Getting married soon? Opt for the Glow Getter Treatment at Dr Nerina + Associates to achieve that flawless bridal glow.
Let's Go Outside
My goal this summer: to spend more time outdoors. Thank goodness for ESI South Africa’s Pure Aloe Vera Gel.
Summer’s coming and I’ve made a promise to spend more time outdoors in the fresh air, be it exercising , playing sport or partaking in romantic beach walks.
I’ve written enough articles and posts about the dangers of the sun but — what about the positives? Daily doses of sunshine helps to improve your mood, sleep patterns and bone health.
Keep your Vitamin D to a moderate dose though. Always wear SPF, and for those who miss a spot, slather ESI South Africa’s Pure Aloe Vera Gel onto the sunburnt part of your skin to take the sting away. It also helps with insect bites and other sorts of skin inflammation, calming it almost immediately.
This fast absorbing formula contains pure, cold pressed Aloe Vera juice and works brilliantly as a moisturiser. You’ll always find a tube in my handbag.
R140 for 100ml. Click here to purchase directly.
Visit www.esisa.co.za for more information or leave a comment below!
Ten Reasons Why I Love Tea Tree Oil
The list of benefits of Tea Tree Oil extract are endless. Combine it with Aloe Gel and Vitamin E and you have a winning formula.
Here are my top ten reasons for loving ESI South Africa’s Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E & Tea Tree Oil.
*Trust me, it was hard to condense them into just ten but I think you’ll find these useful.
1. It relieves psoriasis. If you have a psoriasis flare up, apply the ESI Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E & Tea Tree Oil to the skin immediately. It soothes and calms.
2. It’s ideal for travel. I love the size of this product. It fits perfectly in my bag and never leaks, making it a great travel companion.
3. It helps dehydrated skin. The current cold weather has taken its toll on my skin lately, making it extremely dehydrated. The ESI Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E & Tea Tree Oil sorts out the dehydration quickly and effectively upon application.
4. It gets rids of blemishes. Pesky spots due to maskne? No problem. Apply the ESI Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E & Tea Tree Oil to your blemish and zap your zit before it gets too painful. Remember not to squeeze, unless you’re a qualified skin professional.
5. It soothes overly sanitized hands. The world is currently experiencing a pandemic. Sanitizing and washing your hands has become the norm. Applying the ESI Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E & Tea Tree Oil helps soothe and hydrate dry, flaky hands.
6. It sorts out sunburn. Tea tree is known to reduce inflammation of any kind and kill bacteria.
7. It calms insect bites. Apply it the area as soon as you’ve been bitten and you’ll notice a decrease in inflammation and itchiness.
8. It works well as a primer. Believe it! Apply it before your foundation and watch your makeup last longer (whilst keeping your skin hydrated).
9. It repairs cuts and scrapes. Apply it to a minor wound and watch the area heal before your eyes.
10. It helps soothe razor burn.
It works quickly, no matter what the ailment. Try it. Send me your thoughts in the comments box below.
You can purchase it directly here. Or visit their website www.esisa.co.za
R147 for 100ml.
Why You Should Use Neutrogena Hydrogel Sheet Masks
Admittedly, I was one of the last people in my industry to get into the whole sheet masking fad (shocking, I know, but I’m just being honest) and now can safely say that I can’t do without them. As I type this post, I’m sitting with the Neutrogena Purifying Boost (The Detoxifier) Hydrogel Recovery Mask on my face because, I enjoy to multi-mask (see what I did there?) and will walk you through the experience of wearing one of them, and of course, explain why these brilliant products should be incorporated into your life too – unless you’ve beaten me to it.
You’ll notice a pattern when it comes to the beauty products I rave about. They all seem to have two things in common:
1) They need to be fuss-free and…
2) Deliver great results, INSTANTLY.
Neutrogena Hydrogel Recovery Masks are heaven sent. In just 15 minutes, the equivalent of a 30ml bottle of concentrated moisturising serum is delivered to your skin. All you have to do is simply apply the Hydrogel sheet mask to your face and relax (or type a post raving about it if you want to save time, like me).
*1 mask = 1 application.
What Does a Sheet Mask Feel Like?
Removing the Hydrogel mask from the packaging can be tricky as you don’t want to lose any of the serum/product. This mask has two parts; one for the top half of your face (eyes, forehead and upper cheek area) and the other for your bottom half (bottom cheek area and chin). The Hydrogel mask itself feels quite jelly-like but cooling as soon as you put it on your face. Be sure to smooth out all the areas to even out the mask properly. You don’t want to miss any spots.
