deep skin, as sometimes our skin tone tends to suffer discolouration due to sun exposure or blemishes. I do want to note that this is not a whitening product but a mask designed to help treat discolouration and dullness in the face.


The sheet mask is made of ultra-fine microfibre that luxuriously softens the skin. Since the mask is made of such a soft fibre it is held together by a mesh netting. The mask contains Niacinamide, Bisabolol as well as, Glutathione which is an anti-oxidant. All these ingredients are very beneficial and effective in treating dark spots, brightening the skin and preventing unwanted pigmentation spots from developing. The ingredients are listed on the back of the packaging and they seem to be very impressive. I love that Niacinamide is so highly listed, which means that there is a high percentage of it in the essence. Niacinamide is one of my absolute favourite skin care ingredients, as it not only brightens skin but aides in preventing premature ageing. With all these vital ingredients the mask does have a medicinal scent when opening and applied on the face but it doesn't last long. The actual essence has a creamy milky and thick texture. It absorbs well into the skin and feels very soothing and nourishing. It hydrates and moisturises the skin too. It doesn't feel sticky or leave an unwanted residue. Instead the leftover serum mixes well with my night cream and my skin is left feeling ultra-moisturised.


The sheet fibre is made of a soft cotton which absorbs the essence well. The mask is drenched in product which I love. The only con I have with the fibre is that it is designed way to small. I could barely fit the holes of the mask over my face without the product dripping into my eyes. I shudder to think what a man might go through if they try to use this. Men are very much into skin care too these days and I'm afraid that this mask might only moisturise half their face. Other than that, the mask fits snug on the face and adheres well. It is very comfortable to wear and I totally forgot it was on and wore it for more than 30 minutes. The fibre feels very soft and nourishing on the face. You really do feel like you are giving yourself a spa treatment at the end of the day.


 Follow me on Instagram and Snapchat at @divadesle ;-)

After removing the mask and adding my face cream, I couldn't believe the radiant glow that this mask gave me. My face looked so healthy and had a natural luminosity to it. Even though this is a brightening mask, I absolutely love how moisturising this product is. I was very surprised by this as most brightening products do not add that extra hydration. Even the next day, my face looked plump and youthful. This mask would be great as an extra step to treat hyper pigmentation. You will not see immediate results in that area, as dark spots take time to fade. It is a great addition to help in evening out your skin tone. This is an excellent mask that would suite all skin types. It is very well made and the ingredient list is top notch. I recommend it to anyone looking to add a little extra treatment and nourishment into their routine. I definitely want to purchase more when I get the chance.



Hope you found this review helpful. 
Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses! 
Xxxx

Hi Divas

How beautiful is this bronzer? Too beautiful to resist, I tell you. When I first laid eyes on it in Sephora I completely almost lost all sense of control. I think most makeup addicts can relate to this trance like state I am speaking off when they see new gorgeous cosmetics. I swear, Too Faced is that one brand that gets me hooked at first sight whenever it comes to their pretty packaging. The brand recently decided to vamp up their whole bronzer collection with a completely new look. They changed the solid gold packaging for a classy and sleek compact. They too added a new addition to the range, which is the Chocolate Gold Bronzer. I am a serious chocolate addict of note therefore anything that resembles and smells like chocolate, I am all for it. When I swatched it in store, my heart skipped several beats and I immediately put it in my basket. This Diva cannot pass on this gold chocolate goodness.


The packaging of this bronzer is all things luxurious and timeless. The compact is round and has sleek gold trimmings and rich brown themes. It reminds me of chocolate wrapped in pretty gold paper in a candy box. You know, when you unwrap a chocolate and reveal its sweet surprise. This compact is just like that. It is quite sturdy and comes with a decent size mirror. There is a cute gold heart that serves as a clasp to open and close the compact. I love how classic and sophisticated the packaging is but it still has that cute girly factor that Too Faced is well loved for. On the inside, chocolate gold lettering is embossed into the bronzing formula. It's so pretty that I have been swirling my brush around the letters to not disrupt the engravings. Another makeup addict problem, LOL!


The bronzer is described as a luminous brown with real shimmering gold. The colour is a soft milky chocolate brown with a radiant glow. Even though there are specks of gold in the pan, when swatched and applied on the face it does not give off a completely shimmery look. There are no chunks of glitter which I love. Instead the glow is soft and the shimmers are light and gives a soft shine. Any age can wear this bronzer as it would look like a natural sun kissed glow. The shade is slightly cooler in tone than what I am used too. Most bronzers that I have used have an orange tinge to them. This one does not. It's rich in brown tones without that orange tint. I can therefore use it as a contour shade as well as a bronzer as the shade is slightly cool. I like to use it in the hollows of my cheeks, around my temples and on my eyes. The formula is soft, smooth and buttery. It blends easily on the face and looks rich in pigmentation. A little product goes a long way. The formula is quite soft and therefore there is some fallout in the pan but not on the face.


The scent of the bronzer is absolutely divine. Whenever you open the compact you are hit with a delicious cocoa scent as the product is made with 100% natural cocoa powder and real gold. The scent is not artificial or overwhelming. It's so inviting and lifts my mood completely. The scent does not last on the face though. You won't be smelling like a chocolate box throughout the day, if you were worried. As you can see in the photos above, the bronzer compliments my medium skin tone really well. If you have a deeper complexion, the shade might be a little too light for you as a deep bronzer but you can use it to give a warm luminous glow to the face. The bronzer lasts well throughout the day on my cheeks and eyes. It does not fade or become muddy. The luminous glow is natural and not overbearing. The brown shade is soft and flattering too. I am honestly so in love with the chocolate gold bronzer. It is a gorgeous addition to my makeup collection and definitely recommend it.



