Hi Divas

Welcome back to another Pamper Sunday edition. I love Sundays as these are my relaxing self-care days, where I can indulge in much needed TLC for my body. This week I am bringing to you the strangest mask I have ever tried. This is the Sephora Silver Mask Glow Booster. I picked this up at a Sephora a while ago when I was working in Doha, Qatar. This mask intrigued me the most as it is made out of foil and contains diamond extracts. Now we all know diamonds are a girl's best friend, therefore if I can get some bling into my skincare routine, that would be real luxury living! The mask too claims to illuminate, smooth and moisturize dull tired skin. I am going to need all these promises to work as this pandemic world of late is stressful and it shows in my dreary looking complexion.

The Sheet mask is well packaged in a silver futuristic design and is enclosed by two protective mesh sheets inside. The mask is foiled on one side only and the white fabric on the back should be placed directly onto the face. Sephora states the silver look is for an awesome selfie, therefore I'm assuming that the foiled section is solely for aesthetics. The mask holds a generous amount of essence as the sheet is drenched in product. Excess serum can be stored in the fridge to be used the next day. The essence contains diamond powder extracts which is known to remove dead skin cells thus causing a brighter complexion. It too helps to stimulate collagen production, reduces the appearance of sun damage and increases deep hydration. Clearly diamonds turn out to be a real best friend indeed.

This is honestly one of the weirdest masks I have ever worn. It is comfortable to wear and does not slide down the face. It feels heavier than most masks as it has an extra foiled layer to it. The sheet fits snug on my features and I had no problems with it being too small or too big over my face. The essence feels very moisturising on the skin and has a cooling effect. I could wear this for more than 30 minutes without any hindrances. My face looked visibly brighter and felt smoother after use. This is a fun mask to try out and wear. The illuminating and hydrating benefits are for the moment but it won't give any long-lasting effects. I would say that the mask is quite gimmicky and not needed within your skin care routine. It's great to try out for fun and as stated selfie purposes. You won't be missing out on any skin care secrets if you don't pick this up. I am glad I gave it a try though. I enjoyed looking like a futuristic character from a Sci-Fi movie.

What do you think of my new look? Let me know down below.

Hi Divas

What an absolutely strange year this has been. I can only thank God and give my Lord Jesus all the praise for carrying me and my family through these turbulent times. I am grateful for so many things but most importantly, that I can celebrate Christmas with my loved ones. Many people around the world have experienced great loss, and if you have, I send my biggest hugs to you. This time of year, always reminds us that the treasures of life lies in the love and fellowship of those most close to us. Even though Christmas will be a bit different this year, some traditions shall remain the same in my house. Firstly, I decorated the Christmas tree and lounge, which was a workout of note. Secondly, I will be helping my mom bake some delicious festive cookies and cook up a storm for the huge Christmas lunch. Thirdly, I will be enjoying my Christmas Eve pamper rituals that I love to do every year. I will be sharing these with you in this post. Christmas Eve is a wonderful day that is always filled with joy and excitement for things to come. These are my relaxing diva traditions that ushers me into the festive spirit.

Hi Divas

 

On my last trip to Sephora back in March, I received my very first gift with purchase. I was so excited as this was the first time, I racked up points to have a complimentary gift. Unfortunately, there is no Sephora present in South Africa and I can only indulge when I am overseas on a working trip. I therefore gain very little points throughout the year. When the sales assistant told me, I gained enough points for a free gift I jumped at the opportunity to try some new skin care items. I chose the Origins Mega Mushroom skin care set as it intrigued me the most. I have been trying to improve my skin care regiment and thought this would be the perfect time to try out new products. Origins is an American brand which launched in the early 90's. They have collaborated with a well-known celebrity doctor, Dr Andrew Weil, to create the Mega Mushroom line. The brand sought to create natural vegetarian and vegan products which are hydrating and soothing for all skin types. The mega mushrooms Reishi, Chaga and Coprinus all contain essential properties used by ancient Chinese medicine to help improve health and promote longevity. In the skin soother set there are three travel size products which are known to be quite popular in the range. Below are my mini reviews for each product.

