How To Remove Sticker Glue Residue From Your Lipstick Tube

Yesterday I did a post on Catrice lippie in Russian Violet that I'm showing lots of love at the moment. It's a "drugstore" brand that can only be purchased at Dischem and online at Spree. (B.T.W. what do we call drugstores here in SA? I don't like Americanising but I don't know what to call it. It's not pharmacies or chemists... eish!)

The thing that I despise most about shopping for makeup at Dischem is that their products are not properly sealed. I've already bought a lipstick that I only discovered once I got home, was used. I took it back to the store only to find that ALL the lipsticks of that brand that they had on their shelf had been tampered with.


Anyway, what I appreciated about this purchase at Dischem in Woodmead was that there were sufficient testers and the actual stock for sale was taped closed. But... taking that tape off... It was taped closed with Sellotape that left that unsightly glue residue.

 

So I took a chance and took a cotton pad with nail polish remover to it, and prayed that it wouldn't interfere with the packaging.

And it didn't. Left the tube all shiny and pretty and new.

There's no guarantee that nail polish remover won't damage the packaging of other products, so I'd advise to do a spot test before attempting to remove sticky residue.

My first option would have been rubbing alcohol, but a full bottle grew legs and walked right out of my house! Rubbing alcohol is such a cheap, handy product to have around the house but especially in your bathroom or makeup cabinet. Use it to sanitise your makeup like lipsticks before using it or if you haven't used it in a long time or spray it onto powder products to sanitise/disinfect them every so often or if you share makeup with someone else.

And there you go. No more applying lippie undercover because you're embarrassed about what it looks like on the outside. Just like you, your lipstick tubes can be as attractive on the outside as it is on the inside.

Planning A 7-Year-Old's Birthday Party - Part 1

When I was little I had a birthday party every year for as long as I can remember. Some were big and elaborate, others were just a cake with candles and we'd have some family over. A fuss was always made and I vowed that that would be my children's reality for as long as I could do it and as long as they are interested.

But it seems that I'm the only mommy doing it anymore, 15 birthdays in. My eldest son is 9 years old and my baby will be turning 7 in two weeks time. Where most parents had a little something for the first birthday, we had a house full of people; friends, neighbours, family, work colleagues, hospital staff (!)... It was insane! We had reason to celebrate because this little blighter decided 9 April was not a good date to take his first breath: 16 January was more appealing. Patience is not his virtue. And when the second one came along we couldn't not give him the same, even though he arrived when he was scheduled to. It just wouldn't be fair.

All their birthdays had some or other theme, as is the norm. We chose before they had a voice and now they start planning their themes for the next year the night of their birthday party while we're tidying up. We've had all but 3 birthday parties at home. One was in Cape Town because my mom insisted, the other was at a venue because we had some issues at home, I can't remember what it was, plumbing or something... The other we had at Spur because my eldest decided that he wanted to have at least one birthday party there, like everyone else. It was fantastic because I didn't have to stress about anything! But because I love throwing these shindigs, I don't think I'll opt for or encourage that again.

We've gone from going the whole hog with matchy-matchy themed decor, plates, cups, serviettes, etc. to cutting right down to what the kids actually pay attention to, which is the birthday cake, rubbish luxuries and a party pack. We often got a water slide for the January birthday because it's always hot and a jumping castle for the August birthday, but it seems they're outgrowing the jumping castle because they haven't asked for it in a while. As of last year we also had interactive games in which all the kids participate and can win prizes. I've realised that the decor and such details is only really to impress the other moms and anyone who knows me knows that I don't play that game.

This year my baby chose dinosaurs as the theme. He's had a keen interest in the subject for years now (relative to his age it's been a while) and knows the names of more dinosaurs than I knew existed. He can even tell you what they look like, what they eat and what their natural enemies were. I'm sure if he had chosen sand as a theme I'd find a way to make it exciting, so needless to say dinosaurs had me going!

