Brass be gone!

If you have blonde hair and want to stop it from turning copper, brassy, yellow then this post is for you!

About 8 months ago I went from being an au-naturel brunette to complete blonde. This came with a few hurdles especially in maintaining my colour. Today, I’m going to share with you a tip my beautiful hairstylist taught me to keep away the brassiness in your blonde hair.

Use Gentian Violet!

 

 

Gentian (pronounced “gen-shen”) or Crystal Violet is a topical antiseptic. It’s similar to the red “Monkey Blood” our parents used to put on our cuts and bruises when we were little, except this is a deep purple liquid.

Basically, the purple counteracts the yellow (because they’re at opposite ends of the colour spectrum) and lightens your hair.

It really works in removing coppery tones and giving you that beautiful platinum look. You can buy gentian violet at any pharmacy. A tiny bottle will last you ages and is very cheap (less than R20*)! It’s usually in the same aisle as bandages or natural remedies.

You have to be careful when using it though, it stains anything it touches: your hands, your nails, your face, your neck, your nose, your bathtub, your shower curtain!! This has never happened to me but if you’re clumsy, use gloves and a bucket instead of your bathroom sink.   

 

This is my two methods of applying it to my hair:

1.

·         Mix a few drops in a bucket of water. The water should be a light violet colour, not dark purple. Don't add too much, or you may end up with purple hair!

·         Dip all of your hair in the bucket. Leave your hair underwater for 30–60 seconds.

·         After this, dry and style your hair as usual. Keep in mind that your towel may be stained purple (again, it’s never happened to me).

·         Repeat the process as often as you need but not more than twice a week.

2.

·         An easier method is to add a few drops of Gentian directly to your bottle of shampoo (2 or 3 drops should be more than enough). It won’t affect the quality of the shampoo and you just have to wash your hair with it as normal.

Remember to use gloves and be cautious with the gentian or you’ll end up looking like Barney the Dinosaur.

There are many Silver shampoos out there that already have this violet formula in them, but I find this works much better and faster especially if you need quick fix…

My advice is to use the bucket method in addition to your Silver shampoo.

You can also add Gentian to a good brand conditioner and use it as a toner by applying it to your hair and then rinsing out.  I haven’t tried this technique but have read a lot of reviews about it working well. The amount of time you leave it in depends on how brassy your hair is (brassier=longer) but don’t go over an hour.

A final tip. If you accidently tinge your hair purple, just pop back into the shower and wash your hair with bicarbonate soda and a non-purple shampoo. It should even out.

Happy hair days!

♡, Sana xx

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

Garnier Micellar

When I came across Garnier Micellar water (pronounced my-seller) months ago at Dischem, I was in search of a good eye makeup remover. My first thought was “this is just fancy shmancy water in a bottle” and opted for another product.

Then a few weeks ago when I was in UK, I saw a Micellar display at Boots. The accompanying poster explained a bit more about the product and suddenly I was interested. Micellar water is made up of micelles (tiny balls of cleansing oil molecules) suspended in soft water. The idea is that micelles are attracted to dirt and oil, so they are able to draw out impurities without drying out the skin. Therefore, Micellar water can be used as a facial wash, makeup remover and moisturizer all in one. 

Removing eye makeup is something I struggle with as most products burn my eyes and after all that I still wake up with panda circles in the morning. The best I’ve used so far is Vaseline and a gentle face cloth but sometimes even that leaves my eyes uncomfortable and irritated. So I’m always on the hunt for a different product that cleanses well and hopefully doesn’t sting.

My mistake when I first saw Micellar months ago was thinking it’s a gimmick. I didn’t know that it was a makeup remover, I honestly thought they wanted you to replace normal tap water with Micellar when washing your face in your regular skin regime. I mean, who has money to waste like that, right?
 

Wrong. Turns out, Micellar water has been around for decades. It was made in France back when the plumbing was old-fashioned and water was too harsh on their skin. It claims to remove an entire face of makeup without leaving behind oil residue like most makeup cleansers do.

Back in SA, I did a bit of my own research to see which of the two available options would best be suited to my skin. The original Pink Micellar is for sensitive skin and the new Blue, Pure Active Micellar is for combination and sensitive skin. I decided on the Blue one, which also removes waterproof makeup (even though it doesn’t say so on the bottle).

 

To my surprise, when I got to Clicks I saw a third Micellar option! The Gold, Oil-infused water for dry to sensitive skin. This one has a distinct layer of golden oil above the clear water, and specifies that it removes waterproof makeup. The Pink was never an option for me so I pondered over the other 2 before choosing the Blue. I don’t like oily residue on my skin and thought the extra layer in the Gold bottle was too much (even though it claims to be non-greasy).

 

 

Now for the verdict!

So my sister bought the Gold one and she was kind enough to let me use it and compare the two.
 

Firstly, it’s simple to use. Pour a generous amount on a cotton pad and wipe your face. You have to shake the Gold bottle before you do this. Blue can be used as is.

Both products removed my foundation, blush and lipstick just as a face wipe does. Honestly, I don’t see anything extraordinary about it. And even though it states there’s no need to rub to cleanse, you definitely have to (pressing down in a circular motion is best).
 

Secondly, there’s no difference in the way either removes my waterproof makeup. It removes quite easily with no blotching or smudging. They both work exactly the same. Here’s what I love: It doesn’t burn my eyes at all!! That means I can get into the corners of my eye and remove every last bit of makeup with no stinging! No more panda eyes!! Very impressed!
 

Thirdly, it claims it’s a cleanser but I wouldn’t advise sleeping without cleansing. Wiping my face with toner after using the Micellar, revealed a fair amount of makeup still remained on my face. This is why I said it’s like using a face wipe. Please don’t skip your cleanser and toner routine.

Lastly, the Gold didn’t leave an oily residue on my skin. This surprised me and in fact it left my skin feeling smooth and supple, whilst the Blue left me feeling sticky. I prefer the Gold without doubt.

Micellar is worth it, even if you just use it as an eye makeup remover. Quite a lot of product comes in one bottle and can last you up to 200 uses. It’ll be quite handy to take with you when travelling as it can replace quite a few things in your toiletry bag.

Available at Clicks and Dischem for an affordable R79.99-R85.00*.

♡, Sana xx

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

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