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!

Lipgloss Kisses 7 Deadly Beauty Sins

I was recently asked to do a guest post by the very stunning Chicara from Lipgloss Kisses. The tag was "7 Deadly Beauty Sins" and came with beauty questions relating to the 7 deadly sins. This is by far the most fun I have gotten to have whilst answering tag questions and I love how Chicara put it all together, including my nail polish and cat obsession!

Visit Lipgloss Kisses here, to see what my 7 deadly beauty sins are!

You can also follow Chicara on Twitter and Facebook.

Miss Claira-Bella

Big girls, you are beautiful!

There is nothing more empowering for woman than a sexy pair of lingerie. Add Valentines Day into the mix and you have a really electric combination. What men seldom appreciate or realize is, is the art of choosing great lingerie is quite a daunting task. There are so many brands, styles and don’t forget the sizes!

Big-breasted woman often walk out of lingerie shops empty handed because they cannot find anything in their size. The golden rule when it comes to dressing for your body shape, a rule that more than 60% of us women are still trying to master, is that the foundation of any woman’s outfit begins with her underwear.

Wearing the incorrect bra, especially when you are slightly more blessed on top than others is not only uncomfortable and makes you look like you’ve gained extra kilograms but can cause bad posture and severe back problems

Thank goodness there’s a new lingerie company ‘in town’ called Treasure Chest. The inspiring company locally designs and manufactures their own affordable range of high quality lingerie that consists of beautiful bras ranging from 34D to 42J cup size and matching bottoms in S,M,L and XL, exclusively designed to celebrate beautiful, big-breasted women.

If you're a lady with a fuller bust then I highly suggest you view the online catalogue for Treasure Chest here. You can also share any troubled shopping experiences with me on Facebook and Twitter or pop me an email at msclairabella@gmail.com.

Big girls, you are beautiful!

Miss Claira-Bella

Crabtree's Avocado, Olive and Basil Range {Review}

I know I always say this but I cannot tell you enough, if you have ever been into a Crabtree and Evelyn store, you would know that it is difficult not to find something you love! I call my favourites, "Gems". Beautiful products that leave me, and my skin, in awe. 

My newest Gem from Crabtree and Evelyn is their Avocado, Olive and Basil range. I got given small sizes of the Bath and Shower Gel and the Body Lotion, from this range, at the Hyde Park launch last year. After taking the first sniff, I immediately felt a rush of nostalgia. 

When I was younger, my mom used to have a descent sized herb garden with tons of different herbs. Whenever you were near, you would get pleasantly overwhelmed by the scent of fresh herbs. The most noticeable scent, for me, in the Avo range, is the basil, as if it were picked right from my mommy's garden! I find the Avocado, Olive and Basil range suites the mature ladies and ladies that love gardening. 

Bath and Shower Gel - I don’t particularly like my whole body smelling like herbs and I am still young and don’t wear floral 'granny' dresses, so I used this shower gel as a bubble bath. You still get to enjoy the scent but it won’t stay with you the whole day. The natural ingredients left my skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. 

Body Lotion - I love how the consistency of the lotion is thick but one you apply it and it absorbs into the skin, it doesn’t fell heavy at all. There is a thin shiny film left on the surface of your skin but I prefer it as it locks in the moisture making your skin really soft and nourished.

I adore these two products and dread the day that they come tho their end.

You can follow Crabtree and Evelyn on Twitter. Do the same for me here.

Which Crabtree and Evelyn product is your 'Gem'?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Ladies, lets have a chat!

Woman would generally have this conversation over a cup of tea with their best female friend or, for the really shy ladies; you would have a heart-to-heart with your gynaecologist. Unfortunately we cannot have a cuppa and I’m not a gynae but in the next few paragraph’s I will be ‘talking’ about all things intimate and feminine hygiene related. 

