NYX Cosmetics Cape Town & Perfect Filter Palette Review

NYX cosmetics is finally here! Yes!I can finally, try all these products that I see on YouTube but never get to try 😁😁😁
As you can imagine, I dragged my BFF to Canal Walk, because needs must. I didn't queue at Unholy O'clock for the Goody bag, because I prefer sleep over most things these days. secondly, it didn't turn out well on some devoted fans who ended up missing out on freebies because some reorganizing of the queue.
Anyway we grabbed some coffee and took a place in the line, not for the store but at the NYX promotional stand in the food court; you could have your makeup done by local beauty influencers @kimlyn_makeuphair and @rushanaisaacs. They also had props for some selfies and had spin and win competition for those with proof of purchase from the store.

I didn't want to stand in the queue for the store like I did last weekend for the UD store; so we did our grocery shopping stopped for lunch and then went to the store. We didn't have to wait for than 15 minutes to get in the store, but the store was busy and it's not big, plus the excited junkies everywhere, I was out of patience. So I didn't really get a chance to explore the store at leisure; I did see a couple of things that I want to pick up when the hype dies down. I only picked up one item, and that's the Perfect Filter eye shadow palette in Olive You. I've been wanting to try this palette since it's being lauded as a dupe for the controversial ABH Subculture palette on social media, also I really like the colours.

My Favorites
NYX has some of my favorite drugstore goodies; I'm an avid fan of their primers. I love the eye shadow bases so much I have 3 of them 🙈. My absolute fav is the matte white, it creates the perfect canvas for my bright eye shadow looks and my makeup lasts all day without creasing or smudging. I've also been using the Angel Veil face primer for the last couple of weeks. I picked it up at a NYX store in Singapore a couple of weeks ago and since it was never available in the Clicks stores. It's got rave reviews - here's a review by Jackie Aina where she compares it to a high-end one.

My Favourite eyeshadow bases

Wish list
Proof It! Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer - because why not? They claim it's waterproof..I'll happily test that.
Duo Chromatic Illuminating Powder highlighters in Snow Rose, Twilight Tint & Synthetica- I swatched some of these on Saturday...they're amazing, but not for the faint of heart. Someone say "highlighter to the gods".
Coloured Felt Tip Liners - in blue and green.
In Your Element collection - Fire palette (launching on  NYX website on 4 September, but I'm seeing it a lot on Social Media (check out the swatches here on iluvsarahii Instagram page).

The Perfect Filter palette in Olive You

Two of the looks achieved with the Perfect Filter palette

The colours used in the look on the left are marked with green dots, and for the look on the right, those shadows are marked with red dots.

This is a good everyday palette; it's a good combination of mattes and shimmers. I have tried using it on a naked lid, but the colour payoff is way better when I use primer. Also there's quite a bit of fallout, so don't be rough with your brush when picking up colour. I used the white eyeshadow base for both the looks above.
I think I'll do a one palette, one week palette and use this palette for the rest of week. I'll post the results on my Instagram page.

That's it for now, fellow junkies. I really recommend visiting the store and trying out what they have to offer; we finally have a decent range of everything the brand has to offer.

See you in my next post, xoxo

Urban Decay Cape Town Opening & My UD Lipstick Collection

Hi all,
This past weekend, I attended the long-awaited opening of the newest Urban Decay store in South Africa at the V&A Waterfront. So, I dragged my BFF to the waterfront and we stood in line for an hour before getting into the store; Can I just say, the wait was worth it. Portia Luma (Deep & Afro House DJ) livened the atmosphere and there were giveaways for those waiting in the queue. 

I had a couple things in mind that have been on my wish list for quite sometime, but I like to swatch and try things before committing. lipsticks were on the agenda, since swatching a couple of them in Singapore a couple of weeks ago. I didn't buy them then, because they're cheaper here 😊.

Let the swatchfest begin...

