How to recognise a scam when using Luno

This post is a tad different than my usual ones but I do feel that it would be helpful to a lot of people. For those of you who have never heard of or interacted with Luno, allow me to provide you with some information on who they are and what they do. 

According to their website, “Luno is the simple crypto investment app for everyone. We make it safe and easy to explore, buy, and store crypto – no experience needed. Our mission is to put the power of cryptocurrency in everyone’s hands.” 

Taking it a bit further back, in case you’re a tad lost, cryptocurrency, according to Wikipedia, is, “a digital currency designed to work as a medium of exchange through a computer network that is not reliant on any central authority, such as a government or bank, to uphold or maintain it. It is a decentralized system for verifying that the parties to a transaction have the money they claim to have, eliminating the need for traditional intermediaries, such as banks, when funds are being transferred between two entities.” In my understanding, it’s a different form of currency that doesn’t abide by the same laws as the usual currencies that we use in our everyday lives. Numerous articles on the web would explain it in more detail but that’s not what this post is about. 

I was scrolling through Twitter recently and Luno’s Twitter page came up on my feed. I’ve used Luno since 2018 so I think I’m fairly familiar with what they do. A few of the responses to a tweet from the company asked if they have someone named Simon* working for them who promised them profits after they have paid ZAR 8000+. A few others replied that it was definitely a scam and I realised that some people don’t quite know when they’re interacting with Luno or not. I’ve seen a few “Luno” pages and groups on Facebook offering to help others make insane profits from a small amount of money and I have to admit, it looks appealing. Who wouldn’t want to make ZAR 50,000 by only investing ZAR 2000? 

This is where the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”, fits quite well. I know that we’re struggling but how will it help you and your loved ones if you lose the existing funds you have to someone that won’t even spare you a second thought? 

On the Luno website, there are a lot of helpful articles that will protect you from losing your hard-earned money but I know a lot of us don’t have the data or patience to be scrolling through a website. I’ll provide you with the short version and I sincerely hope that it will help to prevent you from being scammed. A lot of people are under the impression that Luno is scamming them as they often send funds to these scammers via the platform. This is usually after the scammer assisted them with creating a Luno account, creating the impression that they’re working with the company.

The most popular scams out there are the social media ones, by far. It’s easier to reach their potential victims and they can create a “credible” profile using pictures of innocent people who have no idea that their faces are associated with a scam. What you need to remember is that digital currency transactions are irreversible hence it’s better for scammers as they basically leave no trace. A temporary sim card can be used to reach out via WhatsApp, fake profiles are created on social media and this makes it impossible to track them down. You can’t call Luno’s customer support service, I’ve scoured their website and realised that they don’t have an inbound phone line, therefore, they won’t reach out to you on WhatsApp, ever! 

I recently got contacted via WhatsApp by someone claiming to be from Luno with a +234 mobile number. It was suspicious as I knew that Luno doesn’t have a WhatsApp line but I baited them to see how far they would go. They sent me screenshots of massive amounts of money that “other people” have made by using their services, don’t fall for it!. It’s easy to create a fake website to look believable and they’ll even send you a link to it, as this one did. On these websites, you’ll see your name with a huge amount of money, usually in USD, that they claim is yours, if you send them a small fee.

Don’t fall for it because, once again, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a lie. If you are uncertain of whether certain communications – either via SMS, email, or a pop-up ad – are from Luno, you can follow this link and it will give you the option to report the communication to them. Be sure not to click on any links, and or enter your Luno login details unless the web address shows luno.com.

The social media platforms that these imposters would reach out to you on are WhatsApp, Facebook, (they have a few groups using Luno’s name and there would always be a helpful “representative” willing to show you the ropes), Telegram (basically the same MO as Facebook), Twitter and Instagram (they will reach out via direct message or basically spam your comments with “success stories”) and Linkedin (where they will impersonate reputable companies and offer you a job opportunity but ask you to send some sort of payment in the form of cryptocurrency). To stay safe on social media, please read this very informative article as it would help you to recognise the signs of a scam and you can also find a list of Luno’s official social media handles. Another important thing to remember is that Luno only charges very low fees for withdrawals and there are no other costs involved with taking your funds out of your account. You can view the fees for South Africa here or swipe until you find your preferred country. For other fees charged, which would be a clear indication that it’s not Luno, please read through this article.

Another popular scam is the romance one. We’re all looking for our happy-ever-after and unfortunately, these scammers are well aware of it. They go as far as targeting you on dating sites where they would spend quite some time getting to know you. They would either tell you that they’re a crypto trader and convince you to send your coins to them because of “your love” for each other. I, for one, know that we do some questionable things when we’re in love or when we think we are. Sometimes they would spin a sad story that would make you feel obligated to help them and the only way that you can send them funds is, you guessed it, in the form of cryptocurrency. Please don’t accept help from “kind strangers” offering to help you trade or make money. If you are uncertain of how things work on the Luno app, reach out for assistance either via email or their instant Chat platform. The latter you can access from the bottom of any of the Help center articles;, it would look like a message icon and allows you to reach out to someone on their team in real-time. 

