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*DIY* Simple Organisation - Cosmetics

My cosmetic collection has grown quite substantially since last year and i have been battling to keep everything organised. I started researching ideas on how to keep everything neat and tidy. Here are a few inspirations and ideas that i have introduced into my space.

Makeup Brushes:

Here is a simple idea on how to keep your brushes neat and easy to access.

My Inspiration - Image from Google

Take a plain jar or small vase and stick your brushes in. I added beads to help the brushes to stand up straight. Beads also soften the jar and adds elegance.

You can sort your brushes by category. Eyeshadow brushes, blush & powder bushes and even foundation brushes. I don't have such a huge collection of brushes so I just put them all into one vase/jar that was lying around the house.

You can find affordable vases at Sheet Street and Mr Price home.

Mascara & Eye pencils:

My attempt

I used the jar/vase idea to store my mascara and eye pencils. I found an old stationary/pencil holder lying around the house. I cleaned it out and stood them upright in it.

I only store the ones that I use often because it was quite small. You can buy proper metal pencil holders at GAME from R9.95, which can fit a lot more.

Metal containers can be spray painted to a different colour to match with the rest of your room's decor.

Eye-shadows

Need to try this! - Image Source

Here is a very cute idea for storing eyeshadows. Use an old plastic cookie/biscuit holder to stand your eyeshadows on their side. This maximises your space because you don't have them lying around in a huge basket or bag.

For now, I keep all mine in a cosmetic bag. Will give you an update once I incorporate this into my makeup organisation.

Nail Polishes:

Being a nail fanatic, I have tons of different nail polishes. I have been going crazy because most of the time they just pile up in a basket and when I try to find a specific colour I end up unpacking the whole darn thing.

My Inspiration - Image Source

I had to get some way to organise my polishes so that I can access them easily but still take up as little space as possible.

I googled some ideas like the one on the right and hit my very own Epiphany...

...any lady that has a Glambox or Glossybox can have the perfect way to store their nail polishes!

My attempt: Glambox!

It is the perfect height and size making it easy to find the polish you're searching for and fit quite a few in one box. (You can also use the lid of the box)

You aren't limited to just one. You can arrange your polishes by size, height, colour and even brand!

Ideas that I am dying to try out.

Magnet Makeup Board - I think this is a genius idea for storing makeup. It allows for clean surfaces and adds dimension and decor to your room.

Follow this link to Laura Thoughts. She came up with the beautiful board on the left and she shows a step by step process on how to get a magnet board just like hers.

I think it would also be a great idea to get a bigger board and put a mirror in the centre with the cosmetics surrounding it. Call it an all-in-one-makeup-station :)

Its great ideas like this that got me inspired to get my cosmetics organised.

Palette Organiser - If you have eyeshadow palette's, a letter/envelope sorter is perfect to store them.

You can sort them by size or palette colours making it really easy to find what you're looking for.

You can find these letter/envelope sorters at most stationary stores. If they come in bland colours you can always spray paint them to match the rest of your room's decor.

Another great thing you can find at a stationary shop that is great for organising cosmetics is a desktop stationary organiser.

I really find this idea helpful but might become a problem if your cosmetic collection is a big larger than what it can hold. Can be great to store products you use on a daily basis.

One last idea that I am definitely investing in sometime soon, is a stationary tower like the on on the right.

I have been searching for prices and you can find a really nice one at GAME for R94.95. They come in different colours and have many drawers to store your cosmetics. (Not suitable for nail polishes though)



Thank you for reading this post. I hope some of these ideas inspired you to organise your makeup and other cosmetics. If you have some ideas not mentioned above then please tweet them to me on twitter. You can also post photo's on my Facebook page, of ideas that you have tried and might inspire other readers.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Dont really have things lying around the house to use as cosmetic storage? Dis-chem has acrylic storage containers :)

*Little Whispers*

Tip Top Nail Addict - Deadly Salmon

The lovely ladies at Tip Top Nails sent me more polishes to try out and tell you gals about. Over the next few weeks I will be posting reviews on their Nail addict colours.

This review is for their "Deadly Salmon" (115) which is a beautiful bright coral-orange.

As with all the tip top products, they are free of all nasties (Formaldehyde, Dibutylphthalate/DBP, Toluene and Camphor [see bottom of page]), which I absolutely love! 