We brainstormed the birthday cake first. This is always a highlight for me as I get to be creative and do something not seen/done before, amongst our circle of friends, at least. I googled* and YouTubed* (*legit words according the my iPad that I'm typing this on!). There were mostly boring dino cakes that we came across but one awesome, albeit OTT birthday cake project.
   

 
  This is my people! I get them!

What we decided on was a smoking volcano to set the scene. I'd love to do an actual erupting volcano, but without toxic chemicals that would inevitably ruin the cake or some serious mechanical engineering, it's not going to happen. I'll do a separate post on that process as it happens.

Next, having settled on the cake I got onto the invitations. I sent out a save-the-date notification, just a plain old PDF to secure the date in people's diaries. 

Good thing I did this too because we had another domestic issue of the sewer leaking in the back yard so the venue had to change from home to somewhere else at short notice. My dear friend came to the rescue with their estate's clubhouse so good thing the invitations didn't go out yet. Last night I worked on said invitation and this is what I came up with.
 

Disclaimer: I don't know how to upload a PPS, so I had to upload the slides to YouTube to stick it here. The actual PPS is more impressive.
 

The birthday boy and his brother were muchos impressed! I left out the last two slides with venue and contact details for obvious reasons. I couldn't get royalty-free dinosaur roar wav clips so I had to elicit the help of the experts (hubby and the kids) with a state-of-the-art cell phone recording. If Spielberg needs sound effects for his next multi-billion dollar blockbuster, you know where to find me, refer away.

Now all that's left to do is to think of the food that I need to serve and the activities for the kids. I'm not too interested in entertaining the adults. We don't insist on parents being there but it's what we prefer and don't encourage drop-and-go stories. I will not drop my kids at a party and leave. If I can't be there with them, then they will not go. And I don't expect to be entertained, I'll happily sit in a corner and bring my own food if I have to as long as I can see my kids. Strangely, as much as we see it happening at parties that we attend, all of the people we invite, 95% of whom are friends, generally feel comfortable enough to stay at the party as well. We also don't serve alcohol or invite people to bring their own because I feel the parents should take responsibility for their own children.
  
Food-wise I have decided to make eats in advance and not braai or make a potjie, especially if my husband has to do it. I don't have a problem hiring people to braai, because as social as it is standing around a fire (killer as it is in January!) I'd rather we focus on entertaining the children. Hubby has completely embraced the idea and enjoys being able to relax and socialise. He still suggests from time to time that we braai, but sort of makes up his own mind that it's too labour intensive and cans the idea on his own.

Other to-dos... Birthday school cupcakes, music, photographer to document all my hard work and creativity (I'm incredibly vain that way) and party packs.

More posts on the party to follow.

Catrice Ultimate Shine Gel Colour - 080 Russian Violet

After years of sticking to the safe, neutral zone in lipsticks, I have ventured out into the colour spectrum in the last year or so. Last summer the colours that drew me in were bright, blue-based pinks and by the end of summer I had an unhealthy obsession with tangerine.

From left to right: Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle, MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Girl About Town & Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Rendezvous

This year, even during Winter, I found myself gravitating toward richer, more colourful winter and sometimes even brighter shades. One in particular that I find myself reaching for more and more is Catrice's Ultimate Shine Gel Lipstick in 080 Russian Violet.

R68.00 at Dischem or online at Spree

  To my eye it's the perfect Radiant Orchid! 

Picture poached from the Pantone website.

You could pretty much get every variation of Radiant Orchid in the above picture from this lipstick. Applied sheer you'll get the lightest, and with a couple of swipes you'll get the brighter, blue-based purple.

This picture really doesn't do justice to the actual colour, but it's the best I can do with a phone's camera. I think it's still gorgeous, though. Top swatch is just one swipe, bottom is 2-3 swipes.

