The Oscars 2012

This is a very short post on what i loved about the Oscars 2012.

Best dressed was by far, Gwyneth Paltrow, in her chic, caped Tom Ford gown and minimal accessories. It's such a simple and effortless look that is refreshingly nice to see on the Red Carpet.

Tom Ford Gown

Make up by Leslie Lopez

I absolutely LOVED Angelina Jolie's Hair and makeup (Especially her hair). As for her Versace gown...I think it would've looked better without the awkward poses were her leg is perched out into the middle of nowhere. And it would have been better if it weren't so obvious that she was constantly trying to stick her leg out the dress!

Stunning Hair & Makeup

Awkward Poses in her Versace Gown

Leave a comment on what you thought of the 2012 Oscars!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Did you know?

The beauty responsibilities we deal with everyday become second nature to us ladies because we become so good at it, we could do it in our sleep. Women work fulltime jobs and still have a family to care for when they get home so where would you find the time to remember trivial matters like how often should you replace your toothbrush, bra’s, file your nails, change your makeup and cut your hair?

These seem like simple questions to answer but when you think about it…do you really know?

Hopefully this post will help you diarise and take note of health issues that might arise if you don’t follow the necessary beauty timeline.

#1 How often should you replace your Toothbrush?

At least every three months or when the bristles begin to show wear or discolour. Worn and fractured bristles are a breeding ground for germs, fungus and bacteria and can damage gum tissue which will lead to further problems like gingivitis.

You should also replace your toothbrush after an illness such as a cold or flu. Even if you are feeling better, the germs left on your toothbrush could flare up old infections and colds.

Source: www.toothbrushexpress.com

#2 How often should you shop for new Bra’s?

Image: Google

You should purchase a new bra every six months, but with proper care, you can get away with just once a year.Try make it a habit every time you shop for the next seasons’ clothes (Summer & Winter), to get a few new Bra’s as well.

Worn out and stretched bra's will become very uncomfortable, and lose their effectiveness. You'll then try to change your posture to "adjust-your-bust" and this could lead to stiff muscles, headaches and other health issues.

Something that will make your bra’s last longer, for machine washing, hook the bra together first, place it in a lingerie bag and wash on a gentle cycle. Never, ever put bras in the tumble-dryer as this will bend the underwire and heat up the elastic in the material making it stretch drastically.

Source: www.brastraps.com

#3 How often should you file your nails?

Image: Google

The average person's fingernails grow about 2mm to 3mm in a month, so trimming and filing about once a week should be enough for most people. However, how much and how often you file your nails might also vary over the course of your lifetime.

Nails typically grow faster during the summer months and during a woman's pregnancy .As you age; your nails grow at an increasingly slower pace so you might have to adjust your manicuring habits from time to time.

Nails that are un-kept and jagged nails will hook on things and rip off easily. I'm sure everyone has had firsthand experience with that and you know how painful it can be.

When it comes to your toenails, you can relax on the amount of filing. Toenails usually grow slower than fingernails (about 1mm per month). And compared with fingernails, toenails are less likely to get caught on things.

Above all, when filing your nails, make sure you're using an emery board to smooth edges and saw off excess nail growth.

Source: www.health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/nail-care

# 4 How often should you cut your hair?

Long hair should be trimmed at least every 8 to 12 weeks. If you notice more or split ends, it could be cut as frequently as every 6 to 8 weeks. Long hair is very old and like anything that ages, the older your hair gets, the more fragile it is. Long hair is typically more susceptible to breakage, split ends, and to appearing thinner. Regular haircuts will help keep your hair strong and healthy.

Image: www.blacknaturalhaircare.net

The same rules generally apply for medium length hair as they do for long hair. Regular haircuts at 6 to 12 week intervals are very important to keep your hair looking healthy. If you like the length of your hair, a trim every 6-8 weeks will keep your hair at your preferred length. If you are growing your hair out, opt for a trim every 8 to 12 weeks instead.

Short hair, especially if you want to keep your short style, will need a haircut more frequently in order to remain fresh. If you have short hair, you already know that it appears to be grown out quickly so short hair should be trimmed every 4 to 8 weeks to keep the shape of your haircut fresh. As previously mentioned, if you are trying to grow your hair out, you will want to consider haircuts every 6 to 12 weeks.

Remember, hair grows one half inch per four weeks. Take that into consideration when talking to your stylist about how much hair to cut off.

Source: www.womenshair.about.com

#5 How often should you replace your makeup?

