Complete DisbeliefComplete Disbelief

Now Trying: Lancome Gloss In Love

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:47:13 +0000

I’m rediscovering lipgloss. I got sent this beaut last week and have been scaring my colleagues with the most out-there lips I’ve had in a while.

Verdict: So far, love it.

Essence Get Big Lashes and Superfine Eyeliner pen review

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:08:34 +0000

I recently purchased some Essence Products for a makeup challenge, it’s actually been a while since I bought some budget makeup goodies, I’m getting used to the luxe feel of other cosmetics and especially the packaging. I feel like there is almost a certainty that the product might work (which is NEVER always the case, so don’t hold me to that).

1. Essence Get Big Lashes Volume Boost Waterproof mascara.

The Essence Get Big Lashes Volume Boost Waterproof mascara comes in a thick tube and has an equally huge brush. I loved the brush for my upper lashes, but not for my lower lashes. I had to be really careful not to make any mistakes when applying. The formula is thick and actually gives me a good deal of curl and volume. It does lose the curl throughout the day but I really like the effect, especially for the price. I can also build it up to two layers, which is far more dramatic than one.

I love the length it adds which you can clearly see on my bottom lashes!

At around R30 this is a really great deal!

2. Essence Superfine Eyeliner Pen

I loved this at first, the tip is really fine and it was the darkest of all the Essence felt tip pens. I really wanted to experiment using a pen to see what it was like in comparison to gel and liquid brushes. When applied it wasn’t as dark as expected and I had to build it up to two or three layers to get a line that stood out.

It applied a consistent amount of product and I really loved the tip, but it seems to dry out towards the end of each use. Yesterday I had successfully lined my top lids and one bottom lid and it went dry at the tip. I’m not talking about a tick cat-eye, but something like the photo about from the Get Big Lashes review.

Is it worth it? Unfortunately not. Even though this is really cheap and under R30, it’s not worth it. I’d rather spend a little extra and buy the Bourjois Liner Pinceau that lasts me a year!

You can buy Essence at Clicks and Selected Dischem stores nationwide.

Indeed labs Nanoblur Review

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:29:51 +0000

A long time ago I received a pack of products from Indeed labs who had just launched in South Africa. They also handed me their star product, Nanoblur which has achieved cult status overseas for the it’s ability to apparently make you look 10 years younger instantly.

What exactly is Nanoblur?

1. Nanoblur is purely a cosmetic product that literally blurs out your skin giving it an airbrushed effect. It lessens the appearance of any fine lines and blemishes.

2. It is not a primer, it’s meant to be used OVER your foundation or tinted moisturiser, the tip Indeed Labs gave us was that anything creamy goes under and powder goes over.

3. It should be applied with your hands and not rubbed but patted on.

4. It is similar to a primer in that it will mattify your skin and keep your foundation on for longer.

My experience with Nanoblur

1. I loved how Nanoblur kept my foundation in place for ever. The days I applied Nanoblur required no blotting and my skin was smooth and matte for the entire day.

2. I applied Nanoblur over my foundation and I definitely saw a ‘blurring’ effect, but I don’t think what I saw was as drastic as what others have seen.

3. I often had issues with application. Sometimes, no matter how hard I tried, my foundation pilled and I ended up with patchy coverage and had to start over. This might just be me and my general clutzy nature, but it did get frustrating.

4. Nanoblur prevents my foundation from gathering in the crease that develops when I talk. I’ve tried many foundations and they still conspicuously gather there, the only way to prevent that was to apply Nanoblur.

Many people complain that the tube is too small and they’d love for Indeed Labs to make another, larger size. I don’t think it’s necessary, the 30ml tube has lasted me nearly two months now.

Nanoblur is available at Clicks for R299.

I took a photo and zoomed in, can you guess on which side of my face I’ve applied the Nanoblur?

Is Nanoblur worth the hype?

In my mind, Nanoblur provided a function that wasn’t really advertised, as for blurring fine lines, it definitely does that and leaves my skin as advertised. There’s no way I’m going to look 12 so I can’t hold them to that

Winter Makeup Look | 27Pinkx Makeup Challenge

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:09:49 +0000

A few weeks ago 27Pinks contacted me to ne part of their Winter Makeup Challenge. The idea was this; they sent us a set of brushes and we had to create a makeup lookwith products that cost up to R350. It wasn’t a biggie for me because of my love for Essence. I just switched out my MAC eyeliner and Lancome and Smashbox mascara for Essence ones.

What I used:

Foundation: Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation

Eyeshadow, bronzer and Blush: All Essence

Eyeliner: Essence Superfine eyeliner

Mascara: Essence Get Big Lashes

Lipgloss: Essence XXXL Shine

Eyeshadow: MUA Undressed Palette. (I pushed the boundary a little, but technically you can get this in South Africa because they do ship to SA).

The Makeup Look

1. Apply foundation using flat foundation brush. At first it was quite a challenge to blend with the paddle brush, but it worked out in the end.

2. I then applied the 2nd lightest shade from my MUA palette, I wanted something as a base to even out my eyelids. The shade was really perfect for my skin tone. I applied it to my entire lid.