Luno mentions account security a lot and one of the best ways to secure your account is to enable 2FA. Per this article, “Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an additional layer of security protection to your Luno account. It takes away the worry and replaces it with the comfort of knowing your account is as safe as it can possibly be – and that only you can sign in.” You shouldn’t share this code with anyone, even if they claim to be working for Luno, as it would allow them access to your account. If they claim that you need to authorise something, please note that these are the only actions that require authorisation, as per this article: 

● Enabling the option to send cryptocurrency from your Luno wallet

● The first cryptocurrency send from a new device 

● Sends above $10,000 

● Changing your mobile number 

● Adding an email address 

● Creating an API key 

● Trusting a device to receive authorisations via push notification 

If you think that your account has been compromised, please read through this article as it will assist you with what to do next. 

If you forgot or disregard everything I’ve said thus far, please pay attention to this really helpful scam test that you can find on their website here.

Quick scam test: 

● Someone contacted me on social media and is offering me big returns in a short time frame by trading forex, binary options, or currencies. 

● My trader/broker is asking me to pay for a “cost of transfer”, taxes, or any other fee to access my “profits”. 

● I’m encouraged to recruit more people into an investment programme, as I’ll earn an income from their investment. This is a pyramid scheme, which requires you to find new participants to generate investment returns. 

● I met the love of my life online, and they’ve asked me to send them money or cryptocurrency. 

● A famous person is giving away cryptocurrencies if I send them a small amount first. 

If any of this sounds familiar, you are possibly being scammed. Your money is at risk and they recommend you do not continue sending money. 

Disclaimer:

I’m no expert and the information mentioned in this post was obtained from Luno’s website. I would recommend having a look at their Help Centre as it has a search option that allows you to look for specific things by typing in the keywords. 

In the meantime, stay safe out there and look after each other.

Let’s brighten and glow with Neutriberbs SA

I haven’t done a skincare review in a hot minute and it has been mainly because I haven’t found anything worth writing about. Until now, of course. Neutriherbs reached out to me to find out if I’d be interested in trialing their Vitamin C Brightening & Glow Facial Kit and I was curious to see the results. The kit consists of a Vitamin C brightening & glow daily facial cleanser, enhanced Vitamin C serum with hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C brightening & glow cream. I was tasked with using this kit for a month and had to take daily selfies, to document my progress. If you like selfies, this would be a piece of cake but I knew I’d get tired of my face after 30 daily selfies but I still like a challenge so I opted in.

My skincare regime has always been very minimalistic. A good cleanser, exfoliant, serum, and moisturizer was all I needed but as you get older more areas become problem areas. In my next review, I’ll let you in on my age-appropriate (if there’s such a thing) regime that I’ll be starting in a month or so. In this post, I’ll do a breakdown of the products I’ve used, my experience with them, and the benefits of using them on your face and neck.

I’ve also done a video review on Instagram and below are my before and after pictures of using this kit.

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Melanie Pretorius (@miss_pretorius_)

Vitamin C Brightening & Glow Daily Facial Cleanser

I love a good cleanser and this one is definitely that, and more. I want my face to feel clean and exfoliated without using an actual exfoliator. The benefits are listed on the website and I totally agree with it.

Benefits:
– Soothes and purifies skin
– Non-drying, assists in balancing skin moisture levels
– Fights against anti-aging with free radicals
– Diminishes surface lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen
– Naturally lifts and firms sagging skin
– Effectively cleanses skin and works as a makeup remover

Enhanced Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

I appreciate an effective serum that leaves my skin feeling soft and supple and would recommend this one. A little goes a long way, for your face, neck, and decolletage, so don’t be fooled into thinking you need to lather it.

Benefits:
– Protects skin from environmental stressors with its antioxidant formulae
– Fades sun spots and discoloration
– Hydrates and moisturizes skin
– Naturally lifts and firms skin
– Highlights and softens skin
– No parabéns, no alcohol

Vitamin C Brightening & Glow Daily Facial Cream

A good moisturizer is vital to seal in all the other good things you’ve already done to your face. Once again, a little goes a long way and please, do not only apply to your face while your neck is begging for some targeted moisture. You can find the ingredients used in all of these products on their website so I won’t bore you with it.

Benefits:
– Plumps and hydrates skin.
– Assists in balancing skin moisture levels.
– Fights against anti-aging with free radicals.
– Diminishes surface lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen.
– Naturally lifts and firms sagging skin.