 

The name is very deceiving as this is not a traditional lotion but actually a very watery toner. Instead of using a cotton pad, I like to place a few drops in the palm of my hand and pat it gently all over my face. Since the product is very runny, you have to work quickly. The treatment lotion absorbs efficiently and feels very soothing on the face. This is a wonderful product for those who have red and irritated skin. It definitely calms and soothes inflamed areas. The key ingredients in this product are Reishi, fermented Chaga, Coprinus Mushrooms, as well as Sea Buckthorn. All these are proven to boost hydration and rapidly reduce visible redness. I like this toner as it is a great first step to add moisture to the face after cleansing. It revives the skin and makes it feel healthy and supple.

This is my favourite product in the line, and again the name is deceiving. It says serum but the actual texture of the product feels like a creamy light lotion. As you can see in the photo below, the serum has a milky white consistency. It feels beautifully moisturizing on the skin. It makes the face smooth and supple. If you have very oily skin, you could totally wear this on its own with no extra products needed. The main active ingredients are fermented Chaga and Reishi mushrooms. These are used to strengthen the skin barrier against outside irritants as well as calming the skin while reducing redness. The serum feels soothing and comfortable on the skin. A great product to lather on at night after a long and stressful day.

If you are familiar with Korean skin care, then you will understand when I tell you that this face mask feels like a sleeping pack more than a wash off mask. It actually feels like a thick moisturizer which can be worn to bed at night and washed off in the morning. The instructions says to smear it all over the face and wipe off with a paper tissue, but the mask melts into the skin till there is nothing left to wipe off. I therefore use it as an overnight sleeping mask. The consistency is thick and very moisturizing which is great for Winter skin. It does not leave any unwanted residue as it absorbs effectively. I have combination skin and it made my skin wonderfully moisturized without being oily. If you have a dry skin type your face will drink this formula right up. The mask contains fermented Chaga mushroom, Reishi mushroom with Sea Buckthorn to create a creamy and thick moisturizing consistency to soothe and reduce red and sensitive skin. The mask gives a healthy and calming complexion.

The Origins Mega Mushroom is a Vegan friendly and Paraben free skin care line. Each product has a distinct herbal scent which is consistent with each product. The scent is not overpowering but may be troublesome to those who are sensitive to fragrance. The products are very gentle and effective in what they sought out to do, which is soothing and moisturizing sensitive skin. I am happy that I got to test the range as the full-size products are quite expensive and I probably would have given it a skip. My favourite product as mentioned above is the serum. If I were to splurge, I would certainly add that to my cart. I hope you all enjoyed my mini review. What do you think of the brand and products? Have you tried any of them? Let me know in the comments below.

Hi Divas

 

I have been wanting to right this review for such a long time but since the great pandemic hit this year a lot of things, including my blog were put on hold.  It is probably a good thing that I am only writing this review now, since everyday glam makeup has gone out the window, thanks to mandatory wearing of face masks. Most women, including myself are opting for more natural and easy-going makeup looks instead of the full coverage we used to wear before things went down. Don't get me wrong, I still adore wearing full coverage, creative and dynamic makeup looks but going out on an everyday basis wearing a mask has made me opt for a natural glow from within. If you are wanting a foundation that is natural, hydrating and evens out the skin tone then the Fenty Beauty Hydrating Longwear Foundation is right up your alley. This is the second foundation launch within the brand which promises to be much lighter and more breathable than the original Pro Filt'r. The Pro Filt'r matte foundation is an absolute holy grail of mine, I was therefore very interested to see what the hydrating foundation has to offer. I was pleasantly surprised by the results.


The Hydrating Longwear foundation promises medium to full coverage with a natural finish and a smooth complexion. Compared to the first foundation this one has a lighter formula which is ultra blendable using the hands, brush or sponge. It contains Grape Seed Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate to hydrate the skin, keeping the face fresh and looking natural all day. The formula is sweat and humidity resistant which prevents your makeup from breaking down in hot temperatures. Fenty Beauty promises a natural even tone face but not a dewy, wet looking complexion. Rihanna wanted this foundation to be for all skin tones, as the original matte was mostly loved by combination to oily skin types. This formula is adaptable and would work for dry, combination and oily as it is not overly dewy and won't cause excessive shine. I love that the hydrating formula is much lighter than the original because it can be worn every day. The matte one is pretty full coverage and can be too much on a relaxed day out. The option to be natural or glam is great within the line.


