#AskKiara Sleeping Problems

"I have a lot of trouble sleeping and I don't even know why." - P. Q

Hi there! 

Having problems with sleep is very much normal, what's keeping you up is very hard to figure out, but it can be from overthinking, not tired enough, too much sleep, overtiredness, or your body can be exhausted but your mind isn't. It can be everything from a-z,  but here are some tips that might help you!

(If not i suggest you ask your parents, or a doctor for some help.)

Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and cool. Noise, light, and heat can interfere with sleep. Try using a sound machine or earplugs to hide outside noise, an open window or fan to keep the room cool, and blackout curtains or a sleep mask to block out light.

Stick to a regular sleep schedule. Support your biological clock by going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, including weekends, even if you’re tired. This will help you get back in a regular sleep rhythm.

Avoid naps. Napping during the day can make it more difficult to sleep at night. If you feel like you have to take a nap, limit it to 30 minutes before 3 p.m.

Avoid stimulating activity and stressful situations before bedtime. This includes vigorous exercise; big discussions or arguments; and TV, computer, or video game use. Instead, focus on quiet, soothing activities, such as reading, knitting, or listening to soft music, while keeping lights low.

Don’t read from a backlit device (such as an iPad). If you use an eReader, opt for one that is not backlit, i.e. one that requires an additional light source.

Limit caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. Stop drinking caffeinated beverages at least eight hours before bed. Avoid drinking alcohol in the evening; while alcohol can make you feel sleepy, it interferes with the quality of your sleep. Quit smoking or avoid it at night, as nicotine is a stimulant.

Goodnight, and I hope you manage to sleep awesome tonight!

Ina Paarman Vienna Bake Recipe

While looking for a recipe of something that I once enjoyed eating when I was little, I found the closest thing on http://www.paarman.co.za






VIENNA BAKE RECIPE


You will need:

Utensils:

• large mixing bowl
• measuring cup
• scissors
• measuring spoons
• wire whisk or fork
• knife with serrated edge
• grater
• chopping board
• 1 large ovenproof dish or 6-8 smaller ones

Ingredients:

• 
  
• 6 slices white bread crusts on, cut into 3cm cubes
• 1½ cups (375 ml) grated gouda cheese
• 500 g smoked Vienna sausages (frankfurters), sliced into 2 cm pieces
• ½ cup (125 ml) parsley, chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 2½ cups (625 ml) full cream milk
• 2 t (10 ml) Ina Paarman's Green Onion Seasoning
• 200 ml Ina Paarman's Ready to Serve Cheese Sauce

Method:

Oil or butter the inside of a medium/large ovenproof dish or 6-8 individual dishes. Toss cubes of bread, grated cheese, sliced viennas and chopped parsley together in a big mixing bowl. Turn out into the oiled ovenproof dish.

Use the same mixing bowl (no need to wash it). Break the eggs into the bowl, add the milk, Green Onion Seasoning and Cheese Sauce. Whisk together with a wire whisk or a fork until evenly blended. Pour this egg mixture over the bread and Vienna mixture in the oven proof dish. Cover the dish and leave to stand for at least 1 hour, so the bread can soak up the liquid. You can also leave it overnight in the fridge.

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. When the oven is warm [the light on the switch will go off]. Put the dish/s in the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes (depending on size) until golden brown and puffy. Serve with a nice tossed salad. Dress the salad with our Honey Mustard or Herb Dressing.

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Hope you guys will enjoy this as much as I do! Be on the lookout for more recipe posts soon!

Short Notice

Hi guys

Sorry for being so quiet lately. I haven't had any time at all to blog as my schedule is suuuuper hectic right now :( ! 

I have two more exams to write then from Tuesday onward I am finally free!
I have a ton of new reviews, #AskKiara's, and even a few recipes coming up.



Hang in there, lovelies 💜


- Kiara 

Review: Elixir Skincare

Today the courier came guess what it was?

Some samples from Elixir Skincare!

Let's have a look:

Elixir Balancing Toner

Product Description:

Use this gentle toner after cleansing to remove any residue, restore pH balance, stimulate circulation, reduce oiliness and refine open pores.

Spritz face until skin is damp then tissue off excess, or spray toner onto cotton pad and gently wipe facial area. For normal to combination skin.

Size:100ml/ 250ml

INGREDIENTS: Distilled water, rose oil concentrate, vitamin E acetate, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

A mild, odourless toner that is not harsh on the skin and purifies.

Elixir Balancing Cleanser

Use this light, balancing milk-based cleanser morning and evening to remove pollutants and dirt.