The formula is very moisturising and has a respectable amount of gloss without being OTT which makes it perfect for a quick one layer tinted balm on a no-makeup day. You can vamp it up to a night time look by applying generous layers, blotting in between, without it looking too garish - that is providing you keep the rest of your makeup to a minimum. 

 

Look out for an upcoming post on how to remove that pesky sticker / glue residue from your lipstick tube.

I'm not one to be taken in too much by packaging, I'm more interested in what's inside. But I do like the sleek, chic silver tube. It's sturdy, makes a reassuring click when you close it so you know it's secure, and will hold up well in your bag. Upon closer inspection of the inside of the tube and top there's a lot of plastic-y-ness going on, but that's just me being super critical. Who's going to look at or even mind what the inside looks like, right?

It retails for around R70 and is exclusive to Dischem and available online at Spree.

Lorde for M.A.C. - Pure Heroine Amplified Creme Lipstick

I have decided that if I'm going to spend over R200 on a lipstick then it will be on limited editions: it just makes it feel more special.

My first such purchase was M.A.C.'S Pure Heroine. A limited edition lipstick in collaboration with Lorde, THE hottest female performing artist of 2013/2014. Her music is mesmerising and I can't help but to move to the intoxicating beat and moody melodies.

 

Every time I wear the lipstick, this song plays in my head. I promise to grow up some time before my kids do!

I didn't immediately rush the M.A.C. website to get it. It was sitting in my cart for a few days but every time I looked at it, it drew me deeper and deeper into it's spell, much like her music. But did I want to pay that much for a lipstick that I could possibly find a dupe for? When M.A.C. offered free shipping (!) which they do from time to time, my mind was made up! 2 days later...

First of all... that teeny-weeny lippie in that giant box. Overkill much?

About the lipstick.

The colour is the only feature. There is no special packaging and for only one lip colour, we can't expect too much. It comes in the standard sleek, black bullet tube.

I will describe it as a "Royal Plum": rich, deep, dark plum that has become synonymous with the Lady herself. It is formulated in the Amplified Creme formula which means it's highly pigmented, almost to the point of a stain. It is creamy and hydrating and wears evenly throughout the day so you won't look like a rabid vampire.

It can be worn sheer for a light but rich plummy tint or coated up to a vampy, deep, dark plum. I would suggest go minimal to no other makeup, other than a thick line of black liquid liner on the upper eyelid ONLY, or a thinner line on the upper lid with 2-3 coats of mascara and nothing else.

You could also incorporate Pure Heroine with other colours like bright pink, red or a rosy nude to tone it down or to create an interesting ombre look, that way you could wear it all year round.

Pure Heroine was available on M.A.C.'s website exclusively in South Africa and is unfortunately sold out (at the time of publication). I'm not sure if it will be restocked or if that was the only opportunity to get it. I will update this feature if I happen upon any such information.

To replicate the colour:

If you missed out or would prefer to buy an annual magazine subscription instead of buying one lipstick...

M.A.C. has Heroine (R195.00)in their permanent line which is a few shades lighter than Pure Heroine, but worn with a light wash of Chestnut lip pencil (R175.00) underneath to deepen it, it comes close to it's limited edition sister. (Ok, so that works out to WAAAYYY more, but just so you know... it's there...)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Blackcherry (R130) at Spree.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate (04) (R69.95) at rubybox.

Clinique High Impact Lip Colour in Sophisticate (R255) at Red Square.

Look Post | White Jumpsuit

1. London Hub Jumpsuit Milk - Spree
2. Jewels and Lace Lace Statement Necklace - Spree
3. Deux Lux Tiny Dancer Pouch - Shopbop
4. Zoom Celli Pointed Court Shoes -  Spree
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Logo Disc Stud Earrings - Shopbop
6. Bourjois Rouge Edition Lipstick in Jet Set - rubybox
7. Bourjois Volume Glamour Max Mascara Noir Max - rubybox

Hair - Sleek ponytail
 

Nails - Black and Gold Sparkle

Websites:

www.spree.co.za | www.rubybox.co.za | www.shopbop.com | www.pinterest.com

Empties Review - Schwartzkopf Gliss Marrakesh Oil & Coconut Shampoo & Condtioner

Apologies for the blur. Shampoo and conditioner available from Clicks and Dischem for around R59,00 each.