Honestly, would I recommend this range? A resounding yes! All of these products work in harmony with each other to make your skin look its best and who doesn’t want that?

The hardest part for me was the daily selfies. I have my days when I really like my face and other times, there are weeks that go by before I take a selfie that’s actually seen by the outside world. On the other hand, you are actually able to track and see the results in real-time so that was an added bonus for me.

The kit retails for ZAR 799.00 but you get 10% off your first purchase. Also, they have a Payflex option that allows you to pay it off in 4 installments over 6 weeks, at no added cost. You can use my code, JGMQIVPW, with your firstPayflex purchase to get R200 off your first purchase, you’re welcome.

One night with Tamia

Childhood dreams do come true, sometimes in an unexpectedly spectacular way. I got to take the person that introduced me to Tamia’s music to see her live in concert and I think I’m sorted for all future birthday and Christmas presents. It was a magical night and if you’re in Durban and Pretoria, you will experience it soon.

Kicking off the evening was Kitchen Mess and though it was my first time experiencing their music, it was definitely the perfect start to the evening. Classics like Gangster lovin’ were giving a uniquely South African flair and we really enjoyed it.

When I found out that Lloyiso will be opening for Tamia, I was elated. I am a big fan of his voice and first started listening to covers he did and have a playlist on my phone exclusively for his music. I am really happy that he performed Speak, Seasons, and Intliziyo as these are my absolute favorite songs by him. His energy was very electric and the crowd absolutely loved his performance. He ended his performance with Easy on Me by Adele, which is one of my favorite covers that he had done so far. I will say though, I would love to see him in a more intimate set-up with minimal instruments where the focus is just on his voice. I’ll keep an eye out for his Cape Town shows that will have a set-up like that in the future.

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Images courtesy of Glen 21’s Facebook taken by @onair_ent

Tamia looked absolutely amazing, first of all. Wearing all black, with touches of silver, which is my favourite colour palette, if I can’t wear all black. It was also the colour palette for my outfit for the concert, coincidentally. I stepped out to top up on drinks so I’m not 100% sure which song she opened with but the first song I heard when walking back in was Still. In my previous post, I mentioned that it’s my current favourite and I’m so happy that it was the first song I heard live.

She also performed Almost, Make tonight beautiful, Careless Whisper, You put a move on my heart, Love me in a special way, This time it’s love, Never gonna let you go, Rain on me, Officially missing you, Missing you, So into you, You put a move on my heart, and Stranger in my house, amongst other songs. She also did a rendition of Maxwell’s This women’s work and Cece Winans’ Tomorrow. She ended off the show with Who do you tell and we were definitely left wanting more as I really hoped that she would perform Me.

People exiting the arena had their own little concert outside and still continued singing her songs after the show ended.

Overall, this was an amazing experience that 9 year old me never thought I would have and I’m so utterly grateful. Thank you Tutone Communications, this definitely made my year!

Images courtesy of Glen 21’s Facebook taken by @onair_ent

Bramley Sensitive skin range + WIN

When I think Bramley Cosmetics I immediately think “affordable”. My second thought is “tissue oil” and the reason for my thought process is because of my experience with them. Just over two years ago I stumbled upon Bramley tissue oil and I’ve never looked back. Not only is it affordable, it’s effective and that’s two of my favorite qualities in a product. Bramley cosmetics have been around for almost twenty years ago, looking after our skin and ensuring we get the most at an affordable cost. The famous magnolia tissue oil had been a friend to many and because of the success achieved, other variants were introduced.

A new tissue oil sensitive range had been introduced and that’s what I would like to chat to you today. The range is based on the magnolia tissue oil and only uses natural oils namely argan, olive, jojoba, vitamin E and of course, their unique Bio-Pharm oil. It’s formulated for sensitive skin and ensures intense moisturisation and nourishment. All products are easily absorbed, non-greasy and dermatologically approved. The range focuses on assisting in the treatment and appearance of:

–Dehydrated skin

-Skin tone

-Skin health

-Scars

-Stretch marks

 

Let’s have a look at the three products I’ve been using for the past few days:

Tissue oil sensitive skin spray RSP R24.99  

This miracle oil in a convenient spray pack is non-greasy, easily applied, quickly absorbed and will be my new beach buddy. It’s enriched with a variety of 100% natural oils, antioxidants and vitamins and helps to slow aging, help soothe irritated skin and can also be used on your cuticles, hair and scalp.

 

Tissue oil sensitive skin body lotion RSP R24.99

This body lotion is infused with 100% natural oils, antioxidants, moisturizers, vitamins and of course, Bio-Pharm oil to keep skin healthy, well moisturized and beautiful. It assists in the improvement and appearance of dry, dull and dehydrated skin, rough skin spot, skin aging and cuticles. The formula is quite thick, which is perfect for winter but absorbs easily into your skin.

