{BEAUTY REVIEW} | Clinique Smart

Hi lovelies! I hope your weekend was wonderful! Today I will be giving you a quick rundown of a few products from the Clinique Smart range.

Last week I attended the Clinique Smart breakfast at The Saxon Hotel. We were introduced to the range and were also taught how to make a few ‘smart’ and healthy recipes. I will be trying them out sometime so do follow me on Instagram if you’d like to see how they turn out.

I’ve been using Clinique products on my skin for many, many years now. I swear by the iconic 3-Step and I think everyone (men, women, old, young…) should be using it. It’s also now available in a mini trial pack at ZAR395 so there are no excuses! I also love Clinique’s ‘Take The Day Off’ for makeup removal so I was pretty keen to know more about the Clinique Smart products.

Here are my thoughts

Clinique Smart SPF15 Custom Repair Moisturizer

“If a woman can do at least four things at once her care has to do the same.” This light but moisturizing cream claims to tackle wrinkles, elasticity, dullness and pigmentation.

It glides on smoothly and absorbs into the skin with a non-greasy feel. I love that it has an SPF of 15 and it also provides a great base for makeup.

Clinique Smart Night Custom Repair Moisturizer

This rich (oil free) night cream is formulated with Smart™ hydration technology which helps the skin retain moisture.  It tackles lines, brightens and firms.

This moisturizer feels absolutely delightful on my skin. It’s so soft and velvety and absorbs perfectly. My skin is still happy and hydrated when I wake up.

Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum

This ‘smart’ serum claims to understand the particular needs of your skin and then works to repair those issues. It attacks both the damage you can see and you cannot see.

I really like the light feeling of this serum. I tend to find serums quite heavy and oily but this one feels very light almost like a moisturizer.

Clinique Smart Treatment Oil

This one is definitely the star of the range for me! It is a blend of antioxidants that nurture the skin’s capacity to repair and strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier. It contains, amongst other oils, Argan oil and Vitamins C and E which all work together for targeted repair and care.

For an oil it is super lightweight and absorbs in really quickly. It makes my skin feel really soft and hydrated and gives it a lovely glow. I apply a few drops  it directly to my face but you can even mix a few drops with your moisturizer for a really hydrating boost.

So far I really like the Clinique Smart range. The products are all allergy tested and fragrance free so you can be sure that you’re only putting pure goodness on the skin.

I will share more results with you over social media once I’ve used the products for a longer period.

You can find Clinique Smart at your nearest Clinique counter or online at www.clinique.co.za

Until next time!

Love, sparkles and happy skin

Zaakira xox

{OUT AND ABOUT} | Talking Trends with Veet

Hi lovelies! I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend! Mine started off on a really glam note.  I spent Friday morning at 54 on Bath hotel and Rosebank brunching and talking trends with the fashion and Veet families.

Miss Veet SA 2015 Odirile was looking for some solid, honest advice for her Spring/Summer wardrobe.

Over tea, coffee and a scrumptious breakfast we discussed some key trends for SS15. Here are some of the trends we talked about

Gender Neutral

Think subtle androgyny with comfortable and stylish pieces. Jumpsuits, caps and high tops are key pieces

Safari

Chic tailoring is key here. Buckled dresses, wide brimmed hats and camel and khaki pieces

70s and Festival

Embrace the 70s trend but try not to look to costume-y. Wide legged pants, feathers, fringes, hair accessories and kimonos are all fabulous but be careful not to wear them all together.

Prints, Prints, Prints

Need I say more?!

After brunch we walked over to the mall to put some of what we discussed into practice. Odi and Melinda tried on a few handpicked outfits, shoes and accessories. At the end of the morning we all concluded that these lovely ladies would even look stunning in a plastic bag! ;)

To catch-up on our conversation search the hashtag #VeetTalksTrends on Twitter and Instagram.

Whatever you choose to wear this summer, make sure your legs are silky smooth with Veet!

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Alan of Alan and Krishen about to tuck in to some eggs benedict

M•A•C x Giambattista Valli

“Fashion designer Giambattista Valli brings his effortless elegance and luxurious celebration of the female form to a stunning collection of timeless lipsticks.”

Every fashion lover has heard of Roman designer Giambattista Valli. Inspired by the city of Rome, the movies of Antonioni and the celebrated Yves St Laurent, he shows haute couture four times a year at Paris Fashion Week. 

His ultra-feminine collections adorned with flowers and constructed with metres and metres of tulle fill the dreams of fashion girls everywhere.  I know that there is very little I wouldn’t do for a Giambattista Valli piece!

M·A·C Cosmetics has made it a little easier to own a little something by Giambattista Valli. The makeup company and design house have collaborated on a beautifully packaged, very limited collection of lipsticks. 

There are four colours, ranging from a soft pretty pink to a sultry, dark cherry shade. All the lipsticks have a classic matte finish and are highly pigmented. There is also a clear gloss with a subtle pearly shimmer which you can wear on it’s on for a delightful, light glow or use to compliment your lipstick.

