Beauty

Coco Mademoiselle Collection été

One of my all time favourite fragrances, and yes definitely TOP 5 Chanel Coco Mademoiselle has just released two limited editions! SQUEAL! The new COCO MADEMOISELLE Collection Été features two glorious new products, perfect for keeping that summer feeling going all winter long!

COCO MADEMOISELLE L’Eau perfume mist and COCO MADEMOISELLE Le Gel hair and body gel Both come in 100ml bottles (which by the way, are perfect for your travel bag).

Free your Fire – YSL LIBRE Fragrance

It’s been a while since I’ve posted a fragrance review here on StyleScoop, but man oh man am I excited about this one. The new LIBRE fragrance from YSL Beauty ticks all my fragrance boxes. It’s sexy, seductive, bright and the warm vanilla touch makes it a perfect cozy fragrance! Just what I’ve been looking for. In addition, it has uber smouldering notes of lavender. Something that is very much found in mens fragrances, but works majestically in this one – because of a very special process! LIBRE is freestyle take on the fougère, a classic style for men’s fragrances featuring lavender. Anne Flipo’s provocative move was to gender-bend it into a feminine scent, just like Yves Saint Laurent retailored the tuxedo for women. Launched internationally towards the end of 2019, LIBRE by YSL is a timeless Oriental fragrance that appeals to women. It opens with bright notes of Mandarin Orange (another note you’ll find in men’s fragrances), Lavender, Black Current and Petitgrain (giving it a double burst of citrus). As someone who has been into fragrances since I could afford to splurge on the designer brands, I don’t believe I’ve ever come across the Petitgrain note before. At least not in any of the…

Skin Protect, Ocean Respect

Over the years here on StyleScoop, I’ve mentioned the importance of sunscreen and looking after your skin. More recently, probably around the time of this post, I got a rude awakening about sun care products. Like most people, I was unaware of the chemicals sunscreens are loaded with, that are not only bad for your own skin, but the levels of toxicity in many sun care products are wreaking havoc on our oceans. All those nasty chemicals, made to keep us protected, are harming our beautiful wildlife underwater. Not only that, but as a melasma sufferer, I used to insist on the strongest, most potent sun care protection. That was until I realised how, while they “may” have been protecting my skin from the sun, those chemicals were being absorbed into my body and actually deepening the melasma on my skin. And that was before I had even considered that if those chemicals are so bad for me in the long run, what was the damaging risk they would have on the oceans that we often go into, loaded with sun protection? Now, don’t get me wrong, please, protecting your skin from the sun is vital, but don’t let it come…

New Chanel Ink Fusion Lips & ULTRA Le Teint Velvet Foundation

There have been a lot of exciting new launches from Chanel and I’m excited to share a few of them with you today. First up, let’s talk lips and CHANEL has added some gorgeous new shades and textures to the beautiful Chanel ROUGE ALLURE INK range. If you’re not familiar with Chanel Rouge Allure Ink, it’s basically Chanel’s (amazing) version of liquid lipsticks. I tried them when they launched in 2016 and was instantly in love with the formula, of course the packaging and how they didn’t leave my lips dried or messy – which is often the case with liquid lipsticks. Not only have they added new colours to the range, but Chanel have also added some new texture variants including a new matte and new metallic variety, PLUS a really exciting, seriously OTT, colour saturated new va-va-voom version which I got to try and love, love, love! Ok so, on my picture on the left you’ll see that hot shade. And I do mean HOT! That’s the new va-va-voom version from the CHANEL ROUGE ALLURE INK FUSION range and mine is in the colour Rose Rouge which is the most vibrant lip colour ever! Even better, it feels like I’m wearing nothing,…

FLOWERBOMB Midnight – Fragrance Review

If you look out the window right now, you’ll see summer is pretty much here in South Africa. YAY! And if you’re looking to update your fragrance selection to welcome the season of all things happy, then you’re in luck, because today I’m chatting about the new Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Midnight fragrance which launched last month for us. First things first – I am a big, big fan of the original Flowerbomb fragrance of 2005 and even more in love with their 2015 update Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum Extrême. So yes, it’s a no brainer that I would also love Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Midnight too. The only thing, is that I don’t find it as potent as the other two? Don’t get me wrong, it’s glorious but I’m talking intensity when I say “potent”. On me it gives me that knee weakening first spritz, but then seems to settle into a pretty scent without overpowering the senses. And I do like fragrances that overpower, but hey, if that’s not your thing and perhaps you didn’t like that with previous Viktor & Rolf fragrances, who knows, this one may be  your numero uno. Flowerbomb Midnight – a suspenseful…