Hope you found this review helpful. Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

I purchased these Coconut Ceramide masks at a Sephora in Qatar. I love that Sephora has been stocking more Kbeauty products lately. Their sheet mask range as improved greatly within the store. Too Cool For School is a well-known Korean beauty brand. I have only tried their Pumpkin 24K Gold Sheet Mask. You can read that review here. The brand has some cult products which Kbeauty fanatics rave about. I love trying new sheet masks and the packaging of the coconut ceramide mask looked too cute to resist. When I came across these coconut masks, I immediately wanted to try it. Firstly, I love the scent of coconut. It always seems so refreshing and calming to me. Secondly coconut is known to have many great benefits to our bodies inside and out. These masks were one of the most affordable available in the skin care range. I love finding new products that are budget friendly too.

The mask is filled with freshly squeezed coconut water and ceramides, and is described as having brightening and anti-wrinkle properties too. Coconut water has wonderful benefits to hydrate and soothe dry, dull and irritated skin. You can use it as an everyday moisturiser because it replenishes and hydrates the flakiest skin. It contains anti-bacterial properties which help relieve and prevent acne as well. Coconut water is well known for creating a natural glowing complexion. It helps fade sun tan marks as well as blemishes and pigmentation problems. Ceramides are naturally found in our skin and they serve as protecting building blocks to keep in moisture, retain elasticity and acts as protective walls against pollution and other outside harmful elements. Ceramides are responsible for keeping our skin firm and supple. As we age these ceramides breakdown therefore using skin care which contain ceramides help the skin stay moisturised, firm and healthy.

The mask is made out of a thin cotton fibre and is packaged securely with two plastic protective sheets around it. The actual sheet is very delicate and you should handle it with care when applying it to your face as it might tear. The sheet is drenched in essence and there is a lot of product left over in the outside packaging. I would suggest you keep the rest of the essence in the fridge to use the next day. The sheet mask fits really comfortable on the face and feels very cooling and hydrating. The actual essence has a light consistency but it is not too runny. I absolutely love the fresh coconut scent of this mask as it is not artificial or too overbearing. This is honestly one of my favourite masks I have ever used. It feels so moisturizing and soothing on the face. I could wear this mask for a full hour as it does not dry out easily and sits snug on the face. My skin feels so refreshed, hydrated and calm after using it. It does not leave an unwanted sticky residue as some sheet masks tend to do. The remaining essence on my face blends wonderfully into my moisturiser.

I can truly tell the difference in the hydration levels and suppleness of my skin after using this mask. I would wear it at night and wake up to soft, glowing and healthy looking skin in the morning. I used these during the cold Winter months too and they made such a difference to my skin care routine. I definitely recommend these masks and cannot wait to purchase more. They are available on Ebay too if you cannot get to a Sephora. By the way, follow me on Snapchat @divadesle, to see more crazy sheet mask selfies. ;-)

Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas!


This is my long awaited Too Faced Born This Way Foundation review. Too Faced is my absolute favourite brand at Sephora. If I could own every Too Faced product ever sold at Sephora I would have lived a happy and full life. No jokes! When the foundation first launched, my heart was aching to get my hands on it. The foundation is described as a 'I woke up like this' coverage. Yes honey, sign me up for that FLAWLESS look! Before I move onto my review, I want to send a huge shout out to Kim from Avery Sweet Blog. I literally stalked her Too Faced foundation blog post till I was blue in the face. Read her foundation review here! I purchased my bottle at Sephora in Qatar. I had a strategy before I went in. After stalking Kim's blog post and figuring out my foundation shade, I decided to walk in Sephora with confidence, pick up my shade and walk straight to the till. Why am I telling you this, you may ask? Firstly, Sephora consultants are sometimes known to give people wrong shade advice. I know this because it has happened to me before. Some are not truly trained and end up guessing what your shade is, like the rest of us. Since I was in a foreign country I couldn't afford to make any shade mistakes with my Hard Earned Money and No Return Policy since I will be more than a 1000's of kilometres away in my own country when I finally break open the bottle. Hence, I did just that! I walked into Sephora picked up the bottle and walked straight to the till. NO REGRETS!

On to the Review:


Born This Way foundation promises to give medium to full coverage while still looking like a second skin. It claims to blur imperfections, and give an undetectable makeup base, hence the 'Born This Way' and I woke up like this' name and tagline. The product is infused with Coconut water to hydrate the skin, Alpine Rose to brighten the face and encourage elasticity. It also has Hyaluronic Acid for a smooth and vibrant appearance. The foundation is packaged in a gorgeous 30ml frosted bottle with a black cap and pump with touches of gold. Too Faced is known for their beautiful packaging and this product deserves full marks in that department. There are 24 shades in the range and I have it in Warm Beige. This is truly the most exact shade match I have ever had in my life. I usually struggle to find my true shade in foundations. I almost always have to mix and match base colours. This foundation shade matches my skin tone to perfection. When I apply the shade you cannot tell the difference between my neck and face, it just blends into one. I am super impressed. In Winter I do have to lighten it slightly. I would mix my Catrice foundation or my Peripera BB cream for a lighter colour.


The texture of the product is like a yoghurt. It is not too stiff and not too runny. It has a creamy consistency. I adore that the foundation has a pump. It definitely gives a mess free application. One pump is enough to cover the whole face for an everyday natural look. I usually do one and a half pumps for a full face. It covers well while still looking natural. With two full pumps it gives me super full coverage to the point where I don't feel like I need to wear concealer sometimes. I have applied the foundation with my hands, brush and a makeup sponge. My best application is with my hands. I prefer this method as I get full coverage while still looking natural. The sponge absorbs way too much product and this foundation is like gold to me so I cannot afford to waste a drop. The brush gives a lovely finish too. If I apply two pumps, I definitely buff it in with a brush for even coverage. On an everyday basis I use one pump and use my hands for a natural look. Once applied on the face it blends well onto the skin. It does not sit on top of the face giving a mask like appearance. It truly looks like your skin but better.