Which Neutrogena Hydrogel Recovery Mask Would You Pick?
Neutrogena Purifying Boost – The Detoxifier, R59,95:
This is the one I’m wearing right now and feel my skin needs the most. With silly season upon us, this mask may be your new best friend. December and January means consuming more of everything, which takes its toll on your skin. ‘The Detoxifier’ contains seaweed extract which intensely purifies, helps your complexion look healthy and feel super soft. I’ve used this one countless times before and it’s my go-to after a long, exhausting weekend of one too many glasses of bubbles.
Neutrogena Radiance Boost – The Illuminator, R59,95:
Dull-looking skin? ‘The Illuminator’ should be your mask of choice because it contains Vitamin B3, known to perk up tired-looking skin (which we all need from time-to-time), illuminate, enhance radiance and leaves you feeling refreshed and glowy.
Remember, one mask application is the equivalent of one month’s serum use. It’s incredible.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost – The Super Hydrator, R59,95:
‘The Super Hydrator’ is my favourite of them all but I haven’t had to use it recently as my hydration levels have been good. But, if you’re in the need for a mega boost of hydration – this mask will be your saving grace. It contains heaps of Hyaluronic Acid which as you know, intensely hydrates the skin, making it feel supple and resulting in an overall healthy glow. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin.
Neutrogena Ageless Boost – The Smart Smoother, R59,95:
‘The Smart Smoother’ lives up to its name and rightly so – it contains Adenosine which helps smooth the skin, fill in fine lines and gives your complexion a youthful appearance. Sounds good, right? Each mask that I’ve referred to is designed to resemble a ‘second skin’, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate the skin.
How To Use Each Mask:
Step 1. Cleanse your face thoroughly.
Step 2. Peel the white film backing from the Hydrogel sheet mask and discard.
Step 3. Place the hydrogel mask onto your face and leave on for 30 minutes. (Tip: You can leave it on for 15 minutes but I prefer sitting for 30 minutes in order for my skin to soak up all the benefits of this product. It’s entirely up to you, though).
Step 4. Remove the Hydrogel sheet mask and massage what’s left of the product onto your face and neck.
Kelli’s Top Masking Tips:
1) I use my Hydrogel masks before bedtime as it gives the product and ingredients enough time to absorb – plus, it’s the ideal way to wind down after a long day. Remember, you can only get one application from one mask.
2) Why wait until January 2020 to begin your ‘beauty ‘ New Year’s resolution? Rather kickstart it now, in December, to make sure your skin’s always looking fab.
3) These Hydrogel masks are the ideal products to travel with. They take up minimal space in your toiletry bag, have strong packaging that will definitely not leak and it’s also a great way to relax during your holiday.
4) Do NOT apply moisturiser before your mask. Just cleanse your skin. The whole purpose of the Hydrogel sheet mask is for your skin to absorb ingredients properly and effectively.
5) These Neutrogena Hydrogel masks are essentially serums so make sure you use the leftover bits of the formula and apply it to your skin. Every little bit helps.
6) Designate one day a week as your masking day. I choose Sunday evenings as it’s a great way to unwind and start the new week afresh.
*All masks are R59,95 each and are available from Clicks & Dis-Chem.
LET’S CHAT:
Now, I want to hear from you! Have you ever used a sheet mask? Which one of the Neutrogena Hydrogel Recovery Masks speaks to you the most? Leave your comments below.
Follow Neutrogena here:
Instagram: @NeutrogenaSA
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NEUTROGENASA
Twitter: @Neutrogena
*This post was sponsored by Neutrogena.
Introducing NIVEA’s Newest Skincare Range: Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity
Let’s be real for a second – we all have ageing concerns the older we get. It’s impossible for our skin to look, behave and feel the same as it did in our twenties (it’s a fantastic thought though, right?) but, thankfully, we have brilliant facial products available to improve the condition and sort out our skincare woes.
Personally, one of my concerns has been loss of volume within my face, along with elasticity. I’ve been training at the gym at least 4-5 times a week since the beginning of January and of course, I’m happy with my weight loss, but I’ve noticed that my skin has started to sag a bit. You can imagine how happy I was when I got given the NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity Range to try out; a range designed specifically to target this problem.
