Kiehl's #ChangeYourSkin 28 Day Challenge - Week 1 Results

I've just completed my first week with Kiehl's #ChangeYourSkin 28 Day Challenge, brought to you by Beauty Bulletin. I have to say that I've already noticed a great difference in my skin.

Morning Routine

1. I start by applying 1 1/2 pumps of the Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate. I wait for this product to absorb completely into my skin before moving on to step 2.
2. I apply 2 drops Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution to my palms, and carefully start applying directly to my dark spots. The remaining product is spread over the rest of my skin.

Evening Routine

1. I start by applying 1 1/2 pumps of the Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate. I wait for this product to absorb completely into my skin before moving on to step 2.
2. I apply 2 drops Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution to my palms, and carefully start applying directly to my dark spots. The remaining product is spread over the rest of my skin.
3. I apply 2 drops of the Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I'm really careful to spread this evenly over my face, neck and décolletage. I pat this product into the skin until it's all absorbed.

Week 1 Results

• A little bit of product goes a LONG WAY! Don't make the mistake of applying too much product. I'm so excited that these #SuperSerums will last a while before I'll need to replace them.
• Although the Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate is very light weight, it really keeps me moisturised throughout the day, which is what my skin needs in this harsh winter weather.
• My skin is so soft in the morning that I actually feel badly about washing my face again. I know it sounds crazy but thats my truth.
• Makeup application is so much easier with smoother skin. Thanks Kiehl's!

I'll be back with my week 2 update before you know it. I'm hoping for even better results by then. 

To purchase your own Kiehl's products and take part in the #ChangeYourSkin 28 Day Challenge, visit any of the following Edgars Stores:

Johannesburg: Sandton City, Eastgate, Hyde Park, Rosebank
Pretoria: Menlyn, Brooklyn, Westville
Cape Town: V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk

I've Accepted the Kiehl's #ChangeYourSkin 28 Day Challenge!!

It's been a little over 1 year since I moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and my skin still hasn't adjusted favourably to the atmosphere. Winter is officially here and my face is still feeling super dry and looking dull. When Kiehl's South Africa and Beauty Bulletin asked me to take part in their #ChangeYourSkin 28 Day Challenge, I immediately jumped at the chance. I've been a fan of Kiehl's hair products for many years now, but this was my chance to really focus in on their amazingly formulated skin care products and bring the results to you! 

#ChangeYourSkin #SuperSerums

The Challenge:

• Use the three provided Kiehl's Serums
• Document the results
• #ChangeYourSkin

The Goal:

• To combat dull skin, signs of ageing and uneven skin tone and texture.

The Products:

Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate

• Improves the overall appearance of skin’s plumpness, and smoothes the look of fine lines and skin texture
• Utilizes next generation serum-to-liquid technology to intensively hydrate skin’s deepest surface layers. This serum works to correct age-related dehydration, while re-plumping the skin and smoothing fine lines and rough texture.

Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution

• Clearly Corrective™ dark spot solution is the first Kiehl's serum that promotes youthful clarity while helping to reduce the appearance of dark spots, discolourations and hyperpigmentation.
• See visible results in just 8 weeks!
• - 87% of women clinically demonstrated more even skin tone.
• - 89% of women clinically demonstrated a reduction in dark spot intensity.

Midnight Recovery Concentrate

• One night. A few drops. Younger-looking skin by morning.
• Replenishes skin with moisture
• 99.8% Naturally Derived Ingredients
• Helps to recover radiance by morning
• Paraben-Free
• Recyclable glass bottle, dropper and plastic squeeze top in a protective 100% recycled board carton

My Current Skin:

Before Kiehl's #ChangeYourSkin 28 Day Challenge

Buy Your Own Products!

The good news is that there isn't a reason to feel left out of the challenge. For this week only (June 20th - June 24th), when you purchase two of the three #SuperSerums, you will get the third one free! This offer is valid at all participating Kiehl's stores. So get your coins together and #ChangeYourSkin !

Stay tuned for my weekly check-ins on my experience with these three products. I can't wait to change my skin with these #SuperSerums.

Manicure Monday: How to fix a broken nail at home!

The initial reaction when I break a nail is to cry and moan about it. I know! It's just a nail, but my nails take forever to grow to an even and non-boyish looking length, so I usually moan until the feeling passes. Not to mention that it's hard to just file my nails to an even shape because my nails always break awkwardly. Well, I no longer cry or go running to my manicurist for a full set of acrylic nails, because I know how to fix my broken nails at home with a few things from my kitchen and bathroom cabinet. Go figure!

What You Will Need:

• 1 Tea Bag
• Nail File
• Base Coat
• Opaque Nail Colour

How to Fix Your Nail:

1. To patch things up, pick up a nail file like essence studio nails file and remove any rough edges around the break.
2. Follow with your favourite base coat. I love essence protecting base coat.
3. Empty the tea bag, and use a pair of nail scissors to cut a strip large enough to cover the broken portion. 
4. While the base coat is still slightly wet, press the strip of  tea bag paper over the split, and swipe two or three additional coats on top. 
5. Allow the nail to dry, then conceal everything with an opaque nail colour like essence colour & go in nude it and you're done!