As you can see in the photo above my face looks flawless and so natural. I just love the coverage this foundation gives me. It feels so lightweight on the skin, yet covers dark areas and imperfections. The foundation dries down to a matte and sometimes semi matte finish, depending on your skin type. I have combination skin, therefore I always set my face with a powder. It blends well with cream products and powders too. It does not transfer or move throughout the day. I found that whether my face is dry, oily, or whatever moisturiser or primer I use, my foundation still blends effortlessly and sits comfortably on the face. I have no dry patches, or problems with it sinking into fine lines. I have worn this product in the heat of Summer and the cold chilly Winter and I have to say it has never given me any problems. The coconut water and hyaluronic acid truly help in giving a smooth, radiant and healthy face. It truly is remarkable. I once asked my mom if she could tell if I was wearing anything on my face. She said my face looked perfect but she couldn't tell if I was wearing foundation or not.

 Final thoughts:
There are so many mixed reviews online regarding this product. Many people love it while many hate it too. I am totally in love with it, cannot live without it spectrum. I have no idea why, but this foundation has truly worked well for my skin. I am going to come out and say it, this is my holy grail foundation. I have not used anything to date that has impressed me this much.I loved it so much that I bought a second bottle. If I ever get the chance I would buy a third bottle for safe keeping, LOL. Let me know your thoughts down below. Do you love or hate this foundation? Is it on your wish list? Thank you so much for reading.


Hope you found this review helpful.
Lots of love.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Pamper Sunday: The Faceshop Real Nature Sheet Masks Review

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Lotus, Peony, Calendula, Red Ginseng

Hi Divas!

As you all know, I am crazy about sheet masks and love trying new varieties. I have discovered some lovely sheet masks on Ebay that won't break the bank. They are all from a well known Korean skincare brand called The Face Shop. These sheet masks are in the Real Nature flower range and come in a pack of three for only $4 (R50). Yes, that is right, $4 (R50)! Three excellent face masks for R50 is such a bargain. One face mask at Clicks or Dischem comes in that price already. Jackpot!!! As you can see I struggle to contain my excitement. I just love finding new skin care products that won't make my wallet cry. Below are my reviews.  Hope you find them helpful.

Red Ginseng: This was my first time using red ginseng and I was pretty taken aback by the strong scent. I had no idea what red ginseng smells like. It takes some time getting used to. I find it quite herbal and medicinal. Red Ginseng has been used in Asia for centuries! Benefits for the skin include anti ageing properties, giving energy and vitality to the skin, anti inflammatory components and more. Out of all the masks I used, I would have to say this one gave the most results. It truly impressed me. Not only did it give moisture to my skin, but my face looked healthy and smooth after two days using this mask. It truly is remarkable. The consistency of the essence is quite runny. You have to be careful when applying it to your face that it does not drip all over the place. The colour of the essence is brown and might stain your clothes. Do wear and old shirt while using the mask. I highly recommend this mask. It gives lovely results.

Lotus: This sheet mask is all about Hydration and keeping your skin fully moisturised. Lotus extract contains Vitamin C and B which boosts radiance and a brighter complexion. It also contains alpha hydroxy acids which exfoliates and purifies the skin. I find this mask to be very calming and hydrating. It has a milky texture which comforts dry rough skin. I love that the essence has a creamy texture and does not drip down the face and neck. I definitely recommend these if you want a comforting moisturising mask.

Peony: Peony extract has been used in ancient China for medicinal purposes. It is known to have anti inflammatory properties which relieves irritations and treats wounds. This sheet mask is specifically designed for skin radiance. Peony extract brightens the complexion because of the tannin components. After using this face mask my skin is left with a natural and healthy glow. I love the way this mask makes my face feel. I look well rested and radiant. The texture of the essence is gel like and absorbs quickly into the skin. This sheet mask has a lovely floral scent too. 

Calendula: Calendula extract helps soothe dry rough skin. It removes dead skin cells from the surface and treats inflammation. This sheet mask has a floral scent but not overpowering. Definitely smoothes the skin. The mask feels soft and comforting on the face. It is truly great for irritated dry skin. The essence is creamy and nourishing and gives excellent moisture. Since the essence has a thicker consistency it does not drip down the neck as most sheet masks do.

This is me in all my sheet mask glory! Follow me on Snapchat (DIVADESLE) to see more crazy snaps. I am super impressed by the quality of the masks. The actual cotton sheets are sturdy and soft. They fit well on the face and do not break easily or slide off.  All the masks are drenched in essence, so the brand is not holding back on product. I love them and will be buying more. Let me know if you have tried any of the masks and you can recommend some of your favourites to me too.


Lots of love.
Divalicious Kisses!

Xxxxx

Sephora Collection Makeup Haul

Hi Divas

As most of you may know, I have been to Qatar many times. On each trip I do a crazy shopping haul and purchase things that are not available in South Africa. One of my first and most important stops is SEPHORA!!! I remember the first time I was in a Sephora store back in 2013. I was so excited and overwhelmed, I didn't know where to start and what to buy. I was on a budget too and had to be wise on what I spend my money on. The Sephora Collection brand stood out to me because they had an array of cosmetics all at affordable prices. Each time I went on my little trips I would buy a product from the Sephora counters. The Sephora Collection brand never disappointed me. I feel that this brand has excellent quality and deserve more hype and praise than what they are getting now. I would like to share some of my absolute favourite products from the brand with you.This is going to be a LOooooong review, so get your coffee and your snacks! ;-)



Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Face Powder: This is one of my favourite products from the Sephora brand. I love it so much that I am on my second powder compact. The product is described as an ultra light foundation that gives a smooth and air brushed complexion. This is a baked powder infused with green tea extract and radiance boosting minerals. It is designed as a powder foundation that gives a flawless finish with a no makeup, makeup look. I have the shade Light Nude as I bought it as a brightening setting powder and not to be used as a foundation. Since the actual pigment powders are so finely milled, I prefer to lightly sweep this under my eyes on the top parts of my cheeks and top of my forehead and chin area. All the places I like to highlight I would dust this powder on my face for a natural radiant glow. It truly is amazing. It gives my face an airbrushed look and sets my makeup without caking up. The packaging is solid and with 7g of product it lasts a really long time.