Apply to skin and massage in with fingertips to cleanse. Rinse well with water or remove gently with damp cotton pad. For normal to combination skin.

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable-based carrier lotion and carrier cream, water gel, surfactant, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

Just like the toner, except this a cleanser and milkier. Lavender scented and gentle, but left my skin a bit dry afterwards.

Elixir Derma Gel Treatment Cream

Soothe, hydrate and purify your skin with this activating and rejuvenating treatment.

Massage liberally onto cleansed and toned skin. To treat dry skin, leave on overnight. For an oily complexion, leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water and damp cotton pad; follow with night moisturiser. Suitable for all skin types.

Size: 50ml/125ml

INGREDIENTS: Aloe ferox, vegetable-based carrier cream, water gel, vitamin E oil, Eriocephalus punctulatus (Cape chamomile), Lippia javanica (zinziba)

Moisturised my skin quite a bit, happpy with the quality. Great texture.

Balancing Night Moisturiser

Product Description:

This rich formulation firms and nourishes your complexion while you sleep.

Apply after cleansing and toning face and neck. Gently massage in with fingertips, using upward movements. For normal to thirsty skin.

Size: 50ml/125ml

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable-based carrier cream and thickened carrier cream, sweet almond oil, carrier milk, Aloe ferox, Santalum album (sandalwood), Lavandula officinalis (lavender)

Another lavender scented night cream, it left me feeling confident in nourished skin before bed!

Multi Active Enzyme Exfoliator

Product Description:

Repairs damaged skin, antibacterial. Feeds skin, gently exfoliates and refines pores for a smoother skin.

This exceptional skin treatment exfoliator offers a mild skin peel that gently exfoliates using the lightly stimulating action of bamboo granules, fruit acids and papaya enzymes.  Rich in antioxidants, it repairs stressed and damaged skin. Aloe ferox gel fees the freshly exfoliated skin, offering a smoother, brighter complexion. Perfectly suited to mature or delicate skins, and gentle enough for frequent use. Can be used on all skin types.

Very impressed by this product, it removed dead skin cells on my face, causing me to reappear with more radiant, brighter skin.

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Thanks for allowing me to try out these tender products, Elixir Skincare!

For more info, be sure to check them out in the link below:

http://elixirskincare.com/

What's in my Avène Bag?

Hey guys!

So I got sent this this adorable parcel a while back from Eau Thermale Avène.

So, What's in the bag?

Below I will mention the products and a short POV:

1) Avène Cleanance Expert

- Helps eliminate mild to moderate blemishes, spots, and blackheads.

- Light emulsion that is quickly absorbed and leaves skin feeling hydrated and mattified

My POV

Quite watery. It blended easily into my skin but left my skin feeling quite damp afterwards. It definitely gave it a natural matte finish.

2) Avène Sunscreen SPF 30

- Suitable for oily, acne-prone skin

- Dry touch

-  Paraben-free

- Photostable

- Water resistant

My POV

Being thicker than the Cleanance Expert, I had to spend a bit more time rubbing this into my skin. Much to my dismay, it ended up like other sunscreens tat I have used in the past; leaving my skin oily and shiny. It did not have a matte finish on my skin. It did however, last longer than most SPFs.

3) Avène TriAcneal Expert

- Targets blemishes and marks

- Moisturiser

My POV

This has a peachy colour and scent. I much like the look of the product! It did not a greasy feeling when massaged onto my face and had a dry touch, with my skin itself not feeling dry. This is a great moisturiser especially if you want to get rid of those old acne scars and dark marks!

4) Micellar Lotion

- Cleanses and removes make-up in just one step

- Skin feels cleansed, soft, comfortable

My POV

It burned my skin, but got the job done. Odorless. Was not very powerful against my makeup.

5) Avène Thermal Spring Water

- Direct connection between spring and production plant

- Sterile packaging

- No expiration date

- For irritated skin

My POV

This was the first time I tried a thermal water spray and it was definitely an amazing experience. Odorless and clear, it reminds of a natural spring bath! Although this has so many different uses, I used it to sooth my eczema on the back of my knee. It worked a miracle and didn't burn at all and soothed my skin. This has got to be my favourite Avène product. 

I'd recommend the Thermal Water, TriAcneal EXPERT and the Cleanance Expert to anyone who is looking for a way to safely get a matte look on their skin, without all the harsh makeup!

A huuuuge thank you to Avène for sending me these amazing goodies!

