SPAparazzi

I had the pleasure of visiting Bayete Spa this past weekend. My sister scored an amazing deal with them some time last year and we finally found a day to go! Usually when places like these have specials, I feel wary that the service will be mediocre but our day was perfect.

Tucked away in the Hennops Valley, the location and ambience were both serene and calming and the staff were friendly and welcoming.

 

Our treatment package included a Swedish hot stone massage, a Hand exfoliation & massage, a Foot exfoliation & massage, an Indian head & shoulder massage and a Pressure point facial. All the massages were equally enjoyable and relaxing. The therapists are well trained and I cannot fault them on any of the treatments. You will leave there feeling like you’re floating on a cloud.
 

We were given drinks on arrival, a buffet breakfast, complimentary coffee, tea, juice & water bar, fruit, home baked scones, lunch and finally, cake of the day.

 They gave us our own private cabin to use for the day, as well as access to their pool and Jacuzzi.

 

 I loved the experience but have a few critiques:

· Before and after each massage, everyone meets at the common pool area and waits for their therapist to take them to the location of the next treatment (each treatment is in a different hut or thatch roof chalet). Because you are dressed in nothing but a robe all day, this can be quite discomfiting and awkward for some people, especially around so many strangers.  

· They divide everyone into groups and rotate you between treatments. I was with my mum and sisters and we were split into a group of 2 and a group of 3. We were told that their therapy rooms couldn’t cater for 5 people altogether, but they definitely could have. There were rooms that could have accommodated all of us together and it would have been an even more wonderful experience if they didn’t split us up.

· You are each assigned a therapist that stays with you throughout the day. This is great if you’re happy with the lady you’re allocated to. But not sure what happens if you’re not. However, I’m sure Bayete grooms all their therapists to meet its excellent standards so hopefully this will never be a problem.

*N.B.* I’d suggest carrying some extra cash with you to give your therapist a tip at the end of the day.

· They use products that may not agree with your skin. Their products seem to be organically made and chemical free (no-name, label-free containers) but of low quality. Their Chocolate Coffee Oil gave me a slight rash and I didn’t particularly like the smell of it. You have the option of not using any products at all but if I had to go again, I’d ask if I could bring my own oil. 

All in all it was a soothing and tranquil experience in a beautiful location and I absolutely recommend it.  Bayete has ongoing specials on their website (link below) and you have the option of staying over at an additional price. Check it out and treat yourself to a wonderful day away.

♡, Sana xx

Bayete Spa:
http://www.bayeteestate.com/

Eye do!!

I did a post last year on my favourite liquid eye liner but now I’ve come across something even more amazing.

On a recent trip to the UK (the girls are just fab at make up there!), my niece used the Rimmel London Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner on me and I was mesmerized by the deep black colour and at how long it lasted (does not fade).

Unlike the other liners I’ve reviewed, this isn’t a pen. It’s a small pot with an applicator that creates smooth and precise lines. I bought my first one 4 months ago and have used it EVERY DAY since then and it’s still going! It hasn’t dried up or lost its pigment and the felt tip is still perfect.

 

Rimmel London Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner

 

So as you can see, a 2.5ml bottle lasts really long, but to be honest, even if it got me through one month I’d still go back and buy it.

It’s a really good quality product and passed all my tests:

·         Rich in colour, even over tons of eyeshadow.

·         No fading.

·         No smudging.

·         No flaking.

·         No transfer onto eyelids.

·         Once you apply, it dries quickly on your lids, so no smearing.

·         Not bulky to carry around.

·         Easy to use and apply.

·         Product goes a long way and keeps its consistency.

The colour I have is: 001 100% Black. I still like my Urban Decay Liquid Eye Pen but if truth be told I haven’t used it since I bought the Exaggerate. And if I had to pick between the two I’d go for the Rimmel one.

When I got back to South Africa, I did some checking online, and I've discovered it’s not sold here. There is a Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner available at Clicks. However, it's the “Waterproof” version.

 

The one available at Clicks.

It’s not the exact product but I think its pretty close and a bargain at R89.95*. Rimmel's site says the Waterproof version lasts 24 hours (vs. 16 hours) and has a glossy finish. I will definitely be trying it out and letting you know. But if you can get your hands on the one from London, don’t hesitate!! And if anyone spots it in any of the stores here please let me know.