The packaging is significantly different to the first foundation in that the hydrating foundation comes in a plastic tube with a pump. The packaging is convenient, simple yet has the edgy designs, which we know Rihanna's music for. I love that they incorporated her edgy music style into the packaging. The design is very convenient and reminds me of a BB and CC cream style. It is light weight and safe for travel. The foundation comes in a whopping 50 shades and the tube carries 32 ml of product. You can see your shade on the outside of the tube which makes it simple to detect especially for makeup artists. The shades are exact matches to the previous foundation which is wonderful. You won't be confused looking for a shade match if you already have it in the matte foundation. I am the shade 290 and both products match really well. The matte is a little darker than the hydrating foundation as I feel it oxidizes slightly more. It is not a problem for me though as the two are perfect for my skin tone. 


Upon application, I found that you have to shake the tube before you pump out the product. Unfortunately the formula seems to separate inside the tube and you get a mix if oil and foundation. I therefore shake it really well and then pump out a max of two pumps. The foundation feels very light and blends easily onto the face. I like to use my hands for an ultra-natural look. For more coverage I would use a brush or sponge. This is not full coverage at all and I find that building it up past two pumps can make the face look cakey and congested around the pores and fine lines. This product gives light to medium coverage. If you want anything more than that you would have to use the matte foundation. This formula evens out the skin tone perfectly but does not cover under eye dark circles or blemishes as the original foundation. You would have to use a concealer and powder for extra coverage. The consistency feels much lighter and breathable on the skin than the matte foundation. This one is therefore excellent for an everyday even complexion.

 



I recommend the Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear foundation to those who have combination to dry skin. If you love BB and CC creams with a little depth then this lighter foundation formula will be your best friend. This is great to wear beneath my mask these days as I want to look presentable and not scare people with my ghastly quarantine face;-) I hope you enjoyed this review and found it helpful. Have you tried this foundation? Are you even wearing makeup under your mask? These are strange times! Let me know your thoughts below.

Thank you for reading.

Xxxx

Hi Divas

 

I hope you are all healthy, happy and doing well. I am so glad to be back at blogging again after my 3-month hiatus. Blogging is a wonderful creative outlet for me and I am excited to get back into the swing of things. Cape Town has come out of a chilly end to the Winter months and I am truly looking forward to Summer. The super cold days can wreak havoc on my combination skin and cause dry, flaky and a dull complexion. This is especially prevalent around my mouth and forehead area. I therefore always have to switch up my skin care routine, when the weather changes. Thankfully, I have been using the Dr Jart+ Ceramidin line, which has been an incredible life saver. My last review was on the wonderful Ceramidin Liquid Moisturizing Toner, which you can read here. Adding on to this line is the Ceramidin Facial Masks aimed at intense moisturization. These nifty sheet masks are great to use when you need an intense shot of hydration. They are perfect for lazy spa days and to wear on the go between travel journeys.

 

I purchased these sheet masks at Sephora in a pack of 5. The box has the exact clean and bright packaging as the rest of the Ceramidin range. Compared to other K beauty brands Dr Jart opts for non-gimmicky and simple clear packaging on most of their products. They really don't need a whole lot of extra flair, as their ingredients in their products speak loud and clear to get skincare enthusiasts' attention. Speaking of ingredients, the sheet masks are packed with the same 5 Cera Complex, as the rest of the range, along with Ectoin and Moisturizing Peptide Complex. The 5 Cera Complex are ceramides which prevent moisture loss and restores the skin's protective barrier. Ceramides are naturally found in our skin but deplete overtime. Using ceramides in our products helps to keep the epidermis hydrated, supple and youthful. Ectoin is an emollient which helps maintain the water balance in our skin thus creating a well hydrated, soft and smooth complexion. The Moisturizing Peptide Complex provides an enriched moisture barrier while encouraging stronger elasticity in the skin, thanks to the building protein blocks scientifically known as peptides. All these ingredients give promising effects if used on a regular basis overtime.

 

I have used these sheet masks on my worst skin days ever, and I always had satisfying results. I would wear it on super cold stormy days when my face was dull and crusty to the touch. I even applied it on one of my worst PMS breakout moments when my complexion could make the mirror crack from fright. Both occasions the sheet masks completely transformed my dull and dry complexion to soft hydrated and healthy skin. I would use it at night and wake up to a supple, moisturized and glowing face. The ceramides in the essence does an amazing job in actually penetrating into the skin and giving results that would last for days. These sheet masks have become a holy grail in my skin care routine and I definitely want to purchase more. They have been proven to give lasting results and not superficial temporary effects. I do have to say that if you own the 150 ml Liquid Toner, you probably will not need the sheet masks as they do the exact same thing. The toner is more of an investment than the sheet masks. The masks are great though for a quick dose of intense moisturization on the go or if you want to try out the brand for the first time. If you love the range and the results it gives like I do, then definitely get both. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you so much for reading. 

