Getting Leather-ed Up with Nails Inc.

Since pledging with LadyBloggers, to give honest reviews (not that my posts haven't been honest this whole time), I have decided to add my own "transparency" principal to all future posts. I want you to know exactly how my blog is run and exactly how I feel about the content I share with you on a daily basis, starting with the review titled above.

As a beauty blogger, I get sent some pretty awesome products to put in my interrogation chair, shine my huge spotlight in their faces and grill them till they sweat! After that painfully dirty process, I put all the info I sucked out of them, into a pretty blog post and report back to you.

Not having a degree in creative writing, a three year PR internship to my name or a best friend in the cosmetic industry, I miss out on a lot of press packs and blogger send outs. I wont lie and say it doesn't bother me because it really does. It's my party and I can cry if I want to!!!

After moping, I remember the amazing brands that have sent me fabulous products, invited me to their mind blowing events and have supported my blog throughout its first year of life on the inter-web  They are absolute angels and I would not have come this far without them (We'll save that speech for another time though).

My point and relevance to the title? I didn't make it onto Nails Inc's product send-out list, which smashed my heart into pieces. I am a nail fanatic and I couldn't be apart of an amazing International brands' welcome to South Africa.

I built a bridge and got over it and for a while I had completely forgotten about the brands' trek to SA. A few weeks ago I went shopping at Red Square and immediately went to the GOSH stand to see if they had the colour of nail polish I had seen online. They didn't have stock so I ended up just browsing and that is when I spotted Nails Inc.

All the products were placed on a plain shelf without any banners or signage and there was like zero order to the colours of polish. Another thing that peeved me off was the fact that there were no price labels on any of the product so I kept running up and down to the counter to ask how much each thing cost (I had a gift card so I had to stick to a budget). Eventually I was tired of asking and decided to buy their leather polish in nude because I didn't have a polish like that in my collection.

Better pictures will be posted soon!

The "leather" polish applies as a normal gloss layer and once it dries it turns into a leather-like texture. I only had to apply one thick layer and drying time was relatively fast. To get the best textured effect, it is suggested that you do not apply a top coat. If you are worried about durability of the polish I would suggest using a decent base coat to anchor the polish nicely. I used a base coat by Zoya and my leather mani lasted a good four days before I took it off.

My thoughts on the actual texture and likability is still pretty indecisive. You can definitely see the leather-like texture but only up close. From far away it like regular polish, nothing fancy at all.

My reviews are also based on how people react and what they say. Not one of my friends or family commented on the colour or the leather effect. At one point I actually went around the office, throwing my hands in front of my colleagues' faces to find out what they thought.

This polish does not make a statement and I was the only one who really appreciated its leather-like effect.

Taking all the facts above into consideration, I still like this new polish. This may be because it's a new toy to play with or my nail fanatic-ness has consumed my judgments. I can see myself applying this throughout winter. I am even considering purchasing the black bottle as well. Love is better than like so my feelings are still pretty "bleh".

I was taken by their cupcakes & sprinkles inspired polish as well as their feather effect polish (which wasn't in stock but I spotted it online)

At a heavy price of R129 for a 10ml bottle, you should choose wisely before making your way to the payment counter.

Nails Inc,  you have not quite wormed your way into my heart but cuddles and marshmallows by the fireplace are on the card for us.

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page to keep up with my posts :)

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Sexiest thing I have ever seen

This...

...I think I finally understand how men feel about cars. They dream about it, cant stop speaking about it and will try do everything in their power to get it and that's how I feel. I have never seen a sexier beast than the new GHD Eclipse. The design, look and feel utterly consumes you...and I haven't even seen it in real life!!

This new styler from GHD is one bad-ass beauty, containing 6 sensors throughout the plates to make sure your hair is getting even temperature for easier and quicker styling.

You can find this rare specimen in SA from May 2013. Read more here.

*Speechless*

Original Cocktails knocks my sock off!

As a part of our LadyBloggers goodie bags (not like they actually fit into a goodie "bag"), all the dinner attendees received a six pack of assorted Original Iced Cocktails to test out and brag to you guys about so here I am, giving my honest opinion about these fantastic home cocktail packs which completely knocked my socks off!

