Gluki Organics Lip Balm

The Gluki Organics Lip Balm formed part of a set of items I was lucky enough to win with a Life Retreat online competition in  2016. The Gluki range of products are both Cruelty Free as well as organic certified! 

The Lip Balm consists of a small tube of lip balm, with a screw on lid. Mine came packaged in a small sleek box.

At first I was very reluctant to stick the little tube in my handbag. After all, my previous experience with these types of containers were that they would leak once it gets hot, leaving my entire handbag a sticky mess. I am impressed to say that this packaging is about as secure as a bomb shelter. I had this in my various handbags right through the hottest parts of summer. Lets face it, 2017 was a scorcher! If it survived through the multiple heatwaves you can be guaranteed that this tube is safe, secure and leak proof.

The actual products is a cream, unlike solid chap sticks. It is a creamy white in color, something I attribute to the Mafura Butter in the product. I quite like the natural color.

The balm itself includes Shea Butter, a fantastic ingredient for collagen regeneration and skin protection. The Mafura Butter is amazing as it moisturizes without clogging pores. It also has wonderful Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Bacterial properties. 

From my experience, the balm goes on smooth, to form a protective, moisturizing layer. Due to the inclusion of Stevia it does have a sweet taste. Some individuals claim that it has a bitter aftertaste, but I have not had that experience. Personally I find it quite lovely. 

During the insane summer heat the ingredients do tend to separate to form an oily layer on top. In the colder parts of winter the balm is a bit hard, which makes it difficult to apply. However, both of these problems can be resolved by massaging the tube a bit so that the ingredients mix. 

All in all I absolutely love this product. Its gentle on my sensitive skin, moisturizing and smells absolutely delicious. 

You can buy the Lip Balm directly from the Faithful to Nature or Life Retreat for approximately R65.00. 

https://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/gluki-mom-s-lip-balm

https://www.liferetreat.co.za/

Photo by Gluki Organics. 

MissTresse Shampoo & Conditioner

When you have an alternative hair color the biggest challenge is to find hair products that won't fade your hair while still adding moisture and repairing the damage that comes with bright hair.

Of all the options out there the MissTresse Shampoo and Conditioner is by far my favorite. This range isn't only suitable to bright hair colors, it has been specially formulated with funky hair in mind! 

The range is Paraben, Preservative and Sulphate free, not tested on animals, and to add that extra dash of awesome, the MissTresse haircare products are locally produced by the wonderful AnonaMiss team! Which means you can buy your Manic Panic and stock up on the appropriate shampoo and conditioner all in one go. 

Both the Shampoo and Conditioner has a fresh Pomegranate scent. My only problem with the Shampoo is that it does not always lather well. It seems to differ from batch to batch though. The Conditioner is very rich and moisturizing. I can imagine this being a very heavy Conditioner for someone with thinner hair but for my mane of doom it is perfect. Use it as a traditional Conditioner, a hair mask for some extra love. It even works as a Frizz Tamer. 

Both the Shampoo and Conditioner come in 250ml bottles.

I have been very impressed with the lasting power of these 250ml bottles. A bottle of Shampoo lasts me approximately 6 months, and the Conditioner even longer. This says a lot, considering my hair is thick and coarse. 

At R105.00 a bottle, this is a true steal! You can find the MissTresse range at selected stockists, or on the AnonaMiss website. 

http://www.anonamiss.co.za/products/

Sympathy for the Skin - Lush

The only way to describe this Body Lotion is delicious. Opening this container was an absolute surprise. A delightful one. 

The cream colored lotion with small dark flecks remind me of walks through the banana plantations in Tzaneen. Decadent and dreamy. Don't let the small dark particles dissuade you from trying the lotion, you will regret it! 

Packed with the fresh goodness of organic mashed bananas, vanilla pod infusion, almond oil, fair trade cocoa butter, sandalwood and lemon oil this is a deeply nourishing lotion. Perfect for overly dry winter skin that just won't return to its natural glow. 

Available in a 240g tub the packaging is elegant and simplistic. 

At R225.00 for a 240g tub the lotion is a bit pricey. However, its the perfect winter treat. Spoil yourself! You know you want to! 

https://www.lush.co.za/shop/product/product/path/225_162/id/76/BODY-Lotions-Sympathy-For-The-Skin

Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo

When it comes to hair I seriously got a bad deal. Not only is my natural color most accurately described as Cow Turd Brown, but it is overly frizzy. On a good day I look as if I have broken ends and damaged hair. Which leads to daily comments on how I should take better care of my hair. (I kid you not, strangers have stopped me to give advice!)

Traditional hair care products lead to one of two options. Overly greasy, dirty looking hair or dry, even frizzier hair.

After hearing that the solution is hidden in Argan Oil, I decided to brave the shops. I was expecting overly expensive bottles that would make me feel like a neanderthal. Great was my surprise to stumble across the Hask range of products. 

The range is affordable and beautifully packaged. Not only does this product contain Argan Oil, it is also free of Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, drying alcohol and artificial colors. Added the bonus that the Hask range is not tested on animals I was pretty darned impressed! 