Hi Divas

As some of you may know, I absolutely love sheet masks and have been using them for years. It is the first product I have ever used in K Beauty back in the day. I am always stocking up on them and love trying different varieties. On my last trip to Sephora I purchased the Sephora Coconut Face Mask as I have tried other coconut masks before and loved them. This one claimed to be nourishing and soothing, which I thought would be excellent to use for the cold Winter days in Cape Town. I decided to whip this one out during Lockdown a few weeks ago as my skin had minimal sun exposure due to the rainy cold weather in. My face was feeling very tight and dry, plus I was experiencing PMS and suffering from breakouts. From that description you can tell Quarantine life was not doing me any favours, going from beauty and turning into a beast. I needed a sheet mask that would lift my face as well as my spirits. Little did I know it was one of my biggest mistakes.

As mentioned above, this mask is targeted at soothing and nourishing dry skin. It contains Coconut fruit extract as well as Coconut oil which can be problem ingredients for sensitive skin. I have never experienced issues with both ingredients before and therefore happily went ahead in using the mask. The essence contains Quinoa seed extract as well, which was a surprising addition to me as I have never seen this ingredient in any of my skincare products. I read up on it as I was intrigued by the benefits, and it apparently helps with hydrating and softening the skin. It acts as a strong anti-irritant, anti-oxidant and has repairing properties. This description sounds wonderful and I'm wondering why brands have not added quinoa seed extracts into more of their products.

I was very excited to use this mask because of the ingredients and description on the packaging and waited for a cold rainy evening to test it out. The mask is packaged in the typical Sephora sleeve along with a protective mesh net. The actual mask is a generic soft cotton fibre drenched in essence. When I placed the mask on my face, I had to play around to adjust it since the holes for the eyes and nose were quite small. I shudder to think how someone with a bigger face stricture than me would get this mask to fit comfortably. I barely made it without the essence dripping in the inner corners of my eyes. Nevertheless, the mask is soft on the skin and feels refreshing. The essence has a sour scent though and does not smell like coconut whatsoever. That was very disappointing as I like coconut scents. It always seems uplifting and refreshing for me and I was counting on this mask to give me that same feeling. Clearly not!

After wearing this mask for 30 minutes as I usually do with all my other sheet masks, I decided to remove it and blend my moisturiser on top. Upon peeling off the mask, my face had a shocking red flush to it and felt hot. My cheek area looked highly irritated and had a tingly sensation. I tried to blend my moisturiser on my face to cool my skin down and that is when I realised my skin was getting an allergic reaction. I have combination skin and I rarely experience any sort of negative reactions or sensitivity to my skin care products. There was something in this mask that just sent my skin over the edge. I decided to do some research to see what it could be and many had similar outcomes to me. It must have been the Coconut fruit extracts or Coconut oil, which is weird because I never have reactions to these ingredients in other masks and products. Although reading up on it, many experience this kind of reactions to coconut ingredients. Could it also be the Quinoa seed extract? I just don't know.

On top of that this mask was not soothing or nourishing to my skin at all. My skin still felt dry and had a rough texture to it. This whole reaction surprised me greatly as I felt no adverse effects while wearing the mask. I went about my evening thinking everything was fine. The minute I removed the sheet mask my face was screaming back at me. I really wanted to like this mask but I have to trash it and not recommend it to anyone. If you had great experiences with this mask that is good but for those who want to give it a go, I would say proceed with caution. These are my personal experiences and I am sharing them with you in the hopes it helps you make informative decisions in the future.

Hi Divas

I hope that you are all healthy, safe and well during this crazy and uncertain time. If you have been going through any type of hardship with all that has been going on in the world, I pray that God will strengthen you and uphold you through these trying times. I, myself have gone through a lot of loss but I am thankful to the Lord for holding me up in these deep waters. I will do a more in-depth post as to what has been going on with me personally at a later stage. For now, I want to get your minds off all the anxiety and do a fun review. I purchased the well acclaimed Too Faced sculpting concealer in Sephora at the end of last year. I have been keeping it safe till now, as I wanted to use it in the colder months. I have combination skin and generally prefer matte consistencies in my makeup routine. This new concealer is part of the Born This Way range which focuses on hydration. I absolutely adore the Born This Way foundation and therefore could not wait to get my hands on the concealer, to compare formulas and see if they pair well together.