Find out more about them here:

http://www.eau-thermale-avene.co.za/

Review: SoyLites Ladybird Everyday Moisturising Body Balm

Included with the AMAZING candles the SoyLites team sent me (review here: http://kiarabramdaw.blogspot.co.za/2016/11/soylites-candles-review.html ), I also got sent a SoyLites Ladybird Body Balm!



Find out more about SoyLites here: https://www.soylites.co.za/

This line is inspired by my favourite insect, the ladybird!

Ingredients: 
Pure Soy Wax (vitamin E and lecithin), 
Shea Butter (Non-Certified Organic), 
Castor Oil
Avocado Oil
Virgin Olive Oil with Geranial
Citronella and Lemongrass Essential Oil. (Certified Organic )


This balm can be applied literally anywhere on your body and is infused with Rosehip and Shea Butter.

It has a leafy, nature-like smell. When I applied it to my skin, I found that it was not greasy at all! Although the smell does not agree with me, there is no doubt that I feel closer to to nature when I use it. I recommend this to anyone who is seeking to heal their skin in a natural, pain free way.

Thank you, SoyLites!

SoyLites Candles Review

Thank you to the SoyLites team for sending me these amazing goodies!

This is the review of the two different SoyLites candles that I received, but first;

About SoyLites Candles

* Crafted using 100% natural, premium raw ingredients 
* Completely free of chemicals, parabens and petroleum ingredients 
* Our craftsmanship ensures a longer, cleaner, soot-free burn 
* Doubles up as a moisturising body candle 
* Made with cosmetic-grade, non-GMO soybean oil 
* Many health benefits for skin when applied 
* Beautifully scented with aromatherapy oils 
* Vegan endorsed - no beeswax 
* Not tested on animals 







The first candle that I'll be speaking about is the SoyLites Votive candle in INDULGENCE WITH VANILLA, GRAPEFRUIT, GINGER. 



This is a luxurious blend of warm scents, but has a top-coat smell of fresh vanilla. This is a luxury massage candle. The amazing thing about these candles is that when burning, it forms a pool of smooth oil, not wax. This oil is beneficial because it's rich in Vitamin E and lecithin, so you can easily use this candle to the full extent by massaging the oil into problem areas of your body. Talk about multipurpose!

When lit this candle gives off an aromatic scent that makes me as if I'm in an Arabic spa! 
I have to praise this candle for it's amazing smell because none of the spas I've been to(and I've been to quite a few!) have ever smelled as good as my room did when I lit this candle.

The next candle is a bit on the lighter, brighter side; SoyLites Original Soy Candle in HARMONY WITH ROSE, GERANIUM, JASMINE 


 

My first impression was "OMG the packaging is so pretty!", so that was already enough to get me excited about the smell. The scent has a fresh, out-the-shower sweetness to it. It is very feminine. The aroma of this beauty filled my room before I lit it, making a strong statement that says 'Though I am soft, I am strong!'


If I had to chose a favourite?

My favourite out of the two would definitely be the Harmony. Besides the smell, the oil lubricated my skin and lasted longer than the Soy Massage Votive Candle.

Would I recommend? 

Yes I would recommend this product to everyone, especially to the beauty therapists! It's already my goal to go out and buy the rest of the range. I suggest that everyone get their hands on a SoyLites candle ASAP!

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A huge thank you to SoyLites

Find out more about them here:

https://www.soylites.co.za/

AFRIDERM Peeling Gel Review

I recently received this peeling gel from Afriderm.

Product Description:

This exfoliating Peeling Gel can be used daily by all shades of dark-pigmented skin to deeply cleanse and encourage the natural process of skin renewal. The Peeling Gel gently removes dry, dull and dead cells from the skins surface to encourage natural skin regeneration. Used regularly, it leaves skin clear, silky-soft, healthy and youthful looking. Made from a soothing complex of herbal oils and extracts.

Features :

1. Active face care especially formulated for dark-pigmented skin
2. Exfoliates: Deeply but gently removes dry and dull skin cells
3. Regenerates: Encourages the natural process of skin renewal
4. Moisturizes: Helps create silkier and softer skin
5. Soothes: Calms stressed skin and helps fight signs of aging
6. Protects: Guards against ashy-looking skin
7. Best of Natural Ingredients: Coenzyme 10, Aloe Vera, Chamomile & Ginkgo, Biloba Extracts plus Evening Primrose, Grape Seed and Borage Seed (Omega 3 & 6) Herbal Oils.

• Cleansing Perfection
• Facial-Intensive Care
• For Dark Pigmented Skin
• Gentle exfoliation to create smooth, clear, attractive skin tones & texture!

Cleanses and prevents the build-up of dead and dry cells on the skin’s surface.