Sephora Shimmering Bronzing Powder: I admit that I bought this bronzing compact mainly for the packaging at first. I couldn't resist the beautiful orange sunray design on the compact and inside the case. To my surprise, this turned out to be a wonderful multi purpose bronzer. I chose the shade Light Seychelle Cruise as I didn't really know what to expect and I am not much of a bronzing person since I am tan already, LOL. I use it to give a sun kissed glow to my cheeks and as a lovely warm toned eyeshadow. The bronzer comes in three different colours. There are two tones of brown and a lovely shade of a rosy pink. There is also tiny specks of shimmer in the product. It is so small that it hardly shows up on the face. It does give a pretty radiant glow though. When you mix all three pigments together you get a natural warm sun kissed colour on the skin. The bronzer works perfectly on the eyes as a transition shade too. I have already mentioned that the packaging is beautiful but the compact is great for travel as it is durable and comes with a good sized mirror. I definitely recommend it and would buy another one if I ran out.



Sephora Colourful 5 Shadow Palette: If my memory serves me correct, this was one of the first products I bought from Sephora. The eyeshadows are from the Colourful 5 collection. There are 8 palettes in the range all consisting of 5 shadows. I chose the Pale to Rich Taupe palette which is a neutral toned compact filled with brown and skin toned eyeshadows. There are no names for the eyeshadows so I will refer to them by colour. The darkest shade is a rich matte chocolate brown great for the crease and lower lash line. There are three satin shades consisting of a golden brown with slight glitter specks in it which can be used on the lid or crease for a smokey eye. There is a beautiful satin taupe shade that has purple and brown undertones and looks lovely on the lids as a sultry look. The next satin shade is a creamy champagne shadow that would look flattering on any skin tone. It is my favourite eyeshadow in the palette. The last shade is a full on glitter pearl eyeshadow which can be worn as a topper over the champagne satin shade or as an inner corner eye highlight. The quality of the shadows are wonderful. They are pigmented and blend easily. I will do a more in depth review on this palette at a later stage.

Sephora The Mascara Volume, Length & Definition: This is a mini version of the actual mascara. I picked this up while waiting in the queue at Sephora. They usually have travel size products at the till area and I just couldn't resist this little cutie. This mascara promises to give length, volume and define your lashes all in one sweep. I have the colour 03 Ultra Black. This size is really great to travel with and throw in your purse. It gives lovely volume and definition to my lashes. The shade is a true black and coats the lashes really well. I like the size of the wand. The brush is thick and filled with bristles which grab the lashes easily and gives good volume and lift. This is not a waterproof mascara and has a tendency to smudge before it dries. Make sure your mascara is completely dry before you attempt to place any eye makeup on the eyes or setting spray. I have exercised in this mascara and it does not run or flake. It also removes easily with a cleansing face wash. I recommend this mascara for travel. It's a good mascara for a quick fix but not for a glam night out.

Sephora Rouge Cream R61: I love Sephora lipsticks. They are seriously good quality. They have an array of shades to choose from. Each colour is highly pigmented and rich in texture. The formula of the creams are beautiful. It glides on the lips effortlessly without it bleeding or smudging everywhere. The creams feel comfortable on the lips and give a slight shine. Your lips will look plump and vibrant. I have the shade R61 Lucky One, which is a deep pink rose. It's like a browny pink tone and looks very flattering on the lips. This is my second lipstick from the Sephora Collection and I totally want to purchase more. The packaging is a sleek black plastic case with the Sephora label in bold silver letters. The design is stylish yet sturdy. It won't break easily and looks lovely displayed on a vanity table.


Let me know if you tried any of these products below. Thank you so much for reading.
Lots of love.
Divalicious Kisses!
Xxxx

Pamper Sunday:

What is a HydroGel Mask?

Koelf Gold Royal Jelly Review

Hi Divas!

I am aware that you guys are just getting over the sheet mask craze but have you heard of Hydrogel masks? I know, I can't keep up either! Well hydrogel masks are the new skin care craze to hit the cosmetic industry by storm. It all started in Korea (because that is where great skin care exist) and is at this very moment slowly seeping into a store near you. For those of you who know me, I am a sheet mask diva! I use one every Sunday and I got my mom hooked too. I swear I can never go back to a two step skin care regime after trying Korean products. Those days are gone and moved on. You can read my sheet mask review here, where I explain what they are and their benefits if you are interested.

Koelf Gold Royal Jelly HydroGel Mask Review:
 My skincare stash consists mainly of cotton sheet masks. I was very excited to try this mask because it was my first experience with a hydrogel and I have never used the brand Koelf. Koelf falls under the Korean skincare brand Petitfee who are famous for their face masks and hydrating eye patches. I chose the Gold Royal Jelly mask because it claimed to provide moisture as well as improve elasticity to the skin, aka decrease wrinkles and prevent ageing. ;-)  Some ingredients consist of green tea and mugwort extract. All beneficial in hydrating and soothing the skin. The mask has beautiful gold packaging but unfortunately has no English instructions. Also the tagline, ''The mask of Elves'' is hilarious to me and I have no idea why that tag line is there. What do elves have to do with hydrogels? Do elves have beautiful skin? Hahaha, I have not got a clue. Any way all my information I got online and not on the packaging.

The mask comes with plastic covers on both sides to protect it. The texture is soft and jelly-like, so do be careful to not tear or break it when you apply it on your face. The hydrogel is gold in colour and is made up of two parts. One is for the top half of the face, the other for the bottom and there are extra pieces for your eyes and nose. I like to use these extra pieces on my neck. The actual mask fits very well on the face but it does feel kind of heavy. It does not stick as well as it claims. So I end up laying on the couch any way and not doing other activities. The mask can definitely be worn for 45 minutes or more. It is very moisturising and feels so soft on the skin. When you are done you can pull it off and pat the extra serum left in the gold packet onto your skin. The mask feels very luxurious and super hydrating. My face is left soft and looks radiant after use.  I cannot comment on the anti ageing claims as I have not used it long enough to see any visible effects. It will revive tired and dull skin, thus making you look more youthful and vibrant.


