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Beauty, Beauty Products, Competitions

Vichy Summer Loving

Vichy

Summer is by far my favorite season! I love spending time outdoors, especially after a long cold winter. The feeling of sun on your skin is sheer bliss but it is so important to remember sun protection! Regardless of your skin type you need protection against the damaging effect of UV rays.

Summer Beach Days

Investing money in a good sun cream, is as important as spending money on good skin care. Vichy is one of my favourite sun protection brands, which I have been using for years! I was excited when they sent me a few products from their latest Capital Soleil range to try!

Vichy-Capital-Soleil

As summer has officially arrived in Cape Town I thought it would be a great time to share a few Sun Protection Facts & Tips, as well as a chance to win a fab Summer Hamper!

Sun Protection Facts & Tips:

  • Use plenty of sunscreen, even if it is cloudy. Your sunscreen should have a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 and be a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen. This will ensure you are protected against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
  • Apply your sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Remember to reapply regularly, especially if you are swimming. No sunscreen product can truly be waterproof, most are water-resistant or a specifically formulated for use in water.
  • Check the expiration date of your sunscreen, as the active ingredients in sunscreens can lose their potency, so if it is old throw it out!
  • Do not rely on the SPF in your foundation to protect your face, use an additional sunscreen specially formulated for your face. Using a specially formulated sunscreen for your face is ideal, especially if you exercise outdoors, as they are usually targeted at sensitive skin, which will reduce the risk of breakout.
  • Cover up! Wear a wide-brimmed hat or peak cap, to protect your face and sunglasses which filter UV Radiation. If you are spending long periods of time in the water, then a second skin with Ultraviolet Protection Factor {UPF} of 30 or higher is a good idea, especially for young children. If you are going to be at the beach for a few hours, then be sure to take your sun umbrella along for added protection.
  • Pick your sun-time carefully! The sun is most intense between 10am and 4pm, so preferably spend time out doors in the early morning or late afternoon.

Vichy-Capital-Soleil

More about the Vichy Products I have been testing…

One of the products which I have really been enjoying is the Vichy BB Tinted dry touch face fluid SPF 50. I have really struggled to find a BB cream, which agrees with my sensitive skin and I was so impressed at how wonderful this cream feels on my skin feels! It’s BB tinted formula enhances and illuminates the complexion of the skin. The reinforced UV protection system protects against harmful UVB and UVA Radiation. My skin does not feel greasy or sticky thanks to the dry touch formulation. I use it on my face when I run and I have had not break outs or bad reactions to it! YAY! It also gives you great coverage and wonderfully “tanned” skin! It is the “ideal tan revealer” The formulation is paraben-free, hypoallergenic and resistant to water. RRP R279 for 50ml.

I have also been using the The Vichy Spray SPF 50+, for my body, when I run. I prefer to use a higher SPF factor when I am outdoors for longer periods of time. The Vichy Spray SPF 50+ contains Mexoryl, which helps protect against sun damage, brown-spots and sun-induced premature skin ageing. It is recommended for all skin types including sensitive skin. What I love about this protect is the light-weight, non-greasy application. My skin does not feel sticky after applying it, which can so often happen with higher SPF sunscreens. RRP R340 for 200ml.

Summer-Hamper with Vichy and Inspired Living SA

As I mentioned we are giving away a fab Summer Hamper! The hamper contains the Vichy BB Tinted dry touch face fluid SPF 50, a fun Beach towel, a pair of Vichy flip flops{size 3-4} & pretty sun hat! To enter please leave a comment telling me what you love most about summer and follow the additional steps on the Rafflecopter entry form below. {Please ensure you read the *Terms & Conditions below carefully, to ensure you comply with all the entry criteria}
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

  • Entries are open from 7th November 2014 until the 19th November 2014 the winner will be announced on the 21st November 2014.
  • Enter using the Rafflecopter form, as per the instructions above. You must complete all the steps:Leave a Comment, Like said FaceBook Pages, to validate your entry, failure to do so will declare your entry invalid. Tweet about the competition.
  • To ensure that your entry in processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
  • Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
  • This competition is only open to South African residents.
  • By “Liking” you enter and agree that this promotion is in no way associated with, administered by, or endorsed by Facebook; and acknowledge a complete release of Facebook by your participation.

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Beauty, Beauty Products, Hair

My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair

Hair-Care-Routine-Bonacure by Schwarzkopf

Hair Care Routine 

People often ask me to recommend hair care products, which can be quite tricky because as with beauty care, hair care is such a personal thing. Everyone’s hair is so different, which makes their hair care needs unique as well. I thought I would share My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair with you, as well as some of the products I am using and enjoying, particular to my hair type. Hopefully this will help some of you, who like me struggle with fine hair, add volume and maintain great healthy hair!