I was recently contacted by the PR Company for GynaGuard, a brand that supports woman to stay healthy and confortable by safely and effectively helping to prevent and relieve intimate irritations. I was first hesitant on accepting their products due to the taboo around this topic but after doing some research I found it imperative that all ladies know about the importance of feminine hygiene. 

Things like washing detergents we use on our clothes, fragranced bubble baths and shower gels causes our intimate pH balance to stray from the normal levels it should be at. In turn, this causes bacterial infections like Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), Candida and Trichmoniasis Vaginosis. If left untreated, these simple bacterial infections can turn into more serious problems.

GynaGuard has a whole range of soap and fragrance free products that can empower you to prevent and relieve intimate irritations that cause pain, discomfort and embarrassment. I got to try some of these products for myself and I am here to let you ladies know that they are worth a try. 

Essential care for you know where 

GynaGuard’s essential intimate wash is there to replace the harmful soaps and body wash that you may already use. Their soap and fragrance free cleansing gel is gentle enough to use every day to restore a healthy pH balance and rinse away any odour causing germs. In fact, it is so gentle; gynaecologists recommend this intimate wash to pregnant woman to use throughout their pregnancy. I didn’t have any irritations from using this intimate wash and I felt confident that it was in fact doing its job in keeping a healthy pH balance. 

GynaGuard has also developed an intimate comfort gel that can be applied throughout the day if you experience any discomfort, burning or itching. The "on the go relief" this gel offers, can empower woman who suffer from uncomfortable pain and irritation. Irritations can be caused by the use of soap, bubble bath, physical contact and most commonly; germs that have overrun the delicate flora balance. Changes in hormone levels during puberty, periods and menopause also disturb the pH balance which can also lead to intimate discomfort. Again, my skin did not feel irritated by this gel and I appreciated the gentle ingredients. 

I firmly believe that GynaGuard products are there to help woman with common intimate hygiene issues which could lead to more serious problems if left untreated. I am also a huge fan at how tastefully they tackle an otherwise very embarrassing topic. 

All GynaGuard products are tested and recommended by gynaecologists. You can find GynaGuard in most stores like Pick’nPay, Clicks, Dis-Chem and pharmacies. The products are pricier than what you’d expect for a ‘body wash’ but they are worth every Randela! 

Thanks so much to DTM SA and GynaGuard for the enlightening products. I can see myself using these products for years. 

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. You can also subscribe via email in the top right hand corner of this page for more woman inspired blog posts. 

Miss Claira-Bella 

Xoxo

Live healthy: Homemade Banana Shake

Here is a healthy snack that I have been loving lately. A banana shake is the perfect thing to drink when you are craving any bad foods or you're looking for a yummy drink. 

I start off by adding 1 cup of low fat or skim milk (you can use soy milk as well). I then chop and add 2 banana's and a small amount of vanilla essence. Banana's are generally really sweet so there is no need to add sugar or sweeteners. Mix everything in a blender until its creamy and smooth. I topped mine off with a tiny amount of white chocolate (cheating, I know) but I don't do this everyday. 

Yummy!

Another ingredient you can add, if you're a gym junkie, is protein powder. It'll taste extra yummy and will help build muscle.

I make this shake as soon as I get home from work because its too early to eat dinner but it has been a long while since lunch time. It curbs any cravings and is quite filling. You can also add meal replacement shakes to the ingredients above if you are using this as a meal.

I am looking experimenting with other shakes but for now this is my go to live healthy snack.

Follow me on Twitter and Like my Facebook page for more live healthy posts. you can also subscribe via email in the to right corner of this page.

Any recommended recipes?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Essence's "Night in Vegas" Nail art topper

My new favourite polish is Essence's special effect nail art topper in 08 "night in Vegas". Every time I paint my nails I just cannot resist applying one coat of this to add character to otherwise lifeless polish.

The best way to describe this polish: Stunning nail art flakes with a unique multi colour changing shimmer. Photo's do not do this polish justice. I suggest taking the opportunity to see the polish in person. I purchased my "night in vegas" at Dis-Chem for an extremely affordable price of R24.95.