 Do I recommend HydroGel Masks?
Yes, I do recommend these masks. They feel very moisturising and rich on the skin. Do I think they are better than ordinary sheet masks? No I don't. While hydro gels feel super luxurious, I think that cotton sheet masks give me the same hydration and skin benefits. It would all depend on what mask you personally prefer. I enjoy using both but would probably stick to sheet masks because of the price difference. Hydrogel masks can cost twice as much as a regular sheet masks. If I see a hydro gel mask I really like I would definitely buy it but I don't think it is a necessity. Have you tried any hydro gel masks? Let me know below! Hope you found this review helpful.




Thank you so much for reading.
Divalicious Kisses!
Xxxx

Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder Review

Hi Divas

This week we will be flying all the way to Korea again for another K-Beauty product review. Innisfree as I mentioned before is a very popular Korean cosmetic brand that offers skincare and makeup. I love this brand too bits as they mainly use natural ingredients, are paraben free, do not test on animals and they use recycled packaging for their products. The Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder is known among K-Beauty fanatics as their holy grail setting powder of life! I wanted to know what the fuss was all about too and decided to purchase one. I am now on my second tub of this and I love it so much. It definitely deserves holy grail status. Here is why....

Firstly, the product is made up of Jeju natural minerals which control sebum production and absorbs any excess oils. Since this is a mineral based makeup product the powder does not absorb into the skin or creep into your pores. Instead it protects the skin from free radicals and acts as a barrier locking in your makeup from outside environment factors. Mineral powders do not smother your face either. It allows the skin to breath, thus giving it a natural non cakey look while eliminating sebum from the skin. The texture of the product is a soft white loose powder. It is very finely milled and if you shake the tub a little too hard the particles can float off into the air. This is strictly a finishing powder and not a foundation powder. It is translucent on your skin and does not interfere with your foundation or blush shades.

 So how does this perform throughout the day you may ask? Well excellently, let me tell you! I have combination skin and can get quite oily in my t-zone during the Summer months. When I use this powder, I first apply all my makeup products then lightly sweep this all over my face with my larger powder brush. The powder gives a smooth finish on your skin almost like a porcelain doll. It blends all your blush, highlight and cream contours effortlessly together. Your skin looks matte but not flat. During the day your makeup stays locked on your face. Usually my blush and foundation around my nose would wear off because of oils, but this product keeps your makeup from fading and melting off your face. Sometimes if it is a very hot day I have to do touch ups but this rarely happens to me. If you set your makeup with a setting spray then you definitely won't have this problem.

The product comes packaged in a 5g mint green tub with a screw on lid. It has a built in sifter and an application puff. I prefer to use my powder brush to apply the product but if you are travelling and limited to makeup brushes, you could totally use the soft fluffy puff to tap on the powder. I love travelling with this when I am overseas because it is so small and fits into the tiniest makeup bag. You can even keep it in your clutch bag for touch ups later on in the day. The best thing about this product is that it only costs $6/R70. How amazing is that? Usually makeup powders are expensive and don't even do what you want it to do. This is so affordable and easy on the pocket. You can purchase it on Ebay and Amazon. You surely won't be disappointed.


Hope you found this review helpful.
Divalicious kisses.
Xxxx

Hello gorgeous Divas!

This week I bring to you the creme de la creme of all eyeshadow palettes! As most of you may know I am a Too Faced fanatic. All their makeup products speaks to my pink, cute and all things pretty fetishes. When I saw the ultra gorgeous packaging of this beauty, I knew I had to get my hands on it. So how did I obtain the stunning Bon Bons palette you may ask? Well I saved up my spending money and skipped on some lunch and dinner meals, literally! When I was in Qatar back in April, I knew that I wanted to get something sweet from Sephora. In my first few days I was there, I priced this palette and a few other things. It was really expensive and I was debating whether I should get it or not because I didn't want to use my credit card. On my last day in Qatar I had saved some of my spending money and went straight to Sephora and bought the palette with my eyes closed. I knew it was a now or never purchase. Buy or cry, was my motto for the day. At that point I had no more money left to buy lunch, dinner or let alone pay for a taxi back to the hotel. I was hoping that my Qatari boss would take us out for a last supper kind of thing and pay for my meals and give me a ride. He did by the way, hahaha. I left Qatar with a 'broke as heck' face, but with a happy heart because my palette was in my suitcase. Crazy I know. The life of a beauty junkie is real people. ;-D

The Bon Bons palette is the third edition to the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette family. What makes it so unique is the breakout packaging from the other two palettes. The original, which I own, and the Semi Sweet chocolate bar palette have the standard chocolate bar blocks engraved on them. They look exactly like a huge slab of delicious chocolate. This one however is pink and covered in embossed hearts. It makes my heart melt whenever I look at it. Did I mention I am a sucker for all things cute, girly and pink? ;-) Thank goodness Too Faced did not change the scent of this one. When you open the palette that decadent cocoa smell hits you in the face just like the original palette. There are 16 eyeshadows, 14 of which are in the heart shaped pans and two in the rectangular shaped pans. It comes with a standard mirror and a how to use pamphlet to give you some makeup ideas and inspirations. The palette is slim and has a magnetic closure. It is sturdy enough to travel with and will look absolutely stunning on any vanity table.

The quality of the eyeshadows definitely does not disappoint. Not only is the packaging absolutely stunning but so is the pigmentation and wearability of the shades.There are 5 true matte shades which are Almond Truffle, Pecan Praline, Bordeaux, Mocha and Malted. There are also 2  borderline matte shades with the tiniest specks of glitter in them, named Cashew Chew and Divinity. The palette has 2 with a metallic finish called Cafe Au Lait and Molasses Chip. Along with those are 6 with a satin finish known as Satin Sheets, Cotton Candy, Sprinkles, Dark Truffle, Totally Fetched and Earl Grey. There is one pop of shimmery glitter called Black Currant which is a deep purple/plum shade. All the eyeshadows are very pigmented and buildable. They are buttery and blend out easily without much effort. I especially love the matte shades in this palette as they are not powdery at all but so smooth and great to work with.