Most people horde their makeup, always adding in new items but never replacing expired ones. Here is a list of when to replace your makeup:

1. Mascara-3 months if used daily, 6 months if not
2. Concealer-18 months
3. Liquid Foundation-1 year
4. Loose powder foundation-no expiration date
5. Cream eyeshadow-1 year
6. Powder eyeshadow-2 years
7. Lip pencil-3 years
8. Lipstick-2 years
9. Lipgloss-1 year

Also take note that makeup brushes should be cleaned once a week with cleanser or a mild antibacterial dish detergent. Do NOT share your makeup with anyone.You can get pink eye from shared mascara and herpes from shared lipstick. Using dirty brushes and other makeup application supplies can cause acne breakouts.

Source: www.community.sephora.com

I hope this helps. Feel free to comment on things you find important and what you change on a regular basis!

Miss Claire-Bella

Xoxo

Rubybox, Glambox, Glossybox? Why all the Boxes?

If you haven’t already caught on the new trend of beauty sample boxes, then ladies…where have you been?

All these “Boxes” are beauty sample companies that put together a box of goodies every month. You subscribe, pay a monthly fee and you receive a sexy little box of 4-5 high branded samples ranging from hair-care and skincare to makeup and fragrances. The best part…It gets couriered right to your doorstep!!

This is a great idea for ladies who don’t have time to do research on new products, are too busy to keep up with beauty trends or the ladies who just want to spoil themselves (there's nothing wrong with that!). Its like Christmas every month when you get your exciting variety of products!

I subscribed to Rubybox as it was the first site I came across when I first did research on sample boxes. I will be doing reviews on them every month and later on I would like to subscribe to Glambox and Glossybox and do reviews on them for you too.

Go on…spoil yourself! You can subscribe and pay online, its that easy!

Rubybox

Rubybox – Website: http://rubybox.co.za/
or go see their Facebook Page which they update daily: http://www.facebook.com/pages/rubybox/199930116719644

Glambox

Glambox – Website: http://www.glambox.co.za/
Their Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/glamboxsa

Glossybox

Glossybox – Website: http://beauty.glossybox.co.za/

and their Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/GlossyBox.co.za

Now Ladies, its a bit pricey to subscribe to all 3 boxes every month so please use the links I put above to do your research first as each box has different products and you can choose which Box suites your taste best.

And any guys reading this…Spoil your special lady by getting them a 1 year subscription. You wont have to worry about remembering to arrange gifts for them or have to think of what to get them…and they’ll love you forever!

Don't be left behind! Catch the trend!

xoxo

Miss Claira Bella

February Rubybox

So two weeks ago i received my February Rubybox and this is what i got!

From top: Givanchy Fragrances; Dilingo.co.za Voucher;
 Lancome Youth Activator; Elizabeth Arden's Sun Defence for Face;
Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula :)

My first product was an Envelope from Givanchy, Filled with little sachets of perfumes. To be honest, I think it’s such a messy job to try and get perfume out of a sachet and put it where you want it but I quickly stopped thinking about it when I saw how many there were! 13 Different ones, WOW! It also came with a cute little pamphlet of the history of each fragrance and when it was made. Mine ranged from 2002-2011. LOVE IT!! I’ll find a way to put it on without messing! lol

Next was a 5ml sample of a Youth Activator by Lancome. I haven’t used their products before so I’m interested in finding out how it feels and works. I have heard a lot of good reviews on their products so I’m hopeful…BUT at R600 for the full sized 30ml version…It better be good! Lol

Moving on…The Rubybox team gave me an Elizabeth Arden product which I was excited about. It’s their 8 Hour Cream – Sun Defence for Face. I was actually at Woolworths the other day sampling the full sized product and getting more information on their New Sun Defence Range (See image below). I’m really glad to have a little sample of my own!

Pamphlet on Elizabeth Arden's Sun Defense range

Second to last, I received a 50ml sample of Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula. I’M INLOVE!!! It smells just like the Cocoa powder you bake with so it reminds me of cake! I seriously have not stopped putting it on since I received my Rubybox. I’m really glad Palmers and Rubybox gave us this awesome product because I’ve seen it everywhere but haven’t really been interested in buying it because “it’s just another moisturizer”, but now…I’m sold!!

Lastly I got a Voucher for R50 off of Dilingo.co.za. They are an online clothing store that delivers straight to your house. I’m definitely going to keep my eye on their site!

My February Rubybox

And that was my Rubybox for February! Thanks for reading and I will be posting again soon!

Xoxo

Miss Claira-Bella