(Above) I applied two coats of Tip Top's "Fantasy" and one coat of the very purdy nail art topper. I give you permission to go completely overboard and apply 3-4 layers if you'd like! I was honestly too distracted by the sparkles that I didn't take any note of drying time.

After trying this polish, I have been persuaded to try out the other nail art toppers that Essence has to offer and at such a low price, I don't see why I can't have them all!

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page for all things Essence and to get more news on pretty polishes.

What do you think?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

A little TLC

I was really excited when I was contacted by the PR company for TLC. I have admired their products through other beauty blogs on the internet machine for over a year but never got a chance to purchase products of my own. Getting to try the new and improved brand was certainly overdue.

My little package contained TLC's 3 in 1 deep cleanse make-up remover facial wipes with chamomile extract.  I have previously mentioned, in my Johnsons facial wipes video, that I don't particularly like facial wipes because I don't feel that they 'deep clean' my skin. Never the less I was intrigued by the ingredients in these wipes which are specifically designed for removing stubborn make-up.

My 3 in 1 makeup removing wipes.

These wipes contain your cleanser, toner and moisturizer making it a very handy 3 in 1 for those days when you really don't have time for a full skin care routine (even though they are really important). These wipes are particularly useful when you have a late night with the girls, only get home at 3am and you have to be at work at 7am. Wipe, sleep, get up and go!

I was really impressed at the gentle nature of the actual material of the wipe. A huge difference if I compare it to Johnsons facial wipes. The material is of thinner quality but I personally prefer a thin soft wipe to a thick rough one. My skin does not feel irritated after using the TLC wipes and they were gentle enough to use around delicate areas like my eyes and lips.

As for removing traces of old make-up, these are fantastic! I hate wipes that cannot remove stubborn cosmetics like waterproof mascara or really strong lip stains. TLC has passed the test in my bathroom when removing my day's make-up. I don't have to scrub or put too much pressure when going over my skin. If you do have really stubborn marks then just gently go over that area a few times.

Unfortunately these TLC 3 in 1 facial wipes don't get my 100% approval because they do contain one paraben ingredient. This however was balanced out a little bit by a very pretty "No animal testing" stamp I saw on the packaging.

Overall, I find these wipes very gentle and I am way more inclined to use them if I have a lazy day but I have not been converted to only using wipes. After feeling the quality of this product I will definitely look at investing in more TLC products like face washes and moisturizers.

Look out for another product review tomorrow which is going to be aimed at ladies intimate hygiene ;)

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Accessorize's Paradise Eye Shadow Palette

Here is my last eye shadow palette review for this week. I picked this bright Accessorize palette from Click's cosmetic sale for a ridiculous price of R30! Its called "Paradise" and I find the name perfect for the selection of colours it offers.

How stunning is the cover!? Accessorize is know for pretty packaging and it's honestly a nice change. I can imagine hanging an entire collection, of just accessorize products, on a magnetic makeup board to add pizazz to my room. 

I am also a huge fan of the sponge applicators. I don't usually use them but I find the long handle, and the fact that there is one side for every colour (I'm OCD like that), very handy.

As for the actual pigmentation, I find it lacking but for a R30 palette I really don't mid applying a few layers to achieve the desired brightness. I also think a really good eye shadow primer would help.

Overall I am in love with the bright colours and I will wear them contuniously as I bid farewell to summer.

Subcribe via email in the top right hand corner of this page. You can also follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page here. Feel free to view more from the Accessorize collection by visiting their website.

Do you have any Accessorize recommendations?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Style Pinspiration

Follow my Style Pinterest board here.

Revlon's Glamour Girl Eye Shadow Palette

This year I have been trying to invest in eye shadow palettes more as it saves a lot of space when it comes to an ever increasing cosmetic collection. At the Clicks cosmetic sale earlier this month, I spotted this gem by Revlon. It is an 8 colour eye shadow palette called "Glamour Girl and it was a steal at only R50!