Hair-Care-Routine-for Fine hair

I have very fine hair, which is colour treated, plus I heat style it most days, so as much as I need volume, I also need to protect my hair against heat and the elements. The hair care routine I am sharing, is not a daily routine but rather products I would use for a full week, which includes styling products and treatments.

Hair-Care-Routine-Bonacure

You may recall a while back I attended the re-launch of the Bonacure range by Schwarzkopf at The Stylebar, in Tygervalley. We received a range of the Bonacure products to take home with us but I did not start using the products immediately, as I was finishing products I already had. I began using the Bonacure{BC} products when I returned from holiday and I am really loving them! As with skin care, it is important to spend a bit extra, on good quality hair care products.

Hair-Care-Routine BC-Shampoo & Conditioner

  •  Shampoo ~ Admitedly I am a bit naughty because I wash my hair almost everyday! I do try to take a break once a week but my hair is oily at the roots and because I exercise most days, I need to wash my hair more often. As I mentioned I have fine hair, so a volumising shampoo is a must for me.  Most stylists will tell you that you should shampoo your hair twice but I only do it once, unless I am going to apply a treatment or mask. I find that if I double cleanse every-time I wash my hair the ends get extremely dry. I am currently using the BC Volume Boost shampoo, I also really found the L’Oreal Volumetry shampoo worked really well on my fine hair. The BC Volume Shampoo is great as it adds great volume without making my hair feel tacky. The BC products also smell amazing which is important for me in hair care products.
  • Conditioner ~ Fine hair tends to tangle very easily, which is why I find it vital to use a conditioner, each time I wash my hair. On occasion I will also use a volumsing conditioner but for everyday purposes, I use a colour protecting conditioner like the BC Color Freeze. The only time I do not use a conditioner is when I use hair mask or treatment. When applying conditioner I do not apply it to my roots, as I find this makes my hair limp and can make my roots oily. I leave the conditioner on for a few minutes and the rinse thoroughly.

Hair-Care-Routine-BC-Color-Freeze Treatment

  •  Hair Mask/ Treatment ~ My hair care routine usually involves a hair mask or treatment once a week. I find that because my roots become oily quite quickly this is more than enough for my hair. Using a mask is definitely something my hair needs, especially the ends and I can see an immediate difference in the texture of my hair afterwards. I have been using the BC Color Freeze Treatment along side The Victorian Garden Rosemary & Jojoba Hair Masque, which I alternate each week. Most often I apply my hair mask in the shower, directly after shampooing it and leave on for the length of my shower. For a deeper treatment I apply the mask in the evening when I bath and leave on for approximately 20 minutes.

Hair-Care-Routine-BC-Color Freeze Cell Pro

  •  Heat Protection ~ It is very important to include heat protection as part of your hair care routine, especially if you are heat-styling your hair everyday. When it comes to heat protection I have a few products I alternate between. The BC Color Freeze Thermo-Protect Cream protects against heat damage, as well as protecting and prolonging your hair colour. My other favourite heat protector is Argan Oil, you may recall a post I did featuring the Inoar Argan Oil, which I have loved using. Inoar recently launched a new Extreme Premium Oil, dubbed as a Miracle Oil, it heals, seals, moisturises, rejuvenates and protects hair, as well as repairing split ends. The Inoar Extreme Premium Oil contains Argan, Macadamia, Coconut, Sesame, Rose and MYRRH. The  Inoar Extreme Premium Oil smells amazing and you can also use it once a week as a treatment for your hair. As with applying masks or conditioner, do not apply the Inoar Oil or BC Color Freeze Thermo-Protect Cream to your roots, only to mid-length or ends of your hair, to avoid weighing the hair down. I apply a small amount of either heat protector to my hair before styling.

Hair-Care-Routine-Inoar-Extreme Premium Oil

Hair-Care-Routine-Dry-Shampoo

  •  Dry Shampoo ~ On those occasions when I take a break and do not wash my hair, I like to use a dry shampoo, to freshen it up and add a bit of volume. There is nothing worse than flat lifeless bed-hair! The Batiste Dry Shampoo range is probably my favourite, I have a few different fragrances but I really love the Tropical shampoo, it reminds me of summer! I also love the fact that you can but the small dispensers, which are perfect for travel. Another product I have found works really well on second day hair, is the John Frieda Volume Refresher. While it is not sold as a dry shampoo, it does the same job – absorbs oils and gives your hair a volume boost.