I received 6 yummy cocktails in my box; Singapore Sling, Strawberry Daiquiri, Margarita, Mojito, Pina Colada and Cosmopolitan. Being a typical girl, my favourite would be the Strawberry Daiquiri because of the sweet fruity taste. *YUM*

These "cocktails in a bag" are so so easy to 'make' and dress up. All you do is put your bags into the freezer for about 8 hours (although mine froze in under 4 hours), take it out, mush up all the ice (before opening the bag) and then serve it into fancy glasses. You can pop some real fruit in and add some decor like a swizzle stick and an umbrella. You can even do the garnishing the glass edges thing that the fancy bars do.

The only thing I didn't like was the fact that these weren't around when I had my "Vegas" themed 18th birthday party. We had to buy all the cocktail recipe books and make them ourselves on the night for all my guests. What a mission!

I really don't see why I cant have a cocktail party every weekend now that these beauties are on the shelves!

Follow Original Cocktails on Twitter and like their Facebook page. You can also pop over to their website to find out what else they have for you.

You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Have you tried these delish cocktails yet?

Miss Claira-Bella

Happy Easter Weekend!

Follow my Easter inspired Pinterest board here

Live Healthy: Update #1

How do I always forget to do these posts? *slap self in face*. Here I am for a quick update on my living healthy new years resolution and to let you know how I've been doing.

So firstly, there was a self pity period of about 3 weeks where I had lost all hope and motivation, saying things like; "whats the point" and "who am I fooling, I cant really do this!". I then started follow some health bloggers (mostly international) on Twitter and their daily tweets really helped me see that I'm not alone and I should just suck it up and do this thing. Thank goodness!

Secondly, I joined a gym. You know, those big scary ones where everyone else is about 20x fitter than you are and there are these gigantically intimidating machines that you'll probably never use? Yeah, one of those (I'm not trying to advertise so I wont mention the name). The reason for joining is that I felt the need for a more serious approach to living healthy. I can talk for hours about how I plan on changing my lifestyle, eating habits and exercise habits but at the end of the day I am just telling myself these things so that I sleep better at night.

Signing a 12 month contract is something that will kick me in the arse and will force me to go. Funny thing is, its only been a week and I really love it! Having all the fitness gym energizer bunnies around me motivates me to run that 5 min extra on the treadmill or do just 3 more lifts so that I can prove that I "belong" there with them and hopefully I get accepted into their 'gym pack'. Is my mindset a little too dramatic?

All the equipment I bought in my "home workout" efforts will still be used. I am starting to do stress relieving yoga routines, on my yoga mat, when I get home, as well as doing stretch positions to help my aching muscles to heal a little faster. The 2kg and 5 kg weights will probably used for endless dead-lifts when I'm bored, which apparently really work. I have not seen the benefits as of yet.

I am giving myself some time to get used to a healthy exercise routine and from there I will try a stricter eating plan where I cut out unhealthy fats, sugars and other toxins my body can do without.

Keep your eye on this space as I will be doing a "Healthy Alternatives" post later int the week!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

My life on Instagram

Pictures can be quite a personal thing as it shows a lot about a person and the life they live. Here is a little snippet into my life and the pictures I share with you fantastic people on Instagram!

Follow me on Instagram here or search for MISSCLAIRABELLA!

Xoxo

Hey, anyone seen Betty?

I was browsing at one of my all time favourite stores, Truworths, over the weekend and spotted a new brand that just made me weak at the knees! It's called Hey Betty and pretty much every single item that I saw hanging in their designated area, I wanted to take home!

Unfortunately the brand doesn't seem to exist on the Truworths website so I cannot steal some pics of the leather jacket I fell in love with (and almost bought) but pop down and see if you can spot it yourself. It should be near the OBR items, which is another lust of mine.

I reckon that Truworths needs to sponsor me some outfits now that I'm a bit more comfortable with fashion ;)

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Wakaberry - A fun experience!