I am quite fond of this colour because it is warm and vibrant, perfect for nail art designs and patterns or just as plain Jane. Many people did a double-take when I had this deadly salmon on my nails. Probably not the ideal colour for winter but it is going to be a hit in the warm summery months. Guaranteed to brighten up any bland outfit!

As mentioned in my previous posts on Tip Top Nails, their polishes have a reasonable drying time and stays on for 4-5 days with a decent top coat. *Thumbs Up*

Here is a music video about a "Salmon Dance". I was crazy about this song when I was in High School. It might not be not be for everyone's musical fancy but its a good laugh :)

You can buy Tip Top's Nail Addict colours at selected Foschini Stores for R39.95 each.

Visit their website to view all the Nail Addict colours and other nail treatment products. You can follow them on Twitter @TipTopNailsSA and like their Facebook Page where you can win some fantastic prizes.

I will be doing more posts on other Nail Addict colours so don't forget to follow me on twitter @MsClairaBella and like my Facebook Page to stay in the loop.

~FYI~

• Formaldehyde - Used as a nail-hardening agent and can evaporate into the air, causing you to inhale it. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer and excessive exposure to formaldehyde could increase the risk of asthma.
• Dibutylphthalate/DBP - Used in nail polish to provide a moisturizing sheen and to prevent chipping. Exposure to dibutyl phthalate can affect thyroid function, and has been linked to reproductive problems in baby boys when pregnant women are exposed to the chemical.
• Toluene - Gives the polish a smooth finish across the nail and keeps the color uniform on the nail. Because toluene is released into the air, you could breathe in the fumes. This could result in nervous system problems, irritation of the eyes, throat and lungs, and possibly reproductive abnormalities. Source
• Camphor - Plasticizer embeded between polymer chains, spacing them such that the polish is flexible and will not easily crack or chip. A central nervous system disrupter associated with dizziness, confusion, nausea and twitching muscles.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Giveaway Winner!!

Thanks to everyone who entered my Giveaway with Sweet Heart Candy Buffets. 

The lucky winner is....

Tammy Perry

Congratulations Tammy! Your Candy Buffet hamper will be on its way to you in the next 2 weeks.

There will be a new giveaway on my blog very soon so keep an eye out. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and share with your friends!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

P.S. Thanks to Sweet Heart Candy Buffets for the beautiful hamper (Will post pics).

Its a guy thing!

I received this funny chain mail recently and thought I'd share it with you.

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED

Men are just happier people...what do you expect from such simple creatures?

If you are a guy then:

Your last name stays put your whole life,
The garage is all yours,
Wedding plans take care of themselves,
Chocolate is just another snack,
You can be President,
You can never be pregnant,
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park,
You can wear NO shirt to a water park,
Car mechanics tell you the truth,
The world is your urinal,
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky,
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt,
Wrinkles add character,
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them,
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet,
One mood all the time,
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat,
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase,
You can open all your own jars,
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness,
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend,
Your underwear is R99 for a three-pack,
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough,
You almost never have bra strap problems in public,
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes,
The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades,
You only have to shave your face and neck,
You can play with toys all your life,
One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons,
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look,
You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife,
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache and,
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24, in 25 minutes.

I hope this has brightened your day!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Crabtree & Evelyn Winter Sale!

For those of you that follow me on Twitter (@MsClairaBella), you would have seen me tweeting about how many great sales that are going on at the moment and, to my delight, they just keep coming!

"Crabtree & Evelyn are having their WINTER SALE! A huge selection of products and gifts will be on SALE from less 50% with the selection of products refreshed DAILY! What better time to treat yourself and stock up on your favourite Crabtree & Evelyn products?" - CT&E Press release

Here are the sale dates for the different Crabtree & Evelyn stores:

Keep up with all the excitement by following Crabtree & Evelyn on Twitter @Crabtree_SA or Liking their Facebook Page. Visit their website to find your nearest Crabtree & Evelyn store.

Read my past blog posts on Crabtree & Evelyn here. I hope you take this opportunity to shop for Gifts for your loved ones. 

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Sass Diva Sale Fever!

I think every woman cries a silent vow, in their heads, before entering a shop, that "This time I will truly, just browse", and walks out with at least one thing in their shopping bag! This happened to me over the weekend when I stepped my keen feet into the Sass Diva store in Brooklyn Mall.