We’re also changing seasons at the moment. It’s getting cold (#WinterIsComing) and my skin enjoys going into ‘lazy mode’, resulting in a lot of moisture loss and dryness. Each product in the range contains Hyaluronic Acid (music to my ears), the best ingredient to boost and maintain moisture levels within your skin. Other environmental factors such as pollution and stress also contribute to your skin looking dull, feeling sensitive and uneven. After using the range for a few weeks, I can safely say that I haven’t experienced any of these things, even after a recent trip to Johannesburg and my skin has remained hydrated, smooth and looked more radiant.
Elastin and Collagen work hand in hand to keep the skin looking firm and youthful and are the other two hero ingredients found within the range. The Elastin fibres responsible for getting the skin back to its original shape along with the protein Collagen made my skin feel tighter and more defined. I was incredibly impressed.
Let me walk you through each product in the NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler + Elasticity Range:
1. The NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity Anti-Spot Serum, R289,99 for 30ml has a soft, velvety texture with a pump dispenser, making it ideal for travel. This serum has a powerful melanin inhibitor, which helps reduce the appearance of dark spots (admittedly, I didn’t have many) while keeping the skin sufficiently hydrated.
I would use it in conjunction with the NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity Day Cream SPF 15 (more details about this product below), as it contains a sun protection benefit and achieved more holistic results such as overall radiance.
2. The NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity Day Cream SPF 15, R269,99 for 50ml was my favourite product of them all! The texture, the scent, the way it quickly absorbed into my skin – I could go on and on. It’s a winner. I’m close to finishing my tub. I love that it had a built-in SPF to protect my skin and of course, kept it hydrated and feeling fresh.
3. I’d apply the NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity Night Cream, R269,99 for 50ml at night of course and woke up with plumped up skin. The texture of this cream is a lot thicker and richer than the day cream and leaves your skin feeling super nourished the next morning. You only need to apply a thin layer before bedtime.
4. Last but not least is the NIVEA Hyaluron Cellular Filler Elasticity Bi-phase Nourishing Oil Elixir, R289,99 for 30ml. I would apply this either in the morning or evening, after shaking the bottle to mix the formula, depending how parched my skin was. The triple-oil complex found within this product was responsible for keeping my skin nourished, moisturised and a lot more youthful.
The entire range is already on shelves and I’d highly recommend it to those who need a moisture boost, have elasticity concerns and want more skin definition. All the products are lightly fragranced and absorb like a dream. They’ll fit easily into your current skincare routine.
*This blog post is sponsored by NIVEA
LET’S CHAT: What’s your biggest skincare concern at the moment? I want to know! Leave a comment in the box below.
How Avène Thermal Spring Water Keeps My Skin Under Control
When you think of a facial mist, what springs to mind? Besides the way it cools the skin, keeps your makeup in place and provides a quick refresh during those scorching summer days – the defining factor of a facial mist for me personally, and of course, I’m referring to Avène’s Thermal Spring Water in this case, is the way it calms my redness and soothes the inflammation.
I’m very open about my mild form of rosacea that occurs on my nose and cheeks area. It flares up when you least expect it and is super uncomfortable; it itches, sometimes burns and gives your skin a hot, uneasy feeling.
I use lots of facial products to ‘tame’ it but nothing works as quickly and effectively as the Avène Thermal Spring Water.
I’ve used this spray for years so I’m no stranger to this miracle worker and now find it difficult to not incorporate it into my daily life. Having started a rigorous gym regime two months ago, (I do up to five sessions a week) meant that I needed a quick fix to perk up my skin but keep it under control.
My Top 5 Tips for Avène’s Thermal Spring Water
1. Don’t be reluctant to use the spray after an intense workout – it’s safe to use on your face as well as your body. It cools your skin down and refreshes it within seconds. Hold the mist 15-20cm away from the area and spritz away.
2. Avène’s Thermal Spring Water is available in three different sizes: 50ml, 150ml and 300ml. I always keep one in my handbag (ideal for traveling, especially when flying), the medium size one in my gymbag (we all know why) and one next to my bed as my skin likes to go red sometimes before I go to bed.
3. It’s brilliant to cool down your body temperature after a hot shower! Ever since I’ve started working out, my body battles to get back to its normal temperature and when I apply makeup, little beads of sweat would form. The Avène Thermal Spring Water prevents this and keeps your skin under control.
4. Feel free to use the spray on babies and small children. It’s completely safe and suits even the most sensitive skin types.
5. Try the Avène Thermal Spring Water on your scalp too. It works wonders on sunburn and soothes it profusely, without making your hair look or feel dirty.
