Happy Halloween

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam;

May luck be yours on Halloween

Colour my life: Pretty in Pink

Follow my Pretty in Pink Pinterest board here.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

The Dreaded Miacup

I follow a few really lovely "green" beauty bloggers on Twitter and the current craze they're all talking about is a new menstrual companion called Miacup.

The concept is pretty easy to grasp. It's an alternative to tampons and pad's, where you insert a little purple 'cup' (5cm in length) which collects the menstrual blood like in any normal cycle. It has a suction feature which makes sure there are no leaks and your cup wont suddenly fall out while shopping. Once your Miacup is filled, you break the suction and empty the contents into the toilet like you usually would. You then rinse it in a basin and insert it again. You can read about it's features here.

Images from miacup.co.za

I understand the need for an "eco friendly" alternative (if you can call it that) to something you would just throw away. Unfortunately I find this concept rather horrible. They say the 'mess', when emptying your cup, is the same as if you were inserting a tampon but I am not convinced.

Let me give you a scenario; you're out in public and realize you haven't emptied your cup in a while (apparently you can go up to 12 hours without needing to empty the cup) so you run to the nearest restrooms. You pop into a cubicle and empty the cup but the situation has become a royal mess, "Crap! I need to rinse the cup". Just your luck, as you come out the cubicle to rinse it, there is now a queue and the room is filled with ladies. How embarrassing, having to hog a basin to rinse your bloody cup. *Cringe* Aaand then you have to get back in line, holding your little cup, so you can insert it again.

I am in no way bashing the idea and I'm sure some ladies need an alternative to tampons for health reasons but is this not re-inventing the wheel? I would love be in the mind of the person who invented this and view the thought process they went through and what was their reason for needing the Miacup.

^Was it because tampons and pads are expensive? Hellooo!? Life is expensive. Period. (lame joke...*noted*) by the way, the Miacup will set you back by R394.95.

^Was it purely because tampons make up a lot of waste in our sewage system? I'm sure a lot more ladies would accept the idea of a better disposing/refuse system rather than someone trying to convince them to wear a period collecting cup.

You can read more about Miacup by visiting their website for tips on how to insert it, remove and store it and any other questions you may have.

Ah! I feel that modern society is creating a world where its okay to think that if you buy a product like this, you're helping your environment and your health will improve or not be compromised. "Let me empty my Miacup before I go to the store to buy a carton of cigarettes". It's the same concept as buying a meal from MacDonalds and ordering a diet coke. I could go on for hours.

Am I just stupid and not really 'educated' on the subject or do you feel the same? I'd love to hear your thought's on Miacup and the general issue of companies selling "eco friendly" products to make you feel like "you need to do your part" in helping your environment.

Sjoe!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

P.S. The rant at the end of this post is in no way directed solely at Miacup. I am just using the Miacup as an example. Click this link for an interesting read.

Memories for Monday

This was my mom and I at a Halloween part in 2008. Was the best Halloween ever!

Essence's new Colour and Go bottles {Video Review}

In July I told you that Essence was going to be getting a new look and feel to their infamous colour and go polishes (click here to check it out), well...THEY'RE HERE!!

Here is my video review :)

"Hey there, I like your curves ;)"

Purdy Manicure

4 day later. I suggest applying a top coat to prevent this :)

So excited to buy more of these little guys!

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Colour my life: Mint

Follow my Mint Pinterest board here.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

YouTube Favourites: Cute Polish

Here are a few video's from one of my favourite nail art channels on YouTube called Cute Polish :)

She always comes up with the simplest tutorials that anyone can do :)

Visit her channel here

Facebook here

Twitter here.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

In my sample basket - Lady Gaga Fame EDP {Video Review}

Check out my video review for Lady Gaga's Fame EDP below.

What I loved

I love how everyone was expecting a really gross scent from this fragrance and then when it came out people's reactions were like "Whaaat? It's so pretty". I also like that it is a very light fragrance and can be worn by pretty much anyone, even teens.

What I disliked

The fragrance did not last as long as I'd hoped it to. It is the first proper EDP I have tried and I feel that it didn't me give the staying power that you should get from a higher concentration of perfume. It was just like an EDT :(

I would actually love to own a full size masterpiece of Fame, just to own the bragging rights! Unfortunately I do not know how much the full size is but I will definitely investigate. (Please leave a comment below if you know how much it is)

EDP 101

Top notes: The scents that are smelled immediately as you apply the perfume. Top notes consist of small, light molecules that evaporate quickly. They form a person's initial impression of a perfume.