I have always admired their stunning jewelry and accessories but, being a student 'n all, never really had the funds to invest in a few items. Luckily for me, the very friendly sales lady brought to my attention that they were having a 3 for R100 sale on selected items, which covered two walls and had stunning items for hair, ears, necks, wrists and fingers.

Knowing a good deal when I hear one, I started browsing for my three pieces. Only selecting three proved to be quite challenging but eventually purchased these with my 100 bucks:

First thing that caught my eye: Purple 'leaf' ring

Something I got for my little sister (9yrs old): Beaded charm bracelet with ring

A set that every woman should own: Teal and Silver ear-ring set

There were tons of other accessories that I really still want so I'm planning on scratching together all the spare change in the house, hoping it comes to R100, so I can buy more!

Follow Sass Diva on Facebook and Twitter for news on current trend and up-coming sales. Some of their items are on their website so check it out.

You are welcome follow me on twitter @MsClairaBella and like my Facebook Page. Don't forget to subscribe by email (Top right hand side of this page) to make sure you don't miss out on posts in the future.

Miss Claire-Bella

Xoxo

P.S. Really loving the teal-purple combo.

Giveaway!

Hey there!
I am very excited to announce my first give away, with Sweet Heart Candy Buffets. Follow this link or click the 'Giveaways' tab on the top of this page to find out how to enter. 

Share with your friends and hold thumbs!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Waterfall Braid

Something that is currently trending on my Pinterest feed is the Waterfall Braid. This very elegant hairstyle will suit any outfit and is great for any season. See the video bellow by Letsmakeitup on YouTube. Her turorial is really helpful if you'd like to learn how to achieve a neat Waterfall Braid.

Waterfall Braid by 'Letsmakeitup' on Youtube

This hairstyle has so many variations that is can suit any hair colour (highlights), length and face shape. I tried it out for myself and after quite a few tries I finally got it right. It is a bit difficult to work this style on soft/clean hair so I would suggest using a hairspray/styling mousse.

My Waterfall Braid

Here are some images of waterfall braids off of my Pinterest board "Style". You can view my boards by clicking this link.

If you give this a try, please share your pictures with me on Twitter @Msclairabella and on my Facebook Page.

TTFN

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

*DIY* Hand & Foot Scrub

I felt a bit adventurous and tried making my own hand and foot scrub. To my surprise it turned out really well. Here's how!

Ingredients:

Honey - Great moisturising properties.

Brown/White Sugar - Perfect for exfoliating. (Brown sugar is softer)

Olive oil - Contains essential fatty acids that dry skin needs. Source

Lemon juice - Brightens up and softens your skin. Source

Method:

With DIY scrubs, its entirely up to you when it comes to the measurements of each ingredient. If you want a lighter scrub, add smaller amounts of the sugar and if you'd like your scrub to be more moisturising, add more honey and olive oil.

All you need to do, is add the four ingredients together. It might be easier to mix if you warm the honey in the microwave for a few seconds. You only need to add 2-3 drop of lemon juice as using too much will irritate your skin.

The Honey I used was a little crystalised which added extra exfoliating bits. You can add other oils like Avocado oil instead of the olive oil. Another thing that can make your scrub a bit more personalised is by adding extracts such as Vanilla, Lavender, Ginger or even Citrus to give it a yummy scent.

You can search for Other recipes that include different ingredients that can be good for your skin.

Transfer your hand and foot scrub into a container that makes the scrub easy to access (A tub/jar would be perfect). I used an empty body butter tub.

Homemade scrubs make great gifts. Put your scrub in a pretty jar, add a bow and label, and you'll have a personalised gift for a special friend or family member.

All images from Google

I hope this post was helpful. Let me know if you try it out and send me pictures so I can post them on my blog ;)

Enjoy your day!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

*Trend* Natventurista by Essence

I received a few products from Essence's up-coming trend, Natventurista, and I'm really excited to share them with you!

This limited edition trend will be on the shelves from May/June 2012 and is definitely something not to be missed. Here they are:

Lip Balm in 01 "Outdoor Nudes" - I really like this 3in1 lip balm tin. It comes in 3 flavours (which are delish by the way) and colours which makes it easy to mix and match to your desired colour. It has a creamy, soft texture which leaves your lips looking glossy and moisturised. I had trouble opening the container at first as it doesn't have an easy-to-grip lid, but once to get used to opening it a certain way, its a breeze!
A lovely handbag must have!