Initially, I wasn't going to purchase it but after seeing the prices of regular palettes, I just had have it. After getting home, inspecting and swatching, I knew I made a good decision. All the colours are amazingly pigmented and have an alluring shimmer. Glamour girl is an apt name for a palette like this. 

Revlon is a great brand with great quality cosmetics. This palette proves it. My favourite colours would be the copper colours as well as the bright blue and olive green!

Knowing what I know now, if I spotted this on the shelves, I wouldn't mind paying the full price. I'm so happy I have these colours to work with on a night out or even spicing up an otherwise bland office look.

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook Page for news on sale finds and other cosmetic reviews.

You likey?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

Avon's Nailwear Pro+ - "Arctic Waters"

How gorgeous is this colour!?

Arctic Waters

I have been collecting many "firsts" lately and this is my first Avon polish. I am currently obsessed with this nailwear pro polish. It has the most beautiful deep blue shimmer which make me stare in a stupid gaze for a few minutes until I snap out of it. Seriously, love it!

The bristles of this polish are very firm which makes application really easy because you can guide them where ever you want them to go. It unfortunately does not have a rounded edge but I did not find it difficult to work with.

Drying time and durability was average. Chipping was visible from day 4.

Overall this is a stunning polish and I hope to see more great products from Avon.

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page to keep in touch with any nail news I may have. You can also subscribe via email in the top right block on this page.

Do you have any Avon polishes?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

NYX's Runway Collection Eye Shadow Palette

I cannot believe it has taken me so long to purchase my first ever NYX product since it launched exclusively to Clicks stores, last year. I went bold and decided to buy an eye shadow palette to kick off my NYX collection.

I chose "Jazz Nights", from The Runway Collection, because it has warm brown and copper tones which is what I'd like to stock up on for winter. I was really impressed with the pigmentation of each eye shadow. Very vibrant, warm and versatile.

This palette has the perfect balance of shimmer and matte shadows. I love that the colours still pop even in low lighting and they aren't overpowering in bright lighting. 

I have been playing around with a few eyeshadow combinations and the one thing I noticed immediately was how easy they all blended together. This made application a dream!

I am really happy with this eye shadow palette and will definitely be purchasing more. I have my eye set on NYX's eye shadow primer, which is a must have in my collection!

Follow me on Twitter and like my Facebook page. I am also on Instagram so follow me for some makeup inspiration.

 

Do you have any NYX products to recommend?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

O.P.I's new liquid sand technology!

I just cannot wait to get my hands on these amazing new polishes from Mariah Carey's O.P.I collection! It's the new liquid sand technology and it is definitely a trend that will stick around for years.

 

 

Get more information from O.P.I South Africa by visiting their Facebook Page.

What do you think about this new polish?

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo

 

*All images from Google

Live Healthy: Chicken Wraps

One of my Boyfriend's favourite foods are wraps. It's quite convenient that we eat chicken wraps often and they are a really healthy dinner alternative to heavier, more hearty foods. Here is what we usually put in wraps and how you can make your own.

We usually just use salad left overs in our wraps. Lettuce and tomatoes that are coming to the end of their shelf live are perfect for wraps. Using chicken cubes or chicken strips is a personal preference. I find that chopping the chicken into cubes, makes it go further than using strips. We add a small amount of chicken spice when frying our chicken, to add some flavour, and we spread a tiny layer of mayonnaise to give it a tangy taste. 

A healthier version; just add everything without spices or sauce. Another great idea is to add some plain low fat yogurt. Delish!

Add all your ingredients, in no particular order, wrap and eat! 

Healthy, low fat foods, can be quite pricey but I got all these ingredients for around R100, which is a complete bargain considering you can make 6 wraps. 

As I am in the beginning of my live healthy transition, I haven't cut out the mayo, but I find this way better than eating KFC or tons of starch for every meal.

Let me know how you like to eat your wraps. I'd love to try new ingredients.

Miss Claira-Bella

Xoxo