There are so many wonderful products on the market right now.  How do we all know where to start and what to try first?  Well – I’ve decided to start a new series on the blog this year.  Not products I’ve used up, not products I’ve decided I actually really like, but rather products that I’ve just started trying out.  I can give some first impressions if I’ve tried them already, but ultimately these posts will be me introducing you to products that are new to me (although not always new to the market).  So welcome to the first ‘currently testing’ post!

BODYCARE

Lush Shower Bombs*

I was thrilled to receive some of the new #lushmoods range last month – most especially to get my hands on these new Shower Bombs.

These are a single use product (although I’m sure you could crack them in half and have JUST enough to wash your body twice with one bomb, if you were desperate to make it stretch) that contains a blend of essential oils to alter your mood.

• Sleepy – helps you to relax and ready yourself for bed
• Not Sleepy – wakes you up and gets you ready for the day
• Karma – clears unsettled minds and helps you regain your zest for life
• Koyaanisqatsi – settles hormonal emotions, clears the head and calms restlessness

I’ve actually now used each one, and have to say that the most effective (to me – some people have differing opinions) is the Sleepy.  It really and truly left me feeling calmed and mellow and ready for sleep!  Plus the smell is gorgeous!

Each shower bomb retails for R42.50.

Under the Umbrella Tree bath bomb R58.50 *

Another of the #lushmoods products, this bath bomb smells earthy and green, like a forest.  I’d imagine nature lovers would adore this!

Spinning Plates Bubble Spinner R89 *

The final #lushmoods product I received is this unique bubble bar – a take on the fidget spinner.  This claims to uplift and calm stress, and it smells absolutely lovely, very fresh and citrusy.

Goddess Bath Bomb R72.50 *

This gorgeous purple bath bomb is apparently inspired by Ariana Grande!  It smells unbelievable too, floral and spicy and sultry.  I can only imagine how beautiful the bath will look once this has finished fizzing around!  It’s also packed with butters to leave your skin soft and goddess-like.

Dr Teals Foot Cream with Shea Butter and Aloe Vera R89.95

My mum actually bought this for herself and it somehow made it’s way into my collection!  To be fair, she hadn’t used it and it was all lonely and crying out for some love.  My heels have been parched lately, and so far I’m really enjoying this.  Nice and rich but not greasy.

P.S. Check out the scented epsom salts from Dr Teals next time you’re in Dischem – my favourite is the Eucalyptus & Spearmint. 

Chick cosmetics Himalayan Pink Salt Scrub R100

I placed a small order on Chick Cosmetics, and was dying for a new body scrub.  I’ve used this one once, but as much as I like a super scrubby scrub, the crystals in this are just too big.  I feel they could be a bit harsh on sensitive skins.

Chick Cosmetics Coconut Milk Scrub R100 *

Chick Cosmetics were kind enough to have sent me a few of their lovely goodies to try out, and this Coconut Milk scrub was one of them.  I am obsessed already and I’ve only used it once!  It has a nice moisturising feel to it, and the granules are big enough to exfoliate and buff your skin to baby-softness, yet they won’t irritate it.  The smell is sensational and trust me you’ll want to repurchase it.  This is how I feel after one use, and I’d buy this one over the Himalayan Pink Salt one.

Isabey Gardenia travel size eau de parfum (full size retails for R2650) *

I was thrilled when I received this gorgeous fragrance from Metropolitan Cosmetics.  Have you checked out their site?  They sell a lovely selection of international brands and beautiful luxury items.  Great place to buy gifts (for loved ones AND yourself)!

They sent out travel size bottles (I love the convenience of this) and the packaging of even the travel size is super luxe.  I have actually had to hold myself back from using this daily, and am now reserving it as my fancy travel fragrance, or for special date nights.

As you can imagine from the name, this is a floral fragrance.  A super sensual and feminine blend of gardenia extract, tangerine bark, ylang-ylang, orange flowers, Bulgarian rose, jasmine, iris, musk, ambergris and sandalwood, I feel like an absolute princess each time I use it!  It’s concentrated luxury in a gorgeous, golden bottle.

SKINCARE

Filorga Time-Filler Night R920 *

Guys – have you checked out Absolute Skin?  They have AMAZING prices and specials on some truly incredible skincare brands, Filorga included.  For example, if you purchase this night cream on their site, it’s marked down to R780!

Another great spot to shop Filorga is The Beautiful Store – they’re all about amazing customer service (they go out of their way to help you, really above and beyond), and they always have promotions on brands, and a fabulous loyalty programme too.

I’m sure you all know my love for this gorgeous French skincare brand.  It truly is revolutionary!  The latest product, the Time-Filler Night is a night cream designed to correct wrinkles – different types of wrinkles too.  It’s a rejuvenating gel-cream that is super nourishing, and it claims to smooth wrinkles night after night, and leave skin fresh and rested.  It’s even designed to help cut back on those pesky sleep lines from your pillow!