From using this product I can definitely see an improvement in my hair. It is soft and easier to manage. (However, still frizzy...I don't think I will ever really be able to tame the curse of Medusa's locks.) The shampoo lathers up well and a little really does go a long way. My hair doesn't end up greasy and neither does it end up overly dry. However, I only wash my hair once a week. I can foresee this product causing very fine hair to become greasy rather fast. The scent is divine. I adore citrus scents. It is long lasting, fresh and not overly sweet. 

The only negative thing is the fact that my blue hair faded to purple quite fast while I was using this shampoo. Their website states that their range is safe for all hair colors, be it brown, blonde or purple. However, I have to disagree. When you have alternative hair colors, rather don't take the chance. For a while I kept thinking that I must be imagining the fading. However, upon using the shampoo on my currently sea-green and pink hair the lather again ended up with a large amount of pink in it, even though my current pink color isn't even the result of pink hair color!The plus side is that a bottle lasts me more than 6 months. Take into consideration that I have really thick hair I find this really impressive. 

At R129.95 for a 355ml bottle of Shampoo I feel that the Hask Argan Oil Repairing Shampoo is truly worth every cent. Partner this shampoo with one of their other hair care products for a winning formula and healthy hair. 

https://clicks.co.za/hask_argan-oil-from-morocco-repairing-shampoo-355ml/p/228425

Manic Panic Classic Hair Creme

Manic Panic in my opinion, is not just the leader in its field but also the brand every other alternative hair care brand strives to live up to. Sitting on its Rock n Roll throne, donning Dr Martens and vibrant locks. 

I have to admit, I tried their products out of sheer desperation. After a year of fading hair, purple color coming out turquoise and a lot of money spent I bit the bullet. I have not looked back for one second. 

My original choice was a mix of Shocking Blue and After Midnight. The cream was vibrant and conditioning. Before application my hair was dry and damaged. Lets face it, to get it from dark brown to a light enough shade to get color on I really had to mangle it. Thanks to my previous negative experiences I was quite nervous about trying something new. 

 

Much to my relief the end result was exquisite. My hair was soft and conditioned. In the best state it has been in for years. The color! Oh my gosh, the color! It stopped traffic, (I'm not joking!) it leads to strangers staring in awe. To geeks choking (Okay so he was staring at my boobs at that moment...but I am pretty sure my hair outshone my cleavage.) There is no way to describe the color, other than phenomenal. If you want to feel like a Goddess, use Manic Panic Classic Hair Creme! 

I do have some advice though. Don't expect the color on the bottle to be the exact shade that your hair will turn out. So many things play a role in defining the end result. I have seen other individuals rocking the same Hair Creme shade as myself, only to have it look very different. 

Don't listen to the instructions on the container. Or your hairdresser. Or your bossy friend. I know it says leave on for an hour, but trust me, leave it on for at least 2 hours. My best results are from leaving the creme on for between 3 to 5 hours. The longer you leave the creme in, the longer the color will last. It isn't traditional hair color. It won't damage or burn your hair. Don't wash your hair with hot water (This is pretty entertaining in winter...) and don't use traditional shampoos. 

If you don't like bright hands, use gloves. Even though the container leaves enough space to get the creme out of every corner, its super messy. Ask my poor hairdresser. We have had moments where we had to scrub blue hair creme off his floor and walls. If you drip it on your bath or sink by accident, wipe it up! Don't leave it for later, your bath will end up looking like a piece by Jackson Pollock. 

If you need to stretch your hair creme, you can mix in some conditioner. I have done this many times while I was broke and in desperate need of a root touch up. It won't last exactly as long as the concentrated hair creme, but it will get the job done. 

Love your bedding, linen, curtains...erm...cat? Cover them up. The first couple of times you use the hair creme it is very likely to run. For the first year of using Classic Hair Creme I would wake up to blue and purple walls, blue pillows. Don't like your towels? Sleep with your wet hair wrapped in it. Don't worry, most of the time it washes out. 

If you want to touch up your roots, leave the color in for longer. On some occasions my roots were still a bit lighter than the rest of my hair. Don't be dissuaded if it doesn't come out perfect the first time. Its an adventure. 

If you want a temporary funky look, please don't use the Hair Creme. Yes, as with all semi permanent hair cremes it fades after a couple of washes. However, this stuff has some serious lasting power. For example. Two years ago I decided to go back to black hair for a bit. After 6 months I decided to switch back to blue. Thus I needed to strip my hair of color. All the black came out...but the ends of my hair were light pink. Six months ago I wanted to change my color again. My hair is now an ombre of blue and pink...because the color in the ends would not budge! 

Manic Panic Classic Hair Creme is the stuff adventures are made of! At R209.00 for a 118ml tub it is a bit on the pricey side, but that won't change my opinion on it. If you can afford it and want to change to bright hair, this is the product for you.

