10 Beauty Products to Lust Over in May
It’s time for another WomenStuff beauty round up! Every month our beauty desk is inundated with new beauty products to try – from new skincare product releases to fabulous new makeup items and more, there’s always something exciting popping up. So, I decided to put them all together for you in one convenient place so you get all the reviews and news on the latest must-try beauty products without having to sift through a million articles. All of the products featured here have been personally reviewed by me, so you know they’re aces. Here are 10 new beauty products to try in May 2017!
Reviewed by Me
These are some of my favourite products from our beauty desk this month – they’ve all been personally reviewed by me and get the WomenStuff stamp of approval!
1. Mii Passion Matte Lip Lover Lipstick
If you’re not one hundred percent sure about venturing into the world of matte lipsticks then this fabulous range from Mii is a great place to start. This weightless lippy smooths on for a suede-soft finish that newbie matte lovers will adore. It doesn’t dry out like a lot of other matte lipsticks but instead, gives the impression and feeling that you’re lips are oh-so-soft. The super soft and nourished feel you get from this lippy is thanks to an enriching blend of oils and waxes. With a super rich pigment (just one sweep on your lips will give you a bold look) and long-lasting colour, this matte lipstick from Mii is a real winner in my book. I tried out the ‘Adoration 02’ colour (a dark, almost maroon red) which looked beautiful on my fair skin but there is a range of other colours to choose from as well.
Available at selected beauty salons and spas at R315 – for more information about Mii and stockists visit the Poise Brands website.
2. L.A Girl Beauty Brick Blush Collection
L.A Girl is quickly becoming one of my favourite makeup brands ever. Not only is the range super affordable but the products work really well AND they’re cruelty-free. I’ve been obsessed with their concealers for a while now and this month I’ve got a major crush on the Beauty Brick Blush Collection. The collection offers 4 different blush palettes to suit a variety of skin tones and each palette features four shades (two blush colours, a bronzer, and a highlighter) to allow you to create a wow look with ease. I love that the shades are super pigmented and you don’t need much to create the look you want. The shades also last for hours so you get a lot of bang for your buck! I tried out the ‘Glow’ palette (ideal for fair skin) which features a rosy pink blush, a lighter peach pink blush, a super subtle bronzer and a shimmery light highlighter. The shades blend together beautifully and I would definitely rate this palette as a must have for any beauty bag.
Available at Dischem stores at R99.95 – click here to buy it online now.
3. White Rabbit Republik Rose Gold Ferrule Contour Brush
If there’s one thing every makeup-obsessed lass knows it’s that you’ve got to invest in good quality brushes. They’re the key to a flawless look and there’s no doubt that now is the time to start your collection. This month I’m smitten with White Rabbit Republik’s range of beautiful makeup brushes, especially this Rose Gold Ferrule Contour Brush. In addition to being oh-so-trendy this cruelty-free brush is also super luxurious and incredibly soft! It’s an absolute must-have for every makeup enthusiast and allows you to contour flawlessly over the cheeks, jawline, and nose. The crazy thing about this brush is that even though it’s made with synthetic fibres, you’ll marvel at how luxurious and soft the brush fibres are. This contour brush has super dense brush fibres that effortlessly pick up powder and mineral foundations, allowing you to create a flawless, high-definition foundation finish. But it’s not just for contouring – it’s also the perfect multitasking brush and can be used for most makeup applications such as applying mineral foundation, blush, shimmer and setting powders.
Available online from White Rabbit Republik at R69 – click here to buy it online now.
4. Matsimela Spa Marula Nut Exfoliating Mud Scrub
Spas are pretty much every girl’s happy place and now you can get that spa feeling at home with Matsimela Home Spa. The proudly South African, cruelty-free range of home spa products is made using natural ingredients sourced from rural communities in South Africa thus creating jobs and a form of sustainable income for them. I recently got the chance to try out some products from the Marula Nut range and loved the Exfoliating Mud Scrub. While it doesn’t look like the prettiest product around it smells divine and works wonders on your skin. Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C and E, the natural Marula oil helps to protect and nourish the skin’s surface while it exfoliates. I’m a big fan of body scrubs and this one works super well. I use it before shaving and there’s not an ingrown hair in site when I use this stuff. It’s also the perfect product for at-home pedicures and pre-self-tan exfoliation.
Available online from Matismela at R103.50 – click here to buy it online now.
5. Giorgio Beverly Hills Eau de Toilette Natural Spray
This seductive feminine fragrance has been around since 1981 and is a true classic in the fragrance world. Combining rich floral notes with sparkling, sweet fruits, this perfume has become somewhat of a cult classic amongst ladies looking for something with a high-end feeling and a slightly more affordable price tag. I love this scent because it offers a heady bouquet of white flowers, making it the ideal summer fragrance. With middle notes of Jasmine and Tuberose, fruity top notes of Orange Blossom and Bergamot, and base notes of Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Patchouli, and Vanilla, the Giorgio Beverly Hills Eau de Toilette Natural Spray is the ultimate in femininity and romance. This fragrance also gets top marks in my books for being super long-lasting. It’s ranked as one of the most long-lasting perfumes on the market and it’s this all-day wear that has catapulted it into icon status.
Available from Edgars and Clicks stores in two sizes – 30 ml at R355 and 90 ml at R 595.
Things I Love this Month
While I haven’t had a chance to review the products below they are definitely on my radar for the coming months. These products and places range from the oh-so-cute to the down-right brilliant. You’re bound to find something you’ll love and want to try.