The Multi-Use Sculpting concealer is packaged in an astonishing 15ml of product. This is more than twice the size of a standard concealer, as most come in 6 ml tubes. It looks like a jumbo size compared to other concealers and resembles a mini version of the Born This Way foundation. I love the adorable ''Mini Me'' design. I am always a sucker for Too Faced packaging and this one got me hook, line and sinker. The main difference in the concealer besides the size when compared is the jumbo applicator, where as the foundation has a pump. The applicator looks like a giant doe foot and carries a lot of product. It is attached to the screw on top and is flexible enough to work around the face and disperse product evenly. The doe foot feels soft on the skin and the applicator angles are comfortable to use. The only thing I dislike about the packaging is the funnel base at the entrance of the glass bottle. It becomes very gunky when pulling product out, as a lot of residue remains in the funnel. This can get very messy overtime, if you don't clean it after each use.

The concealer is marketed as a hydrating, long wearing, photo friendly and non-comedogenic product. It is said to cover, contour, highlight and retouch with super coverage pigments. As the foundation, it is infused with Coconut Water, Alpine Rose and Hyaluronic Acid for a more hydrating and radiant formula. This is a very versatile product and can be used in place of your foundation for an overall natural base. You could also highlight and contour for a complete full coverage glam look. The product is very convenient for every day travel and Makeup Artists as it can perform in a multitude of ways. It comes in 35 shades which is quite impressive compared to other brands on the market. I love that the shades match the corresponding foundation shades which make it so easy to choose when shopping. I am the shade Warm Beige in the foundation and chose the shade Natural Beige in the concealer. It is one tone lighter than Warm Beige and has a neutral undertone. I wanted something a little brighter than my foundation shade for my under eyes. It is not too light to spot conceal or use all over the face.

The concealer has a cream like texture and glides well on the skin with the applicator. It is not thick or runny and does not dry too quickly either. The consistency blends out effortlessly on the skin using your fingers or a sponge. It sits comfortably on the delicate skin under the eyes and does not crease or bunch up in the area. The formula of the concealer is medium to full coverage. It has a buildable consistency but can become cakey after two layers. The concealer covers amazingly well and you could seriously skip foundation if you want a natural look as it blends and covers evenly across the face. As this is a more moisturising formula, I love that it covers my dark circles and blemishes without my skin feeling heavy, tight or dry. It gives a satin like appearance and since I am combination skin, I like that it does not give me an unnatural sheen or dewy appearance. It mimics the ''my skin but better'' look. The creamy texture blends effortlessly with other makeup products too. It performs amazingly with the Born This Way foundation. An absolute match made in heaven. They complement each other so well.

  Unfortunately I do not own the Too Faced setting powder but all my other powders set the concealer  with ease. There is no flaking or creasing on the skin. The formula wears really great throughout the day in all types of weather and activities. I wore it on hot and cold days and it held up great on both occasions. The product mixes well with the oils on my face which seep through during the day. My skin looks radiant and feels hydrated but does not look overly glowy or shiny. The coverage is wonderful and it is long lasting. This hydrating satin finish would be a winner for all skin types; dry, combination and oily. Each would enjoy the versatility and long wearing comfortable formula. I would definitely purchase it again as it is great value for money. A little goes a long way and the jumbo size will last you a really long time. I recommend this concealer for those who want a hydrating texture with the option of natural and full glam benefits!

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

I received this beautiful palette from my blogger friend Kim of Avery Sweet Blog back in January. She kindly sent me a box of goodies to wish me a Happy New Year and this blockbuster was one of the items in the surprise box. I only own two Urban Decay Eyeshadow palettes being the Naked 2 and the Ammo palette. I was therefore super delighted to be given the Honey palette as Urban Decay have revamped and stepped up their game in the Naked ranges. They have launched three other palettes other than this, along with a new foundation and concealer line. They are one of the OG's (Original Gangsters), when it comes to high-end Sephora makeup back in the day. Since then, so many makeup brands have popped up and somewhat surpassed them in cosmetic releases, innovative ideas and unique packaging. I am happy to see that Urban Decay is not sitting on the side lines but pushing through in the beauty market. It is great to notice that such a well-established brand is exploring fresh product ideas to keep the old and new customers interested.