**Update** I've just been informed by the beautiful Ranaa that Rimmel London Exaggerate Liquid Eye Liner is in fact available at Clicks (not sure why it doesn't show online but yay!!). She says it's the only one she uses and if you have a look at the photos on her blog (link below), you'll see why! She always looks gorgeous!

♡, Sana xx

*All prices and details are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Ranaa's Blog:
rmfashionary.blogspot.com

I'm back!!

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the extended hiatus. It’s been a bumpy, hectic, but mostly positive year and I’m thrilled to be back.

Those of you who've been following my blog since it began, may have noticed some major changes visually and in terms of content.

Sadly, I have decided not to continue with my recipe columns and have removed them from my page (hence the gaps and missing posts). But don’t worry I have many new exciting things lined up!

Just a reminder that this is something I do in my spare time and I'm in no way paid or sponsored for any of my posts. I love to share information (and have a good banter) and this is my way of doing just that. My assessments are my personal experiences and are 100% honest, so expect both positive and negative reviews (sometimes more of one than the other- I don’t sugarcoat.)

My aim is for you to save time and make informative decisions about your next purchase or outing. Or just have a good laugh while I babble on. Nothing too serious.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it. Also remember you can click on all images too see them on a clearer and larger scale.

I love your support!

♡, Sana xx

I have learned...

Yesterday I found a page with some quotes I had printed about 6 or more years ago... I am not sure who the exact author is, but I remember back then I was enlightened by these words. Now, after years of experience, I truly believe they are spot-on. There are thousands more I can add to this list, but today I will just share with you what I had on that page.

-        We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

-        You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

-        Your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

-        Credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

-        Either you control your attitude or it controls you.

-        You can keep going long after you think you can't.

-        No matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

-        You should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

-        Just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other, and just
because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

-        Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

-        Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

-        Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

-        You shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

-        Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

Hope you enjoyed this quick read. Please share with me any quotes you come across that resonate with you. I would love to read them!

♡, Sana xx

Furious 7

 

Rating: ●●●○○

Certification: PG13

Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller

Stars: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson

Director: James Wan

Running time: 140min

Alert: SOME SPOILERS

Synopsis: This movie is the 7th instalment of the Fast&Furious series. Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.

Review: I feel terrible to give a negative review on this movie because I was a fan of Paul Walker, but it has to be done. This movie is so far removed from the Fast&Furious films I have come to love. It was an overdone, loser-Tom-Cruise-Mission-Impossible type of movie. I mean for the love of cars! They could have kept it action packed AND believable. Why make our favourite characters perform stunts that only a fantasy superhero could manage and also expect us to believe they can do it unscathed?!

The thrill and appeal of these movies has always been the convincing aspect that it could maybe, possibly happen in real life. But with this one, it’s all out the window for me.

Parachuting cars, men who defy the laws of gravity and driving through the top floor windows of three high rise buildings are amongst the many spectacles you will witness.

It’s gripping to watch but after a while the clichéd dialogue and one liners paired with the exaggerated, implausible action scenes make your eyes roll. The main villain could have been shot dead in the first scene- he was not made of steel. And I feel embarrassed for Dwayne Johnson and his cheesy parts!

The ONLY thing that saved this movie was the ending. Yes, the tear jerking tribute to Paul Walker. You can watch the music video for the song "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth from the film's soundtrack. It has clips from the previous F&F movies with a few shots from the new movie, including the film's final goodbye scene.

Here’s the link on Vin Diesel’s Facebook page: Tribute to Paul Walker

Although this movie was over the top, cringe worthy and dragged on for a bit too long, it’s entertaining and you won’t be bored. Give it a go.

Side note: After I watched the movie, I read up on it and found out the cars were actually dropped from planes (without any actors in it). It wasn’t CGI or any other special effects. That's definitely impressive!!

Paul Walker passed away half way through filming. By rewriting the script and with the aide of body doubles, Paul’s brothers, CGI effects and montages of previous scenes, the director was able to keep him in the movie. RIP Paul Walker.

♡, Sana xx

Beauty and Household Tips: Banana Peels

Banana peels have a lot of beneficial qualities. Think twice before you toss them in the trash.