In South Africa, you can buy it directly from AnonaMiss Beauty Emporium, or from selected stockists. 

http://www.anonamiss.co.za/

For a reliable hairdresser with experience in using Manic Panic Classic Hair Creme, use the directory on their website. If you need an amazing hairdresser in Pretoria, I can recommend Colbyn Hair Salon. 

https://www.facebook.com/colbynhairstyling

African Extracts Nourishing Night Cream

Night cream. That overly expensive beauty product that most of us can't afford. Usually greasy with the fun end result of waking up with a pillow plastered to your face. 

Well think again! As with the majority of African Extracts products this beauty cream is absolutely divine. With Rooibos and Chamomile it is gentle on even the most sensitive skin and absolutely non-greasy. Enriched with Jojoba Seed Oil, Vitamin A, B and E5 this night cream is nourishing and repairing with a lovely moisturizing effect.

The cream has a very soft Chamomile scent which I absolutely love. For such a small tube it lasts quite long. My pillow does not stick to my face and it doesn't aggravate the evil face demons that come with sensitive skin. 

My only down side on this product is that it still left some areas of my skin dry and patchy. As my problem areas contain skin that is damaged due to a chronic skin condition that just won't bugger off I can't really blame the cream for the persistence of the flaky bits. Not even the prescribed medical products I have used in the past will clear it up! 

I would definitely recommend it as a gentle night cream for teenagers or individuals with sensitive skin.

The African Extracts products can be found at most standard grocery stores. At approximately R62.99 for a 75ml tube its affordable and easy to find. 

http://shop.pnp.co.za/b2c_pnp/b2c/display/(cpgnum=2&layout=5.1-6_2_4_86_92_8_3_3&cquery=african%20extracts&uiarea=3&carea=%24ROOT&cpgsize=12)/.do?rf=y

The Gel Nail Polish - Essence

If there is one item that I always struggle to find on the Cruelty Free market it is nail polish. When you do come across it the polish is usually of poor quality, which causes it to streak, chip and just not last. 

Because I work with my hands the dream of perfectly manicured nails have always been a tad bit unrealistic. In the same class as fitting into that size 34 bikini that I wore in high school. (A girl is allowed to dream, darn it!) Even the best brands of nail polish would chip after a maximum of two days. 

Thus you could understand my skepticism when rumors started doing the rounds. Rumors about a miraculous nail product that act like gel nails, without the time consumption and expense. Having had gel nails when I was younger, I found them thick, clunky and not really attractive. But oh so long lasting! Perfect for growing out your nails. I kept telling myself that there is no way that a silly little nail polish could pack the punch of gel nails. But curiosity got the better of me. 

Because of my current strict budget, the brands that we think of as best of their kind, was not an option for me. Wandering through Clicks I spotted gel nail polish in a bright display that I would not generally approach. A display that screams 16 year old girl. (Lets face it, even as a 16 year old girl crazy bright displays made me run the opposite direction.) But it was gel nail polish! Affordable gel nail polish! 

I decided to try the polish in a dark red that matches my signature shades. Since I paid under R30.00 for an 8ml bottle of nail polish I decided to invest in the clear top coat as well. 

The application process was a breeze. Just as easy as any other nail polish on the market. Two color coats and one or two top coats, depending on your preference. I wait approximately 15 minutes between each coat for the nail polish to dry properly. The only down side of the color nail polish is that the 8ml does seem awfully little for such a thick nail polish. After only 4 applications I need to go buy a new bottle. (Yes, I shouldn't complain, its not as if I am bankrupting myself.) I have noticed that when I give my nails a slight buff with only the rough part of a nail buffer, the nail polish stays on much longer. 

The only  problem after application is the chipping. This polish is tough as nails, however, when it does chip, it will remove serious chunks of nail polish at a time. This is because the polish is much thicker and harder than traditional nail polish. So please don't think that you will now be able to Super Woman it when doing the dishes or laundry. Please still use gloves to protect your hands and nails. 

Unlike gel nails, it looks like normal nail polish. None of that clunkyness that I absolutely despise. Like gel nails it has that newly applied shine until the day you remove it. 

My schedule only permits me to really pay attention to my nails once a week. Writing this 5 days after I applied my nail polish, everything is still in pristine condition. Including my one nail that always breaks when it starts to become reasonably long. (I broke the finger working with horses and its has just never been the same.) During the nail shaping process it started to become damaged, but I have covered it up and the damage is staying minimal. At this rate I might be able to file the damaged part out when its longer! 

Removal is just as easy as traditional nail polish. Use your normal nail polish. Your normal process. None of the trauma or damage involved with removing gel. 

At R22.95 to R29.95 a bottle of nail polish, this product is an absolute steal. It has made me look at the Essence brand of products in a brand new light. Especially when I realized what a fun, cruelty free company they are. I honestly can't wait to try out some of their other products! 

Available at most Clicks and Dischem stores, the nail polish is easy to find and perfectly affordable. 

What do I learn out of this lesson? Don't judge a book by its cover. Even when that cover is so bright it is blinding.

http://www.essence.eu/za/products/nails/nail-polish/e/product/the-gel-nail-polish-14/
http://dischem.co.za/product-view/70349/essence-the-gel-nail-polish-14