Accelerates natural, fresh cell renewal and guards against dry “ashy-looking” skin appearance.

Contains natural herbal extracts and non-irritating moisture-enhancing ingredients.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile Flower), Extract, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi (Job's Tears), Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage), Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid,, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose)Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil,Parfum (Fragance),Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis(Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Algae Extract, Polysorbate 20, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Linalol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional. PARABEN FREE.

My POV

Other than the amazing, elegant look that product gives off, it has a gentle feel.

When I first applied it to my skin, I expected it to burn around my nose and cheek area, like other peels and masks have done in the past. I left it on for one minute as stated, and probably took another two minutes to admire the fresh smell it gave off. When I washed it off with warm water, it cleansed off easily and my skin didn't feel dry afterwords. It felt tight around the cheek area. When I woke up in the morning, my skin felt smoother than ever and also had a radiant look to it! I will definitely be be adding this peel to my weekly skin routine.

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A big thank you to the Afriderm team! 

Find out more about them here:

www.afriderm.co.za

Top 10 Pink Lipliners

After the red and nude in the series, let us see the best pink lip liners today all three of which are really staples in my collection,a smudge proof lip pencil can work wonders to your lipstick, take a look;

Essence Lip Liner Cute Pink

The name itself describes the color really well. I just love this particular shade of pink; it is a perfect pink not too dark not too light. This is such a shade that will not wash out any skin tones, but at the same time is not very dark as well. I like wearing it on its own as well because of the beautiful color and creamy texture. It does not dry out my lips and feels very comfortable and lightweight.




MaxFactor Colour Elixir Lip Liner – 04 Pink Princess

The consistency is very creamy. It won’t make your lips look very dry. Also, a little bit goes a long way and by that, I mean that it is very pigmented.this pink has some gold undertones to it, it makes my lipstick last longer.





Lotus Herbals Seduction Lip Contour Definer in Pink Berry

This is a pretty mauve pink to have, This shade goes with a variety of lipsticks which is again a win-win situation for me.This liner is pretty good in terms of texture as it is neither too creamy nor too hard, that tugs or pulls your lips. You will get proper pigmentation with one stroke and does not budge easily



Colorbar Lip Definer – Mad Pink

The color is a peach pink, it is more on the pinker side, but it is a milky pink, so it is good for a base but it might stand out lighter than most of your pink lipstick, fill this as a base and cover the entire lips with your lipstick, then it works fine, it helps to make lippies last longer and stop any color bleeding.






Rimmel London Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner – Pure

This is a nice dull pink rose kinds of shade suited to most Indian skin tones.



Diana of London Absolute Moisture Lip Liner – Berry Bloom

I picked just one to try and this one is a classic wooden one and comes in a classic blooming pink, I love it.The pencils is easily sharpenable and does not crumble due to softness.The pigmentation is superb and the color too


Diana of London Absolute Moisture Lip Liner – Baccara Rose

Outline your lips, and then fill in lipstick with a brush. For a more matt effect, Fill in the whole lip area with the Absolute Moisture Lipliner, and then blend with a brush. Ideal for making thin lips look fuller, or for minimizing lips that are too full.


Chambor Velvette Touch Lipliner Pencil PK 11
It goes very well with mauve and most of the shades of pink and blends nicely, gives a great shape to the lips. Just one application is enough.

Ulta Automatic Lip Liner Bloom

Bloom is a very pretty rosy pink. It’s a very appropriate shade of pink for all skin tones across all age groups. I am sure all you pretty gals are going to enjoy this shade as much as I love it.







Bourjois Levres Contour Lip liner Framboise Exquise 18

Shade# 18 is a bubble gum pink shade more like a bright raspberry pink. As you all are aware about Bourjois lip liners these come in a wooden pencil which can be easily sharpened, hygienic and easy to use.

Do Fairness Creams Work?

Some Facts About Fairness Creams

I know it’s easy for me to say that “don’t use fairness creams” considering the fact that I am fair for someone of Indian origin but let me tell you the truth behind fairness creams. Our skin color is determined by our race and genetic lineage which in turn decides the amount and structure of melanin (the pigment in the skin which is the reason for our color). According to most dermatologists, achieving fairness up to 20% is possible, but not more than that. The fairness creams block sun rays and prevent secretion of Melanin, which gives the dark colour to the skin. So in effect fairness cream reduce tan, prevent the skin from getting darker by preventing melanin secretion; but fairness creams cannot change a person’s natural skin color. Nothing can change that structure of melanin. It’s the same as if you have curly hair, you cannot use any product to naturally make it straight , you can comb it when its wet but the actual and natural structure of your hair will remain curly, you can even get it chemically treated but the new hair growth will always be curly. A fairness cream does the same , it removes your upper skin layer so that the skin below appears. Fairness creams can contain harmful bleaching agent such as hydroquinone, the percentage of which is between 3- 4%, but most of them do not mention the percentage of the chemicals on the packets which can cause skin allergy, cancer, kidney problem. Hydroquinone is a strong inhibitor of melanin production, meaning that it prevents skin from making the substance responsible for skin color. Hydroquinone does not bleach the skin but lightens it, and can only disrupt the synthesis and production of melanin hyperpigmentation. It has been banned in some countries (e.g. France) because of fears of a cancer risk.

