Tuesday 8 November 2011

Eyebrows are important!

In my November A-list, one critical thing I mentioned was eyes - an more importantly eyebrows. Can you see why eyebrows are important? LOL!


So, in order to make sure we are all groomed for summer, here is an easy 'how to' video for shaping your brows:


Good luck darlings! xoxo Ava

Friday 4 November 2011

November A-list


Good morning girls! I was going to say "Summer is finally here" but when I woke up this morning it's raining in the Mother City? What's up with that?

Summer is on it's way and after winter it's super important to take care of the basics in order to look, and feel, great! Winter is great for a movie night under the duvet, warm soups and lots of hot chocolate BUT not so great for dry skin, damaged hair and pale skin!

We all want to have fun this summer, and look great for all those party pics, so here is my list of 'must haves' for summer:

[comfort zone] Active Pureness Corrector for spot treatment on the go.

Must Have #1: Great Skin Summer is synonymous with pool parties and long lazy days at the beach. You don't have time to constantly cover up that zit - especially after swimming. So it's really important to treat your skin very well during this time, so that even if you don't have make-up or concealer, you're still looking great.

For a spot treatment on the go, try [comfort zone] 's Active Pureness range - designed for problematic, acne-prone and oily skin. The handy Active Pureness Corrector is perfect for your handbag - zap those spots as soon as they make their appearance! The full range includes a cleanser, toner, scrub, mask and fluid. It really is worth investing in a good skin care range that works for you - top quality products last longer and work their magic, as they should! 

[comfort zone] is available from Carltonspace Salons - for full list of salons see bottom of post
Active Pureness Corrector retails @ R330 - a little goes a long way with this product!


No one feels good when they're having a bad hair day!

Must Have #2: Great Hair Summer days are long, the sun is hot and your hair is probably the one area that you are neglecting over the holidays. A good hair cut is critical, and the right treatments for your hair can make all the difference.

I know the feeling, when you're sitting in the salon chair and get asked if you want to do a treatment. One of 2 things probably goes through your head: "I don't have the time" or "I don't have the money". Now ladies, let me give you one piece of valuable advice here: spend less on your snacks at the movie and do the treatment! Conditioning is just not enough, sorry! You will feel the difference in your hair immediately, and styling will be so much easier to handle. Your hair will thank you, I promise!

For a FREE Keratin nourishing treatment from Carlton Hair International, simply "Like" their Facebook page and voila! You'll see exactly what I mean about treatments and how good it is for your hair!




Sass Diva have an array of hair bands and clips for any occasion
or mood!
Must Have #3: Funky hair accessories You can't ghd or curl your hair everyday, for 2 very important reasons: You probably don't have an hour every day and it's not good for your hair!Have you ever burnt your finger with your curling iron? Eina! Now imagine all that heat on your strands of hair, every. single. day. 

Now here lies the problem: day old hair just isn't that glamorous, right? Wrong! It can be! DO like Taylor Swift and Emma Watson and grab a fun hair band or Alice band. Pretty clips are also fun to take some hair back. Just DON'T do what one of the Olsen twins did (I can never tell them apart!) and wear a head band to make it look like you've got a mushroom on your head. Not flattering....

2 ways to wear a hair band, and 1 way not to!
Go to Sass Diva and browse their collection of hair accessories - I just know there is something for you there!  I think every girl needs at least 3 types of hair accessories:

  1. An Alice band and in a neutral colour - will go with any outfit and be your trusty 'go to' when you're heading out
  2. Floral clip - great to wear behind your ear (so romantic!) or clip in the side of your ponytail or messy bun for a care-free look
  3. Bling - for an evening party add some subtle (or not so subtle!) sparkle to your outfit. Hair bands, clips - they all look great!

Sass Diva stores nationwide - please note all products displayed are while stocks last only.



Must Have #4: "Look at me" eyes If eyes are the window to the soul, surely we need to make sure that they look picture perfect, all the time? Starting point: Eyebrows! And I'm not just talking about tweezing those stray hairs every now and then. A perfectly shaped brow makes all the difference! 

Maintenance is also key. That's why I use Smashbox Brow Tech On the Go - a nifty little tool that you'll first wonder "What is that?" and then wonder "How did I get by without one?" Really! It's double-ended, with an angled waterproof pencil on one side, and a soft hold gel on the other side. The pencil is perfect for filling and defining, while the brow gel (with a brush applicator) grooms brows perfectly into place.