The Naked Honey palette is inspired by the rich golden and yellow tones of pure honey. From the packaging to the colour story within the eyeshadows, the sweetness, along with the earthly nature of honey shines through. This is a warm toned palette with rich and neutral tones to compliment every skin tone. You could wear this palette on an everyday basis to work with its earthy tones or jazz it up for a glam night out look, with the bright metallic shades. This is a very versatile palette, that would flatter all ages and occasions. The actual outer case is absolutely stunning as it is embossed with ripple effects, that look like a continuous flow of honey. The standout lettering gives the palette a luxurious feel too. The case is a lot more golden in tone, reminding me of thick large quantities of honey being poured out. The design in packaging is gorgeous and it makes me want to grab a jar of honey and eat it with a spoon. The casing feels very sturdy and comes with a big mirror, as well as the standard dual ended eyeshadow brush, which the brand is known for. When you open the palette, there is a sweet scent which wafts through. The whole experience in working with the palette from sight, to touch and smell is impressive and deserves gold stars.


The palette comes in 12 shades all with a common warm yellow tone theme. The names of the eyeshadows are inspired by the honey making process. There is a wide range of mattes and metallics to create different looks. The eyeshadows consist of 6 mattes, 5 metallics/shimmers and 1 satin shade. I love that using the palette on an everyday basis won't become monotonous. There are many colour combinations to choose from, to get a unique eye look. I have swatched the eyeshadows below using the NYX white eyeshadow base. Some of the shades might look different due to this and my skin tone. I will name and explain each shade to you from left to right in the palette.

First up is Fly By (white pearl satin) great for the brow bone, Sweet (matte peachy taupe) light transition shade, Swarm (matte light orange with yellow undertones) deep transition shade and the first metallic in the palette Amber (deep copper) similar colour to the outer case. Next up is Keeper (matte burned orange brown) excellent for the crease or all over the lid, Golden (metallic deep gold with a shimmer) beautiful shade for glam occasions, Honey (metallic bright yellow gold with shimmer), this is the masterpiece shade in the palette and Queen ( metallic olive toned shade with brown undertone and gold sparkle), beautiful on the lid for an earthy look. The last four shades are Hive (matte warm toned brown) great for the crease, Drip (rich brick brown shade) excellent for deepening the crease, HBIC (true copper coin shade), lastly Sting (matte chocolate brown with slightly purple undertone), great for darkening any look.




Bright Glam Eyes
For the first look I swept Keeper right across my crease extending it slightly up towards my brow bone. I deepened the outer corners using Hive and Sting to create depth. For the lids I pressed the magical shade Honey right across creating a little cut crease with a flat brush later. For the lower lash line I added the metallic shimmer Amber and topped it off with Flyby on my brow bone.


Soft Smokey Eyes
To start off I dusted Swarm across my upper lid as a warm transition shade. I placed Drip and Sting in the crease and outer edge for dimension. On top I pressed Queen all over my lid. This is such a beautiful shade to be worn for any occasion. I then placed HBIC on my lower lash line along with to brighten the look. I too added Drip and Sting on the lower lash line at the outer corners to deepen the look. To end off I applied Flyby to the brow bone.


I am truly in love with this palette regarding texture, formula, shades and design. Everything compliments my skin tone so well. These shades are warm and neutral enough to wear ever day while containing pops of shimmer for glamorous looks. The palette shades are adaptable and would therefore be great for travel. I recommend this Honey edition to an avid makeup lover. You will truly appreciate its unique qualities. I hope you found this lengthy review helpful and got some inspiration for makeup looks.


Thank you so much for reading!
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Hi Divas

I travel to the Middle East quite frequently, therefore it was only fitting that I try out one of the biggest makeup brands to come out of the region. For those of you who don't know, Huda Beauty is a very successful cosmetics brand created by Huda Kattan. She started out as a beauty blogger and ascended way up to a business makeup mogul, while residing in Dubai. In the cosmetics industry, her innovative makeup launches have become very successful throughout the world. I was mostly interested in her complexion products even though she has become very famous for her false lashes and eyeshadow palettes. I particularly wanted to try out her foundation as I was very intrigued by the extensive shade range and the full coverage filter blurring claims. These days everyone and their dogs are using social media filters to perfect their complexions. Huda claims her foundation provides a filter like effect, which means you can walk around in real life looking flawless like your Photoshopped pics, LOL. This too, is one of the few high coverage foundations available on the market as most are medium to semi-full coverage. If you do some research online regarding this product you will see a lot of the reviews and experiences are 50/50. Some absolutely adore this foundation while others hate it with a passion. After using it, I can clearly see why there are such extreme mixed reactions. Keep reading to find out more!