For a while now, I have been very envious of the bloggers istagrammin' pictures of their delicious-looking Wakaberry Frozen Yougurt and when I spotted a Wakaberry store in The Grove Mall earlier this year, I nearly screeched in excitement. Everything about the store pute me in a happy mood. The product, the look and feel the vibe, I love everything about it! This weekend I finally got to experience the awesome that is Wakaberry, thanks to their voucher in our LadyBlooggers goodie bags, and it was surprisingly not at all what I expected.

So upon arrival I had to fight all the frantically hyper kids that were hogging the store, just to get inside.  Once inside I was very confused as to what I was looking at, self help machines along the wall, something like the self help ticket machines at NuMetro. Do I order my ingredients on a PC and then they make it for me? or do I order via a voice ordering system? (It was super packed so I could really see anything). I decided to follow the empty handed people like a sheep so that I could see how exactly this thing was done (my boyfriend was also with me).

When I saw the "soft serve style" frozen yogurt dispensers, it finally hit me in the face like a wet fish. "Ooooh" I said loudly to my boyfriend and it all just made sense. You pick up a Wakaberry tub and you fill your tub with the flavour/s that you want at each of these self help machines, you add your toppings and the "toppings buffet counter" and you take it to the counter to get weighed. They charge you R11 per 100g so you only pay for what you want which is another thing I love about Wakaberry!

My Boyfriend helped himself to the Vanilla and Condensed milk flavours and packed tons of fruit on top. He was so consumed by the taste, it was like he was in a food trance! I opted for the Mixed Berries and Green apple flavour topped off with jelly beans. The jelly beans wasn't such a good Idea because the frozen and almost broke my teeth when I bit on them *lesson learnt*. We couldn't sit at the Wakaberry tables because it was so busy but we did have fun window shopping while we enjoyed the frozen yogurt.

You dont have to only have two flavours, you can have a bit of every single one and you can add as many toppings as you want. Like I said, you pay for what you take. Our Total came to R66 which is not bad at all seeing as you have such an amazing experience whilst getting to munch on yummy frozen yougurt.

Now that I know that Wakaberry isn't just a store, its an experience, I will definitely be going as my purse allows. I am also thinking of having an awesome candy-land inspired birthday party this year at Wakaberry (even though its mostly only catered for kiddies *forever young*). My friends would love it!

You can follow Wakaberry on Twitter and like their Facebook page. Also, visit their website to find out more about their concept. You can also follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page.

Thanks to Wakaberry for my voucher and for offering such an amazing service!

Share your  awesome Wakaberry experiences in the comments below.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Dirty talk is bad for your health!

I have just started a new job where I have my own desk, previously owned by someone else (probably a big guy called 'Frikkie') and riddled with their nasty germs. To think that their mouth was so close to the exact phone I am now using, just sends chills down my spine. Thank the techno gods I was blessed with a pack of Wireless Wipes in my LadyBloggers goodie bag. Now I can peacefully work without thinking about where Frikkies' hands have been.

I really love the concept of having wipes specifically for cell phones, iPad's and other 'wireless' devices. We take them everywhere with us so why should we think that they don't get just as infected with germs as our hands do (before we wash them). 

People have started catching on to the fact that normal wet wipes will not do the job and they are not really compatible for your screens. The highly absorbent alcohol based wipes are safe to use on all mobile screens and does not leave streaks or wet marks on your screen. I also love the fact that as soon as you swipe the wipe across your device, it dries in 2 seconds so there's no waiting for things to dry before using your phone.

I love them so much that I only have one wipe left in my pack after disinfecting my whole desk over the past week and a half. *Sad times*

Is this the first time you're hearing about Wireless Wipes? Visit their website for more information and to read up on some germ facts. And remember, Dirty talk is bad for your health!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

#LadyBloggers JHB Dinner

Two weeks ago, a bunch of eager bloggers got together to chat about bloggy things and mingle with like-minded ladies who are just as passionate about blogging each other. This was the second LadyBlogger event I attended but the first with a formal type setting and agenda. The fabulous Zaahirah from Complete Disbelief pulled it all together perfectly from the venue (Moemas in Parktown North), guest list and topics of discussion, right down to prizes and goodie bags! Also, high five to her awesome boyfriend that played doorman and her helping hand with all the setting up!