Of the many uses, these are my two favourites:

1) Teeth Whitener: the manganese, magnesium and potassium helps whiten the enamel of your teeth without wearing it down. Simply rub the inside of your banana peel against your freshly brushed teeth for about 2 minutes every day. I’ve seen immediate results with this. After a week you will have pearly whites!

2) Skin: Banana peels help with acne and dry skin. Rub the inside of a banana peel on your skin in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Wait as long as you can before rinsing your face. If rubbed on a bruise, it will aid in making it disappear.

 

 

Some other uses which I haven’t tried but are popular:

3) Shoe Polish: Lightly rub the inside part of a peel around your shoe and then buff it with a white cloth. I wonder if this makes your shoes smell funny? But I see it recommended often so probably not. The peel's potassium (a key ingredient in leather polish) will be absorbed into the leather and diminish scoff marks, leaving your shoes looking brand-new.

4) Itch Soother: Banana peels can help relieve bug bites and poison ivy. It won’t remove the oils that cause the itching but it’ll soothe the bite or rash altogether. The peels are full of polysaccharides, which will seep into skin cells to halt swelling and inflammation within minutes.

5) Meat tenderizer: Add a banana peel to your next roast and it’ll add just enough moisture to ensure that roast doesn’t get too dry. To grill a juicier piece of chicken breast, place a banana peel on top of each breast while cooking. The peel will create a barrier that acts like skin, helping the meat retain its natural juices. Again I have to wonder about the smell or flavour it will give the meat? Very strange... but often recommended.

6) Splinter Removal: Banana peels help ease splinters out of your skin. Place banana peel on a splinter with tape for a while and then try to ease the splinter out.

7) Good for plants: To keep away aphids, as a fertilizer, to feed roses and other plants and for compost.

8) Wart Cure: It only takes 1-2 weeks to remove a wart with a banana peel.

9) Anti-Depressant: Researchers have found that drinking boiled banana peel water (or juicing the peel) can ease depression.

10) Stop a scratched CD or DVD from skipping. If your favourite disc just won't play smoothly, fix it with a banana peel. Rub the back of the disc in a gentle circular motion with the inside of the peel. Wipe off any residue with a soft cloth, then lightly spray the disc with glass cleaner and buff it until it looks clean. The wax in the peel will fill in scratches without harming the plastic finish, so the disc can play sans skips. Going to try this!!

11) Swiftly lift ink stains from skin. Rub the white side onto the discoloured areas and watch the stains disappear. The natural oils in the peel will attract the oils in the ink, weakening the pigment's bond with the skin for easy removal.
 

There are many uses for fruit and vegetable peels. 90% of them are great for your skin. Take a few minutes to rub it on your face in a circular motion before throwing  away. Or blend for a natural homemade face mask.

Hope you benefit from this post.

♡, Sana xx

 

Insurgent

Rating: ●●●●○

Certification: PG13

Genre: Adventure, Sci-fi, Thriller, Action

Stars: Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Theo James

Director: Robert Schwentke

Running time: 120min

Alert: NO SPOILERS

Synopsis: This movie is a sequel to Divergent (2014) and is part of a trilogy. Beatrice Prior must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side.

Review: I thought this movie was great! This is coming from someone who hated the previous movie and thought it was an uninspiring rip-off of Hunger Games, Maze Runner and The Giver. I don’t know which book was written first but all I know is I was seeing too much of the same thing and Divergent was the lamest of them all.

But, after seeing the Insurgent trailer I thought I’d give it a go and was glad I did! This sequel kept me interested, involved and entertained. However I found Tris (Shailene Woodley) to be extremely annoying in the first half of the movie and I couldn’t wait till she got punched in the face or something.

The movie relied heavily on the suspense surrounding the box (what is it going to reveal???) and it turned out to be a silly revelation- almost identical to The Maze Runner and The Giver. But it still made for a very enjoyable film with really good CGI and special effects.

The ratings on Rotten Tomatoes are very low, not sure why. I think people who are fans of the book were disappointed with the movie. I haven’t read any of them so I can’t comment.