Faux Filter is packed in a square rectangular plastic bottle and comes with 35 ml of product. This of cause is 5 ml more than most foundations and the plastic bottle is meant to be travel friendly and light weight compared to a standard glass bottle. The branding and design of the foundation is very sleek and the plastic feels sturdy and well made. I do not mind the plastic packaging as it does not look or feel cheap. It looks luxe and very well made. The Buff and Blend Face brush that I purchased with the foundation is in a kabuki style with a matte rubber handle. The bristles are densely packed and feel compact. They are made with white synthetic fibres witch blend liquid and cream products easier.

 The foundation comes in 30 shades and are categorised between Fair (100), Light (200), Medium (300), Tan (400) and Rich (500). They are further broken down into Neutral (N), Beige(B), Golden(G) and Red(R) undertones. I purchased the shade Butter Pecan 330N, which is in the Medium category with a Neutral undertone. I could have gone for Baklava 340G (warm olive in tone) and Macchiatto 400G (identical to Butter Pecan with a golden undertone) but settled on Butter Pecan as this matches my neck and jaw line perfectly. The shades do run close together and are quite warm in tone. You could therefore have more than one shade that might work for you.



The consistency of this foundation is thick and creamy. One and a half pumps are more than enough to fully cover my face. Two pumps or more will make you look cakey and overdone. This is a heavily pigmented foundation, therefore a little goes a long way. The coverage is full and covers my under-eye bags and blemishes perfectly, I don't even need concealer when I wear this. For application, I applied it with the face brush and it gave me flawless and even coverage. I do notice slight creasing under my eyes and forehead lines sometimes. To avoid this, I recommend using a sponge to press the creamy consistency into the skin. This gives a smoother and crease free application. Since the foundation is so thick it can soak into the brush and sponge if applied directly. I recommend dotting the product all over your skin first and then blending it out.

 Once applied, you have to set your face with a powder and setting spray. Since the foundation is a cream it has a tendency to move around and slide off, if you do not set it properly. This foundation does transfer so if you hug someone really tightly it might not end well, LOL. In South Africa we love to hug each other. We hug at church, hug at work, hug your family members and so on. You need to set this and take precautions when hugging people. Any translucent powder and makeup setting spray will do the trick. As I said this is a highly thick and pigmented foundation. You have to make sure that your shade matches well, your application is smooth and you lock it in place with a powder and spray. Skipping these steps could prove fatal for your makeup the rest of the day.



 Below are pictures of me wearing the foundation during my professional headshot photo shoot. As you can see this foundation looks absolutely amazing in photos. My skin looks flawless and smooth, it is unbelievable. It really does give a blurring and filter effect on camera. If you are planning to attend an event where there will be a lot of photography, this foundation will be your best friend. It looks very flattering in photos. You can't even tell where the foundation ends and starts around my neck and chin area.

The shade Butter Pecan is a wonderful match for me. For reference I wear Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr' in 290, Too Faced Born This Way in Warm Beige and LA Girl Pro Matte in Light Tan. Faux Filter looks amazing in pictures but in real life, it can look too overdone. I think this is where most people struggle with this product. This is not a natural looking foundation. It is full coverage and highly pigmented. People will be able to see clearly that you are wearing makeup. This product is not good for every day wear. It is better suited for events and glam occasions. It is not light weight at all and therefore would be very obvious on a normal day out and about.


I noticed that the formula of the product changes throughout the day too. The foundation applies very matte at first but later on in the day it becomes luminous and your natural oils start showing through. Depending on your skin type, this could either be great or disastrous for you. Since the foundation applies very matte, it is important to prep the skin with a good moisturiser underneath. This is especially important for dry skin types. If your skin is dry makeup won't look flattering on the face. Hydrate your skin properly before wearing this. Since the product contains Argan Oil, this could be problematic for oily skin types as it starts to show through during the day. It might mix with your natural oils making you look oilier. I don't have any of these problems as I have normal to combination skin but I understand why certain people might hate this.

Also the foundation is heavily scented with an oud fragrance. Arabian oud is a rich woody and sweet scent that is very popular in the Middle East. Fragrances are known to be irritants to sensitive skin when placed in cosmetics. Do be aware of this if your skin reacts to perfumed beauty products. The fragrance does not bother me at all and I personally like this foundation because it works well with my skin type and is long wearing on me. It looks good in person but even better in pictures. Even though it works well for me, I wanted to give you the whole low down on this product, so you can make up your own mind on whether you want to try it or not. I hope you found this review helpful.