We all received badges that related to the age of our blog. I was a Toddler because my lil' ol blog is under 18 months old. I loved this concept because it gave us bloggers a chance to mingle with our ‘own kind’ as well as get tips from the “Teen” and “Adult” bloggers who we should look up to and get advice from. 

While we sipped on our Bos welcome drinks we went around the table and all introduced ourselves. Once the starter platters were served, we got right to sharing our opinions on Advertising, sponsored posts and getting free stuff. At times the opinions got quite heated but it was fantastic!! Hearing the range of opinions from the different bloggers made me realise that I have such an amazing thing in my life. To have a blog where I can share my opinions, get to know amazing people and also get to work with amazing brands. I seriously would never have met so many diverse people on Twitter and get to interact with my incredible readers on a daily basis. 

I also listened to the opinions with big ears as every one’s input was valuable. Meeting Chantelle from Not Another Poppie and Tammy (on Twitter) was also a highlight to my evening. I read Chantelle's blog numerous times a week and to see that she is exactly the same in person that she is on her blog, honest with a “vat nie kak nie” attitude, was really refreshing! Tammy and I got to know each other over Twitter and she is the sweetest chick you will ever meet. In person, when you look at her, you’re just in awe at her personality (Keep an eye out for her blog, launching soon). I also found some familiar faces in the crowd. Wisaal and Tash, from the previous blogger get together were also there. Follow me on Twitter to see who else I got to meet on the night. 

The mains and desert were delicious and I got to try out my very first macron (ever) made by the very talented pastry chef and owner of Moemas!

All LadyBloggers got spoiled with goodie bags which contained tons of vouchers, a pack of wireless wipes, some beauty samples and yummy cocktails from Original Cocktails.

Thanks so much to the very busy and talented Zaahirah. You need an award for pulling off such an amazing event and hopefully I can save up and come with you to the Cape Town even. I’d love to meet more amazing personalities (and Charlene from Geewhiskers).

Follow #Ladybloggers on Twitter and pop over to the website to see when there will be a meet-up in your city!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Colour my life: BumbleBee

Follow my BumbleBee Pinterest board here.

Fun, Funky, Fimo nail art sticks! PART II

If you have not yet read PART I of my fun funky, fimo nail art sticks posts then clickity clack here.

In this post I am going to show you how I store my fimo canes and which ones I received in my package from the USA.

Here is a quick demo of how small these fimo canes actually are. I really don't have big hands!

They are tiiiiiny!

I store my fimo cane in categories in these small containers that are usually used for beading or other art projects. There are a total of 50 canes but because they are so tiny, I only needed two containers to keep them organised.

Hi-five for organisation!!

And here are my little canes;

 Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page. I have moved over to a new Blog, Howse Life, where I share some Fimo Manicures. 

Which fruit/flower/character is your favourite?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Fun, funky, fimo nail art sticks! PART I

Way before I started blogging, I was so intrigued by nail art, polishes and trends that I spent hours everyday searching for designs and tools to make my own home nail art kit. One of the things I stumbled upon and was most absorbed with was Fimo Canes. Fimo is a type of polymer clay that is used by artists to create all sorts of jewelry  accessories, sculptures and other clay projects. It comes in all sorts of colours and finishes and once it's baked, it hardens and can be sliced, cut and painted depending on how you want to use it. Don’t ask me how they get such detail into such tiny sticks but I am truly amazed. They are very small measuring only about 5cm each and they're smaller than the palm of my hand.

Images from Google

I drove my boyfriend so crazy, continuously talking about them, showing him pictures and generally just going silly, that he ordered them from amazon as a gift! *Best BF in the world* 

Once I received them I was always on my laptop busy YouTubing Fimo cane storage ideas, proper cutting techniques and of course, nail art tutorials. It was only until then that I realized how difficult it was to pull off the fimo cane nail art look, something that I’m still trying to master almost a year later. Luckily the nail art slices still look pretty, even if you don’t have the technique quite right.

Images from Google

I love this unique way that you can get detailed decals on your nails that don’t look hand painted or trashy. These fimo slices are also so versatile. A single slice on your nail looks really sophisticated yet it adds a little bit of playfulness and bunch a few together on one nail and you will catch every ones attention. 