There are many options for lid a colour which makes this palette a treat to use. I love that I will never get bored in creating signature makeup styles. I especially love to use Satin Sheets and Molasses Chip on my eyelids for a gorgeous bright appearance. The pink shades Sprinkle and Cotton Candy look like sparkling strawberry milkshake shades on the eyes. I love using that combination to create a fun and pink romantic look. The colours really stand out on my honey skin tone. The eyeshadows that have created the most hype are of cause Earl Grey and Totally Fetched. These pops of colour are quite unique in the Chocolate bar family. Totally Fetched is a deep fuchsia pink which I love to use as a transition shade. Earl Grey is a lovely dark teal shade which works best in the crease or on the outer V of the eyelid. If you love experimenting with colour and trying out new combinations then this palette is right up your alley.

I wanted to incorporate as many eyeshadows as I could into my makeup look. I prefer doing actual tutorials than swatches on my blog. There are many swatches of the eyeshadows all over the internet if you want a more in depth look. I used 6 eyeshadows to create my look below. I swept Divinity all over my upper lid and brow bow area as a white base to blend my eyeshadows. I placed Satin Sheets right under my brow bone and on the inner corners of my eyes as a highlight. For my transition shade I blended Almond Truffle which is a warm brown mauve and lightly dusted the fuchsia pink Totally Fetched just underneath it and into my crease. For my outer V, I blended Earl Grey on my lids and dragged it to the centre of my eyes. I then placed Molasses Chip on the inner corner of the eyes and dragged it to the centre to merge with Earl Grey. I carefully and gradually blended the edges together in the centre where the two shades meet. I mirrored the look on the bottom lash line as well. I then added eyeliner on the bottom lash line, a dramatic winged liner on the top lash line and added loads of mascara. I have to admit it took me three attempts to perfect this look and i finally got it right. I think it came out pretty good ;-)

To conclude my review, I am utterly in love with this palette. This is a cool toned eyeshadow palette that does not disappoint. It is packed with a lot of gorgeous shades both in the matte and shimmer department. The packaging is perfect and any makeup junkie would be a fool to pass out on it. I give this palette a whole lot of divaliscious kisses. Is it a palette that you definitely need? The answer is No. If you have other eyeshadows similar in your collection to these then you don't really need the palette. Is it a beautiful palette that a makeup junkie should own to add to their collection? The answer is a big fat Yes! Need I say more? ;-)

Lots of Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

All About Sheet Masks:

Etude House, Innisfree, Beyond and Tony Moly

Hello Divas!

This week on the blog we will learn and explore all about Sheet Masks. Sheet Masks have been all the rage lately. Koreans were the first to pioneer it and the masks have been one of their skincare essentials for years. The Western World has only recently caught on the sheet mask craze. I first found out about sheet masks when I started exploring the world of Korean cosmetics. The first time I saw and used a sheet mask, 2 years ago, I was super scared. I did not know how to apply it and if it will be too harsh for my skin or not. Plus the instructions were in Korean so I didn't know what the heck was going on. I decided to cross my fingers and my toes and give it a go! To my surprise, sheet masks was the best thing that happened to my skincare routine. I am now 100% hooked! In the Asian markets there are hundreds of different types of sheet masks all catering to an array of skin types and needs. Today I will introduce and share some of my favourites with you.

What is a Sheet Mask?

Sheet masks are cotton fibre sheets that are soaked in essences or serums. These serums or essences are usually liquid in texture and contain active ingredients which hydrate, soothe and treat problem skin. Think of it as a facial in a packet! Most sheet masks contain natural ingredients, that once opened you cannot use it again. Each sheet mask is meant to be used once and thrown away as it may expire or allow bacteria to grow on it. Choose a sheet mask that is most suited to your skin type or skin concern. If you are suffering from dry skin, try a shea butter or hyaluronic acid sheet mask to provide extra moisture to your skin. If you have tired and dark spots, then try a lemon or pearl mask for brightening.

How to use a Sheet Mask?
 The application is very easy. All you have to do is tear the mask packet, carefully take out and unfold the sheet mask. Depending on the brand, some sheet masks can be thin and break easily. Other sheet masks are quite runny and can drip on your clothes or down your neck. Make sure you are not wearing your Sunday best when doing your mask. Place the sheet mask on your clean and washed face. You will see holes for your eyes, nose and mouth. Most sheet masks don't fit perfectly as each face shape is different. You can adjust the sheet mask to fit your profile the way you want it too. Once it is on your face, you can leave it on for 20 minutes and have some tea, read a book or just relax. I like to leave mine on for 30 minutes. When the time has passed, remove the mask sheet and throw it away. You can squeeze the excess serum into your hand and gently pat it on your face. Do not wash the serum off. Leave it to soak into your skin for the rest of the day or night. You can go about doing your normal skincare routine such as applying creams and makeup if you want to.


Why Sheet Masks? What's the hype?
Sheet masks are by no means a miracle worker. If you have serious problem skin it is best to visit your dermatologist and get proper treatment. I see sheet masks as a convenient way to give yourself an at home spa treatment. It is a great pick me up for tired and dehydrated skin. Your face will look radiant and feel so good after a sheet mask. It is a temporary solution to your skin problem. I love to wear my sheet mask at night and leave the essence to soak into my skin. In the morning my face feels super hydrated, brightened and perky. If you don't go for regular facials at a spa then this is a great way to give your skin an extra boost or some extra love and care. Plus sheet masking is so much fun! There are many types to choose from and I love trying new things. A lot of Korean sheet masks have cute and interesting packaging which makes the experience even more enjoyable.