I haven’t started using this yet, as I’m currently testing some other skincare (see below), but considering how much I loved the NCEF Night Mask (I still use it a couple of times a week, for glowing, soft and clear skin), I’m sure this one will be my new BFF.

Mario Badescu skincare

Ceramide Complex with N.M.F & AHA R525 *

This is a rich, AHA-enhanced cream to soften, nourish and brighten skin.  It claims to help sun-damaged or discoloured skin, and even though I have combo to oily skin, I figure this as a night cream a few times a week for summer will do a great job at hydrating and nourishing my skin, while still helping keep it smooth.  Plus, I do have some pigmentation from my days on the pill that I’m getting rid of.

Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber & Green Tea R275 *

The Mario Badescu Facial Sprays are some of the best in the business.  I love how cooling and refreshing this one is, and have been using it day and night.  It’s AMAZING if you get a little too sunkissed (I did on my shoulders recently), as it cools the burn and takes the redness down quicker.

Herbal Hydrating Serum R525 *

I’m all about the hydrating serums, and after trying a sample sachet of this I fell in love.  It’s like a cross between a serum and a hydrating gel moisturiser, and if you’re oily-skinned you can totally get enough hydration from this to not need a day cream on top.  So far, so good!

Peptide Renewal Serum R799 *

This is one of Mario Badescu’s best sellers, so I’m really keen to put it to the test properly.  I feel I’ll need to use it for a least a month to see a proper difference in my skin, but so far after a couple of weeks of use I’m enjoying it immensely as a night time serum.  It feels like a very lightweight and hydrating oil – not greasy at all, yet still slightly too oily for me to use during the day.

At night, however, I sometimes don’t even feel I need a night cream on top!  Lightweight yet it packs a punch in terms of hydration.  It’s apparently an amazing anti-ageing serum and I’ve been making a concerted effort to apply it to my neck and decolletage at night – I am very naughty and often neglect these areas, so I feel that I’ll see a difference there quickly!

P.S. Keen on trying something from the brand?  I have a sneaky discount code for you!  Use my code Sugarspice10 and get 10% off your purchase on www.mariobadescu.co.za!

MAKEUP

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation R435

I placed an order on Harvey Nichols recently!  They stock the full range of Fenty Beauty products in the UK, and surprisingly they ship to SA.  I see that if you click the SA flag, it subtracts the UK sales tax, but sadly the shipping is quite high.  I can only imaging the shipping PLUS a delightful customs charge would put people off – but if you’re desperate, the option is there!  I had a friend in the UK at the time, and I had the order delivered to her, and she kindly brought it back for me.

I’m in the process of trialling the foundation with different primers and by itself right now.  So far I like it but I’m not IN LOVE.  It reminds me slightly of the Urban Decay All Nighter Foundation, which I severely disliked (I have a full review on it, it’s a very love or hate product), in that it sets down SUPER fast, meaning if you’re not quick, you’ll battle to blend.  But I’m playing around before I give you my final verdict.

P.S. If you DO want to order, check out the Fenty site here to match your shade.  I used this, chose shade 130 (fair with warm, olive undertone) and it matches perfectly!

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow R260

This much raved about gloss has been on my wishlist for so long.  Guys – it’s so worth it if you’re a gloss lover!  It smells like strawberry Fizzers and is a gorgeous, glowy gloss.  It isn’t sticky, it feels amazing on the lips and the colour is that kind of ‘my lips but better’ shade. I am addicted to this already!

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Simple Truth Apricot & Butternut Roll 

I’m sure you’ve all heard about Simple Truth by now – the Checkers brand that is taking the country by storm?  I’ve been sampling all their snacks and this is the latest one.  I can’t quite remember the price, but most of their snacks are under R20 – super affordable for a health range!

I have loved all the snacks I’ve tried from them, but was so anti this one, as I assumed I’d be eating what tastes like dried butternut.  I’ve since tasted this and all I can taste is apricot – but you’re getting the benefits of an extra veg in here!  No added sugars and no nasties make these lovely and healthy snacks.

Aromadough R80

These little pots of playdough are aromatherapy stress balls!  I was given the Calm dough by a friend who knows I battle with anxiety, and since then I’ve added these three to my collection.

Each dough contains a blend of essential oils designed to alter your mood, and the process of this and playing with the dough help to relax you.  The dough also contains oils and butters to leave your hands feeling soft and moisturised – nothing like the kiddies playdough that leaves your hands like a desert!

I chose Sleep (hubs and I love this one, and it really makes you feel sleepy), Happy *(mood boost here we come! The glitter definitely makes a difference) and Diet (speeds up metabolism and curbs cravings).  I’ve tried two of the three and love them both so far!

*PR sample