6. Collagen Pro-Active Liquid Collagen
This anti-ageing solution for men and women is said to be the key to a youthful appearance by helping consumers treat the symptoms of ageing from the inside out. The anti-ageing and wellness drinking oral supplement, Collagen Pro-Active is said to help hydrate and refine skin, reduce fine lines, strengthen hair, prevent injuries, reduce healing time, and improve eczema and arthritis. Collagen makes up 70% of the skin and keeps it looking firm, tight, flexible and young but with age, the collagen in the body breaks down, leading to wrinkles, folds around the mouth, and thinning skin. Collagen stimulation has long been used to combat signs of ageing and South Africans can now buy liquid hydrolysed collagen to use in addition to their anti-aging creams. Unlike creams and lotions, which mostly only penetrate the epidermis of the skin, this drinkable hydrolysed collagen is more easily absorbed and has a positive effect on all skin (not just the face) as well the hair, nails and joints. Enhanced with vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6 and magnesium, Collagen Pro-Active can be taken daily as a syrup or diluted in a glass of water or juice. Most people are said to report positive results within a month to six weeks however, consumers are advised to use the product continuously for three to six months to see the full effects of the product.
Available online from Dermastore at R1150 in Strawberry or Lemon – click here to buy it online now. For more information visit the Proactive SA website.
7. CHARWHITE Natural Teeth Whitening Powder
This non-toxic, vegan, GMO-free and cruelty-free powder promises to give you pearly whites after just 2 -3 uses. CHARWHITE claims it is the easiest way to remove all the effects of our lifestyles on our teeth including stains from coffee, tea, red wine and curries. Regularly consuming these types of food and drinks can stain teeth leaving them dull in colour but with this nifty powder you’ll be sporting a sparkling smile in no time. CHARWHITE is a medical grade activated charcoal made from coconut shell, bentonite clay, organic sweet orange peel and organic peppermint and is highly absorbent which means it will bind easily with stains and toxins. The powder is also said to be highly effective in removing plaque and is fluoride-free so it can be used alone, or in combination with your daily toothpaste. CHARWHITE is mild enough for every day use and users can expect to get up to 150 uses per jar. For best results use a minimum of 2-3 times per week by simply dipping your clean, wet toothbrush into the powder (with or without toothpaste), brush the teeth in small circles for 2 minutes, before spitting and rinsing well.
Available at selected dentists as well as from Zoom Whitening at a recommended retail price of R475.00 for a 50ml jar. Orders can also be placed by emailing info@charwhite.co.za
8. Gatineau Perfection Ultimate Retexturising Beauty Cream
This new offering from Gatineau offers a revitalising and regenerating action for ladies looking to plump up their skin and achieve a more youthful look. The product is said to help retain water in the skin (because a hydrated skin is a healthy skin), regain vitality and improve skin radiance. A unique Caviar Complex also helps to revitalise and regenerate cellular activity and improve the appearance of damaged skin while the Anti-Aging Complex helps to fill in fine lines and wrinkles and form a protective barrier on the skin to reduce any further environmental damage to the skin. The product can be applied every morning and/or evening after your serum and with diligent use, you should see results after 4 weeks using the product.
Available at selected beauty salons, Woolworths, Truworths, Stuttafords, Dis-Chem and other pharmacies at R1395 for a 50ml tub.
9. WAXIT Wax Bars Introduce Epilfree
WAXIT, the Johannesburg-based beauty bar dedicated solely to smooth skin, has just introduced a new treatment option to their already impressive list of waxing treatments – Epilfree. This innovative professional permanent hair reduction treatment works on all skin types and costs significantly less than other hair removal techniques. The treatment was developed by Yoel Konis PhD, an expert in the field of Chemistry, Epilfree forms part of a comprehensive treatment, which inhibits and slows down re-growth of facial and body hair. According to Epilfree, a single treatment on a limited area will give visible results within several weeks and the product can be safely and successfully used on anyone, anywhere on the body including downy facial hair. The treatment process is simple and comprises of 3 steps starting with a high-quality Epilation treatment (hair removal with Epilfree approved wax), following hair removal Epilfree Activator A is spread on the treated surface before massaging Epilfree Toner B into the skin of the treated surface.
The Epilfree treatment is available at WAXIT salons in Douglasdael, Lonehill, Menlyn Maine and Kyalami Corner. For more information and to book your treatment visit the WAXIT website.
10. Theravine 3-Phase Nail Care System
Step aside brittle, flaky, ugly nails and say hello to the triple ‘S’ – stronger, shinier and smoother nails. If you’re tired of soft, splitting nails that break easily, slow growing nails, ridges and irregularities, or dull, fragile nails then this nail system from Theravine is worth a try. The trio offers a 7-in-1 Miracle Elixir (that provides targeted repair to the most damaged areas in your nail), Phase 1 Cuticle Remover (a fast acting emollient gel that softens dry, ragged cuticles and melts away overgrown cuticles), and Phase 2 Cuticle Treatment Oil (to help maintain supple cuticles while minimising cracking and peeling of dry and brittle cuticles). For optimum results, Theravine recommends using the 3-phase nail care system together but the products can be purchased individually and used on their own.
The Phase 1: Cuticle Remover is available at R115, Phase 2: Cuticle Oil at R125, and Phase 3: 7 in 1 Miracle Elixir at R165 from the Theravine website.