My favourite Korean Sheet Masks:

Tony Moly I'm Real Lemon Mask Sheet Brightening: The cotton fibre of this mask is very thin in texture and can break easily. It is also very juicy and has a tendency to drip down the neck if you are not careful. What I love about this mask is the affordable price and the packaging. Everything about Tony Moly is always so cute. This mask is great for dull and tired skin. It contains lemon extracts which brighten and refreshes the face. This is a great and fun pick me up mask! It does not contain parabens and it is not tested on animals. Tony Moly masks are available at Sephora.

Innisfree It's Real Squeeze Mask Black Berry: Innisfree is my absolute favourite Korean skincare brand. All their products are amazing. The Blackberry sheet mask contains jeju complex which is green tea, cactus, tangerine, camellia leaves and orchids all rolled into one. This mask promises to give clear and bright skin while adding extra moisture. It does not contain parabens or test on animals too.

Etude House I Need You Vita Complex: This is another affordable brand with cute packaging. It does not contain parabens or test on animals as well. This mask contains vitamins to brighten and create skin vitality. The most important ingredient is niacinamide also known as vitamin B3 which is known to clear acne prone skin, facial blemishes and discolouration.

Beyond The Real Pomegranate: Pomegranates are known for their anti ageing benefits on the skin. This mask contains pomegranate extract, B1 and B2 vitamin complex for a firmer and more energized skin tone. The cotton fibre is thicker than other masks and it fits quite snug on the face. It has a great smell and the serum absorbs quickly into the skin. It does not contain parabens nor test on animals.

I scared my grandma!!!! 
Yes indeed! I literally scared my grandma. I crept up on her while she was sitting at the kitchen table and gave her the biggest fright of her life! Lol ;-D I love sheet masks and will buy them over and over and over again. There are many great western sheet masks available at Clicks and Dischem stores in South Africa now. I haven't tried them yet but will soon. I purchase all my Korean sheet masks from Ebay and they are available on Amazon too. Maybe I will do a follow up post and compare a western brand one to an Asian one. I think that would be a great idea.



Let me know if you tried any sheet masks below
Hope you found this LONG review helpful ;-)
Xxxx

Hi Divas!

This week I have another one of my holy grail Korean products to share with you. Like I said before these products are not easy to get your hands on but I am doing reviews on them any way. It is fun to share and learn about skincare and makeup products around the world. The Innisfree brand is well known among Korean skincare fanatics. They are famous for their eco friendly products, using natural ingredients and recycling their packaging. All their products are free of parabens and mineral oils, and are suitable for sensitive skin. I love their environmental and natural approach to skincare. From this brand my favourite face cleanser is the Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam. It is made up of tiny pieces of scoria, which come from Jeju Volcanic stone. These stones are native to the island of Jeju and are recognised for their skincare benefits such as being anti bacterial, removing dead skin cells and having moisturising properties. They are known to create clean and smooth skin.

I am sorry for the blurry photos. They were taken on my old phone and I had already thrown the tube away. So I couldn't take new pictures. My Bad! Xxx

The foam cleanser comes in a whopping 150 ml squeeze tube. My favourite face cleanser from Clarins only comes in a 75 ml so I love the fact that you are getting more product for your money from the Innisfree cleanser. Most of the writing and instructions are in Korean of cause, but there a few English instructions. Plus there is always Google if you need to find out more about the product. On the tube it says that this is a purifying pore cleanser, that removes dull skin and excessive sebum thanks to the Jeju volcanic clusters. The actual formula of the product has a creamy milky texture with small specks of the volcanic clusters. The cleanser has a strange smell. It has a slight sweet smell with a hint of a milky scent. It is rather weird. It is not at all bad or repulsive. I have never smelt anything like it.


This is a everyday cleansing foam which I use at night to cleanse my face and take off all my makeup. I usually wet face and then apply a peanut size amount on my hands and start washing my face. The cleanser starts out milky but once it hits water and you scrub your face it starts foaming up. The little cluster beads exfoliate the face by removing dead skin cells and cleansing the pores. The cleanser does an excellent job in removing all dirt and makeup from my face. Even the toughest gel liner and waterproof mascara gets removed in one wash. I love that it deep cleanses my face without it being harsh. I do use this everyday but if you are someone with sensitive or dry skin the deep cleanser might be a bit too harsh for you to use every day. I would recommend using it twice a week as an exfoliator.


I love this product and will definitely purchase it again. I think it does a great job in cleaning my pores without stripping my skin of moisture. The little clusters do burn the eyes though. So be careful in your eye area when washing your face. For those who have combination skin like me and wear makeup everyday you will enjoy this cleansing foam.


Thank you for reading, Beauties.
Much love!
Xxxx

Hi Divas!

Welcome back to my crazy blog. I want to give a huge Diva Shout Out to a very special friend and blogger Kim from A Very Sweet Blog! Last month I was having one of the worst weeks ever as my car broke down and I had to run for the bus in the pouring rain. I snapchatted about my experience and Kim, with her kind sweet heart, gifted me this beautiful palette to brighten my week. I was so super shocked as I did not expect this random act of kindness. She wrote a beautiful piece on her blog as to why she decided to send this palette all the way from the USA to South Africa. Here is an excerpt:  

''A Sweet Surprise! I want to award a Sweet Surprise (Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette) to Desle of Diva Desle Blog. Desle is a theatre actress and beauty blogger from Cape Town, South Africa. Her blog just turned four and it's a fun assortment of all types of beauty product reviews. I've always admired Desle's imaginative spirit & creativity. Her nail designs are the absolute cutest and she loves trying beauty products from around the world! I love her diversity! Desle and I share a love for Too Faced products (especially eye shadow palettes). Even though she is MUCH BETTER with eye shadow than I am. She always creates fabulous looks. I appreciate her sincerity. She communicates with bloggers on social media. She sent me the sweetest post card. We're always communicating on Snapchat. The other day, she was having car problems and had to take the bus BUT WHAT I ADMIRED was she made the best of the situation. Attitude and all! She will take a rainy day and bring sunshine into it. It's hard to get Too Faced products in SA, so I wanted to make sure she got this limited edition palette. So enjoy Desle and thank you for being a wonderful blogger & friend.''