White Tea Moments | Elizabeth Arden White Tea Collection

Tea lovers know that a cup of tea can lift your mood in an instant! They also know that different tea’s have a different effect, but truth be told, there will always be that one special blend that you absolutely love. The Elizabeth Arden White Tea Collection celebrates the pleasure of a life finely crafted. The Simple joy of defining a moment for yourself and savouring the personal reflection that comes with it. And like the perfect cup of tea, fragrance has the power to indulge your senses and allow you to enjoy the simple joy of savouring something beautiful. This was the inspiration behind the Elizabeth Arden White Tea fragrance, which launched in 2017. Fast forward to 2019 and this gorgeous fragrance is now a collection, with two new variants so that you can find your perfect moment. Elizabeth Arden White Tea is probably is my favourite fragrance (now collection) from the house of EA. I fell in love with the original fragrance instantly and I keep a bottle of it on  my bedside table and spritz it on before bed, which surprisingly has a calming effect on my mood. It’s a crisp and vibrant fragrance with top notes of Clary Sage,…

Chanel EYES 2019 Collection

I always get excited when I see what CHANEL comes up with in their Eyes Collection and this new Eyes 2019 Collection is another winner! Inspired by female individuality and designed to encourage self-expression, it’s the perfect makeup collection to spoil yourself with this Women’s Month! “It is not about covering them; it is about beautifying them,” reflects Lucia Pica. “I am very attracted to style and character. I feel like women should still look polished, just not too overly done and old-fashioned.” The CHANEL EYES 2019 collection is based on the three pillars of CHANEL eyes products, being the LES 4 OMBRES quads, STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF (and retractable) eyeliners and the amazing LE VOLUME RÉVOLUTION DE CHANEL Mascara. The eye shadow collection comprises of four harmonious shades, each one to  designed to let you dress your personal eye look and with their blurry-effect, these are the perfect shadows to create a second skin smokey look that looks flawless and beautiful. Of the four LES 4 OMBRES quads I got to play with the Blurry Green and Blurry Grey palettes – which I love! Especially the Blurry Green palette as it has such wonderful eye catching shades that bring out the green in my own eye…

Bring on the Night. YSL Black Opium Eau De Parfum Intense

Switch off the lights and let the night take over with the stronger, bolder, more intense new version of the decadent YSL BLACK OPIUM EAU DE PARFUM INTENSE fragrance. Let me start with the fact that YSL BLACK OPIUM is one of my top fragrances. It’s got everything I look for in a fragrance. Something sexy, something sultry and something absolutely indulgent. Not being a fan of the cult classic 1977 predecessor, OPIUM, the updated 2014 juice of BLACK OPIUM was a hit for my senses almost immediately. And it just keeps getting better and better. With the latest update to the BLACK OPIUM lineup, the main note for BLACK OPIUM EAU DE PARFUM INTENSE, coffee takes on a new adventure with the a concoction of blue absinthe. Blue Absinthe is a green-blue liqueur, flavoured with wormwood, anis, and aromatic herbs, it has a controversial reputation – banned in some countries for its legendary hallucinatory powers. The effect is positively addictive – without any of the side effects of drugs or serious mind altering alcohol. The bottle, while remaining true to the original shape takes on a mysterious blue. At first glance it looks almost black (as the original Black Opum) but in the…

Sugar Scrub It

Oh sugar, these new Smooth Sugars exfoliating scrubs from L’Oreal are amazing! 3 Fine sugars in caring scrubs to give you instant, baby-soft skin, oh la la! I received these a couple weeks ago and have been having a sugar rush testing them out. These sweet treats for your skin help to protect the skin while you exfoliate. Made with 100% natural ingredients containing either fine Brown, White or Blonde sugars these provide fantastic results without drying out the skin and leaving it feeling super soft. Since I started with Fraxel a few years back, my once take-it-all skin has become quite sensitive. I’m so sensitive sometimes that even something with too many chemicals leaves an instant blotchiness, redness and itchiness, so I try to avoid anything that’s too aggressive on my skin. That’s why I love these L’Oreal Smooth Sugars scrubs. They are good enough to eat! In fact, the Smooth Sugars Clear Scrub actually does taste pretty good – although I wouldn’t recommend eating your skincare, but you know, sometimes temptation is stronger than my will haha, especially when it smells so amazing. It’s tough choosing a favourite… I love the smell and feel of the Smooth Sugars Clear Scrub, I…