Check back tomorrow for Part II where I share my fimo cane collection with you! 

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page to keep up to date with future posts. Also, follow via email in the top right hand side of this page. 

Do you want to your own Fimo Cane Collection?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Holographic Pizazz

 

Follow my Holographic Pizazz Pinterest board here.

Intimately YOURS by Beckham Fragrances

A stunningly sweet EDT by Beckham Fragrances and COTY. 

Top notes of delicate freesia and luminous bergamot leading to a tender heart of orange blossom, delicious frangipani flower and bold white lily. Deepens to a sensuous sophisticated orris, warm sandalwood and elegant vetiver.

The scent is not overpowering yet, at the same time, it will turn heads! I picture this scent to be worn by sophisticated and breathtakingly beautiful woman. 

When wearing this EDT I feel extra sexy and sultry, giving me the confidence to accomplish anything!

Such a perfect blend from Beckham fragrances and COTY. I suggest sampling this at your nearest Clicks or Dis-Chem store. You wont regret it!

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page to keep up with future blog posts.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Bobbi Brown Valentine Red Lipstick Review

Ladies, this is my first ever Bobbi Brown lipstick and I must say I am impressed! It is the perfect red lipstick! 

I am the type of girl that would rather opt for a shimmery lip balm or a light pink gloss because I hate applying lipstick and I don't like how it makes my lips feel, messy, dry and attractive.

This lipstick by Bobbi Brown has a lovely smooth and creamy texture and give a beautiful matte finish to the lips. Because of the matte finish, smudging throughout the day is very minimal. *Score*

I am so taken by the beautiful colour and how long it stays on your lips. I wore the lipstick for about 6 hours and the colour was still vibrant by the time I got home in the evening. This is a big plus for me because I don't always have to to re-apply during the day.

The bold red colour was also really simple to apply. I just glided the stick across my lips, touched up where I may have "Coloured outside of the lines" and I was ready to go!

I will definitely be investing in more of Bobbi Brown lipsticks in the future. They are quite a bit pricier than normal "Drug store" lipsticks but its so worth it!!!

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page to keep up with future blog posts and reviews. Also, don't forget to ready my latest Beauty Bulletin article, "What your lipstick says about you".

Do you own any Bobbi Brown products?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

*P.S. The colour is actually called "Heart (15)"

IVOHealth and Dental Care

I recently did an article for Beauty Bulletin on "How to achieve a sexy smile" where I gave advice and tips on how to care for your lips and teeth. Here is a quick follow up posts on a fantastic dental company in Capetown called IVOHealth, who offers the best in dental care products to help keep your dental hygiene pristine.

Here are some mind boggling products that have kept up with the technological changes as the years have gone by.

The biggest dental gadget that any techno savvy individual would just kill to own is Philips' Sonicare HealthyWhite. It is a rechargable powerbrush that cleans so effectively that it can help naturally whiten teeth by up to two shades in just two weeks. It is described as the 'Ferrari' of electronic toothbrushes as it operates at sonic speed (30,000 brush strokes per minute compared to 7,500 brush strokes found in normal electronic toothbrushes) resulting in cleaner brighter teeth and healthier gums.

(RSP at around R1,150)

IVO Health also supplies a range of dental wash products called GUM. The range consists of Original White Mouthrinse (RSP - R65.95), Original White Floss (RSP - R33.95) and Original White Toothpaste (RSP - 47.95). All the GUM products are specially formulated to help achieve naturally white teeth yet still being gentle on teeth and gums. They are peroxide and alcohol free to ensure gentle cleaning. They contain fluoride and isomalt to help strengthen tooth enamel to ensure your pearly whites don't chip or break.

GUM Softpicks are the modern version of the traditional tooth pick. They have added fluoride for extra cavity protection after eating. The softpicks have flexible rubber bristles that easily slide between teeth to safely remove plaque and food particles without damaging teeth or gums. Your softpicks are presented in a convenient travel case, ideal for slipping into your handbag for on-the-go use. 

