10 Best Beauty Products We Tried in May
The beauty world is full of surprises! Just when you thought you’d seen it all when it comes to exciting beauty launches, the clever sausages keep pulling more rabbits out of the hat. I tried a lot of beauty products in May but these 10 finds were indeed my favourite of them all. Here are my picks for the top 10 new beauty products to try in May and beyond.
1. OPI Nail Envy “Strength In Color” Collection
OPI’s Nail Envy is a cult-favourite nail strengthener, and now OPI has taken it to the next level with this new four-piece release that offers the same OPI nail strengthener we’ve come to know and love but with added colour so you can still get the benefits of the wonder nail strengthener but with a pop of colour that looks more like a polish (because bare nails are so last season!). The new range offers four classic OPI soft nude shades in Nail Envy formulations and they’re super lust-worthy! I’ve been using ‘Bubble Bath’ which is a beautiful pinky nude colour. With this polish, you need about three coats to really get a strong colour coverage but once applied it lasts super long and really helps to treat your nails when they need a bit of a pick-me-up. It’s a great product and one of my favourites to use in between gel applications. The range also offers Samoan Sand (a beautiful sheer nude), Pink to Envy (an ultra-sheer pink tint), and Hawaiin Orchid (a rosy pink creme).
The OPI Nail Envy “Strength In Color” Collection is available online from Zando at R379.
2. Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster
Designed to be used day and night ahead of your serums and moisturisers, this incredible product works to boost the results of your skincare products. It does this by helping to repair the skin’s surface, thereby boosting the skin’s natural defence and because a healthy surface layer will absorb ingredients better, your other skincare products work more effectively. The product contains four key ingredients (sea fennel, flaxseed extract, glasswort extract, and a probiotics complex) which all work together to help reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier, reduce water loss in the surface of the skin, and optimise skin’s microflora. I’ve been using this product for just over three weeks now and have already started to see results. After just a few days my skin looked smoother and plumper and felt like a dream and it’s definitely helped my skin handle the transition from summer to autumn much more easily. If you want more ‘wow’ out of your existing skincare products this is a must-try, especially for ladies over 30 just getting into the anti-ageing game.
Elizabeth Arden Superstart Skin Renewal Booster is available online from Foschini at R755 for 30ml.
3. Palladio Ombré 2-in-1 Lipcolour
You’ve heard of ombré hair, now it’s time for ombré lips to take centre stage. Featuring two complementary shades, these new dual-sided lipsticks will help you get the perfect lip colour combo and achieve the unique ombré lip look. Basically, the lipstick is divided into two sections – a dark and a light shade. The darker shade is to line the lips while the lighter shade is used to create definition and blend for that ombré effect. The chubby pencil-shaped lipstick comes in 6 different shades, from a light pink ombré effect to a more dark berry shade and having both colours on one lipstick really makes it super easy to achieve an ombré lip.
The Palladio Ombré 2-in-1 Lipcolours are available from Dis-Chem at R 89.95
4. Dermagen Formulated Skincare
Want more radiant, younger-looking skin? As it turns out, there’s a pill for that. A while ago I reviewed the amazing Trichotin Hair Regenesis supplement (read it here) and after great results with that product, I decided to try their other supplement designed to nourish and revitalise your skin – Dermagen Formulated Skin Care. Offering a skincare treatment in a capsule, Dermagen provides a daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help detoxify the skin, treat skin disorders, enhance skin clarity, as well as improve skin tone and elasticity. I definitely noticed positive changes in my skin after two months of taking this supplement. My complexion and the quality of skin has changed and my skin looks more radiant. I also have a very reactive skin with a tendency to go red very easily, especially around my neck, but after using Dermagen I’ve noticed my skin is a lot less reactive and the redness has been reduced dramatically.
Dermagen Formulated Skin Care is available online at R448 for a 1-month’s supply (30 capsules).
5. Shea Moisture Hold & Shine Moisture Mist
Having curly hair is both a blessing and a curse. One of the trickiest things to deal with when it comes to curly hair is frizz. But all is not lost because I’ve discovered a product that is guaranteed to help tame the dreaded frizz – SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist. The product promises to not only hydrate dry locks but also to fluff flat curls and add impeccable shine. Hear me when I say; this addictive curl mist is indeed like gold in a bottle. My curls are instantly revived when I spritz it with this yummy-smelling hair mist. Forget having limp, flat curls, this spritz helps to define curls and tame stray flyaway like a boss. Packed with natural ingredients, like Coconut and Neem Oil, this styling aid offers a beautiful soft hold and will prove to be a real lifesaver in humid conditions.
