Cheap Cheap

Hi everyone!


I'm so sorry that I haven't posted yet this week! It was a mad rush, trying to choose courses and degrees and going to help my mom at work because she had a whole lot of things that were due but anyway; I'm back!


This week I want to tell you not to be afraid of "drug-store" make up and also most certainly not of "knock-off" make up.

Drug-store make up is what the average working woman and school going student should be wearing if they don't have the cash to splash on high-end make up for everyday use. (Not that I have anything against high-end, I just know that not everyone can use it everyday). The cheaper make up brands are easier to get hold of and are often a lot better for your skin, since they spend a lot of time and resources developing products to compete with brands such as Mac and Bobbi Brown but for the working woman's budget.

At the moment I really love the Essence brand (which is available at Clicks and Dischem in South Africa) since their products are fairly light on the skin and last all day. I don't have a photograph of it at the moment, but I would highly recommend their 16 hour foundation as it gives fantastic coverage but without being cakey. If that's even a word.

About two weeks ago we went to a China Mall which has opened up right near where we live. If you don't know, China Mall consist of hundreds of little Chinese shops which sell the kinds of things that one would find at a flea market; everything from kitchen-ware to make up to phone covers to jewellry. At China Mall I cam across gel-eyeliner and decided to test it out. Now, I'm ready to go out and buy more! This box was R28 (which is less than £3) and contained a pot of black liner, a pot of brown liner and two small angled brushes, perfect for popping into your handbag!

I also found this pastel green nail polish at R18 (>£2) which I've been looking for for ages!

My suggestion for the week is to go out and find cheap make up and try it out, you never know how perfect it may turn out to be for your everyday lifestyle!


Follow me on Twitter @lynxvzyl
and on Instagram @lynxvzyl
and leave as many comments as you like, I will read and reply to all of them!
xxx

That's Not Gone Well...

Hey there everyone!

I hope you're having the most fabulous of Thursdays, keeping in mind that the weekend is a day and a half away!


I encountered a bit of a problem this week and this post is actually to ask YOUR opinion. As a part of the "new and improved" me for 2013, I have recently stopped biting my nails. I know that is a terrible thing for a 19 year old to admit but at least I have quit! Just before we went away, my mom treated me to a full set of acrylic tips to encourage me not to bite. I really loved the way my nails looked and the grew really well while they were protected by the acrylic.

The nail that grew underneath the acrylic was however very weak (obviously) and now that my own nails are a bit longer and the acrylic is off, they are breaking and tearing really easily and it's making me really despondent with regards to growing my own nails. I went out and bought a DIY nail acrylic kit and watched a couple of video tutorials on the best way to apply acrylic to my natural nails, hoping that this would give my nails a chance to strengthen and harden a little more; BUT once the acrylic had dried on my nails, it peeled right off. I did what the instructions said and everything that the tutorials recommended, and somehow it didn't work.
So here's my question:

Do you apply your own acrylic at home, and if so how do you do it? Please leave comments at the bottom so that I can read them and hopefully get it to work the next time that I try. 

I've been taking Zinc tablets for my skin, hair and nails and so far I would highly recommend it to anybody who just needs that tiny bit of help when it comes to maintaining a naturally healthy appearance.
Nails and nail care is not really in my area of expertise, but if I find useful tips I will definitely post them here!

As I promised, I've learnt how to post photographs and so here is the first one just to show you what a beautiful view we had in Langebaan. This picture was taken from our living room window and hasn't been photoshopped! We were so lucky to have spent such an amazing three weeks in this stunning little town.


Thanx for reading guys! Please don't hesitate to leave a reply in the comment box below and to hit that follow button. I'll do my best to follow all of you back on your pages. And finally, TALK TO ME ON TWITTER! I spend so much time on Twitter, I will definitely follow back and chat to anyone who's keen! Just click that link ;)


Have an AMAZING weekend!
xxx

Let's Go To The Beach

** HAPPY NEW YEAR! **


This is my first official post for 2013 so I wish you all a wonderful, successful and happy year! May all your dreams come true!

My family and I just got back from the most relaxing three weeks in Langebaan, a tiny little town on the west coast of South Africa about an hour and a half north of Cape Town. As soon as I learn to post pictures on here I will. I would definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday, it's beautiful and provides an excellent opportunity to get away from civilisation and the rat race that is city life.


During the last three weeks I have compiled a list of essentials that I believe every girl should be sure to pack for a summer/beach vacation and here they are:

1. The obvious necessities. These include daily skin care routine products which are vital if you're going to be exposing your skin to more sun/wind/rain etc. than you normally would.

2. Foundation with a built in SPF. This is really important if you are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors and walking around. You may not be planning to go the beach, but a walk to the store can leave you just as sunburnt if you're not properly protected!

3. Sun cream. I don't think I need to explain why. My favourite sun cream is Everysun Aqua Sport because it blocks the harmful rays without preventing me from tanning and is waterproof! Click on this link to view their chart on which SPF is right for your skin: http://everysun.co.za/?page_id=4

4. Cocoa butter. This works really well to prolong the life of your natural tan and give it that straight-out-of-the-sun glow. I highly recommend Vaseline Cocoa Glow moisturiser.

5. Body mist. Instead of having the over-powering scent of perfume, why not try something a little lighter like a body mist when you're in the sun? You can reapply when you need to, it's easy enough to pop into your bag and is way cheaper than perfume. It's also fresher and more "summery" than perfume. Perfect for the beach!

6. Cooling gel. We all get sun burnt on holiday, but this time instead of going red and back to white, spray/rub on a little after sun cooling gel in the mornings and evenings and watch the red turn to a sexy tan! I don't go anywhere without a tub of Prep (which I think started out as an aftershave cream for men?) but works SO well to take the sting out of a sunburn. Also, try taking a really hot shower after being burnt to alleviate some of the sting.

My final tips are to keep your nails short and neat so that they don't break while you're having fun, keep your lips moisturised and protected from the sun, and to keep the make up to a minimum during the day; it's the perfect opportunity to let your natural beauty shine and give that tired skin a chance to refresh itself for the new year!


Enjoy what's left of your holiday and tweet me what your beach-bag essentials are! (@lynxvzyl)

Good luck for 2013, make the best of every card life deals you.
Chat soon
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