Beauty Bytes – Fun (New) Makeup Stocking Stuffers

Disclaimer… From here on out, there are going to be a ton of festive posts, so brace yourselves for festive season overload 🙂

I’ve received some totally fun makeup goodies these past few weeks that would make really cute, affordable and very loveable stocking stuffers to boot.

Most of them are under R100, with a few exceptions, but nothing more than R400!

Blotterazzi by the Beauty Blender

Let me first just say, that I absolutely LOVE my Beauty Blender. It’s the most amazing makeup application sponge on the planet and yes, although it’s pricey, I’ve had mine for at least 2 years and I use it every day (read my review and an affordable dupe version here).

With that out of the way, let me tell you gals about the Beauty Blenders’ new little guy, the Blotterazzi. 

A cute and compact on the go “blotter” and a fab alternative to blotting papers.

If you have an oily skin that constantly needs blotting, or you’re like me, and your makeup likes to move around over the course of the day, then the Blotterazzi will be your new BFF!

This clever little sponge, designed to be used dry (unlike the Beauty Blender which is best used damp), is thirsty for excess oil and, with it’s clever egg shape, its brilliant for blotting both wider areas of the face and those hard-to-get-into corners.

It’s made from the same award winning Beauty Blender material, just not as bouncy. It almost looks like a sliced up beauty blender.

The best part is that it comes in a handy compact, with a decent size mirror inside, so you can stick it in your purse and not worry about it getting all dirty. The back has built in vents, allowing it to “breathe” all day long.

Inside, you get two, re-usable, washable blotters aaaand, a Liquid BlenderCleanser sample.

I love mine! I take it everywhere!

Price wise you’re looking at R398.
Available in SA (yay) thanks to Imablie Beauty. Contact them on 0861 11 22 22 for stockists near you. 

Lip Ice Shimmer Up Limited Edition

Get some razzle on your lips with the new, limited edition Shimmer Up shades from Lip Ice.

Strawberry Shock and Paparazzi Plum are two brand new, totally yummy and perfect for summer lip balms that contain a beautiful burst of colour with subtle shimmers that make your lips look and feel amaze!

The Lip Ice Shimmer Up Range combines Shea Butter, Vitamin E, shimmering pigments and a burst of fruity fragrance.

It’s like a lip colour and a lip gloss all rolled into one!

Price: R24.99
Available at all leading retail stores (excluding Clicks).

Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara

If there’s one beauty product I simply can’t live without, it’s mascara. I have about six wands that I rotate on a daily basis…

If you’re looking for a fabulous, affordable and beautiful mascara, look no further than the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara. 

Maybelline makes some of the best “drugstore” mascaras on the planet, and they always seem to get it right!

The new Lash Sensational Lash Multiplying Mascara has a fantastic “lash multiplying brush”  that’s shaped to effortlessly coat your lashes. If you have hooded eyes like me, you need to focus on lengthening those lashes, but trying to get the lashes perfectly coated can often end up in mascara clumps on your eyelid – know what I’m talking about?

This mascara, especially for hooded eyes, is amazing! I could even apply it sans mirror!

The formula is good enough for every day and gives lashes a nice, long lasting slick of colour while adding visible length. In terms of volume, I found it quite difficult to build up volume as the formula dries super quick – but if it’s length and definition you want, then you wont go wrong with this wand.

KISS

Cute artsy nails are perfect for summer, and if you want to add a bit of fun to your nails without much effort, then you’ll love these KISS Luxe Nail Accents, Nail Tattoos (from R74.95) and Design Perfection stickers (from R59.95), all exclusively available at Dischem.

The KISS Nail Tattoos are my fave for adding cute accents to your nails. I love the little Twitter birds and flower designs, all pre-cut and super easy to apply. Just paint your nails, let them dry, stick on your tattoo paper, press it down with a damp sponge and viola!

If you’re into fun designs like chevrons, french, half-moon or zig zags these KISS Design Perfection sticker guides will help you achieve perfection in your paint jobs.

And if you’re into blinging up your tips, the KISS Salon Secrets Luxe Accents kits give you a bunch of fun embellishments to make your nails look amazing. The kit above has really fun ones like marble stones, sugar stones, mixed clear stones, mini pearls and rainbow charms to let your creativity go wild.

The kits come with a silicone stick (allowing you to pick and place your gems with ease), but you’ll need to have your own nail art glue if you really want them to stay put.

Otherwise you can just paint your nails, apply your top coat and while it’s still tacky, adhere your embellishments into the top coat and let it dry.

Smudge Cosmetics

We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to affordable makeup brands, that still offer a nice range of products, like these new additions to the Smudge Cosmetics range.

I’ve never used this brand (exclusive to Clicks) before, but was quite impressed, especially with the Smudge Gel Lip Liner (R29.95) and the Smudge Retractable Eyeliner (R59.95). Both stunning products that are totally affordable.

Their nail polishes (R39.95 each) come in a range of gorgeous colours. I sampled Red Robot (a bright red), Smooth Chic (a mauve-y nude) and Chilled Lilac (a pastel lilac) and they are all beautiful with decent colour payoff that’s true to the bottle.

Then, I also got to sample their lip glosses (R29.95 each) in Cranberry (a glossy, slightly tinted high shine gloss) and Rose Pink (a sheer mauve shade). I must be honest, I’m very fussy when it comes to gloss – and although these weren’t bad (especially at that price), I can’t say that I love them, but their liners and nail polishes are fantastic!

Have you tried any of these? What did  you think?