Middle notes: The scent of a perfume that you smell just when the top notes disappear. The middle note compounds form the "heart" or main body of a perfume and act to mask the often unpleasant initial impression of base notes, which become more pleasant with time.

Base notes: The scent of a perfume that you smell as the middle notes go away. The base and middle notes together are the main theme of a perfume. Base notes bring depth and solidity to a perfume and are usually not perceived until 30 minutes after application. Source

Social media shenanigans:

Beauty Bulletin Website

Beauty Bulletin on Facebook

Miss Claira-Bella on Facebook

Thanks to Beauty Bulletin for my little sample of the very popular Lady Gaga Fragrance. 

Leave friendly comments below ;)

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Memories for Monday

My mom is a crazy motorbike junkie and has influenced me quite a bit in this regards. I often have tiny "Bad Boy" crushes on passing by motorcyclists. 

The image above was taken at the Gauteng Toy run in 2009. An amazing event that we try attend every year. Find out more about Toy Run 2012 by clicking this link.

This picture was taken at the Impala Rally in 2008. I totes wish I was still had this bod *sobs all alone*(Ignore the captioned date) Find out more about Impala rally here.

GOSH's Infamous Brow Kit

Of all the GOSH products that international bloggers rage about, their Brow Kit is definitely one of the most favoured and I found out why.

Gosh Cosmetics' Brow Kit

If you have been keeping an eye on runway trends as well as the average Jane walking in the street, you would have noticed that fuller eyebrows are way more popular than they were a few years ago. Just by changing the shape or colour of your eye brows, you can achieve a noticable change in you appearance.

The brow kit comes with 3 powder shades and a wax cream.

This brow kit comes with three different shades; light, medium and dark, to make sure they cater for all hair shades. You can wear each shade on its own or use them in conjunction with each other to create different depths to you brows. You also get a very handy wax cream in the kit. This is used for taming any wild strands and lock in the desired shape so that it will last all day long. You can also use this brow kit with Gosh's Defining eye brow gel.

Here is how I tested the Brow kit:

Before: "Shame, that girl needs some brows"

After: "Brows are sisters, not twins!"

I took these images the first time I ever used this brow kit, so since then, I have learnt a few things:

1) The dark shade is a bit harsh for a day look but perfect for a night look so rather opt for a lighter shade if you're a day walker like me.

2) If you have an angled brow brush, outline the shape you want with it first, then go back and fill in with the applicator provided, finishing off with the cream wax or a brow gel.

Overall, I find this brow kit stupidly easy to use and it really does make a difference. My eyes seem way bolder and I have received a few compliments that my makeup looks more "finished-off" *Thanks mom! Blush Blush*

You can pick up this great brow kit at your nearest Edgars and Red Square stores for R155.

Follow GOSH cosmetics on Twitter, visit their website and like their Facebook Page. You can also follow me on Twitter and Facebook, here and here.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

GOSH's Volume Lip Shine Lip Gloss

Here is a quick review on GOSH's Volume Lip Shine Lip gloss.

GOSH's Volume Lip Shine Lip gloss RSP R120 each.

This 'volume' lip gloss contains MaxiLip which gives you a slightly plump effect without making you lips burn or give you that weird tingly/tickling feeling. It contains Jojoba oil and Shea butter to keep your lips moisturised. I'm also a big fan of the SPF 10 you get in each bottle. Even though it is quite low, it isn't very common to find SPF in lip glosses (well at least not in my lip gloss collection) and are mainly in lip balms and lip butters.

The colour in the pictures above is 01 Soft Coral which is a creamy peachy pink shade. It has enough pigment to be worn alone but is also light enough to be worn over your favourite lipstick, to give a pretty glossy finish.

Unfortunately I didn't really feel the slight "plump-ness" that the gloss claims to give your lips but I was highly impresses at how the gloss stays on your lips. I roughly estimated, you can wear this gloss for at least 2.5 hours (obviously still fading gradually).