You can read the rest of her review on the palette HERE and subscribe to her blog and social media pages ;-) A huge thank you to Kim for this Sweet Surprise. I will always appreciate her generosity and kindness. I am truly grateful. Xxxx

On To The Review:

The Sweet Peach palette is one of the most major makeup releases for 2016. It is a limited edition palette by Too Faced that has been selling out like hot cakes in stores all over the USA. So what is all the hype about? Well the packaging is one of the prettiest and cutest things that Too Faced as ever put out. Plus there are a whopping 18 eyeshadows that all suppose to smell like juicy peaches. Now I truly love peach anything! Fresh peach fruit, canned peaches with cream, sweet peach juice and peachy lip balms are all my jams! When I had this product in my possession I was dancing in my room like a crazy person. The packaging is absolutely stunning! It comes in a similar case as the other palettes in the Too Faced Chocolate Bar family. I measured it against the original chocolate palette which I own and it is exactly the same size in width and length. The original has 16 eyeshadows and the sweet peach has 18. Unlike the original palettes with the chocolate block engravings, the sweet peach has mini peaches engraved on the palette and a orange colour which fades from coral, to pink to a light peach shade. So super duper cute!

As I said the palette comes with 18 eyeshadows in a variety of colours. There are so many options to choose from ranging from light to dark, matte to shimmer and stunning satin shades. Each eyeshadow has a strong sweet peach scent. It does not smell like the original peach fruit. Rather it smells like a peach sweet or peach bubblegum. I personally love the scent and sniff it at every opportunity I get. Even as you apply the eyeshadows the scent lingers on your makeup brush and I absolutely love it. It makes applying my makeup so much more pleasant. The palette comes with a mirror which would be perfect for travel!I just love the packaging of this palette and it has become my favourite in my makeup collection. It is so pretty to look at and a delight to work with.


There are 6 matte shades which are White Peach, Peaches N' Cream and Georgia in the light coloured family ranging from white to pink. Then there are Puree, Summer Yum and Charmed I'm Sure in the brown colour family which have taupes and copper brown shades which are perfect to use in the crease. There are 8 shimmery shades with a touch of satin texture. These consist of Nectar, Luscious, Cobbler, Just Peachy and Bellini which are in the peach colour family. They have gold and coral tones ranging from light to dark pink. Bless Her Heart which is a gorgeous olive green, Caramelized a warm satin brown and Peach Pit a brown shimmer shade with a hint of warm purple. These 8 eyeshadows are perfect lid colours. The rest of the four shades have a matte finish with speckled gold glitter in them. These are Candied Peach a vibrant coral shade great for the crease, Tempting a dark black, Delectable a dark purple and Talk Derby To Me which is a dark navy blue almost black shade.

The eyeshadows are very pigmented and blend effortlessly on the eyes. There is some fall out which happens in the pan when picking up the pigments with a brush. Although once applied on the lids it never fades or falls away. Too Faced knows how to make beautiful opaque shadows and this palette does not disappoint. What I love most about this palette is that there is so much variety. You will never get bored in creating new looks as the eyeshadow colours are very versatile. In the original chocolate bar palette you are limited to brown and gold looks whereas with this palette you can go crazy with options. With the original chocolate bar there are only 4 proper satin lid colours. In the peach palette there are 8 gorgeous lid shades to choose from. I adore the colour range as the bright corals and warm pinks are right up my alley. Now, I won't be doing any swatches in this blog post as there are a ton of them on YouTube and other websites. Just Google Sweet Peach and the swatches will appear on your screen in a jiffy. Instead I want to show you some looks I did with the palette and how versatile the eyeshadows are. I have created three looks. One ranging from a soft everyday look, to a romantic out the box look and a diva glam night out look.

*****

Everyday Look:

For this everyday bright makeup look I used White peach under my brow bone, the light pink Georgia shade as my transition shade, the deep coral shade Candied Peach in my crease and the copper brown colour Summer Yum on my outer lid corners. For the lids I used the beautiful Nectar shade for soft golden eyes. I did a dramatic wing to add glamour to the look but for a everyday work look you can skip the winged liner and just had mascara.

Soft Out The Box Romantic Look:

For this look I used White Peach under my brow bone, the light skin tone shade Peaches N' Cream as my transition shade and the clay brown Puree in my crease. For my lids I used the shade Bless Her Heart which is a gorgeous olive green satin eyeshadow which is a welcome surprise to the palette. This eye makeup is whimsical and delightful. It would be perfect for a date.

Diva Glam Night Out Look:

This is a ''I am a Diva!'' and ''I Slay All Day!'' look. I used Peaches N' Cream under my brow bone, Georgia and Candied Peach as my transition shade and the deep purple Delectable in my crease. For my lids I vamped it up with the deep navy blue colour called Talk Derby To Me. I dragged Delectable and Talk Derby To Me on my lower lash line as well. I cleaned up the look with concealer and added some winged liner.

*****

I am absolutely in love with this palette. I seriously cannot stop playing with it. I have to tell myself to use other palettes now and again because my hands keep grabbing it. My favourite eyeshadows are Luscious (a light peach shade with golden shimmer), Candied Peach (a vibrant deep coral with a hint of pink), Bellini (a two toned peach and pink shade with gold undertones), Bless Her Heart (a beautiful satin oilve shade) and Summer Yum (a matte brick brown shade). This palette is definitely worth the hype and all the attention it got in my book. I know that there are some people who are not feeling this over all peach theme. I think it depends on your personality and what you like to wear. If you love colour and variety you will surely enjoy this new addition to the Too Faced family. I am obsessed! ;-)




Thank you so much for reading, Beauties!!! 
Let me know which makeup look you liked best in the comment section below. 
Lots of love. Xxxx