Foundation that lasts! Chanel Ultra Le Teint

The hunt for the perfect foundation is over! Full coverage, 24 hour wear (tried and tested) with a flawless finish and a foundation that doesn’t rub off is finally here! Say hello to the new Ultra Le Teint Foundation from CHANEL and my new BFF! Recently CHANEL launched their most exciting foundation yet! A foundation that gives you everything you need. Coverage and longevity and one that also ensures your face looks flawless and wont come off. It’s comfortable to wear and honestly, for me the biggest bonus is that I can hug someone without worrying that I’m gong to be leaving foundation all over their clothing. Isn’t that just the worst thing ever?! Flawless, natural coverage for a luminous matte finish and 24-hour wear. Weightless, comfortable texture. Thirty shades to match all skin tones. Lasting perfection for every woman. I’ve been reaching for this foundation so much lately, I almost don’t want to wear anything else. The fact that it covers beautifully (even my melasma stays hidden) and feels like you’re wearing nothing is wonderful. Whenever I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I’m always wowed! Wowed by how natural my skin looks. Wowed how even and flawless my…

Glow baby Glow

Now that the temperature had dropped (brrrr) skincare routines need to be updated. I mean, who want’s to lose their glorious glow just because it’s cold out? Never mind that, but in a time where over 1000 selfies are taken every second worldwide, perfect skin is the number one beauty concern we as women have. We can fake it with filters and makeup, edits and digital enhancements, but who really has time for all that? Imagine if your skin looked like the beautify filter on Instagram, even when you’re caught in the flesh! With ongoing perfection in mind, Filorga has created a whole new range of super-perfecting radiance products that will give you that perfect skin – sans the filter. The Filorga Oxygen-Glow line up consists of 4 targeted products to CLEAN, MASK and MOISTURISE both the SKIN and EYES. It’s a complete perfection range – all in pretty blush pink packaging – with each product containing a unique double-perfection formula at its core! The formula contains skin boosting ingredients to intensify the flawless skin action. Nasturtium Extract energizes the skin and provides radiance, a Hyaluronic Acid Duo to plump and smooth, L-Enzyme to detox, plus a unique Photoperfector-HD Illuminating Technology -with soft-focus agents and pearlescent particles- to…

Elizabeth Arden Free Gift With Purchase

I love Elizabeth Arden’s fabulous Free Gift With Purchase Promotions. My favourite was their 2017 partnership with Sparrow Society – where you got a beautiful cosmetic bag that was not only filled with gorgeous bite-sized Arden goodies, but a bag that supported Sparrow Society’s vision of empowering women in townships through their craftsmanship, design and creative skills. Following the success from 2017, Elizabeth Arden partnered once again with Sparrow Society to produce another gorgeous style of cosmetic bags in 2018 and this year, in 2019 the partnership continues. So, if you’ve missed out on gifting yourself with one of these gorgeous cosmetic bags, fret not my dears as you still have one last chance to get your hands on the 2019 edition. This years’ cosmetic bags are inspired by the intricate designs of Traditional African Basket Weaving. Its the ultimate spoil. Seven decent sized samples, including; the iconic Eight Hour Cream, Ceramide Lift and  Firm Day Cream, Superstart Probiotic Cleanser, Superstart Skin Renewal Booster, Ceramide Advanced Daily Youth Capsules, Standing Ovation Mascara and the new My Fifth Avenue Fragrance. You’ll not only be spoiling yourself with seven mini beauty treats in a handmade cosmetic bag, but helping Elizabeth Arden Make a…

