Posts Written OnMay 2014

Hydration Heroes

Hydration Heroes | All Dolled Up

I posted this picture on Instagram last week and it prompted quite a few questions from followers, so I thought I would elaborate. My skin is combination-oily but suffers from some dehydration when I don’t look after it (read this to find out the difference between dry and dehydrated skin). This results in a general dullness and flaky patches around my chin that feel tight and uncomfortable. It took me a while to figure out that dehydration was the cause but now that I’m treating it directly, my skin is much better. Here are my hydration hero products:

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{CLOSED} Spree.co.za Beauty Launch: Competition Time!

Attention shoppers: there’s a new online beauty store in town – Spree.co.za! If you haven’t yet had a look, I suggest you hop to it, because they are stocking some seriously great brands (Stila, Bourjois, Revlon to name but a few), and delivery is free – so really, what are you waiting for? They are also running a great promotion until the end of the month where you receive a  gift with purchase on selected beauty brands (more info here). To celebrate their launch, Spree.co.za are running a competition where you can stand the chance to win a beauty hamper valued at…

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Once-a-Week Wonders

Once a Week Wonders | Purple shampoo

When it comes to my beauty routine, I generally have a short attention span; I tend to try out lots of different products and my top shelf is on continuous rotation. There are, however, a few things that I do on a more regular basis than contribute to the maintenance of my nails, skin and hair. Here’s the list: At-home manicure I recently did a post on my DIY manicure essentials so you’re probably familiar with the tools I use to keep my nails in good nick. I go through this routine about once a week, usually at my desk…

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Beauty Battle: Sigma E25 vs MAC 217

MAC 217 vs Sigma E25 Comparison | All Dolled Up

If there is one essential beauty tool for perfect eye make-up, then it is the blending brush. They are characterised by fine, densely-packed bristles and a firm but slightly fluffy oval shape. Designed to soften the edges of your eyeshadow and seamlessly blend shades together on the lid, they can also be used to buff on concealer and for precision powder placement.

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Review: The Garden Spa at Babylonstoren

The Garden Spa at Babylonstoren | All Dolled Up

A couple of Sundays ago, I visited the Garden Spa at Babylonstoren for the first time, for a few hours of blissful relaxation in the heart of the Drakenstein Valley with some girlfriends. Located between Franschhoek and Paarl, Babylonstoren is a beautiful 200-hectare Cape Dutch farm on which you will find vineyards, orchards and one of the country’s best restaurants.

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America Haul Part One: The Make-Up

I’m back, beauties! And whilst I thought I’d done a lot of shopping, when I unpacked everything to blog about it, it turns out I didn’t do nearly as much as I thought I did. Which begs the question…where did all my money go?! I have split my America haul into two parts: make-up first, and everything else second, and what I thought I would do is give you a rundown of everything I bought, together with a brief “first impressions”-type review on all of them. Let’s get started, shall we?

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Disappointing Products: May 2014

Disappointing Products: Dr Bronner's Magic Soap

I try SO many products that it’s actually amazing that I don’t find more of them disappointing. I suppose it’s because I usually buy things on recommendations from others but it also goes to show that products work differently for different people. These aren’t necessarily duds, they just didn’t work for me in the way that I expected. If you’ve used any of them and have a different opinion then I’d love to hear from you – leave a comment below!

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April Favourites: Jules

April Favourites | All Dolled Up

Smashbox Liquid Halo Foundation* We were given a bottle of this foundation at a Smashbox event last year but the colour has been a little bit light for me until now. It is absolutely brilliant – the oil-free formula creates a very light, natural, skin-like finish and is radiant without being too glowy. It made its way into Camilla’s Favourites back in January and I’m very happy to have joined the club. If you’re looking for something luminous, with medium coverage that is weightless on the skin, then look no further. Available at selected Woolworths stores and online for R370. Kérastase…

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