Here’s what you will find in the collection:

LIPSTICKS (ZAR230)

BIANCA -  pale white-pink (matte)

TATS - bright hot pink (matte)

MARGHERITA - yellow bright peach (matte)

CHARLOTTE - rich yellow-red (matte)

EUGENIE - dark cherry with blue undertone (matte)

CRYSTAL GLAZE GLOSS (ZAR230)

LENA - clear with subtle multicoloured pearl

I have the lipstick in Tats and I am in love!

You can find the collection online at maccosmetics.co.za or at selected M·A·C counters. Do note, however, that this collection is limited edition and highly sought after so get your hands on it as soon as possible!

Which is your favourite?

Until next time

Love and sparkles

Zaakira xox

Lipstick Warfare | MAC Candy Yum Yum vs. Topshop Bombshell

I had been after a bright pink lipstick for a while and I was lucky enough to score the last tube of Candy Yum Yum at the MAC counter in Canal Walk when I was in Cape Town. A few weeks later I saw Bombshell at the Topshop sale and thought why not? Both are quite similar in colour (Barbie pink is what I call them, really not for the faint hearted) so I’ve decided to do a little comparing. I will be likening the two lipsticks in a few categories and you can decide which one is more suited to you.

Packaging

Candy Yum Yum – The classic MAC packaging. Sleek, sturdy and classy. I’ve dropped my MAC lipsticks possibly hundreds of times and from many heights and none have broken or come loose.

Bombshell – I’m really not pleased with the packaging here. The lid is very fragile and has already cracked a little. It also doesn’t close all that well and I’m terrified it might open and tint everything in my handbag Barbie pink.

Scent

Both lipsticks have a pleasant, subtle vanilla scent and no taste once they are on my lips.

Texture

Bombshell is a lot creamier than Candy Yum Yum. Although Candy Yum Yum wasn’t drying (which is lovely for a matte lipstick), Bombshell felt a little more moisturizing. They’re both comfortable to wear.

Colour Intensity and Longevity

Judging purely on the colour, I’d say both are pretty similar. Both are a blue-based, powerful neon pink.

Candy Yum Yum – One swipe gives you the intense pink you see in the tube. Also after eating a yoghurt and a cup of tea, it was still quite intense. It’s difficult to remove and I’m pretty sure it lasts at least 6 hours. (Tip: I use Lush Bubblegum lip scrub to remove MAC matte lipsticks.)

Bombshell – I needed 2 swipes to get the desired pink. I needed to reapply at least twice in the same time-frame as Candy Yum Yum and although it was easier to remove than its rival lipstick, it was still quite difficult to remove.

I’ve included a photo where I just wiped the swatches on my arm with a tissue. Candy Yum Yum left a dark stain while Bombshell is mostly gone.

Price and Availability

Candy Yum Yum – Retails for ZAR185 at MAC counters nationwide. The availability is quite inconsistent though as it is a cult colour and sells out quite quickly. Hopefully with it being included in the new retro-matte collection from MAC it might be more obtainable. (P.S go check out the new MAC standalone store in Sandton City, it is fab!)

Bombshell –Originally retails for ZAR139 (I got it on sale for ZAR69) at Topshop. I don’t know if they currently have it as I tried calling a few times this morning to no answer. (Frustrating!)

So there you have it… I’m not going to conclude with which I think is superior, I’ve given you the facts I’ve gathered and left the deciding to you.

Until next time

Love and sparkles (and Barbie pink kisses)

Zaakira xox

NEW IN | Victoria’s Secret Beauty

When I was in the UAE, one of the stores I really wanted to visit was Victoria’s Secret. I’m always hearing amazing stuff about them and online their products look irresistible.

 

 Despite the exorbitant prices, I was truly not disappointed and amongst what I got from there was a few beauty products. Brace yourselves for a VERY pink post ;)

From the Supermodel Approved range (I think that’s what it’s called) I got; the primer and setting spray, double-ended face brush and hand cream. The brush has a fluffy end and an angled end and is superb! I want to kick myself for not getting the double-ended eyeshadow brush but the store was really busy and it was a bit of a pain to shop. I haven’t tried the primer/setting spray yet but the hand cream smells divine and is perfect for the dry Johannesburg winter.

I had wanted the bronzing shimmer powder and it worked out cheaper to get the whole Glow Anywhere kit. It comes with a shimmer-nude lipgloss, the bronzing powder and a self-tan. I’ve heard great stuff about their self-tan and I’m keen to try it out once my natural Arabian sun tan fades.

It took me ages to decide which perfume I wanted and I narrowed it down to Bombshell and Gorgeous. Eventually I settled for Gorgeous mainly because I LOVE sweet perfumes and fell in love with the adorable bottle. It has notes of Italian mandarin, strawberry, jasmine, sandalwood and musk. I also invested in a makeup mirror for my handbag because I really could not resist the hot-pink.

 Here are some snapshots of the Victoria’s Secret at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai.

Until next time

Love and (pink) sparkles

Zaakira xoxo