Nail Polish in 02 "Mother Earth is watching you" - This nail polishes is perfect for achieving the "nude/natural but still totally glam" look. It dried rather fast and stayed on for 3-4 days (Even longer if you use a good top coat). The whole nail polish collection comes in 01 You are my dragonfly, 02 Mother earth is watching you, 03 Barefoot through the moss and 04 Chirp Chirp.
Something to invest in for the fresh
spring months where you'll need softer, more neutral colours on your nails

Nail Stickers in 02 "Flower Power" - To be honest, I was a bit skeptical when I first saw these "Gel" nail stickers but really loved how they looked on my nails. Once you get them to fit snugly and cut off any excess at the tip of your nail, you hardly even notice they are stickers. It is however, difficult to fit then correctly around your cuticle area as there are only 7 different sizes. Another big let down was that they only lasted about an hour before peeling off/ sticking on everything I touched. This flower power design was really pretty and I adored how it made my nails look. I wouldn't suggest these stickers if you want a 5-10 day manicure but they are perfect for themed parties or special occasions (There are other nail sticker designs in other Essence trends).

Baked eyeshadow in 03 "Chrip chrip" - This eyeshadow is a really great base colour and great for highlighting. Unfortunately the green in the eyeshadow hardly shows up, if you apply it dry, so it appears as a plain sparkly silver colour (I used a different eyeshadow to get the hint of green in this picture). Try using a wet brush to intensify the colour. (I'm thinking the green might be darker as you use it, as the marbled-ness has many layers)


Gel eyeliner in 01 "Barefoot through the moss" - This mossy green eyeliner gel is perfect for achieving a subtle nature look to give you beautiful bright eyes. It has a really smooth velvety texture, making it really easy to apply. It lasts the whole day, morning to night, without fading or flaking.


Gel eyeliner in 02 "Mother Earth is watching you" - I am in love with this gel eyeliner. It has the most beautiful copper colour that adds a lovely texture to the eye. The one thing I disliked about both gel eyeliners is the smell. It has a very strong vinegar-like scent. Fortunately when it is applied to your eye the scent disappears. Love, love, love this colour!

There is an eyliner brush in this trend aswell. You purchase it separately (for those who do not already have a liner brush) to use with the gel eyeliner pots.

All the photo's in this post will be available to view in a higher resolution on my Facebook page. 

I hope you will consider investing in some of these products. They are perfect for Spring!

Search their international website for more info on the Natventurista trend. Cosmetix is the official distributor of essence cosmetics in South Africa. Visit their website here. 

Like Essence's Facebook Page and Follow them on Twitter @essence_ZA for regular updates. While you're there you can like my Facebook page and follow me on twitter @MsClairaBella as well ;)

Don't forget to subscribe by email (top right hand side of this page) to ensure you dont miss out on future trends.

TTFN

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

May Favourites

Here are my favourites for May

1) Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour skin protectant - I received this in my Elizabeth Arden goodie bag at their beauty school in the beginning of the month. I use this as a lip balm and have benefited a lot! my lips have been so soft and dont crack nearly as much as they used to. This is a huge jar so it will last me a few years if I keep using it soley for my lips. I have read that other ladies put a dab of the skin protectant in their ordinary moisturiser and that helps their skin feel extra healthy. Great tip!

2) Bloom Lip Balm (Scrumptious lips) - I won this lip balm on Brand Avenues in their weekly giveaway! It has such a great creamy texture and stays on my lips for up to two hours at a time. I have enjoyed using it and I am glad I have it in my lip balm collection. Visit Bloom's website to find out more about their products.

3) Catrice's Alluring night nail polish - I did a video review for this nail polish, Check it out :)

4) Greys Anatomy - I am currently watching season 4 and really enjoy the twists, drama and excitement of all the characters! #Addicted

5) Placecol Vitamin E Serum - "This luxuriously rich, yet remarkably light serum contains high levels of vitamin E, a powerful anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger that’s widely recognised for its moisturising quality" Source. My skin has felt a lot more healthy and plump since using this serum. Love it!

You are welcome follow me on the tweet machine @MsClairaBella and like my Facebook Page.
Don't forget to subscribe by email (Top right hand side of this page) to make sure you don't miss out on posts in the future.

Miss Claire-Bella

Xoxo