Not exactly a combo that blew my mind when I used it. Usually hair products either seriously impress me or I seriously don’t like it, otherwise it falls into the category of, okay yes, I will buy that again if it’s on sale which, at the time, is where this combo (unfairly) fell in to.

I don’t repurchase any shampoo and conditioners consecutively because hair gets used to a product and somehow the product loses its spark.  But after using another shampoo and conditioner combo when I ran out of this one, I realized how good it was. My scalp felt thoroughly cleaned, my hair was soft and manageable, not weighed down and definitely had more shine than with the products I’m using now. I’m almost missing it now. 

Marrakesh oil is essentially argan oil and how else do you jump onto the bandwagon without looking like you're jumping onto the bandwagon? Call it Marrakesh oil! Marrakesh/argan oil has been used for centuries in northern Africa for beauty, hair and skincare. You can read more about argan oil here.  

The coconut component in this product is coconut milk (according to this website). A quick squizz via Professor Google tells us that coconut milk has nourishing, detangling and anti-balding (?!) benefits when use on hair.

Shampoo: Some shampoos don’t do anything on the first wash but take on the second. Not so with this one. It worked up into a rich foamy lather quickly the first time. Depending on how often I wash my hair will determine on how many times I will shampoo and I can get away with one wash and rinse cycle and feel like I’ve cleansed my scalp and the length of my hair. There’s enough lather to do both with a quarter-palm-size squirt of product. Is that a lot? I have long, curly hair and a lot of it and this is about as much as I would need. Maybe less *as I look at my palm and try to figure out how much I actually use*.

Conditioner: like I’ve said before, I use most conditioners as leave-ins, as I have with this one and it didn’t leave my hair looking dull. It was thick enough for me to feel like it was doing its job, but light enough to give my natural curl some bounce. And the shine… The only way I can say anything about the shine is that I didn’t feel the need to use one of my shine serums/oils that I usually add at the end of the styling process.

Overall I can say that I am (now) sufficiently impressed with the Schwartzkopf Gliss  Marrakesh Oil and Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner and that it will definitely make its back into my shower, sale or not.

rubybox 99c

What can you buy for 99c these days? Not even a tip for a car guard! So how about a few beauty products? You can believe, bargainista that I am, I jumped at the opportunity to score ANYTHING for 99c! I mean, come on…

Image from here.

First of all, if you don’t know, rubybox is a subscription service. You complete a beauty survey online and they compile your profile which will determine the types of beauty samples that will be sent to you. You then sign up for a monthly fee of R169 that includes to-your-door delivery and your box with deluxe beauty samples with at least one full-sized product. The more months you sign up for, the less your monthly subscription is. But what happens if you’ve fallen in love with a sample? Where do you find it again? In the online store. Clever, ne! You also earn rubyRands with all purchases which you can use towards future purchases.

I completed my profile on the website a long time ago but never committed to the box, although I  bought from the online store. I placed my 99c order and collected my surprise from the Fourways Mall pop-up stall. I could have had it delivered but that would have incurred delivery charges and going to a mall means, well… card assault! The two assistants at the stall were super helpful, both helping me at the same time: one with the box, the other showing me what was on offer to purchase.

They had a few rubybox branded items such as the rubybox signature perfumes and makeup brushes  which was nice to experience in person. The brushes looked and felt like it was top quality: sturdy handles, well constructed ferrules and super soft bristles. I didn’t purchase any because it would have been repeats of what I already have. I’m looking forward to seeing more brushes in the line should they expand, which I’m hoping they will. A stiffer flat-top kabuki style would be nice rubybox  ;-)

Back to the box. There were four options to choose from and I naturally gravitated to the frizzy hair rescue box. 