Chanel Spring Summer 2019 Makeup Collection

Around this time of year in Europe and the U.S the excitement of Spring is all most can think about. It’s a time for bright, new horizons and warmer weather. This time of year, for me is all about getting ready to ditch the heat and welcome the cold! But not before getting one last bit of warmer weather excitement with the latest CHANEL Makeup Collection for Spring Summer 2019. Feast your eyes on VISION D’ASIE: L’ART DU DÉTAIL. A collection all about depth and refinement that includes Lucia Picca’s signature play on light and the luminous architecture it builds. “You cannot live with a limited horizon. It is stifling.” Gabrielle Chanel A captivating collection that is so on point for makeup goals 2019! Goals to glow, goals to sparkle, goals to showcase that natural beauty. And my personal favourite – skin that features pearly luminescent strokes and the subtlest hint of definition. I got to play with some of the items in this collection, and I know I say this a lot, but I’m obsessed! Everything about this collection is beautiful! Makeup that will not only work for right now, but for next season too, possibly even the next. It’s…

Lancôme La Nuit Trésor

Last week when I shared one of my favourite new fragrances, I mentioned that there was a second fragrance that had captured my heart! So, today, I’m excited to reveal to you the new and totally decadent La Nuit Trésor fragrance from Lancôme. Oh la la la! While I’m smitten with Chanel CHANCE Eau Tendre de Parfum and it’s the perfect day time scent, Lancome La Nuit Trésor has become my favourite valentine for night. It’s sexy, saucy and seductive and like a precious and rare gem – but in a fragrance. [la nɥi tʀezɔʀ] [1] A sultry night, when lovers embrace with absolute love. The press release described it as “bewitching” and I must agree – I can’t think of a more perfect word. Created by two stars of French perfumery; Christophe Raynaud – master perfume maker who loves to enhance the complexity of floral notes by challenging them with modern elements + fragrance designer Amandine Marie – who excels at enhancing the most sublime facets of raw materials in order to reinvent them. What you get is a fragrance full of passion. Mysterious and decadent. Addictive and incredibly sensual. The gorgeous diamond like bottle, crowned with a satin bow around its neck, is the perfect…

Skincare Faves

It’s been a while since I’ve updated you ladies on some skincare products that have really made a difference in my life. So, I thought I’d come at you today with some of my favourite skincare goodies that are worth checking out. The Body Shop Tea Tree Range I got to try out the Body Shop Tea Tree Skincare Range last year when I collaborated with The Body Shop and I think this may just have been my first touch of The Body Shop skincare. I mean, I love their body products but I was excited to try out some skincare goodies – especially the Tea Tree range, since I already loved their Tea Tree Hair Scrub so much. The Body Shop Tea Tree range is targeted for blemished skin, and while I knew it wouldn’t help reduce my Melasma, I was keen to see the results of how it would tone down my inflammation. After all, that has been one of the culprits of my pigmentation. When I used the range, I immediately noticed that my skin was less red which is great! The Skin Clearing Facial Wash is such an amazing cleanser because it removes all dirt and doesn’t leave my…

Take a Chance: New CHANCE EAU TENDRE Eau De Parfum

Life is all about taking chances. There’s an unknown quote that says simply, “You can’t go through life protecting yourself from everything. You have to take chances. Because if you don’t, then you might as well not be living.” When it comes to making your fragrance choices, I say LIVE a little! Break out of your fragrance comfort zone. Take a Chance and you’ll discover something spectacular. It’s been a while since I’ve been really excited about a new fragrance. Truth be told, with so many in my collection, eventually the climax of something new isn’t quite as good as I usually hope. Not the case with this new launch from CHANEL – Chanel CHANCE EAU TENDRE Eau de Parfum. Spoiler alert**, there’s another new scent that has also captured my heart, but I’ll share the scoop on that one a little later. For now, let’s focus on the lovely new CHANEL CHANCE EAU TENDRE Eau de Parfum. From the CHANCE fragrance lineup, there are a couple of varieties; CHANCE, CHANCE Eau Tendre, CHANCE Eau Fraîche and Chance Eau Vive. My favourite has always been the original Chanel CHANCE EAU TENDRE. I first got a whiff of this delicate, playful flirty floral back in…