(RSP - R69.96 for 40 softpicks)

Ora-Salts harnesses the healing power of the ocean for a naturally healthy mouth. The natural sea salt and five homeopathic remedies with herbal liquorice and cinnamon helps prevent bad breath and helps heal sensitive or bleeding gums, sore throats and mouth ulcers. Simply mix the Ora-Salts into a glass or water, rinse and gargle. 

(RSP - R49.95)

IVOHealth has all your dental needs sorted. You can visit their website for more information and full product descriptions. They also have a Facebook Page where you can keep up to date with new product releases, competitions and general news.

All of the products you saw above can be purchased at your nearest Dis-Chem store as well  as selected dentists and pharmacies.

Thanks so much to IVOHealth and PWMC for bringing these great products to my attention!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

When did life get so busy?

It seems that when ever I do a "I'm back" post on my blog, I disappear for another few weeks, posting erratically and not getting to do my weekly inserts like 'in my sample basket' and my 'pretty polish' posts. When did life get so busy? I thought I'd give you an update on my personal life and why you shouldn't disown me just yet!

Here's the low down!

So I just started a new job after being unemployed for over a year. This was a bitter sweet moment for me because being employed and earning money is really a necessity these days, but I knew that my blog wouldn't have my full attention anymore. This made me really depro because blogging has become a huge passion of mine and I love sharing great things with amazing people like yourself.

Unfortunately it is tough to make a career from blogging unless you're a stay at home mommy or already have a career in the magazine/PR industry. It's really not a place to make money (no, this isn't a self pity post. Please continue reading). For now I have just come to terms that my blog cannot have 100% of my time and attention.

I have also gone through an emotional change in my life. My boyfriend of 4 years has just gotten a huge career opportunity in JHB which means, after living together for over a year, we are now living in separate houses, 1.5 hours away from each other. Not a biggie for my blog as we still see each other on the weekends. Problem? He "took" the internet with him so I am left with a tiny MTN dongle with 2MB *Correction: 2GB* of data to get me through the month. *Insert shocked faces here*. No more Facebook stalking, pinning on Pinterest and definitely no online shopping. Not having uncapped data has limited my resources and how many images I am allowed to upload for each post.

Lastly, I have been putting a lot of my attention into my new venture with BeutyBulletin.com. If you haven't read the numerous Beauty Bulletin posts on my blog then catch up by clicking here. I have been asked to do weekly articles for the ladies site and have been putting a lot of time and effort into this because it is a great privileged and the community of ladies is just fantastic. You can view my latest article here. I suggest popping onto the site and read the articles I have written for the community.

This is most definitely not a good bye post! I still have tons of reviews on PR packages that have been sent my way. I just wanted to explain why I have not been posting as much and you should catch up on posts you might have not seen. There is a categories section on the right hand side of this page. Browse and leave me some comments.

Love your faces!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Bobbi Brown - Valentine Red

I am always very wary of huge brands that carry a very big price tag on otherwise very normal products. I ask myself, can nail polish really be that amazing and different to others, that you end up paying insane amounts of money? This Bobbi Brown polish was up against lots of criticism from my side.

I LOVE THIS COLOUR!! It's such an intense yet versatile colour that is so pleasing to the eye. One coat will give you a light red that says "I'm fun and flirty". Two coats will give you an intense blood red that could say "I only date vampires". Either way, this colour is there to make a statement.

I was scared to mess the red on my clothes so I cheated and used Yardley's speed finish nail drying spray. The fact that I had to do this means that drying time was nothing special.

Durability was hardier that I thought it would be. Only problem with such an eye catching colour, as soon as you have the tiniest chip, it's noticeable. I had my first chip after day 1 and had to take my manicure off on day 4. This was also nothing new or mind blowing.

One thing that I wasn't expecting to love its the bottle design. I love how it's simple and just says "BOBBI BROWN". There are no bar-codes on the sides, no stickers or name labels, just plain clean bottle. I would definitely put this polish on display!

Overall this is great colour and has a very unique bottle. the formula was a dream to use and lasted as long as the average polish does. I think that if you do have some spare change lying around and would like to invest in a pricier brand then you should totes get this polish!!

How much would you pay for a bottle of your favourite polish?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Happy Valentines Day!