For summer parties you can't go wrong with Smashbox Metallic Eye Liner Palette - with 10 of the best selling cream eye liner shades plus a mini liner brush. These cream liners have a bit of a cult following - and I can totally understand why. When I want a great smoky look, or a seriously defined line - this works like a bomb. I love the size - it's so slim, it even fits into my evening clutch - great for touch ups during the night.

Smashbox is available at Woolworths Cosmetics counters
Brow Tech on the Go @ R 235
Metallic Eye liner Pallette @ R310




Last month I told you about the importance of safe tanning and using tanning products. (Skin cancer is just not sexy!) But sometimes we need a little extra, right?

So try the Smashbox Baked Starburst Bronzer (BTW it just won Fairlady Best of Beauty Awards). I've used this magical little wheel of colour for some time now, and I love the golden glow it gives me! Use a large powder brush (I think the bigger the better) and swirl the shimmery powder over cheeks, temples, nose, decollete - think of where the sun would naturally hit you, you know? Build the colour up gradually - you don't want to make it too obvious!

Last month I shared O-Glow and O-Gloss with you -the very clever intuitive blush and lip gloss that adapts to suit your own skin. Did you know Smashbox also have an O-Bronze? Too cool! The O-Bronze works just the same - a bronzer that works with your skin tone to give you the most natural bronze glow around. Love it!

Smashbox is available at Woolworths Cosmetics Counters
O-Bronze @ R240
Bakes Starburst Bronzer @ R 270



Must Have #6: Perfect Pout When I do my make-up, the last thing I apply is lipstick or gloss. Only then do I feel happy! It finishes off the look, whether it's a soft pink or daring red!

But lips are also not easy during winter - dry, chapped lips are so common, and sometimes it's tricky getting them back to great condition. I've started using another great [comfort zone] product - Lip Blooming Scrub. You apply it once or twice a week, massage a bit and then remove. It smells like roses! It's early days for me, but I already feel (and see) the difference. It treats chapped lips, plus reduces wrinkles and lines around your mouth. Sweet!

[comfort zone] is available from Carltonspace Salons - for full list of salons see bottom of post
Lip Blooming Scrub @ R 240

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There you have it, another jam packed A-list from me! Follow these tips and grab these must-haves, and you are set for summer!

Now, because Carlton Hair International knows how we love our hair, and the a bad hair day can spoil everything, they are giving away the most amazing shampoo and conditioner to one lucky lady!

Their Momo range is sure to fix any hair hassles you might have. Momo is for moisture - this range moisturises, hydrates, protects and *very important* increases volume in this hair.

To win the Davines Momo shampoo (R159) and Davines Momo conditioner (R175), tell us who is your celeb hairstyle crush? Do you want Emma Watson's pixie cut or Blake Lively's curls? 

How to enter:
Post a pic of your celeb hairstyle crush on my Facebook page, and tell us why you need the Momo shampoo and conditioner? Easy as click, post a pic and share!



Competition closes Friday 11 November @ 12pm.

I can't wait to see which celeb comes out tops!!

Have a super awesome weekend, whatever you do!

Love Ava xoxo

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[comfort zone] is available at Carltonspace salons:

Johannesburg
Hyde Park                                (011) 325 4995/16
Melrose Arch                          (011) 684 1251/58
The Zone@ Rosebank           (011) 788 2914/0113
Mandela Square                      (011) 784 5850/9943
Bryanston                                (011) 706 3356/3741
Bel Air                                      (011) 704 1361/13
Lonehill                                    (011) 465 2023/19

Pretoria
Parkview                                   (012) 993 3693
Centurion                                 (012) 663 3926/2297
Hazeldean                                (012) 809 2482
Irene                                         (012) 662 0709/10

Durban
Gateway                                  (031) 566 3061
Hillcrest                                   (031) 765 5054/6027

Cape Town
Constantia Skincare               (021) 794 8973/8986
Canal Walk                              (021) 555 1837/8


Tuesday 1 November 2011

Halloween Custumes from Hollywood

OK, so Halloween is not as big here as it is in the States, but that does not stop me from having some fun playing dress up!


Don't you just love the team from E! Fashion Police's get up? Guiliana as Victoria / Posh Spics was a hoot - plus she had a go at the accent! Then there was "Jennifer Lopez" and "Marc Anthony" - who really should not be in the same room, shame things are not well between them. The funniest had to be the wicked Joan Rivers as Suri Cruise - too funny!

Did you get up to anything fun on Halloween? I made the horrible mistake of watching a horror flick - didn't sleep a wink!!

I hope all the Matrics are doing OK with their final exams! Now it's the final stretch, good luck!!
xoxo Ava