Tissue oil sensitive skin serum RSP R24.99

I absolutely love a good serum and this one is perfect as it contains 100% natural oils, antioxidants and vitamins and assists the face and body’s own renewal process. It will result in healthy skin texture and tone when used daily in combination with a magnolia tissue oil or lotion.

View this post on Instagram

I'm reviewing the new @bramleycosmetics Sensitive range and you could win all 3 products! I've used their tissue oil for the past two years and absolutely love it. It's staple in my skincare routine and the new range definitely lived up to my expectations. It consists of a spray, body lotion and serum and I loved all three. I'll have a more detailed post on my blog over the weekend with ingredients and use (it's mentioned in the video). I've made it quite easy for you to enter. Find the competition post on any of my platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blog and IGTV), tell or show me how much you love @bramleycosmetics products, get creative, tag me and use #misspretoriusxbramley so I can track it. Only one entry per person allowed to keep it fair but you're welcome to share it with friends and family;I'd appreciate it. Remember to follow myself and @bramleycosmetics on your platform of entry. Good luck SA entrants only, unfortunately Winners announced 1 August 2020 #skincare #bramley #bramleycosmetics #sensitiveskincare #sensitiveskincareproducts #sensitiverange #essentialoils #essentialoilblends #newrange #competition #wintercare #win #southafricanblogger #misspretoriusxbramley #misspretorius

A post shared by Melanie Lu Pretorius (@miss_pretorius_) on Jul 3, 2020 at 5:03pm PDT

WIN

To win all three products, all you have to do is the following:

Find the competition post on any of my platforms (Facebook (Miss_Pretorius), Twitter (@Miss_Pretorius), Instagram (@miss_pretorius_), blog and IGTV), tell or show me how much you love @bramleycosmetics products, get creative, tag me and use #misspretoriusxbramley so I can track it. Only one entry per person allowed to keep it fair but you’re welcome to share it with friends and family;I’d appreciate it.

Remember to follow myself and Bramley Cosmetics on the platform you choose to enter from.

Good luck

SA entrants only, unfortunately

Winners announced 1 August 2020

Dove Purely Pampering lotion

I feel like a stranger on my own blog. I haven’t been here for quite some time and I apologize for that. From “moving” to Cape Town to dealing with the reality of a worldwide pandemic; the past few months had been overwhelming. I’ll offload on you in a different post; this one is dedicated to a body lotion that is currently solving all my winter blues.

Am I the only one with “normal” dry skin and in winter there’s an exponential growth in said dryness? Any other season I can manage but in winter it literally starts flaking all over. When Rubybox announced the Dove purely pampering shea butter body lotion trial I was quite excited. Reason being, I’m already using the soap in the same variant and it provided me with good results. Dove products always smell really good and they’ve perfected their scents to an extent that it’s not overwhelming or triggers my migraines.

I’m always sceptical about products that promises to nourish dry skin as it tends to work in the initial stages and once your skin get used to it, it stops. I was tasked to use the lotion for two weeks and I feel that’s sufficient time to determine whether something will work for you or not. I don’t blindly buy things that worked for other people as I know there are a lot of factors to consider such as skin type or diet among others. You want to find the best product for you according to your specific needs and budget and that’s why platforms such as Rubybox are amazing. You get to trial the product first before making a commitment with your money. Why haven’t you signed up yet? It’s easy and there’s no fee involved, only honest opinions about the products you were sent.

Back to me and my dry skin. I used the lotion after a shower with the beauty cream bar in shea butter, this way I could layer the fragrance. Quick tip: Invest in exfoliating gloves to use in the shower or bath, it helps get rid of dead skin cells and assist in combating dry skin. Both the soap and lotion are from their Purely pampering range which feels like a spa treatment at home and I’m all for that. The lotion smells amazing and it left my skin moisturized and very soft. You don’t have to apply a lot and ensure you pay special attention to drier areas such as your elbows. The lotion contains Dove’s DeepCare Complex, a blend of skin natural nutrients and rich essential oil to gradually improve skin starting deep down. I can honestly tell you that I’ve seen a drastic difference in the past two weeks. My skin would often flake due to dryness in the past but I haven’t had any of that happening so far. I love the smell; it has a hint of warm vanilla which compliments the shea butter. I generally don’t like vanilla as it’s very sweet but the combination works for me.

Let’s get to the question on your mind, how much is it?

Dove Purely pampering shea butter body lotion (that’s quite a mouthful) retails for R57.99. Is it worth it? For me, I’d say yes. I usually have to mix my lotions with different oils in order to combat the dryness of my skin, which means I have to buy a few products to create one. I’ve tried using oils on its own and it wasn’t working for me, I don’t like how it feels on my skin. I’ve tried shea butter in its natural form for my skin and wasn’t a fan of that either. This has worked best for my skin so far and I’m definitely sticking to it for the remainder of winter.

