product reviews - Inspired Living SA

Accessories, Be Inspired, Fashion, Fashion, Product Reviews, Reviews and Features

FEAT sock co

As I have mentioned previously nothing gives me greater pleasure than discovering amazing home-grown talent! Meeting these creative people who have taken their skills and talent and put them into practice, doing what they truly love, is truly inspiring!

I am a true sock lover and very fussy when it comes to buying socks, my precious tootsies deserve only the best! Soft and comfy and more importantly socks that do not cut off the circulation in your lower leg, are attributes that are very important to me, when selecting a pair of socks. So if this all sounds familiar then look no further, FEAT Sock Co. have a pair of socks with your name on it!

The feature of an ensemble is the focal point, the centerpiece, the element that draws one’s attention. ‘Feat.’ socks characterise the collaboration between eye-catching aesthetics and quality comfort. They are made with truck loads of soul and with all your swagger, you and FEAT. will make the perfect pair. As you strut your stuff, remember that FEAT. socks are made with only the best yarns and all production is kept local to the Western Cape, South Africa. ~ FEAT.sock.co

I love the funky designs and fresh colours – taking the ordinary sock to a whole new level. Below are a few of my favourites – truth be told my favourite-favourite is the pair above from their mens range, I will have to buy them for Mr and subtly move them to my sock draw!

So who are these sock loving designers?

Alison and Chelsey are two best friends whose dreams and adventures have always been cushioned by a pretty pair of socks. At age eight and nine, their friendship bloomed in dance class, wearing little, lacy, ribboned toe-socks. By age thirteen, they were stealing Ali’s older sister’s socks to slide around muddy paddocks with horses. Today, in their early twenties, they have decided to take their love affair with socks more seriously, with all the joy and frivolity of those two silly little girls.

Check out this great short film featuring FEAT socks:

[youtube]http://youtu.be/3RpROT5eRYo[/youtube]

If you would like to get in touch and find out more about these amazing socks you can visit the FEAT website here or pop over to their Facebook Page.

Images:©FAR Photography

Be Inspired, Beauty, Beauty Box, Beauty Products, Product Reviews, Reviews and Features

My November 2012 rubybox

Where indeed has the year gone? I cannot believe that we are a less than a month away from Christmas but here we are! It has been a great year of trying out new and different beauty brands, some of which I would never have encountered had it not been for rubybox.

My November 2012 rubybox did contain three full size products but I must admit I missed having a skin care element in the box this month but without further a do here is my review:

Armani Code, both the woman’s and men’s fragrance has been a firm favourite of both mine and my hubby for a while now!

Armani Code Pour Femme ~ is fresh and sexy, my definition of the sporty girls fragrance, it combines zesty citrus, with ginger and exotic jasmine and orange blossom. With my favourite vanilla notes to round it all off beautifully!

Armani Code ~ This is one of my favourite mens fragrances! It is mysterious with a hint of the orient and a sexy balance of citrus and soft woody notes. Makes my man smell yummy! 🙂

Also in the November rubybox were three full size products from Essence Cosmetics, which I have not used much before.

Essence Lipgloss ~ I am a lipgloss lover and although this promises to be an ultra-glossy gloss I was not overly impressed, it did the job but I prefer a slighty thicker gloss. It is not too sticky which is always good but if I am completely honest I would not buy it again, I feel that there are far better options available. ( the only sway towards it would be the extremely reasonable price tag of R19.95)

Essence Colour & Go in Nude It ~ I have been looking for a nude nail polish for a little while now but not been too successful, many of them dry with a grey tinge. This one was definitely more successful colour-wise but it does take at least two coats to see the true colour. Again price-wise it beats all the competition, at R19.95 it is a steal!

Essence Eyeliner in Think Khaki ~ I have not worn coloured eyeliner in years but I was really impressed with how this looked on my eye. I usually wear a nude eye, with either brown or black eyeliner during the day, so this is quite a nice change. Again the price is really low at R14.95.