I don't encourage public gafoolaling with your boyfriend but if you cannot contain it, then wear this lip gloss because you'll still look gorgeous every time you come up for air. This gloss just does not budge! *Smooch*

The other shades you may find at your nearest GOSH stand, are 02 Cherry Blossom, 03 Tea Rose, 04 Juicy Orange, 05 Red Stiletto, 06 Raspberry Galore, 07 Burgundy and 08 Nude. 

Thanks so much to GOSH cosmetics for letting me test this beauty out!

Follow GOSH cosmetics on Twitter, visit their website and like their Facebook Page. Don't forget, you can find this great Danish brand at Edgars and Red Square Stores.

Thought or questions? Throw them at my face by commenting below :)

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength Polish

Here is another Sally Hansen nail polish that I received in my Beauty Bulletin hamper.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Colour in 120 "Diamonds"

This is a very pretty shimmery polish that can easily be worn on it's own or over another polish. This is a very handy colour to have because you can transform any boring nails to an eye catching "diamonds are forever" kind of look.

Gone are the days of only having a day-to-night look for your face. Your nails can now also have a day to night transformation with one coat of this purdy transparent/glitter nail polish. Whoohoo! Bring on the after hour office party!!

I absolutely love, love, love the diamond inspired bottle designs with the added little crystal on the front. Even when I am not wearing the polish, I set the bottle next to my laptop just so I can stare at it's prettiness.

One of the 32 colours from this range that I have my eye on is "Wedding Crashers" which is this beautiful maroon-grape colour. 

Image from kittypolishnbags.wordpress.com

Most of the colours in this range seem to be very wedding orientated with names like "Honeymoon Red", "Save the Date", "Something Blue" and "Together forever" (Just to name a few). I wonder if there is any specific reason that Sally Hansen did this. *Queue Thinking pose*

Here is a little insert in the October Cosmopolitan magazine, on the new polishes.

I have not tested it's staying power yet, but Sally Hansen claims that it protects your nails for up to 10 days with the real micro-diamonds & platinum in each bottle. (I shall update this post ASAP).

I have only seen these pretty polishes in Dis-Chem stores but might also be available at clicks and other major pharmacies. 

Let me know what you think of these beautiful Diamond Strength polishes :)

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Memories for Monday

So I don't really "remember" this but this is one of my favourite photo's of my mom and I when I was a baby :)

In my sample basket - Crabtree & Evelyn

In my sample basket this week is a Crabtree and Evelyn Sample pot containing their new Lily Hand Therapy.

"Hand Therapy’s ultra-moisturising formula contains shea butter, lily of the valley extract, and macadamia nut oil to leave skin hydrated and delicately soft to the touch. Ceramides help keep moisture close to the skin surface, while myrrh extract helps condition nails and cuticles. The Hand Therapy Collection is formulated without parabens, lauryl sulfates, mineral oil or propylene glycol." - CT&E

What I loved

The scent of this hand therapy is heavenly! The scent gives you a very elegant feeling, as if you were a beautiful young lady in a 50's movie. The lotion has quite a thick consistency which is what I look for in a hand cream. It helps keep your nails and cuticles moisturised and that is a deal maker for me! There is also zero stickiness after applying this hand lotion. *We have a winner!*

What I disliked

If I really had to be anal and try to find something to dislike, I guess some ladies could find the scent to be a bit too "perfume-like" but that all depends on personal preference.(I don't mind)

RSP: 250g is R300, 100g is R280, 50g is R140

Whether you're a stay at home mom, a beauty therapist or in a corporate environment, this is a great hand lotion to keep in your purse.

As with all Crabtree & Evelyn products, they tend to be pricier than other brands but the quality that you receive in each product is fantastic. Being on a tight budget, this would definitely be a splurge, but one I would happily make.

You can find the Lily Hand Therapy in Crabtree & Evelyn stores from November 2012. A great gift for that special lady in your life. Wonder over to their website/online store to check out other products that might catch your eye.

Don't forget to subscribe to my blog by email (top right hand side) to ensure you don't miss out on future posts. Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain {Update #1}

The very kind ladies at Revlon sent me a few Balm Stains to try out and report back to you ladies about, so here I am with an update of my previous blog post titled "Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains".

The colour I will be testing in this update is a very pretty lilac shade called "Darling".