#FragranceFocus with Kangol za

What’s the first thing that reminds you of a loved one or your favorite place? For me, it’s a smell; whether it be the smell of freshly baked bread, like my grandmother used to make or the ocean, reminding me that no matter how dirty you think you are, it can be washed away. Kangol za fragrances has made their way to the top of my list of favorite, affordable brands and the two latest offering are no different.

Gone are the days where you stick with one fragrance for day and night.

Your “smell” is basically an extension of your mood,

Imagine if you could find the perfect scent to match you current mood …

Talk about making a statement, without saying a word!

No need to limit yourself to one or two “Moods” for the rest of your existence.

Being a Goddess can be hard work…

(let’s not even mention an expensive one too)

As always, Kangol got you covered!

 

I don’t particularly like wearing bright colors but I appreciate them in product designs and packaging. The last press drop from Kangol reminded me of vibrant summer days at the beach and I really like it. I’ve received an eye shadow palette, my favorite brush set (in pink this time), body balm and two summer fragrances. Most of these I’ve reviewed before and unfortunately I’ve neglected to do swatches of the palette for you before I left Johannesburg (I’m currently in Cape Town) but let’s dissect this drop, shall we?

Miss Malibu and Summer Sunset RSP (R165)

I haven’t used the Kangol fragrances before my relationship with the brand and it’s currently the only fragrances I use. I’ve received Miss Malibu and Summer Sunset and the packaging is absolutely beautiful. Miss Malibu has hues of blue and purple with hints of apricot and jasmine and a few honey drops. Summer Sunset has orange and pink in the design and you can detect orange blossom, white flowers and sweet apple that exudes warmth, passion and energy. They’re both 50ml and the sleek design means it’s easy to slip into your handbag.

Makeup brushes RSP (R189)

I’ve received and reviewed this 12 piece limited edition set in black before and this time around they’ve send me the pink version, with pink accent bristles. This has been my go-to set for makeup application on myself and others as there’s a brush for everything! My favorite brushes are definitely the powder, foundation and highlight brushes but the eye shadow brushes does make application a breeze. For a full review on these brushes, kindly refer to my previous post here.

Eyeshadow palette RSP (R165)

I’ve reviewed quite a few of the Kangol eye shadow palettes and I still really like them. Colour payoff is really great with minimal fallout and colors work really well together, with easy application. This palette starts off with your nudes, includes your berry colors as well as shades of purple, grey and silver. I went through a stage where I was obsessed with purple especially since purple eye shadow/liner brings out brown/hazel eyes quite well and this palette took me back there. It’s standard with 12 colors, a double-ended application brush in a steel-imitation case.

 

Summer glow body balm RSP (R99)

I totally love the body balms from Kangol as they have the right glitter-fragrance ratio. At the recent wedding and matric ball it was a hit as most people love a good sparkle. I’ve reviewed their body balms here and here and as you can see, I still love them even after all this time.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my review, let me know in the comments what you’d like me to cover next.

Toni Braxton: Live in Cape Town

Today it’s all about gratitude for me.

 

Hear me out quickly. I grew up in an area where it was a mere dream to see my favorite acts perform live. Media, working in the industry wasn’t even a possibility, not something I ever considered because I thought there was no way it could ever happen for me. Last night I got to see an artist whose music had a huge influence on my formative years. Yes, dear readers, last night I got to experience Toni Braxton live in concert, singing most of the track I grew up with! It’s all thanks to amazing companies that bring these artists to our shore and brilliant PR teams that execute it. In the spirit of gratitude, a big thank you to Melanie Ramjee aka Hypress from Tutone Communications. I’ve worked with this amazing human being for almost a year and it’s been such an amazing experience. She’s down to earth, understanding and goes the extra mile, if you do so for her. Her work ethic is impeccable and she made it possible for me to see one of my favorite artists live and I appreciate her for that.

Let’s get back to the concert:

The opening act was the talented Shekhinah, who you might remember from her Idols days. Actually, she’s more famous for the path she’d carved out AFTER Idols than her actual journey on the show. She’s really talented and have been making waves in the industry and created some memorable music. Unfortunately I’ve missed her set as I arrived late at Grandwest Casino because Cape Town has this chilled effect on me. Honestly, I’m not in a rush to do anything or go anywhere when I’m here, which is not good for me. People enjoyed her set, judging by social media, which comes as no surprise to me.

