A LET'S TALK...BEAUTY PRODUCTS

From my earliest childhood memories I remember mom telling me to wash my face every morning and every evening.  As I got older mom started teaching me about different and effective ways to care for my skin.

When I was about 11 mom started to sell a product by the name of Avory Shlain - its similar to Avon in many ways but it was the only product of its kind in South Africa back in those days.  Mom started me on their "teen" range of products which consisted of a cleanser, toner and moisturizer. 

There have been nights when I have crawled home after a wonderful evening out desperate for sleep, have flopped onto my bed and as my eyes start to close I can hear my mom saying "Lili have you washed your face". I can say in all honesty, that I have NEVER EVER gone to bed with make up on!!!

Over the years my skin has changed and I have used a variety of products. I should probably state at this point that even though I have a combination skin I don't have a particularly difficult skin.  Sure I get spots and once a month I have an unsightly break out thanks to the red snapper but I have never had to endure the rigors of dealing with acne or overly sensitive skin. 

I am not sure if this is because I started a healthy skin regime from a young age or if it is just because I have always believed in using a good product on my skin.

For the past 10 years I have been a big fan of Elizabeth Arden's skincare range.

I know a lot of people consider it an "old fashioned" product and not has hip as say Mac or Smashbox but I really like it.  There is nothing more beautiful than a well cared for beautiful skin. And I believe that that is what keeps Elizabeth Arden in business...

For the past five years I have used the Intervene range which I loved.  I used the day lotion in summer and switched to a rich cream in winter.  At night I would use the normal night cream but in winter I would add either the 8 hour serum or some of the ampules. It worked really well for me.  When I traveled my skin would be fine and if I was on an Island somewhere using sunscreen on my face I would suffer only the slightest of breakouts.

Then just before I left for Egypt I went to stock up on all my lotions and potions and to my shock and horror there was no Intervene on any shelf in any store.  I was heartbroken...this is not the first time these clever beauty houses gets me hooked on a product or colour and then discontinues it. 

So I started collecting samples from different beauty houses to try out.  I was not overly impressed with any of it and don't even get me started on the prices. In the end I wondered back over the to EA counter and a lovely sales assisted introduced me to the new improved Visible Difference range.

I reluctantly bought the combination skin cleanser, moisturizer and night cream. And let me tell you a visible difference is what I have seen in my skin. I am so impressed with this product.

Some of my highlights is the fact that it really is great for my combination skin.  My T zone is oil free while my cheeks are not dry or flaky. I love the fact that I have not had to switch out products to keep my skin healthy in winter.  I have only used ampules once a week since the start of winter and that's the only change I have made to my regime. Then there is the fact that I bought the jars in March and I am still using the moisturizer and only opened a new night cream over the weekend. I have had to replace the cleanser twice in the past 6 months so I would say that a tube lasts about 8 to 10 weeks. Lastly there is the price.  Now, it is by no means cheap but it is not crazy expensive either and since it lasts so long I can look for occasions when it is on special.  

I am really happy with this new line and am enjoying using it. As I am circling 40's block I realise that my skin is changing and that it needs more TLC than when I was younger and I honestly believe that with Elizabeth Arden I can walk in to my naught forties with confidence


Please note this is not a sponsored post but purely me sharing my excitement over a product I really love!! If any Elizabeth Arden reps read this please feel free to send gratitude in the form of samples my way!!

LET'S TALK...CAMERA BAGS!

Camera bags……this was never an item that crossed my fashion radar (I am pretending I have one) but since purchasing my big girl camera I have been perplexed why camera bags seem shall we say less fashion forward in other words complete devoid of colour and style…..and lets be hones UGLY!!

Every time I attend a function or even just go for lunch and take my camera with I am newly struck by how uninteresting this particular accessory is. And while we are being honest let’s say that for most of us who blog our cameras are accessories!!! Then last week I went to see a friend and meet her new baby and I slung my standard camera bag over my shoulder as we walked around the park.  When I got home I realised that the camera bag strap had rubbed up against my t shirt making little cotton balls and fading the black of the t shirt across the shoulder…LOVELY!!!!

Now not only is my camera bag ugly but it damages my clothes too.  So I did what any 21^st century girl would do and I “googled” !!  A whole new world has opened up to me because there is so much variety out there…..so much so that I felt a little overwhelmed by it all.  So I sat down and made a list of what I want in a camera bag:

Stylish – I don’t want it to look like a camera bag

Safe – there must be sufficient protection for the equipment

More – I want to be able to fit more into it than just my camera and lenses.  It must also be able to fit in all my travel essentials which includes my iPad

Travel well – I don’t want to take the boring yucky bag with me when I travel so it must be practical enough to travel well

Price – most online shops are USA based and with the current exchange rate this is a major consideration

Weather proof – I want a bag that is as water proof as possible

Weight management was a consideration when starting out but the reality is that with all the crap I generally carry around with me, it’s going to be heavy no matter what!!

Many of the bags (in fact I believe all of them) are from designers who themselves are photographers.  That helps with the design and aesthetics of the bags.

Here are my top choices:

Jill-E: I especially like this red bag. But it does seem a little bulky and form what I can see there is no sling strap. Also I have read some reviews where the users claim that the bag is very cumbersome.  It is still pretty though! 

Kelly Moore: Gosh her bags are beautiful. She says “I wanted to encourage the photographers out there and give them a bag where they can change a lens at a moment's notice without feeling the pressure of having the client wait. Trust me...I've been there. I want you to feel the freedom of focusing on your craft and also give you more options. I wanted to give my clients "moore". My mission is for you to walk away having more function, more style and of course more fun!”

I really like the Libby bag 

And the Classic bag 

Unfortunately, these are a little outside my price range.

Cheeky Lime: I say a vlog done by a lady who had just received her Cheeky Lime package and from the moment she opened the box I was in awe.  There is a lot of attention to detail from the wrapping to the little charm on the bag.

I have two that I really like.  The Classicbag in pink but it wont hold my Ipad...

And although based on the pictures it is a little big for my taste I also like the Livy bag 

Then we get to my favourite two bags both manufactured by Epiphanie. All the styles come with cross-body straps which are removable.  They really look stylish and are water-resistant!! It is the kind of bag that I could take with me to Egypt as well as to a wedding and feel comfortable. It looks like a designer bag which means it is as far from your generic camera bag as possible. The price is a little on the high side but it is really a great bag which can hold my ipad as well as my camera equipment and my girlie essentials such as lip gloss and cell.

I love the Belle especially in this fuchsia colour   

However if I am practical and really consider my needs then I would have go for Ginger and I love the slate blue colour. 

So which camera bag do you use or is there one that you recommend ?