Thank you so much for reading this long and in depth post.
Divalicious Kisses
Xxxx

Too Faced Damn Girl! Mascara Review

Hi Divas

I picked up the new Too Faced mascara last year at Sephora and only recently started to use it. I only open mascara's when I run out of the one's I am currently using. I don't like having multiple mascara's open at the same time, as these are the products that tend to dry out quickly and expire easily after the first use. This is the first mascara that I have tried from the brand as I never bought the original Better than Sex mascara. What drew me most to this lavish purchase is the extraordinary packaging. It is so eye catching and beautiful. It appealed to my pink loving and creative nature. I have never seen such a unique design in a mascara before and it definitely gets full marks for me in the design department. The metallic pink wand with the geometric angles is innovative and aesthetically pleasing. I am glad that they named this mascara Damn Girl! instead of some sexual innuendo, because I feel those suggestive titles are super unnecessary when it comes to makeup. Call me a prude, but that is just how I feel. Apart from the beautiful packaging and more appropriate name, does it actually live up to the hype of giving ''shamelessly thick and curled lashes'' though? Well that is another story, so keep reading to find out my experience with it.



Too Faced developed this mascara to give intense thickness, voluminous lashes with a long-lasting curl. The formula of the mascara is a creamy mousse with whipped melting waxes and innovative polymers which give extreme volume, lift and lasting curl. It promises to give flexible lashes without flaking or smudging throughout the day. The mascara is said to last up to 24 hours with intense black lashes. Even the brush design is unique as it is created to resemble an infinity shape, which looks like the number '8'. This is a dual fibre brush with long and short bristles which combs through and lifts individual lashes. The mascara promises great volume, flake resistant curl that stays lifted and glam all day long. After 24 hours your peers are supposed to say ''Damn Girl!'', after looking at your lashes, LOL. My experience with this mascara is somewhat 50/50 on the 'Will I buy it again?' spectrum.



Firstly, the applicator is unnecessarily too big. This says a lot coming from me, as I have big eyes and can work with a lot of large brushes. I found this brush a little too cumbersome for my liking. Since the brush is massive, I find it difficult to actually get close to the base of my lashes and coat them evenly. The brush is so large it tends to transfer product on my upper lash lid thus messing up eyeshadow around my top lash line. This is super annoying if you spent a few minutes perfecting your eyeshadow look and have to wipe it away with an ear bud because of unsightly black transfer. The big curve in the middle of the brush makes it awkward trying to grip the lashes in one sweep. The brush is not tapered at the end either, therefore you really struggle to grab hold of the inner lashes without smudging product on your face. All these problems would be resolved if they kept the design of the brush but made it smaller in size. As I said, I have big eyes, so I shudder to think want someone with a smaller eye frame than mine would go through.


The actual formula of the mascara coats the lashes evenly and creates intense black volume. The consistency is a mousse like texture and it is not too wet or runny. More than two coats can cause clumping since the mousse texture is thicker than most mascaras. After two coats the lashes are well lifted with a slight curl. It does not give an intense curl but there is a slight wave. I love that my lashes feel great throughout the day since it does not dry them out or cause that hard-crisp feeling. The formula is comfortable to wear all day long and the lashes do not droop but actually keep their dramatic hold. This does live up to its claims of being smudge proof as there is no flaking or smeared marks on the face. As you can see above my lashes look great. They are super black, full of volume with a slight curl. The lasting power is wonderful at the end of the day. The mascara removes easily with your makeup cleansers too. You won't have to worry about tugging the delicate areas of your eyes to get it off.


I think you can gather that I have a dilemma with the Damn Girl! mascara. I love the dramatic effect this product gives my lashes. It looks so glam and voluminous. The formula is comfortable on the eyes and it has great lasting power. It really does what it suppose to do but the brush is just too large for my taste. The bristles are comfortable to use though and the wand sits perfectly in my hand. It's just that, the application takes longer since I have to be really be careful in not poking my eye out or transferring product on my eyeshadow. Would I purchase this again? I don't know. My lashes look great but to get there is a process that I do not have time for. The packaging of this mascara is beautiful, therefore it is such a pity about the oversized brush design. What do you think? Can you work with such large applicators or would you skip it? Let me know in the comments below.



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