Picture credit: Glen 21 Entertainment, Facebook

After Shekinah finished we waited for another hour or so for Ms Toni to get onto stage. In that time we were able to fill up on drinks and snacks such as popcorn, which hasn’t been on the menu at most concerts I’ve attended and it definitely should be. Spotted local celebrities like Danine Naidoo and Kwesta in attendance and people couldn’t believe their eyes when Kwesta stood casually in line to buy a drink. Of course they had to a get a selfie or two with him, which he gladly did because he’s such a chilled guy, big fan over here by the way. Music were playing to make the waiting period more bearable and people broke out in song a few times, which was quite cool though I had no idea what they were singing.

Picture credit: Toni Braxton, Facebook

Finally the moment arrived when Toni appeared on stage, in a suit no less. The noise were deafening and the lady on my right started crying because the moment was so overwhelming. I almost lost my marbles when she started singing, “He wasn’t man enough for me”, I mean are you even a fan if you don’t know that song?! After that high note, she went into, “How many ways”, followed by “Be a man about it” donning a white sparkly mini whilst seated on the stairs. “I love me some him” is another favorite and an audience member helped her sing, “Another sad love song” to great applause. I love the fact that she interacted with the audience and invited them onto stage on several occasions, she even did a walk-through while singing, “Breathe again”. A birthday girl was called onto stage, with her boyfriend a few minutes later and he turned into her fiance, you follow? A cute proposal took place on stage with Toni serenading them, which happened in Johannesburg as well. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be proposed to with Toni Braxton serenading you?

Credit: Toni Braxton, Twitter

She spoke about her lupus diagnosis and how doctors told her it would affect her work before “You mean the world to me.” After that it was two fan favorites, “How could an angel break my heart” and “Spanish Guitar”, followed by my favorite bitter ex anthem, “I wish”.  She went on to play the piano for an Anita Baker song while chatting about how Anita and Whitney influenced and inspired her. Next up she was looking for a Babyface replacement to do “Hurt you” and found, in her words, her “white Babyface” who did a good job performing with her. She changed into a black lace body/play suit for “Freeway” followed by my original sexy (read: strip) song “So high”. She added a long tulle skirt for “Unbreak my heart” and ended her set with “Long as I live” naturally. It was an amazing concert and I felt like I’m in my bedroom listening to her albums as I’ve done several times before.

Side note: How on earth is she still this hot after all these years? I mean, have you seen her? And she can move to top it all off, simply amazing!

Only critique I have is that the sound could’ve been better. I could hardly hear the words when she was talking but overall it was a great experience.

 

 

#Photoshopped with Kangol

Makeup: Used correctly it can enhanced and illuminate your natural beauty. Used otherwise, well we’ve all seen a couple of makeup fails in our days and it’s not a pretty sight. This is by no means shade being thrown; I mean I can barely apply makeup on my own face let alone someone else’s. The aim is merely educational, I’ve watched tons of beginner’s makeup tutorials before I attempted it on myself, before I went outside and presented my “face” to the world. You don’t have to be an expert, figure out what works for you and go with that. I’ve attempted to do my brows several times the way everyone does it and it’s not working for me, bushy and natural suits me. Point is, don’t follow trends that look good on others, find something that works for you and go with it. Also, invest in tools that will assist you and complement the way you apply your products. I used to apply foundation with my fingers; yes I was that person until I discovered foundation brushes. Those became my staple while I even ventured into silisponges, which didn’t work for me by the way. Kangol send me a blender/ beauty sponge a while back and it was love at first application. It’s the only way I apply foundation on myself nowadays and my foundation brushes are currently used to apply face masks (sorry, not sorry).

When venturing into makeup for the first time have a vision in mind of what you want the end result to look like. Full coverage foundations are great but not for everyday wear/use on my face. I want to avoid the “cakey “ look by all means and instead settle for BB/CC creams for everyday use or on days I feel like looking extra cute. I don’t have a lot of marks, mainly pigmentation and some pimple scarring that fades over time so I don’t have a lot to cover up. Kangol send me some BB creams a while back when they launched it (procrastination is a much-loathed companion on my side) and though I’ve tried it, I never quite got round to writing this review. I had a lot going on in my life, mostly stressful stuff so my mind was elsewhere, my apologies. I’m in a happier space now so my writing is not as morbid as it would’ve been had I wrote this at my darker times, you’re welcome (unless you’re into morbid writing then you can head over to my “Personal” tab).

Swatches

 

Let’s talk about the #Photoshopped BB creams for a second. They retail for R149 and are compact enough to fit into your clutch for quick touch ups. It’s available in Light, Medium and Dark, which is quite limiting for now but I’m sure new shades will launch soon. It’s quite moisturizing and have SPF20 so one less thing to worry about in summer. Obviously the Light was too vampiric, even for my winter skin tone. I thought Medium might be my shade but also a tad to light whereas Dark is perfect for me. The shading is a bit weird as a lot of dark-skinned girls would look ashy when applying Dark, as I did with Light and Medium. In this incredibly diverse spectrum of skin colors I am definitely Medium so this might confuse a lot of people. I’d say my dark-skinned ladies would need to wait for more shades to be introduced before investing in this BB cream as I don’t want you to waste your hard-earned money.