Hair-Care-Routine-Tresemme Salon Finish-Mousse

  • Styling Products ~ Last but not least are a few styling products which work for fine hair. As a rule I do not using styling products on my hair unless I am going out or want to achieve a wavy, beachy look. I find too much product can weigh fine hair down and make it appear limp. My hair as a slight wave in it and I find with it being a bit longer I can create great “beach waves”, which is great for a more relaxed, casual look. I have tried quite a few of the Sea Salt sprays, which work initially but using over a longer period, dry my hair out. So if I need a bit of extra volume or want waves I have gone back to using Mousse. The Tresemme Extra Control Mousse from their Salon Finish range is great and works well on creating beach waves or adding extra volume, when I am blow-dry my hair. If I do curl my hair or create beach waves I do like to finish off with a bit of hair spray, after styling to help hold my fine hair in place. I find both the Tresemme 24 Hour Body and the Extra Hold finishing sprays, work well on fine hair. The 24 Hour Body Spray giving you a bit more of a natural hold which is perfect for creating beach waves.

Hair-Care-Routine-Styling-products

So in a nutshell these are the hair care products I am using as part of My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair. If you have any questions or have any products you find work well for fine hair please leave a comment below.

Stockists: Bonacure available in-store from Stylebar or online from Retailbox. Inoar online from Inoar Website. Tresemme, John Frieda and Batiste available from Clicks stores countrywide.

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Beauty, Beauty Products, Competitions

Catrice ~ Going Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Catrice Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Inspired Living, along with Catrice is turning up the pink to support this cause! Having lost my own mom to cancer, when she was just a bit younger than I am now, has made me even more passionate about breast cancer awareness!

Catrice Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is also vital that my girls are informed and educated about this disease. Many breast lumps are harmless, but they should all be checked. Some people tend to adopt the attitude of rather not knowing and think that Cancer is something that will never happen to them. Well think again – ignorance is no way to live your life! It is important to be informed and educated, ensure that you examine your breasts regularly and if you are over 40, to go for regular check-ups to detect any abnormalities before they become life-threatening.

CatriceSA very kindly sent Inspired Living a makeup hamper to create a pink inspired makeup look! I decided to have a bit of fun with this campaign and involve my girls because well they LOVE makeup! I guess it is hard not to with a mom like me 😉 Below you can see the two looks we created and the products we used.

Pink-Makeup-Look for Breast Cancer Awareness

 

Pink Makeup for Breast Cancer Awareness

We used the following Catrice products to create this look: Eyes ~ Absolute Bright Eyeshadow Palette{using the pink and grey shadows on the top lid with a bit of highlighter below the brow bone and pink below bottom lashes}, Smokey Eyes Pencil in The Black Earl, Glamour Doll Volume Mascara. Cheeks ~ Defining Blush in Sunrose Avenue. Lips ~ Long Lasting Lip Pencil in I Got You Babe, Infinite Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Up Your Life.

Pink Makeup for Breast Cancer Awareness

Pink Makeup for Breast Cancer Awareness

We used the following Catrice products to create this look: Eyes ~ Absolute Bright Eyeshadow Palette {using the pink shades, with a touch of gold in the crease and the highlighter just below the brow and the bottom lashes}, Smokey Eyes Pencil in The Black Earl, Glamour Doll Volume Mascara. Cheeks ~ Defining Blush in Sunrose Avenue. Lips ~ Long Lasting Lip Pencil in I Got You Babe, Made to Stay Smoothing Lip Polish in Jen & Berry’s, Infinite Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Up Your Life. Nails ~ Ultimate Nail Lacquer in Fuchsiarama.

Pink Makeup for Breast Cancer Awareness

To include our readers Inspired Living is also giving away two “pink” makeup hampers, similar to the image below, from CatriceSA. I know makeup will not make the disease disappear but it can add a bit of sunshine to someones life 🙂 So follow the simple steps below and show your support to Breast Cancer Awareness and the brave survivors of this disease! Please give a shout out to anyone you know who is fighting this disease, in the comment section below. If you would like to pay it forward and gift the hamper to a friend or family member, who is a breast cancer survivor, please let us know in the comment section!

CatriceSA Giveaway by Inspired Living SA
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

  • Entries are open from 13th October 2014 until the 24th October 2014 the winner will be announced on the 27th October 2014.
  • Enter using the Rafflecopter form, as per the instructions above. You must complete all the steps:Leave a Comment, Like said FaceBook Pages, to validate your entry, failure to do so will declare your entry invalid. Tweet about the competition.
  • To ensure that your entry in processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
  • Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
  • This competition is only open to South African residents.
  • By “Liking” you enter and agree that this promotion is in no way associated with, administered by, or endorsed by Facebook; and acknowledge a complete release of Facebook by your participation.