I am not trying to turn you away from the fairness cream you have used for some years now but I just want you to question the products you use. You should think before you apply something on your face because it represents you. Anything that is used by you or comes in contact with you changes and formulates your personality. If you are applying a cream to your face because it boost your confidence it is okay but you should question if you are comfortable in your natural skin color. I am not against some person using anything on their face but the question is of “questioning” the product.

Some Myths About Fairness Creams

• Fairness creams can make you fair: All fairness cream or skin whitening creams are effective only if the pigment is in the epidermis. If the pigment is deeper, the product canot help or make changes. Thus, fairness cream can help remove a tan or discoloration due to some pigment in the top layer of the skin. It cannot make a dark person fair.
• Manufacturers list all their ingredients on the product label: This is not true. Manufacturers are not required by law to mention all the ingredients on the product label.
• Fair skin is better than dark skin: Medically, dark skin is believed to be less vulnerable to skin diseases than light skin. More melanin in dark skins provides protection from the sun and, in turn, disease. Light skin contains less melanin and thus less protection.
• Ayurvedic or herbal fairness creams have no chemicals: This is a myth. Only home remedies for fairness can be free of chemicals. All commercial products have chemical bases that give them the texture and consistency and preservatives that prevent them from going bad.
• Herbal ingredients have no side effects: A person can be allergic to plant based herbal ingredients also. It is advisable that they apply the cream to a small area on their hands before using them.

There are natural variants to make your skin ‘clear.’ I use lemon on my face; that is the only thing I have used for 2 years now to brighten my face. The lemon enhances your skins natural glow. Lemon will not erode the upper layer of the skin but it will lighten the imperfection in your complexion. I am not miss 'twilight vampire', but I like my complexion. Be proud of what you have, any color, any shape, any size… a person is beautiful either way :)

Review: MAC Modesty Lipstick

MAC describes Modesty as muted neutral pink. It is a creemsheen finish lipstick.

Modesty is a muted neutral brown-pink lip color. It would be a My Lips But Better shade for a lot of light to medium skin tones. The texture and finish are creamy. It goes on smoothly and stays for good 4 hours on me. It pretty much survives the full meals. It is very on-the-go every day kind of lipstick. Excellent for office wear, especially. I feel that it goes best when paired with kohled eyes and a bit of color on cheeks than on its own. What I like about Modesty the most is that although it is a neutral shade, it does not tend to wash out color from the face. It’s soft and adds definition to the lips. I don’t find it drying at all. Modesty is actually a muted version of Twig so depending on your skintone, you can pick either of the two MLBB shade for yourself. It looks pretty close to Offshoot as well. It is a medium to full coverage lipstick so even if you have pigmented lips, you don’t have to worry about the coverage. It does not contain any shimmers.

I personally quite like it and would recommend it to those with light to medium skin tones, especially.

Review: MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil

MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil Review

Claims: A pencil designed for shaping, lining or filling in the lip. Lip Pencils have a smooth, creamy texture that is perfect for lining the lips or filling them in. They are long-lasting and available in a wide selection of colours that each work well with many different lipstick shades.

Chestnut is just a different shade of the same pencil . MAC describes Chestnut as intense brown. It is a dark chocolaty brown with slight burgundy undertones. It is not a shade for everyone. If you like to wear deep dark brown lipsticks, this may be a good shade for you. This could be a nice MLBB shade for those with chocolaty brown complexions. I do find this quite a mature-bold lip color.

The texture is creamy. Staying power on its own is 4 hours. Not moisturizing. Would accentuate the fine lines if worn without a lip balm. It is a sharp-enable pencil and sharpens pretty well with regular cosmetic sharpeners without breaking.

I couldn’t wear it on its own so I tried using it underneath very pale lipsticks colors. It adds color to the pale brown lipsticks and make them more wearable.

But overall I feel, it is a very peculiar shade. Not for everyone.