Click here to find your nearest stockist.
(Clicks also has a great promo happening at the moment: Buy any 3 Eau Thermale Avène products and only pay for 2. Offer valid in-store and online until 21 March 2019, while stocks last.)
*This article is sponsored by Eau Thermale Avène.
Now, I want to hear from you! Have you tried Avène’s Thermal Spring Water before? How has it benefited your skin?
YES, the Foreo LUNA™ 2 is Worth The Hype!
Two months ago, the incredible Dermastore team sent me my very own Foreo LUNA™ 2 for Normal Skin (that’s the pink one) to test out and I have been so impressed with the results. After my trip to Zanzibar (end of September 2018), my complexion appeared all tanned and glowy but if you looked closely, the top layer of my skin felt dry, rough and flakey. I noticed my regular facial products weren’t penetrating my skin properly.
My pores appeared bigger, regardless of how much primer I used, and my foundation, well, instead of providing the usual natural finish, just looked uneven. Worst of all, it just looked obvious that I was wearing makeup and that’s a huge pet peeve of mine. I tried various masks, exfoliators, you name it – but nothing could do the trick. My only hope was the LUNA™ 2 and it exceeded my expectations tremendously.
How to use the device:
Make sure the LUNA™ 2 is fully charged (you will receive all this equipment in the box).
Apply your cleanser all over your skin. Even the most gentle cleansers work effectively in conjunction with the LUNA™ 2.
Wet the LUNA™ 2 (don’t be shy) and use the + and – buttons on the device to control the speed.
Using the side containing the bristles, apply the device in circular motions to your skin for one minute only.
Rinse any excess cleanser off.
Apply your usual skincare products (eg. moisturiser, serum, etc.)
Flip the LUNA™ 2 around to use the Anti-Ageing Mode and use this to massage your skincare products into the skin for another minute. Focus on areas of concern that have fine lines and wrinkles. This will help with skincare product absorption and stimulate the skin.
And there you have it! Glowing, smooth skin. Don’t forget to rinse your LUNA™ 2 with warm water, leave in a cool place to dry and charge it when you can.
Click here to see a tutorial on how to use it.
28 September 2018:
My skin felt dry, flakey and rough. Redness was also an issue.
29 October 2018:
After a month, my glow had finally come back! My skin felt smoother, my skincare products absorbed easily and I barely felt the need to wear makeup. Quite a dramatic change, right?
1 December 2018: My present day skin which is smooth, hydrated and all round flawless, even though I’ve been incredibly stressed lately. The LUNA™ 2 is a lifesaver!
I’ve compiled a list of FAQs regarding the fabulous Foreo LUNA™ 2
1. What does the LUNA™ 2 actually do?
What can’t the LUNA™ 2 do? It eliminates 98.5% of excess oil and dirt, using the latest T-Sonic™ Technology. It thoroughly cleanses your skin and removes makeup effectively. It doesn’t take up a lot of room and is the perfect traveling companion to ensure your skin always feels and looks its best. After only 2-3 uses, you’ll notice that your foundation applies better – all due to better product absorption because of the LUNA™ 2. It’s also safe to use on your neck area, not just your face.
2. Does the LUNA™ 2 work well with all skincare products? Are there any products I need to use/stay away from?
The LUNA™ 2 works well with anything. Any cleanser is effective, but try stay away from ones that are abrasive. I recommend using a foaming cream cleanser with it, like the new La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar or SkinCeuticals Replenishing Cleanser Cream.
3. Is it best to use it in the morning/evening? Can I use it twice a day or is it too stimulating/overwhelming for the skin?
You can use it twice a day and it won't over-stimulate or anything. Although, I’ve incorporated mine into my nighttime cleansing routine before I go to sleep. The more you use it, the more your skin gets used to it and you’ll soon see what your skin needs.
4. What different devices are there?
There’s quite a variety! I am using the one for Normal Skin, but there’s a device for sensitive skin, men, combination skin, oily skin and there are mini devices too.
Click here to see all of them.
5. How much is it? And where can I buy it?
It’s R3400 and you can purchase it from Dermastore. Their delivery service is impeccable. You won’t be disappointed!
MY PERSONAL TIP:
A lot of you that follow me on social media would know that I’ve experienced Dermaplaning twice before. I am sure this contributed to the smoothness of my skin but do believe that using the LUNA™ 2 each day for the past two months religiously has made my skin look better than ever before.
*This article is sponsored by Dermastore.