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Beauty, Beauty Products

Perfect Nude Lip for Summer

Perfect Nude Lip

Perfect Nude Lip

Although I love brights or pastels for lips in summer, one of my favourite looks is a nude lip. This works especially well if you are going for a bit more colour on the eye.

This is my perfect combo for a nude lip for summer:

Perfect Nude Lips for Summer

 

MAC-Lip-Pencil-Boldly-Bare

MAC Boldly Bare Lip Pencil ~ I love MAC lip pencils and Boldly Bare is the perfect nude shade to cover all bases, from your skin-toned nudes to the more pink based shades. RRP R175 available online at MACCosmeticsSA

GOSH-Velvet-Touch-Lipstick-Cappuccino

GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick Cappuccino ~ I have quite a few nude lipsticks but this is by far the closest to a true nude that I have found. It does look slightly more pink in the image above, the truer colour would be the image with all three products. The texture of the lipstick is wonderful and extremely moisturising. RRP R100 available online at Edgars Red Square.

GOSH-Volume-Lip-shine-Nude

GOSH Volume Lip Shine Nude ~ I have quite a few of the GOSH lip glosses and have really enjoyed using them. I cannot say that I find this product overly Volumising but I love the feeling on my lips! It is wonderfully moisturising and the added bonus is the SPF10. The Nude Volume Shine works perfectly with the Cappuccino Lipstick and gives you that extra kissable pout 🙂 You do not have to add the gloss, if you do not want to but I am a lip gloss girl! RRP R120 available online at Edgars Red Square.

What are your favourite nude lip products?

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Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

Pamper Essentials ~ What’s Hot?

Rain-fizz balls

Pamper Essentials

Regular pamper time is vital for my sanity! I try to indulge in a DIY pamper session at home, at least once a week! Whether is a long soak in a hot, sudsy bath or a simple face mask, I definitely need some me time!

Pamper Essentials

These are a few of my What’s Hot pamper products, which make great pamper essentials:

Pamper Essentials

  • Mio Liquid Yoga ~ This restorative bath soak is perfect for soaking tired, aching muscles. I find it especially great after vigorous exercise. The warning on the packaging reads “may cause relaxation and happiness…” 🙂 Liquid Yoga is a non-foaming{No Sodium Lauryl or Laureth Sulphate} blend of essential oils, mineral salts and therapeutic herbs. RRP R550.00 Mio Skincare SA
  • Wellness Warehouse Earth Family Range ~ This is a proudly South African range of products from Wellness Warehouse, which I recently discovered. The range uses safe and natural ingredients, to guarantee a perfect solution for the whole family. Earth Family covers a range of products from hand wash and lotion to body wash, buff and moisturiser, room spray and bath foam in natural Happy Orange fragrance. Products are enriched with ingredients like moisture-rich yucca and soothing aloe vera. I have been using the Happy Orange Clean Body and Soft Body combination, which are perfect, as I am slightly obsessed with citrus fragrances at the moment! RRP Soft Body 250ml R 59,99 and Happy Orange Clean Body Wellness Warehouse.
  • Healing Earth ~ All  Healing Earth products are free from petrochemicals, synthetics, colourants, DEA, preservatives and parabens. The Kalahari Melon hydrate is a gentle body exfoliator which offers maximum hydration, as well as leaving your skin sliky smooth! I have using it to get my body buffed and ready for summer. The Argan Oil & Lemon Verbena Shower Gel is a wonderfully fragrant body wash, which combines a range of essential oils with Argan Oil and Lemon Verbena. It cleanses without leaving your skin feeling dry or tight and the fragrance is amazing! Kalahari Melon hydrate RRP 349.99 Available from Wellness Warehouse online.
  • Rain Africa Fizz Balls ~ Bath bombs or fizz balls bring out the child in me and I must admit I prefer them over bubble bath any day. I usually keep a few on hand in the bathroom, for an indulgent pamper time. They are also perfect to give someone as a gift! You will find a range of different sizes and fragrances from Rain Africa stores.

What are your favourite pamper essentials? Are you a bubble bath or bath bomb kinda gal?

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Meet Fiona Rossiter

Hi, I am Fiona Rossiter, from Cape Town, the writer and photographer behind Inspired Living SA Blog. If you love good Food and Wine, reading amazing Travel Adventures, keeping Fit and Healthy, as well following Decor Trends – then Inspired Living SA is just the place for you! Read More…

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