Me and my BFF swatching like we've never swatched before

 I took advantage of the opening specials and made use of the 4 for 3 special: I picked 3 lipsticks
(R 240.00) to add to my collection as well as a tube of the primer potion eyeshadow primer in caffeine (R 320).

I've done lip swatches of the all the UD lip products in my collection:

Lipstick is My Vice 💋 Conspiracy (Metallized), Psycho and Heroine (both Comfort Matte)

I'm absolutely in love with the Vice lipsticks, especially the comfort matte formula since, it doesn't dry my lips out at all. conspiracy is the perfect metallic nude for those deeper skin tones. Psycho is the perfect pink on everyone (it's also got iridescent blue sparkle 😍). And then there's Heroine..it's a blue lipstick, if you're daring enough go ahead and wear it. I dare you ...😉

Liquid lipsticks: My favourite shade is purple lipstick Pandemonium (Matte) and a metallic blue Time

All that Glitters 😎 Special Effects Lipcoats in Reverb "Purple with shifty pink-gold sparkle" (on top of Pandemonium) and Ritual "Smoky blue-gray glitter with iridescent 3D Sparkle" (on top of Heroine)

I picked the liquid lipsticks (R 290) and Special Effects lip coats (R 295)  in Singapore (along with De-slick and All-nighter setting sprays); I got Pandemonium ( a comfort matte bright purple) and Time ( a blue metallized lippy). Both are super comfortable and long-wearing; although a greasy lunch means you need to reapply).
I got the lipcoats in Rital and Reverb; they can be applied over any matte lipstick to add some sparkle. I love them! It takes some skill to apply an even coat, but the end-result is worth it. You also feel a bit of a tingle when they're first applied to the lip but that goes away within minutes. The lipcoats are budge-proof and you'll need an oil-based product  to remove them.

Things I still want to get...
1. De-slick Complexion Primer
2. Naked Skin Foundation
3. Razor Sharp Liquid Eyeliners

That's it my pretties; I really enjoyed the store opening (my first ever). I want to thank the BFF coming with me. Makeup is so much more fun when it's a shared experience.
If you're a junkie like me, head over to the UD store; they've got makeup tutorial/lesson/demo services as well (for a price). For those that live far from Cape Town, Joburg and Pretoria; Foschini Beauty Online does stock UD products, with delivery for orders of R 500 or more.

What are items are you dying to try out from the Urban Decay range? Let me know in the comments section below.

'Till my next post, xoxo

It's my 1 Year Blogger-versary! Giveaway + Buuya Beauty Review by the BFF

Hi lovelies,
It's been over a year since I started blogging; I honestly didn't believe that I would be able to keep it up this long.
I would like to thank you all for the support over the last year. I wasn't sure whether anyone would be interested in my thoughts on anything. Starting this blog, is a way of paying it forward in a sense, since I consult blogs and YouTube whenever I need an opinion on certain products or want to try out a new makeup look or hairstyle.
I try out all sorts of products and hairstyles and I thought "hey! you might as well share it with others"  seeing as that's how I learn as well.

Anyway, I've asked my BFF to review Buuya Beauty range for my blog and she always graciously agrees (Thanks friend 💜 )

The BFF

Hello!

Rozanne here (BFF to the blogger). I am the first to admit that I am a product junkie and a product snob. Now, despite several serious efforts towards rehabilitation (to no avail), I have decided to redirect my energies towards more constructive tasks, such as looking for high quality products that are also good value. Okay so I got all that fluff out the way, let me introduce you to our new find:

The product line is the baby of businesswoman, Kasuba Stuurman, who I met as part of the Cape Town Naturally Group administrators and planning committee for the natural hair events hosted by the group. I purchased the product line at the Curls and Cocktails: White in Winter hair event and I was blown away by Kasuba’s enthusiasm and confidence when speaking to her about her products. I ended up purchasing her Total Treatment Travel kit, which consists of the travel sized packs of the Deep Cleanse Shampoo, Intense Hair Masque and Herb infused oil (retail price - R140).