To find all my favourite essence nail products, visit your local drug store or Clicks Pharmacy.

Stay beautiful!

Manicure Monday: D.I.Y. French Tips

The classic French manicure is timeless, neat and office appropriate. Keep it sleek and modern with short, rounded square nails.

Stay Beautiful!!!

Manicure Monday: Nude Nail Polish For ALL Skin Tones

Every girl needs a fail safe nude nail polish, but what's the right shade when we all come in different colours? I'm going to teach you how to pick a proper nude nail polish for your skin tone and give you a few recommendations of my own.

HOW DO I PICK A NUDE NAIL POLISH?

1. Firstly, choose a neutral nail polish that compliments your skin by matching it to your foundation. 
2. Try it on your nail to find the right match. Looking at the colour through the bottle just won't do.
3. Check the coloration of your skin near the cuticle – if you have blue undertones and your cuticle looks red, then you chose a color with too much blue. If you have yellow undertone and your cuticle looks dark, then you chose a shade that’s too pink.

FAIR SKIN

Sally Hansen Smooth & Perfect Colour + Care Linen

Essie Don't Sweater It

My Recommendations: Essie Nail Polish in Don’t Sweater It and Sally Hansen Smooth & Perfect Color + Care in Linen

MEDIUM SKIN

OPI Berlin There Done That

Essie Mambo

My Recommendations: OPI Nail Color in Berlin There Done That and Essie Nail Polish in Mambo

OLIVE SKIN

Estee Lauder Nouveau Riche

ORLY Flare

My Recommendations: Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Nouveau Riche and Orly Nail Color in Flare

DARK SKIN

OPI Chocolate Mousse

Essie - Mink Muffs

My Recommendations: OPI Nail Polish in Chocolate Mousse and Essie Nail Polish in Mink Muffs

Let's get nude ladies!

Beauty Gadget: Goodbye Safeway Facial Cleanser and Hello Sorbet Facial Cleanser!

Safeway Facial Cleanser w/ several attachments R150 - R200

About 2 years ago I stopped into a Clicks Pharmacy and bought this Safeway Facial Cleanser. I recall it being between R150 and R200. It's battery operated and came with 5 attachments that I didn't care to learn how to use. I was really interested in the cleansing the exfoliating brushes. The rest were just there for decoration as far as I was concerned. Well, you get what you pay for because it barely lasted 6 months. I changed the batteries so many times and it seriously refused to turn on again. I was pissed. I went back to Clicks to buy another one but I couldn't find it, and I really wasn't prepared to pay Clarisonic money for a powered facial brush (see pic below).

Clarisonic Mia 1 Sonic Skin Cleansing $99 (R1173.67)

Sorbet Rechargeable Skin Cleaner

Originally R278 at Clicks but on Special for R219!

Fully water-resistant, the device can be used safely in the bathroom. This model comes with 3 different heads: Daily cleansing brush, exfoliating brush with fine tapered bristles, and a silicone brush head for extra delicate skin. Replacement heads will be sold individually within the coming months. A super fine latex sponge head will be available in the range of replacement heads, which can be used well in applying facial masks, working it more thoroughly into the skin an pores. It may also be used when polishing/exfoliating the skin with the Sorbet powder exfoliator.

Lastly, the Rechargeable cleanser has two operating speeds, dual direction rotation, and is USB rechargeable.

I've only used this cool gadget 4 times since I bought it, and so far I'm pretty happy. I generally find that I spend less time removing makeup, exfoliating and cleansing my face with a high powered brush. I also use far less product! Stay tuned for a comprehensive review of the Sorbet Rechargeable Skin Cleanser in the following weeks.

Make-up Monday - The Perfect Feathered Eyebrow

The Toolkit
Slant Tweezers
Small Cuticle Scissors to Trim
An antibacterial gel that prevents redness and irritation after plucking.

Step 1: Hurry Up and WaitAllow your brows to grow for 3-4 months in order to see their natural shape. Tame sprouting hair in the meantime with a brow gel to keep unruly hair in place.

Step 2: Find Your Natural ArchDraw an invisible line from the corner of the nose straight up towards the forehead, this is where the eyebrows should start. The arch should fall just outside the pupil and should extend all the way across the brow bone. See the picture below

Step 3: Create the ShapeUse your bone structure and hair texture as a guide for your eyebrows. Softer facial features look best with a slightly thinner eyebrow, while a stronger bone structure is the perfect for a thicker brow. Tweeze hair in a comfortable, well and natural lit space. Get a pair of good tweezers with sharp slanted edges and pull hairs in the direction of growth. Hold skin taut while you are plucking. The arch should fall just beyond the the middle of the brow toward the outter tip. This creates an immediate opening and lifting quality for the whole face.

Not confident enough to tweeze your own brow? Find an eyebrow guru, and ask them to follow these tips to a perfect brow.