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I received two sponges as well and as per my previous review, I still love them. Ensure that you wet it a few minutes before application as a damp sponge ensures smoother application and no streaking. You’re able to apply your concealer with them as well as they do get into your corners and creases. Out of this press drop I would definitely recommend you invest in these sponges, they’re amazing! As for the BB cream, the formula and coverage is amazing, if it’s your shade or if you’re planning to mix it with another shade to achieve your desired shade (that was a lot of shade). Hope you enjoyed this review, I know it’s long overdue but you know, life happens. Stay awesome until we chat again.

Bramley Cosmetics – Magnolia

#Sponsored

I’m a self-proclaimed bargain hunter and love it when affordable products are efficient and deliver on their promises. My favourite store for affordable, really cute products are Pep Home and that’s where I got introduced to Bramley Cosmetics. The first product I bought was the tissue oil as I’ve heard and seen amazing testimonies for their range of tissue oils.  I’ve seen really great results and it’s the only tissue oil I’m using at the moment as it’s affordable and efficient.

Bramley are in the process of revamping their look which includes adding their new look logos on labels and packaging. Magnolia is the original range and I was send a few products to try out. It’s my first time using the magnolia range as I’ve only bought products from the cocoa and lavender range respectively. I’ve received the foam bath, talcum powder, lotion, body butter, hand and nail lotion, roll on and tissue oil and I’d like to share my thoughts with you on these products. Bear in mind, my skin is quite dry and I’m always looking for moisturizing properties in products.

Let’s start with my favourite product from their range, regardless of the variant.

Tissue oil RSP R19.99 (100ml)

This has been my favourite so far and I’ve been using it all over! I used to mix it with my usual lotion for added moisture, apply to my face as it doesn’t make me appear oily or shiny and apply to areas affected by stretch marks.

This amazing formulation is enriched with vitamin E and Bio-Pharm oil; the latter being made up of waxy lipid molecules known as ceramides, which has become a modern scientific treatment that influences the water holding capacity of the skin and provides structural integrity, while protecting against pollution and stress damage.

This is safe to use during pregnancy to prevent stretch marks and is definitely the most affordable tissue oil for me. There’s a current special, until the end of September where you can buy 3x 100ml for R50, don’t miss out. My bestie keep a bottle in her handbag, one at home and one for gifting purposes as she loves it so much and always recommend it to others.

PS: There’s a special edition 200ml out for R36.99 which still work out cheaper than 2x 100ml, you’re welcome.

 

Body butter RSP R16.99 (250ml)

This is a new favourite of mine and my dry skin. The butter is slightly thicker than your normal lotion and application isn’t as smoothly but it leaves my skin hydrated, soft and smelling amazing! It can be used all over and is enriched with vitamin E and Bio-Pharm oil. You can add some of the tissue oil to it if you’d like but it’s actually sufficient for my skin. It’s so affordable and can’t believe I haven’t tried it before.

 

Hand and nail cream RSP R12.99  (75ml)

This is a new hand bag favourite. I love the fact that it works for both your hands and nails i.e softens and protects your hands and keep your nails strong and shiny.

 

Body lotion RSP R17.99 (400 ml)

I’ve started with the body butter in this range and though the lotion also nourishes my skin, I definitely prefer the butter. The lotion helps to protect and moisturise your skin while leaving it fragrant. With my skin I have to rub a bit more than the butter before it’s absorbs but it also leaves my skin very soft to the touch.

Roll-on deodorant RSP R9.99 (50 ml)

I’m very particular about the roll-on I use because my underarms are very sensitive. I don’t like the fact that this roll-on makes my underarms white though it disappears after a while. I’d say one thing though, it’s really affordable and definitely much cheaper than the roll-on that my underarms are forcing me to use.  It does allow all day protection and fragrance but unfortunately I’m not able to it full time.

 

Talcum powder RSP R14.99 (100g)

I’ve never used talcum powder in my life, am I the only one? I actually talked to my friend about this product as she uses it and I learned a lot. I know (most) girls uses it on areas where they sweat i.e underboobs or areas where they chafe like their inner thighs and she confirmed that. She also gave me a tip that when putting away sheets etc. after washing, her grandmother used to throw talcum powder on it to keep it fragrant. I’ll definitely try that as I can’t really use her other recommendations. Do you use talcum powder? How do you use it?

 

Foam bath RSP R27.99 (ml) 

If you love baths as much as I do you’ll love this affordable foam bath from Bramley. A little really does go a long way and it’s designed to soothe and revitalise your senses. Infused with a luxuriously rich floral fragrance that opens with a heady blend of magnolia, carnation and rose, this foam bath is a pure bath time treat.

