I cannot handle how I’m getting my March favourites up so late.  I’m so sorry, but things have been insane my side!  I’ve had reviews backlogged, assignments to get in and work piling up!

BUT, I have a really good one this month, so read on for what products (beauty and health) I continuously reached for in the month of March.

HAIR

Batiste Natural & Light Bare dry shampoo (R79.95 at Clicks stores)

I adore Batiste dry shampoos.  I gave this Bare version a go, as it’s a much lighter fragrance.  The other scents are great, but sometimes I find they clash with whatever fragrance I’m wearing that day.  This one is so subtle that there is no clashing with your perfume.  It leaves my hair feeling much cleaner and with a bit of added vavavoom!

I lift my hair up, spritz a little into areas that feel oily, leave it to sit for five minutes, then I massage it in and brush it out.  Perfect!

SKINCARE

Boost! Calm skin serum (R329 online at Boost! Skin Serum)

If you follow my blog, you’ll know I already reviewed this (you can find it HERE).

I really am thoroughly enjoying this serum.  The second my skin feels tight and irritated, I use a little of this Boost! Calm serum and it feels soothed straight away.  I also like using it the day after I’ve used a retinol product, and I use it immediately after I’ve used my The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, as that exfoliating mask leaves my skin tingly and red.

The serum is a whitish thick liquid, with no scent at all, and feels so calming on irritated skin.  Definitely a must have for anyone with sensitive skin, and it would probably be great for Roaccutane users.

Clinique Pep-Start™ Hydroblur moisturizer (R415 for 50ml)

Another product I reviewed recently (you can find the review HERE).

This moisturiser both hydrates and mattifies, which sounds impossible but it totally isn’t!  My skin feels hydrated in any tight areas when I use this, yet it perfects and mattifies like a silicone primer would too.  I love this in the morning, and especially on days when I’m in a rush.  You use it and it’s basically your moisturiser and primer in one.  My skin definitely feels hydrated until I remove my makeup at night, and it definitely controls the oil control on my T-zone.

Just don’t use a silicone primer on top of this, as it might pill underneath, and can leave you looking too dry.

MAKEUP

Clarins Ombre Matte cream to powder eyeshadow in 20 Ultra Violet (R345 from Clarins online)

How gorgeous is this eyeshadow?  This is actually the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2018 – Ultra Violet.

I have used this a few times:

The product itself is super pigmented, it blends like a dream and lasts for ages.  I actually really want to get my hands on some of the other shades.  Such a fantastic formula.  So strange that I’m reaching more and more for such a standout shade as opposed to my usual neutrals too!

Benefit Badgal Bang! mascara (R175 for a mini/R355 for full size from Red Square)

There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the launch of this mascara.  A lot of international YouTubers got sent to the Maldives for the launch (I think in the States some were sent to another destination there), and this mascara has been SO hyped.

I bought a mini just to see what all the fuss was about.  I didn’t want to go straight in with a full size, as a few people were complaining about it transferring or not giving enough volume.

Aaannndd I freaking love this!  So much that I already bought a mini for my Mum to try, and another that I’ll be adding to a giveaway soon (keep your eyes peeled).  I like how thin the wand is, as it really gets into all the lashes.  Sure – if you only use one coat, you aren’t going to get mega volume, but your lashes are coated in a super black formula that makes them look super long.  With a second coat, however, the volume kicks in beautifully.  I’ve been complimented on my lashes a couple of times when wearing this.  I had absolutely no transfer with it too, something which I do get with some mascaras, so I was happy with that.

Sure, the formula is VERY wet and might be a bit better once it’s had some time to dry up a little.  With a wet formula, you’re more inclined to get smudges and transfer when applying.  If you just leave it to dry and then use a spooly or cotton bud to flick it off your skin, you won’t mess up your makeup.

One thing I’ve really noticed though – it legit feels like you’re not even wearing mascara, the formula is so lightweight!  I know this whole ‘aeroparticle’ thing left me feeling dubious, and I don’t really know much about it (why would mascara need space particles???), but if that’s the cause for my lashes feeling lighter than feathers, I’m not complaining.

Benefit Goof Proof Brow pencil in 03 Medium (R165 for a mini/R355 for full size from Red Square)

I’ve been dying to try the Benefit brow products for ages.  To me, I just can’t justify spending R355 on a brow product, when I can get drugstore branded brow pencils that work amazingly well.  I figured perhaps it was time to give one a try though, and I grabbed the Goof Proof in a mini.