Side note: The author of this book, Veronica Roth, is so young! Good for her. But I am starting to wonder how her books became a best seller when it’s almost identical to so many others released before it. A budding author myself, I strive to come up with ideas that are unique and original. I wouldn’t ride the coat tails of other people’s hard work- at least not in this undistinguishable manner.

♡, Sana xx

Chappie

Rating: ●●●●○

Certification: Violence, Language

 Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller and if you’re South African: Comedy

Stars: Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver, Hugh Jackman

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Running time: 120 min

 Alert: NO SPOILERS

Synopsis: In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Review: The concept of artificial intelligence isn’t a new one. Neither is the idea of downloading your thoughts and memories into a computer/robot and living forever as a machine. I heard Ross talk about it in Season 6 of Friends and just the other day Dr. Daniel Pierce explored the concept in Perception. It has been used in many sci-fi films and now it’s the theme of South African director Neill Blomkamp’s latest movie.

I want to start off by saying the bad ratings this film is getting online is totally unjustified. This movie was really interesting and the CGI was fantastic. I must admit the trailer is very deceiving (what is up with that nowadays?). It portrays the movie to be a full on action, violent, warlike film which isn’t my cup of tea. I sort of dragged myself to watch it because I am South African and felt patriotic.

I’m so glad I did! The story is set in the not-so-distant future where police robots successfully serve and protect the city of Johannesburg. The engineer who designed these robots, aspires to create a model that can think for itself, but he's barred from doing so by his chilly boss. He creates the robot anyway and thus our lead character Chappie is born. Most of the film is about Chappie’s journey and transformation from child to killing machine. There are some gory action scenes towards the end but otherwise the movie is pretty tame.

Some reviewers claim you don’t feel any emotional attachment to Chappie but I certainly did. There’s a scene with him and a few rogue kids that made me want to cry. By the way, I thought comedian Riaad Moosa voiced the Chappie character but it’s actually Sharlto Copley.

It’s a serious movie with a bit of easy humour and I found myself laughing a lot. To be totally honest I laughed at the accents and some of the bad acting (Hello Brandon Auret) more than the actual jokes. It might have annoyed other movie goers but it made it enjoyable for me! All in all the film is seamlessly executed. Ignore the other ratings and give it a go!

Side Note: The only criticism I have is the director and writers had a chance to shed light on the violent and terrifying crime in South Africa and perhaps start a movement against it. I don’t want to emphasise the negative aspects of my country, but this is a matter close to my heart. Our beautiful city of Johannesburg is becoming a metropolis of horror and the government are doing zilch about it. They benefit from crime and corruption, so turn a blind eye to it, whilst our thriving town withers away. The way lawbreakers and felons are portrayed in the movie is almost a joke. The kind and dim-witted villains are nothing like the heartless, shameless, impudent, aggressive, extreme criminals we face in reality. We are a happy, friendly, flourishing nation but we live in constant fear for our lives and the lives of our loved ones. We imprison ourselves in our homes and offices, always armed and always aware. Children don’t play in the streets or the parks like we used to when we were younger. We don’t even realise how much we have adapted our lifestyles to be safe and how much of our freedom we have given up. It’s not fair. It’s not right. I wish Neill took this unique opportunity to make the world aware of the new version of apartheid that we are suffering.

#SaveSouthAfrica

♡, Sana xx

Water Permeable Nail Polish

After writing my post on Tuesday in Love’s water permeable nail polish, I thought I’d tell you why there’s been such a big hoo-ha about it.  

For many observant Muslim women, manicures have long posed a religious problem. With prayers five times a day, and a pre-prayer ritual that includes washing the hands and arms, traditional fingernail polish has been mostly off limits because it prevents water from making contact with the nails. Though the Quran does not specifically address the issue of nail polish (so not specified Halal nor Haram), some Islamic scholars have said that water must touch the surface of the nail for the washing ritual to be done correctly.

A craze built up with Muslim women around Inglot, when the news of its O2M breathable polish spread quickly over the Internet after an Islamic scholar tested and approved its use. The research involved putting the O2M polish and a standard polish on coffee filters, letting them both dry, and then putting water drops on top of each and seeing if the moisture seeped through. In the case of the traditional nail polish it did not, but it went through the O2M polish and even wet a second filter below. This meant the nail polish was permeable and therefore permissible to wear during the washing ritual (as water would reach the nails).