The next wash day, I tried all the products on the Hair Model’s (Lloyd – Loving, patient boyfriend) hair.

Total Treatment Travel Kit

All the goodness contained in the Total Treatment Travel Kit. Left to right: Intense Hair Masque, Herb Infused Oil and Deep Cleanse Shampoo

Source: www.buuya.co.za

 

Deep Cleanse Shampoo:

Product Description:

A deep cleansing, sulphate free, conditioning hair wash with Cape Coastal Honeybush, Baobab Fruit and Kigelia Africana extracts. Buuya Deep Cleanse Shampoo rids the hair of build-up and residue without striping your hair of essential nutrients. The cleansing wash leaves your hair feeling fresh and light.

Review:

I applied shampoo twice on Lloyds scalp and spread the suds down to his hair, since his scalp tends to act up with product build up. This product lathers up quite well, which is great for me because it gives me the feeling that the product is working (although suds are not necessary to cleanse). After shampooing, his hair felt squeaky clean and almost stripped, but I know it is because of my overzealous shampooing. For most people, one shampoo will be enough to cleanse the hair, unless you need a complete clarifying session after protective styling. I do not expect much from shampoos, except that they clean my scalp well, and this product does exactly that.

Intense Hair Masque:

Product Description:

Restore much needed moisture and nutrients to thirsty strands with the Buuya Intense Hair Masque. With Mongongo Oil, Mafura Butter, as well as Cape Coastal Honeybush, this deep conditioning treatment contains antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals that are meant to strengthen and condition hair, leaving it soft and manageable.

Review:

This product is hands-down my absolute FAVOURITE. It has a light apricot scent to it and it spreads well enough but it did not have enough slip to detangle, which is perfectly fine since it is marketed as a hair masque. I applied it to Lloyd’s hair and covered it with a plastic cap for 30 minutes. This stuff here is AMAZING! It restored the moisture and oils lost in the shampooing process and made his hair buttery soft. I mean, soft. Softer than a baby’s bottom soft. But it also felt strong and his curls were all springy and healthy. This product delivers on its promise and then some. It’s going into my wash day round up as a staple and is a firm favourite.

Herb-infused oil:

Product Description:

Packed with antioxidants and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Buuya Herb Infused Oil acts as a conditioner for the hair, making it soft, sleek, and shiny. It seals in moisture, prevents frizz, and nourishes and soothes the scalp. Infused with rosemary, parsley, rooibos, and chamomile, it restores dry hair, promotes growth, and gives the hair body.

Review:

I used the oil on his scalp and as a sealant on his hair. It has a herb-like scent to it, but it’s not overpowering. It absorbs well into his strand and scalp, and left no oily residue that I tend to have with some oil mixtures days later. On this basis alone, I give it a thumbs up as well. I do love my lightweight oils.

Overall review:

This line offers a great variety and all the products are of high quality. I am ecstatic about this line of products and the consistent results they offered. I got two uses out of the trial size and each time I got the same result. If you just want one thing out of the range, I say the masque is the way to go. The tub is huge (450ml - yes I bought one) and will last you quite some time, so it’s bang for your buck (or rand).

I hope you found the besties review informative as well as helpful.Feel free to contact her on Instagram (@rozanne.adams) if you have any questions, she's always happy to share her knowledge with fellow curlfriends.
You can purchase Buuya products online www.buuya.co.za or you can find Kasuba at various markets around Cape Town. Follow her on Instagram (@buuyabeauty) and Facebook for updates. 

To celebrate my one year blogging anniversary, I'm hosting a giveaway for a haircare hamper with Buuya goodies and Darling hair ombre hair extensions. The giveaway is open to South African residents only. To enter: 1. Visit my Instagram page @ndapewai 2. Follow my blog Facebook page & 3. Comment below on what you'd like to see reviewed/covered on the blog.
Click on the link below for details and entry.

My 1 Year Blogger-versary Giveaway

See you in my next post, xoxo