It has a teardrop sort of shape instead of just a fine pencil (that is the Precisely My Brow, a super thin pencil), which might not be easy to use for someone with thin, sparse brows.  However, I’m fortunately blessed in the brow department (although I don’t think I am, when I’m plucking every other day, and stressing when I haven’t had them waxed/threaded in more than a couple of months).

This shape makes doing fuller brows easy as pie.  You can adjust your angle depending on where you’re filling, but I find I’m able to quickly stroke this through my brows, and I’m left with lovely definition.  And you know what else?  I think they’re worth the R355 for a full size!  The formula is freaking amazing – they go on softly so you don’t need to apply much pressure, you don’t use much product each time and it stays put all day long.  Longer than my drugstore ones.  No smudging or fading whatsoever.

I’m definitely going to look at the Precisely My Brow pencil and maybe do a post on that and my other super fine nibbed pencils.  I’ll probably grab the mini with this too, as it’s a cheaper way to find out if you want to splurge on the full size.  The only thing is the minis come in 03 medium – no other shades – but I’m lucky enough that it works for me.

Stila Glitter & Glow Magnificent Metals Liquid Eyeshadow in Bronzed Bell (R325 from The Beautiful Store online)

Look at that.  Just look at it!  It’s so beautiful, I want to cry!

I’d been DYING to get my hands on one of these liquid eyeshadows for so so long.  I eventually caved and grabbed one from The Beautiful Store.  It’s my favourite place to shop Stila, as often her prices are better than elsewhere.  You also get free delivery for orders over R200, you earn rewards points AND if you sign up, you get a R50 voucher off your first purchase.

I chose the shade Bronzed Bell (you’ll see the swatch below, along with the Clarins Ultra Violet), and couldn’t actually grasp just how sparkly and impressive it is.  I wish I could wear it every single day, but something about walking into a warehouse office rocking crazy glittery lids just doesn’t work.  Also – wasteful!

This stuff applies beautifully and stays put, but if you do blend it out at all, you will get some glitter fallout.  Either do your eyes before foundation, or apply it with the applicator very precisely and don’t blend.

I plan on getting more colours of this for my kit – it’ll be such a rockstar product for when I do Matric dance makeups!

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Sfera Maca capsules (R193 on Faithful-To-Nature)

I’ve been hearing for a while now that maca root was a fabulous superfood.  I rate that chia seeds were definitely the superfood of 2017, and to me, with the way maca is being raved about, it looks set to be the superfood of 2018.

I do own a packet of powder, and have used it in smoothies and baked goods, but sometimes you just don’t want any of those things.  So, when I was browsing the Faithful-To-Nature site as I was placing an order for Smart Sip straws (amazing stainless steel reusable straws that I now carry in my handbag for use when out), I found this bottle of maca capsules.

Now, maca has SO MANY FLIPPING BENEFITS!  It was actually used by the ancient Incas as a natural remedy.  These are some of the amazing benefits of regularly ingesting maca root:

• Increases stamina
• Helps with fatigue
• Enhances memory
• Helps with circulation
• Balances hormones
• Improves fertility
• Natural aphrodisiac
• It’s an adaptogen – it helps with your stress levels, and helps your body recover from the effects of stress
• Immune booster – high in vitamin C and zinc
• Supports physical and mental endurance
• Helps relieve PMS and menopausal symptoms

Amazing right?!  I’ll admit, I first got my paws on it to help with the menopausal symptoms I’m having with my Zoladex treatment (you can read about it in my Endometriosis post HERE), as these hot flashes and mood swings are no joke.  But it has so many other benefits.  I definitely feel more energised and pumped for the day when I take these every single morning.  My immune system is feeling a bit stronger (although let’s not shout that out too loud and jinx things), and I’m not feeling as drained as I was before.  I get to work, and instead of feeling bleh, I sit down and start working away at everything on my to do list with gusto.

I haven’t even been taking this for a full month yet, but I take two a day (although you can take 1-3 capsules daily), and after this bottle is finished I want to get the Extra Strength Maca capsules.  This is a multivitamin with added benefits, and I really am feeling a huge difference in how I am mentally and physically.

So, there you have it!  My March favourites.

Did you like me including a supplement?  Is it something you’d be keen on reading more about in future?