I have not seen the scholar’s test, but have watched many others online including one by Inglot themselves. It seems even though this isn’t a new topic, there is still some confusion and questions surrounding the permeability and reliability of the tests. So I decided to conduct one of my own. All the videos I watched online, use only ONE layer of the polish, with no base or top coat.

For my test I was more realistic and applied two coats of the polish, which is how I would apply it to my nails. I did not use a base or top coat. There are many water permeable and breathable nail polishes on the market these days but for my experiment, I compared Inglot’s O2M with Tuesday in Love and a standard nail polish. I did it on normal paper and a paper towel. The photos are below.

 

With no rubbing:

-Didn’t pass through standard polish.

-Didn’t pass through Inglot.

-After a long time it eventually passed through Tuesday in Love.

With rubbing:

-Didn’t pass through standard polish.

-Didn’t pass through Inglot. The water rolled right off it as if on a non-stick pan!

-Passed through Tuesday in Love.

I did the test twice just to be absolutely sure.

 

Notice how the water just stays there.

 

I know there are a lot of ladies out there who trust and use Inglot. If you don’t have any doubt, it is completely your choice. Inglot created this nail polish because breathable polish is healthier for your nails. They were not targeting Muslim women and did not even predict this kind of response. But they appreciate the patronage and are working on making the product better. A recent trial of theirs may reveal that not only water vapour but even a droplet can permeate a single layer of O2M polish but it’s not confirmed. They are also working on permeability with multiple layers. So keep an eye on them.

As far as full proof water permeable polish goes, my conclusion is to use Inglot only if you are applying one coat with no base or top coat. Otherwise use Tuesday in Love (which only requires one layer), also without a base and top coat. But please read my post on Tuesday in Love first, online here.

Now go getch yo nails did!!!

♡, Sana xx

Tuesday in Love

 

Today I want to talk about Tuesday in Love nail polish. They are a Canadian company who specialize in water permeable nail polish. On their website they claim their “revolutionary micro-pore technology, allows water molecules to penetrate through the semi permeable nail polish. This unique technology also allows easy peel away removal without the use of nail polish remover or harsh chemicals.”

I’m going to start with the pros.

·         The polish contains no harsh chemicals and is never tested on animals.

·         The company is socially conscious; proceeds from every purchase are donated to Plan Canada's “Because I am a Girl” initiative, that helps underprivileged girls all around the world.

·         The site has photos of each polish colour on a hand model which is great when trying to choose a shade online.

·         The variety of colours are great, the polish is milky opaque and needs only one coat.

·         Because of the easy peel away aspect, it’s effortless to clean any mistakes around the edges of the nail when applying. And no more nail polish remover!

·         The nail polish is semi-permeable as claimed, which I will discuss more in my next post. This means the polish is breathable and is healthier for your nails.

 

 

 

Now for the cons.

·         The nail polish is overpriced.

·         They have put no effort into the packaging of the product. None of the polishes have names or ingredients on them. Just Tuesday in Love labels. Someone like me would never remember the name verbatim for my next order or to recommend to another person.

·         The polishes don’t have a long shelf life. I had mine for about three months and they began to separate and looked discoloured and splotchy.

·         Besides the photos, the site is quite basic and someone needs to proof read their information pages.

·         The peel away technology. Even though the site lists this as a pro and I believe it has some benefits, the reality is the polish does not stay on your nails!! Because it easily peels off, all it takes is a little scratch to make the polish flake.

 

      You don’t even have to wash dishes or be doing manual labour. Just use your hands for anything and you are guaranteed to have chipped nail polish.

This is extremely frustrating, as I have no time to keep reapplying every hour! And what do I do if I’m out of the house and nowhere near my polish?

It felt like a waste of nail polish, money and time to keep using it and I ended up giving all my bottles away to my sister. I will add that many reviewers did not find the chipping problem as bad as I did. Theirs lasted from 6 hours up to 2 days. Lucky them, as I don't see how that is possible and I tried them all many, many times.

Tip: I loved the great colours and milky texture of the polishes, so to make the manicure last, I applied a clear top coat (of another brand which was non-permeable) over it and it was great! This did however, defeat the breathable/water permeable feature of the polish.

♡, Sana xx