Shea Moisture Hold & Shine Moisture Mist is available from Clicks at R249.95.
6. Coverderm Filteray Face Plus SPF50+ Tinted Cream
This powerful 2-in-1 product is a triple threat of note. The product combines a super strong SPF50+ sunscreen and after sun care to protect and soothe skin in one go. What’s more, it’s also a tinted moisturiser! Its tinted formulation helps cover-up imperfections, while deeply moisturising and nourishing skin and it’s safe to say I am officially hooked on this product. I’m heading off to Thailand soon for a 10-day break and I couldn’t be more excited to have discovered this beauty wonder just before my trip. Not only is this cream waterproof and hypoallergenic but it also feels super light on the skin once applied. The cream comes in three colour versions mainly light beige, soft brown, untinted (for those who would rather use their own foundation) and three varieties for different skin types (normal, dry/sensitive, and oily/acneic skin). I love the tinted version because I don’t wear loads of foundation to begin with and it gives me just enough coverage for a day spent on the beach or sightseeing.
Coverderm Filteray Face Plus SPF50+ Tinted Cream is available at Clicks at R320 for 50ml.
7. Crabtree & Evelyn Citron & Coriander Body Sorbet
If you’re looking to get a little more pep in your step you’re going to love the new energising Citron & Coriander range from Crabtree & Evelyn. Forget having the winter blues, this intoxicating scent will take you straight back to frolicking on the beach in springtime. Inspired by the Mediterranean, this new body care collection offers natural extracts of lemon, subtle hints of honey and spicy Coriander. I’ve been using the Body Sorbet and it’s to die for! Packed with shea butter, refining AHAs, and purifying herbs, this lotion will help to quench and refresh dehydrated skin. The lotion has a more gel-like consistency which allows to it absorb into the skin quickly and easily. Your winter skin will lap up this divine product and the great news is it comes in a sizable screw cap jar, with a little going a long way, so it will last awhile!
The Crabtree & Evelyn Citron & Coriander Body Sorbet is available from Crabtree & Evelyn at R750 for 250g.
8. BioNike Triderm Len’Oil Itch Reliever
If you follow my beauty reviews you’ll know that I suffer from scalp psoriasis. It mostly flares up when I’m super stressed and during those times I also tend to get smaller little patches of dry itchy, flaking skin on other spots on my body (not a good time). I’ve been using this wonderfully soothing oil from Bionike on my body during these breakouts and it has been a lifesaver! The product was mostly developed to relieve itch caused by dermatitis and eczema but it works wonders on any kind of skin irritation. Thanks to the high concentration of vitamin E and the zanthoxylum extract in the product, the oil not only helps to repair the skin and build up your skin’s natural barrier but it also helps to treat skin redness and dryness.
The BioNike Triderm Len’Oil Itch Reliever is available from Dis-Chem at R135 for 100ml.
9. Max Factor False Lash Epic Mascara
Designed to help you stand out in a crowd, this ‘wow’ mascara is a must-own for ladies who love a bold lash look. What really makes this mascara so great is the ‘false lash epic brush’ with ‘zoom-action’ tip. This rather awesome brush helps to catch and magnify every lash individually with no lash left unseen. Plus, with a darker formula for a bolder look, this mascara really does work to give you lashes of epic proportions. To apply you simply push the brush deep into the root, to capture and coat every detail of every lash, and then move the zoom-Action tip in any direction around your lashes to diffuse clumps and zoom in on tiny little lashes.
The Max Factor False Lash Epic Mascara is available from Clicks at R165.95.
10. Morgan Taylor, Matadora Collection
I’m in love with Morgan Taylor’s new autumn collection, Matadora. Inspired by the vibrancy of Spain, this collection offers some oh-so-pretty pretty new hues to obsess over. I personally love All Tango-d Up (a deep, darker red) and Mauve Your Feet (a rich nude pink). Morgan Taylor’s polishes are great because they don’t streak and are long wearing (provided you prep the nail correctly) but if you’re more of a gel girl then you’ll be thrilled to hear that these colours are available in Gelish too!
You can find the new Morgan Taylor collection online at Zando for R149 for 15ml.
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