Excuse the fuzzy-wuzziness of the photo.

This box contained 3 full-sized products: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Serum and Woolworths Long Lasting lipstick. It also included a (full size) pack of 2 makeup removal sponges and a sample facial cleansing soap. The point of a subscription box like this is to introduce you to products that you wouldn’t normally try. I can honestly say that when I comes to skincare, I’m very loyal to one brand. You have no idea the internal conflict I have just using a different daily cleanser. I ALWAYS have a backup of my beloved Clinique Step 1 bar so that I never have to face the trauma of running out. BUT… Thanks to Rubybox, I may be changing my ways… So let me talk about the facial cleaning bar first.

Lanolin-Agg-Tval Egg White Facial Care 15g sample (R134.95 full size 50g): 

It contains egg white, yogurt, Eidelweiss and rosewater. 

Egg white is a good popular home remedy for tightening pores and absorbing oil. While there is controversy over the use of raw egg white on your skin, these benefits have been safely wrapped up in this soap. 

Lactic acid and alpha hydroxy acid in yogurt has exfoliating and skin tightening benefits. 

Edelweiss, or snow flower is widely used in skincare for it's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.

Olive oil has been used since time immemorial as a moisturiser and rose water, besides making it smell lovely is an ancient beauty ingredient used to tighten and smooth. 

The Swedish soap lathers to a fine, soft, creamy foam. A little goes a long way. I’ve used this little guy every day for 3 weeks and could very well get another 2 weeks out of it. It’s gently cleansing, not drying or stripping. I have combination skin that needs a good balanced cleanser to properly cleanse the oilier zones without over stripping the drier zones and this soap gets that balance just right.

Woolworths Longlasting Lipstick R140

Gorgeous bright orangy-red that suits my complexion and will look as good in Summer as it does in Winter. Score! We know that long lasting lipsticks are very drying -> so you have to wear a lip balm underneath -> then the long lasting-ness doesn’t last as long -> so what’s the point. This one has a satiny finish, provides a bit of moisturisation so is not drying and therefore a good long wear option. I like it enough to try out more colour options.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum (R99.95)

This hair serum is a holy grail product for a lot of women who have issues with frizz. It’s never been on my radar but I’m glad I’ve had the chance to try it. The claim is that it “transforms dry, frizz-prone locks to smooth glossy lengths. It also repels humidity to help prevent weather-related frizz.” I don’t know about the smooth glossy lengths because I don’t heat style my hair so no smooth glossy lengths here. But I must say that when I use it on my curls, it does prevent that dreaded stuck-my-finger-in-the-wall-socket look. After washing and conditioning I apply 4-6 pumps from my scalp to the ends and comb it through before I wrap my hair in a towel. It keeps those strays at bay and doesn’t affect the definition of the curl or the natural volume that I’m so desperately trying to get back.

Rubybox Tools Bye Bye Makeup Sponge R39.95

To use: wet, apply cleanser and massage in circular motions. I haven’t used makeup remover sponges before because I use Bioderma on a cotton round. Call me dof, but I took this into the shower to try it out and used it as directed. I used the Lanolin Agg Tval soap on it and put it to work. Not a tool for everyday cleansing, that’s for sure. What I noticed is that although it lathered on the sponge, it did absolutely nothing on my skin. I’m not sure if you should use a liquid soap or if Bioderma will work well on this too. What I did notice is that it didn’t drip. Is that what these sponges do? If so, that aspect of it works really well.  It is soft and gentle on the skin and, unless you have super sensitive skin, it won’t irritate the skin at all. I’ll have to test this one thoroughly when I know what to do with it.

So, all of that for just 99c! Except for the makeup sponges that I haven’t found a use for in my life (yet!) I can definitely see the rest finding a home on my bathroom and makeup shelves. The Egg White soap may just have to come home to me in my next Rubybox though.