A Chanel Holiday of Sparkle and Shine

When Chanel does Holiday Makeup, CHANEL DOES HOLIDAY MAKEUP to the MAX! And the latest, Collection Libre 2018 Maximalisme de CHANEL for the 2018 holiday season is another show stopping collection that will steal your heart! With every COLLECTION LIBRE Chanel links one of the Mademoiselle, Coco Chanel’s enduring visual signatures and codes into the collection. For 2018 Lucia Pica adopts Gabrielle Chanel’s beloved lion icon as the star of the collection to capture the grandeur and emotional intensity of the holidays. You can see the lion etched beautifully into the powders of this collection, making them so exquisite you almost don’t want to ruin the beautiful imprint. But trust me, once you get over the initial destruction of design you’ll fall in love a second time because the product pay off in the powders is just heavenly! I got to sample some of the products from this collection, and am as always, in love! Even before dipping into the products to try them out, my heart was fluttering just looking at them! Let’s take a look… The Face – CRÉATION EXCLUSIVE LE LION DE CHANEL I had my heart set on the star of the show; The sparkly and oh-so elegant face shimmer, CRÉATION EXCLUSIVE LE…

My Fragrance Five – Summer

Welcome to my Fragrance Five Summer edition! As we head full swing into the heat of summer, I like to switch up my fragrances to set the tone of the season. I don’t know about you, but I like to have a new lineup of scents that remind me of the season. So, when I sniff them years down the line, they take me right back to that moment in time. This season, I’m leaning towards soft and romantic scents. Fun, fruity scents, luxurious bright scents… These are the five fragrances I’m reaching for right now. Some are new launches, others newish that I’ve had waiting in anticipation for Summer 2018. Five Fragrances to Try Lanvin Modern Princess If you love fragrances with red top notes that settle into pretty, ladylike scents, you’ll fall in love with Lanvin Modern Princess.  The note combination is quite simple (with a total of 8 notes), yet delicious and effective. It’s not overpowering, yet enough to make you feel like modern royalty. A perfect scent for warm, sunny days. Red Apple comes off very strong in the opening notes and combined with the juiciness of Red Currant gives it a delightful spark of joy. White…

Paint the Town N°5 RED

Nothing says Holiday Season quite like the colour red, and nothing says luxury quite like CHANEL N°5! So what happens when you combine the two? A breathtakingly beautiful, very exclusive and very limited CHANEL N°5 RED EDITION. For the first time in the history of the House of Chanel, the legendary CHANEL N°5 fragrance – which was designed and developed by the Mademoiselle Coco Chanel herself- is donning a fiery cloak of red. What other colour could combine with the power of N°5, the symbol of a visionary spirit? RED, “the colour of life, the colour of blood” – Coco Chanel. Lovers of this unmistakably stylish, elegant and iconic fragrance; whether you love the original CHANEL N°5, or the fresher, more modern version of CHANEL N°5 L’EAU, can enjoy owning one of the limited editions of these uniquely coloured bottles for the Holidays. With such a beautiful bottle, and perfectly suited for the season, I’m sure these fragrances are going to fly off the shelf! So, if you want to make one yours, you’ll need to be quick! Very, very quick! This opportunity will likely not come around again anytime soon. Remember, this limited edition RED is the first time since 1921 that CHANEL N°5 has changed it’s clear-glass bottle. The fragrance…

A look at the new Filorga Makeup Line

I’m excited to tell you gals that Filorga – one of my favourite French skincare brands – have just launched their very first makeup line! Are you excited? I sure am, especially since I’ve been playing with these products a while now and I’m impressed. Then again, I don’t think any of Filorga’s products haven’t left me impressed. The makeup range comprises of a foundation/ tinted fluid, a super amazing translucent powder and two makeup perfecting primers… They actually launched first with their TIME-FLASH Express Soothing Primer back in April and it’s been sitting in my pile of things to review. When the rest of the Makeup line landed on my desk, I decided it was the perfect time to put it all to the test. Okay, so let’s start with the primers shall we? Everyone needs a good primer to make your makeup go on like a dream. Filorga Makeup Primers The lineup consists of the Filorga TIME-FLASH Express Smoothing Active Primer as well as the Filorga PORE-EXPRESS Regulating Primer. They come packaged in these super sleek, minimalist black or white tubes, which just look so dang good! Filorga TIME-FLASH Express Smoothing Active Primer I first tried out the TIME-FLASH Express Smoothing Active…