Beauty, Beauty Pick of the Week, Beauty Products, Product Reviews, Reviews and Features

Kiehl's Ultra Review

Today I am reviewing two products from the Kiehl’s Ultra Range – the Ultra Facial Toner and the Ultra Facial Moisturizer.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner – A toner should be a part of your everyday beauty regime but not the oil stripping variety, that quite a few brands offer. Your toner should cleanse your skin while at the same time restoring the balance that everyday elements disrupt. The Kiehl’s Ultra Toner is a pH-balanced, alcohol free toner, which effectively removes surface debris whilst hydrating and comforting the skin. The toner has a milky consistency as a posed to many that are a clear liquid, it leave your skin feeling silky and smooth rather than dry and taught. It also provides the ideal preparation for your Facial Moisturizer.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer – The famous Ultra Facial Moisturizer is a light yet effective lotion that leaves skin feeling soft and nurtured. Although the formulation is light I found that being an Ultra Moisturizser, it is a bit too nourishing for my skin and it is probably better suited to dry skin. It did not make my skin overly greasy but I do imagine mid summer it might give me a bit of a “glow”. I could see myself using it in the evening, rather than for daytime application. It is recommended for all skin types and contains *Squalane, Vitamins A and Vitamin E. It is also a favourite with make-up artists for its versatility and lightweight formula! There is also an option in this range that contains an SPF15.

If you would like to try Kiehl’s products but are not in the Gauteng area, then you can order and have the products delivered to your home via Edgars Fashion Hotline! Phone 0116857000

To keep up to date with Kiehl’s in South Africa and find out about when a store is opening near you – follow them on Twitter.

*Squalane is a natural hydrocarbon and triterpene derived from a variety of plant and animal sources. It is a component of human sebum. Squalane is a saturated analog of squalene, from which it can also be produced by hydrogenation.

Beauty, Beauty Products, Product Reviews, Reviews and Features

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Review

I received this amazing body lotion from Kiehl’s a short while back and I have been using it religiously ever since. I love it, it leaves my skin feeling so soft and smooth!

This was my first introduction to the brand, as they are fairly new to the country. Kiehl’s recently opened their flagship store in Sandton City, in Gauteng.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, is a rich hydrating All-Over Body Moisturizer and has been a firm favourite world-wide for over four decades. I can really see why! The moisturizer is enriched with oils such as Sweet Almond, Avocado, Olive Fruit, Apricot Kernel, as well as Cocoa Seed and Shea Butter. It has a rather thick constancy and looks a bit like thick custard! Although it is quite thick and creamy, there is no oily residue after application. You are left with silky smooth skin. It is perfect for use after shaving and it has a very mild fragrance, which does not irritate sensitive skin.

If you would like to try Kiehl’s products but are not in the Gauteng area, then you can order and have the products delivered to your home via Edgars Fashion Hotline! Phone 0116857000 🙂

To keep up to date with Kiehl’s in South Africa and find out about when a store is opening near you – follow them on Twitter.

Babies, Children, Family, Product Reviews, Reviews and Features

Beautiful Earth Barrier Cream Review

Recently we were asked to review the Beautiful Earth Barrier Cream. Beautiful Earth is an amazing range of 100% natural personal care products, sold to both the individual consumers and the hospitality industry. This brand is no stranger to Super Mom Blog, as we have done reviews of their products before, which you can see here.

The BE Barrier Cream contains Calendula and Benzoin essential oils, which act as a natural barrier to protect delicate skin against wetness. Also very effective for treating nappy rash. Apply a thin layer on baby’s bottom before putting on a nappy. ~ BE

Below is the feedback we received about the Barrier Cream, from Lyndsay, who is a mom to four boys:

Her initial thought, was that the cream was quite thin in consistency. “As a ‘Barrier Cream’ I was expecting something quite a bit thicker, much like other products on the market. It goes on really well and sinks in without leaving a greasy residue; you could even use it as an all over body cream.” When she applied it to her baby son’s bum, it was almost transparent so she was initially hesitant that it would act like a barrier cream, but she was pleasantly surprised. He had no adverse reaction to it (and her boys all have problematic, eczema prone skin) and his bum was smooth and clear.

The product does have a fairly strong smell – not unpleasant but something different to what you would normally associate with a baby product, again her son is very sensitive to most products, so she normally buys fragrance free products.

Thank you Lyndsay for your feedback!

I think that sometimes natural products are somewhat different to their more synthetically processed counterparts and do not necessarily smell or feel the same, but in essence if they do the same job and we are doing something for the environment in the process, we should at least give them try. ~ Super Mom Blog

To find out more about the other baby products on offer from Beautiful Earth you can click over to their website.