I applied the balm stain at 10:30 am and put hourly reminders on my phone so that I could track real time images of exactly how much it faded after each hour passed by. So here goes:

As you can see this very potent balm stain lasted an amazing 6 hours!! The tint lasted throughout the day, keeping in mind, I drank tons of coffee ate snacks regularly. The only downside is the glossy-ness went away after the second hour, but seriously, its definitely worth R99 a pop (just apply a clear gloss if you'd like the shiny effect).

This colour matches my wardrobe quite nicely as most of my clothes require a lighter face. This is the perfect "lippie" to wear at work, whether you're a pole dancer (no judgement here) or in a corporate environment, Revlon has you covered.

You can buy these babes at most "drug stores" (Dischem, Clicks, Major pharmacies and all that jazz). Keep an eye out for my 2nd update coming soon :)

Don't forget to visit Revlon on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. Do the same for me, here and here

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Blink challenges you!

 Blink Mints has challenged you to get their Facebook likes to 1000! You could win an awesome hamper filled with Blink goodies.

Clickity clack on this link to visit their Facebook Page at give that "like" button some love!

*Images from Blink Mints October Newsletter.

Breast Cancer Awareness, Nail Art

Here is a cute nail art design that you can pull off in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).

Many ladies find water marbling quite daunting because it looks pretty tricky but trust me ladies, it is the easiest way to get pretty designs on your nails. I prefer water marbling over many other forms of applying nail art.

As always, I will refer you to my water marble guru, Simple Little Pleasures on YouTube. She has the most amazing tutorials (over 80 different ones) on everything water marble related.

Here are the steps I took, for each "dipping":
*Start off with a light base coat*
1. Tape your finger with celotape
2. Build your bulls eye with as many colours as you like (repeat)
3. Dip your fingers in with your nail facing the water.
4. Remove tape and clean up with nail polish remover and a cotton bud.

Pinky and Ring fingers

Middle and Index fingers

Thumbs

A few quick tips when water marbling:
*I highly recommend using celotape to tape the area around your nail. It makes cleaning much easier. Click here for a tutorial on how to tape your nails properply before water marbling.
*Have a paper towel/old rag near by, where you can wipe excess nail polish off your toothpick or orange stick because it gets quite messy.

This is what you'll need your rag/ paper towels for.

*It is very important that your nail polishes and water are the same temperature. I suggest taking your nail polishes and water, putting them in the same room 1 hour before you water marble your nails, so that the nail polish spreads nicely when you build your bulls eye.

I had a few empty patches where there wasn't any swirls so I took a dotting tool and added other decor. You could do the same.

And I think that's it! If you have any questions don't hesitate to comment below, ask me on Twitter or send me a message on Facebook.

I will hopefully have time to do a video tutorial for you soon.

Let me know if you try this nail art design. Click here for a previous water marble design I tried on my nails.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Twilight fan?

If you're a Twilight fan then Essence has you sorted with their new "Breaking Dawn" trend.

The limited edition Breaking Dawn trend will be hitting Dis-chem and Clicks' shelves in November 2012 and will be available till December 2012. (High five for releasing it just in time for the Breaking Dawn movie)

Here is what you can look our for:

Four nail polishes: 01 Jacob’s protection (blue), 02 Alice had a vision – again (purple), 03 A piece of forever (gold), 04 Edward’s love (black),

Four pigments instead of the usual eye shadow quattro, in Jacob's protection, Alice had a vision - again, a piece of forever and Edwards love,

Renesmee red blush,

Shimmer powder in "Bella's Secret",

Shimmery Gold lipstick called A piece of forever,

Two shimmer lipglosses in Alice had a vision – again and Renesmee red,

and finally, two glitter liquid liners in a royal blue and a royal purple.

(You can expect usual Essence prices *Bargain*)

I personally have my eye on the liquid liners as well as the shimmery lipstick. I will let you lovely ladies know when I spot them on the shelves (usually via Twitter).

Follow Essence SA on Twitter and like their Facebook Page. Do the same for me, here and here.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

*All images from Google

My fave brands in the media

Here are a few of my favourite brands that I spotted in the October issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on these brands.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Memories for Monday

October last year, a bunch of my friends and I went to the Drakensburg. Here are some pictures that bring back memories.