3. I then took a darker shade and applied it to the lower and outer corners of my eyes to create a slight contour. I used the round brush because I wanted everything to be subtle.

4. I applied the near black shade and further contoured my eye with the smaller round brush. This is for a natural day look so I didn’t do anything dramatic.

5. I then applied a highlighting shade to the inner corner of my eyes and my eyebrow bone. And I lined my lower and upper lids with a quick click of Essence Superfine Eyeliner

6. I thickened the upper lash line and applied Essence Get Big Lashes Mascara. Just look at how amazing this mascara is!

7. Contour, highlight and blush with Essence, then it’s all done

8. Whoops, I almost forgot a swipe of the Essence XXL Shine lipgloss! I chose this nude shade because it’s perfect for an understated look!

The 27Pinkx makeup organiser and brush range is aimed at consumers wanting affordable products, these brushes retail at an average of R37!

Now Trying: Mavala South Africa

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:23:39 +0000

Mavala is a quality nail care brand from Switzerland that has been available in South Africa for a while now and I actually love. Everything in their range comes in the cutest small bottles. They also have a renowned set of nailcare products that I’ve heard good things about.

Last week Mavala sent me a bag of goodies that I just can’t wait to try.

That one time I was a Covergirl ;)

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:24:02 +0000

Remember that amazing trip I took to Cape Town? Remember that amazing comp that Cosmopolitan and Colgate ran? Yeah, I finally got to have a look at what I’d look like on a Cosmo cover. The result was less sexy, more 16 I’ll leave it to the pros for now.

Did you enter?

Beauty Review: Essence All-In-One BB Cream

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:00:09 +0000

I received a sample of the essence BB cream in medium a while back and safe to say, I’m pretty impressed. The BB cream is moisturising and provides a sheer-medium coverage with a matte finish. It really does even out my skin tone and leaves me feeling a little more confident to face the day. It doesn’t make my face shiny, but I do have to blot it after a few hours.

What I don’t like about it is that it ONLY comes in 3 shades and medium is the darkest shade. I am not really a fan of how it matches my skin, it’s very pink toned and wouldn’t suit those with yellower skins. I wore it thinking that I would look fine but one of my colleagues actually noticed my ‘pale’ skin. So if you’re NC 43+ this is definitely not for you. For the lucky ladies that this matches, it’s a really good choice still. It’s great value for money, it’s a real pity that is doesn’t come in darker shades.

In the swatch it really looks like it matches my hand, but when I spread it on my face it is a little too pink. Doesn’t stop me from wearing it mixed with moisturiser though

My tube was a little overzealous and could not keep itself inside the tube, perhaps it just got pushed around too much in shipping because I haven’t seen anyone else mention this!

Dove puts on a Performance with a Difference

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:26:11 +0000

I received quite the package yesterday, a heavy box with a few words over the top, three layers of unwrapping revealed the 3 bottles of the Dove and more information about their Nourishing Body range and the activation they did at Cresta. As an aside, what is it about Cresta that makes brands do all their activations there? Dove created an activation that echoed their intentions with the Nourishing Body range. Dove sees your skin as a combination of multiple layers and will nourish more layers from deep down instead of just on the surface. This really just echos many of the Dove campaigns that focus on inner beauty.

See the activation below

In all honestly, they should have done it in another mall, I can see how well this would go down at the Protea Court of Sandton City. That’s just because I would really have loved to see it. A great concept brought to life by Dove, again.

About the range:

There are 3 body lotions in the Dove Nourishing Body Range, Essential Nourishment, Intensive Nourishment and Indulgent Nourishment. My favourite by far is the Indulgent Nourishment body lotion with Shea Butter. I can actually a remember a time when I didn’t like what shea butter smelt like, now I can’t get enough of it! All the lotions come with the Dove Deepcare Complex that provides ‘Up to ten days of Nourishment”.

All of the lotions are thick but absorb well and the Indulgent Nourishment is perfect for my hands.

You can find them at all the Dove retailers for around R33 each.

I tried to snap some quick pictures between layers of violent unwrapping, because I was pretty excited about receiving a heavy box!

A pretty well thought out press pack! I also think that this box can easily be re-purposed into an eyeshadow box.

N.B This is a Sponsored Post.

Forever New Monochromania Collection

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:25:33 +0000

As always I’m pretty willing to punt Forever New, mainly because I love the style of their collections. Their latest, Monochromania is pretty much the epitome of a collection I love. I’m actually hoarding a monochrome lookpost that I’m too scared to put up just yet. I love this simple tailored collection and am after that pleated skirt.

Revlon Haul

Zaahirah Bhamjee — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:07:20 +0000

Last week I attended the #cosmopolished event which you can read about here, what I didn’t mention was that we got to take EVERYTHING from the stands at our desks and I ended up with a large booty.

I picked up a few nail files, a dotting tool, TONS of nail polish, a Photoready palette, a manicure set, hand cream and nail polish remover. Yep, there is also a Colorstay lipstick there.

I am already trying out the Brilliant Strength nail polish which has a weird scent, but no other complaints so far!