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 :)