Important notes:

-Check out the pinned post on Bramley’s Facebook page to enter and win a R500 Magnolia hamper, ends 30/09/19.

-Bramley products are exclusively available at Pep and Pep Home.

Also, this special runs until 30/09/19

Bramley Cosmetics, affordable quality you can trust. 

 

Liquid eyeliner woes with Kangol za

procrastinate

/prə(ʊ)ˈkrastɪneɪt/

verb
delay or postpone action; put off doing something.
“the temptation will be to procrastinate until the power struggle plays itself out”
synonyms: delay, put off doing something, postpone action, defer action, be dilatory, use delaying tactics, stall, temporize, play for time, play a waiting game, dally, drag one’s feet/heels, take one’s time; hesitate, vacillate, dither, be indecisive, be undecided, waver; haver, hum and haw; swither; informal dilly-dally, shilly-shally; informal kick the can down the road

 

I often do this, procrastinate. I’ve received this press drop from Kangol a while ago and though I intended to write this post, I never quite got around to it. Life got in the way as well as my fear for liquid eyeliner. Yes, that is the one makeup product I fear more than I do spiders. I hardly ever attempt to do it myself and for this post I really, really wanted to. I scoured Pinterest for tips, tricks and ideas on how to make it easier and thought I got the hang of it. Until I put all my knowledge into practise; it’s safe to say it went downhill from there. I’m here today to show off my failure, well basically show off my attempt at applying my makeup nemesis and this long intro is so you won’t judge me that harshly.

Let’s get into all the goodies I’ve received and take it from there, shall we?

I’ve received moisturizing handbag-sized makeup remover wipes, 4x liquid lippies, mascara and of course, liquid eyeliner.

 

Makeup remover wipes (20)

I’m a fan of anything that’s convenient and able to fit into my handbag. I love these babies as they remove the most stubborn makeup (looking at you eyeliner) without harming my skin. Often I have to rub and scrub to remove residue but with these wipes I just wipe, get it? I tried on all the lippies for the pictures plus the liquid liner, which was a mess and removed it easily. The surfaces where I used it felt really moisturized and because it’s paraben-free it gave me peace of mind.

 

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So Dramatic mascara (RSP R95)

This isn’t my favourite mascara from Kangol as it didn’t perform as well as the Retro mascara. Application wasn’t easy as I constantly had to remove excess product from the tip, which is normal for some mascaras. Judging by the name, I expected loads of volume and drama but didn’t get that. It did make my lashes appear longer so that’s a plus. Next time I’ll apply to my lower lashes as well, maybe that will make it a tad more dramatic.

 

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Lip cream (RSP R69)

I’m a big fan of the lip creams and these new shades didn’t disappoint in terms of longevity, texture and colour payoff. I’ve received 3x matte shades in “Thank u,next!”, “Queen Supreme” and “Bad Habit” as well as 1x gloss in “Sweet Talker“. My favourite is “Thank u, next!” as it’s a vibrant, royal purple which is perfect for any season. “Sweet Talker” is a pretty pink that’s perfect for everyday wear without being too glossy. “Bad Habit” I’d wear if I want a coral-fused-with-pink/red lip that’s playful, yet impactful and “Queen Supreme” is a burgundy fused with purple shade that gives me serious emo vibes.

 

 

Swatches

Bad Habit

Thank u, next!

Sweet Talker

Queen Supreme

 

Here’s what the colours look like on me.

PS: The matte lippies are quite opaque but surprisingly with “Bad Habit” I only applied one coat and the results were beautiful. The other two might need an extra coat depending on how vibrant I want it to be.

 

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Is it obvious at this stage that I’ve been trying to avoid the eyeliner talk? I mean, in some of the pictures you can see what I managed to do but I can’t say I’m proud of it; I’ve tried though.

Liquid eyeliner (RSP R79)

At this stage I’ve said all there is to say about my relationship with eyeliner. I’m definitely not knocking the sheer awesomeness of is as it has been used since the days of Cleopatra in ancient Egypt to enhance the eye. Obviously it had an upgrade since then and it’s usually the one product that can tie a makeup look together i.e save it. Youtube is filled with beginner-guide videos and hacks to make it easier as is Pinterest. Picture or video form, I’ve tried it and kinda still failed. This baby has a skinny, felt tip that allows for easy and precise application, unless you’re me of course.

In these two pictures my application looks semi-decent.

 

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The close up tells a different story:

This is my sad attempt. When I get too close to the lash line it inevitably ends up in my eye, which is not a lot of fun.

What is the one makeup product that still show you flames?

 

Disclaimer: Products received in press drop but opinions are my own.