RUBYBOX MASSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT

This month rubybox has dropped the ball in a big way. Go over to their Facebook page and there are only accounts of clients not receiving their boxes and no effort whatsoever on rubybox side to address this issue.

I invest in all three boxes for the purpose of this blog,
This was my experiance.
My payment went through on the 11th do December,  for my surprise box and my beautique box, my surprise box arrived but my beautique box did not. By rights according to their site it should have arrived by the 16th, or at the latest the 18th of December.  As you can guess it did not.  After numerous emails, calls and complaints they asked for my holiday delivery address which I gave them, and promised the box would be there by the 22nd of December,  that's 11 days after they recieved my money! Today is the 24th and there is no sign of my box arriving at all. No reply to facebook or twitter enquiries,  not email and trying to get hold of someone on the rubybox call line is an effort I  futility! !

On the whole a very unsatisfactory dealing with Rubybox esp considaring that it is christmas tine and I personally expected them to have the best box ever.

There is good news though. From next year we don't have to put up with this sort of don't-give-a-damn attitude as a new company is launching a surprise box on a subscription basis that will finally give Rubybox the competition it needs to give us decent service.
Enter The Test Box!!!!
Their promise is promptly delivered boxes based on client satisfaction,  and client oriented service. Their boxes will hold mainly travel sizes so we get enough product to actually test and decide whether or not we like it. Unlike the Secret Box, which is mainly hair orientated, The Test Box will be hair and beauty orientated. 
The box will be launched in March 2015, but they did have a selection of festive boxes available for those who just couldn't wait.
If you want to sign up to be notified of when the box goes live, go to
                   www.thetestbox.co.za

Ciao,  Phoenix

DISCLAIMER

This post is based on my personal experiance with the company as a paying client.

New at shell

On our trip, driving down to the Cape,  we stopped at several filling stations,  to refuel,  stretch our legs, and get a couple of drinks.
At every Shell we stopped at on the way they had a new interisting invention. 

A self service mini pharmacy. 
It works like a cool drink dispenser,  you insert your coins and choose your item,  from feminine intimates, protection to sunscreen and over the counter medication.  like allergen,  Panado,  and so many more.

It's such a great concept,  and I got my emergency plasters and some voltaren gel.

So next time you travelling, stop at shell to have all your needs met.

CE Ferulic

CE Ferulic is the third step in my morning SkinCeuticals skin care regimen.  Daily,
After washing and toning,  I apply three drops to a dry face, one drop on each cheek and one on my forehead.  Then using my fingers and light circular motions I massage gently in till it is spread all over and absorbed into my skin. This is step I never miss, even if I am in a rush.
After three months daily use, my marks are very noticeably lightened and the lighter marks are gone all together.  My skin is a lot more supple and very well hydrated.

 Once absorbed the active ingredients cannot be washed off and will work on a cellular level for 72 hours.
CE Ferulic is suited to sensitive skin, aging skin, dehydrated skin, and skin with discoloration.

CE Ferulic is a daytime anti oxident, and contains three key ingrediants, in exact quantities to have the deepest effect on the skin
 15% L- ascorbic acid,*
 1% alpha tocopherol (Vitamin E)
  0.5% ferulic acid**
These three key ingrediants work in synergy to neutralise free radicals, protect the skin from breakdown due to oxidative stressor ' s, replenish skin lipids, and reduce sun induced skin discoloration.

Just three drops of this miracle serum will improve your skin conditions,  tone, and leave it more supple and less vulnerable to the strong UVA & UVB rays of the sun,  thereby preventing wrinkling of the skin. This powerful antioxidant doubles the skins photo protective power to an amazing 8x the skins natural protection.

*Vitamin C
**Plant based

****DISCLAIMER****
All scientific facts are from the skin ceuticals Web page and the insert tgat comes with the product.  All opinions are my own based on my personal use.
I have been in no way reimbursed by skinceuticals for the writing of this post

Rubybox December unboxing

Love love love this month's box.

I got three full size products and two sample size. This month I opted to go a bit greener and forgo the pink box,  so I recieved all my items in just the brown protective box.

When I opened the plastic, a beautiful scent hit me, to be honest I worried something was broke. But nothing was, that gorgeous scent that hit me was a beautiful scented candle. 

I recieved 

natural lab face cream 10ml
Ungaro purfume sample
Piz Buin sun stick full size
My bag of beauty secrets
Hall of flames candle in cinnamon naartjie and clove

Overall, impressed with this month's box and a huge high five to Rubybox for getting it spot on this month.

Skinceuticals equalizing toner

Equalizing toner by skinceuticals

This is one of two products I use twice a day in the range.

It comes packaged in a 250ml bottle with a spray top.
It is alcohol free and fragrance free.
Suitable for use on all skin types, it removes all traces of residue from the skin preparing it for the serums and allowing then to penetrate deeply into the skin.

I use it after cleansing ny skin by wetting a cotton ball, and then spritzing the toner straight onto my face. Then wiping my face with the cotton ball.
It leaves my skin feeling fresh, and hydrated.
I then follow with my morning or evening routine.

Key ingrediants are
Key Ingredient 1

Fruit Acid Blend: Work synergistically to gently exfoliate dead skin cells.

Key Ingredient 2

Botanical extracts: Witch hazel, rosemary, aloe, and chamomile soften, soothe, and tone the skin.

Ciao Phoenix

In depth reviews on individual skin care products

So I did a review on skin ceuticals a while back, and have recieved many requests about these products.

So I have decided to do individual reviews on each of the products I am using starting at the beginning and working my way down.

I will release one product review every week and then if you have any questions, you can direct them to me on my facebook fanpage

On to product 1
SkinCeuticals gentle cleanser

The key ingredients are

Key Ingredient 1

Orange oil: This soothing, antiseptic oil is known for its ability to help calm sensitive or irritated skin.

Key Ingredient 2

Skin conditioners and emollients: Formulated with basic, non-irritating ingredients to help calm and condition skin.

It is a cream based non foaming cleanser I use this cleanser in the morning by applying to a wet face and massaging for a couple minutes, then rinsing off with warm water
This cleanser is suitable for use on dry, sensitive, normal or combination skin.
It does not dry out my skin at all,  and feels really moisturizing.

I prefer a foaming cleanser for when I have make up on but this is a personal choice.
Overall this is a great cleanser and for when my face is not too gritty or oily this is the one I reach for.

It retails at all great plastic surgeon offices, my favourite being Dr Chetan Patel rooms in Sandton medi clinic, 
011 463 1210 where a cleanser retails for around R350, 
I have had mine since September and I still have half a bottle, though I only use it in the morning.

Lots of love ladies, and enjoy great skin
Ciao Phoenix

Living with Bi polar

I know this is not my usual happy light kind of topic, and just writing this blog is taking so much out of me, not sure if I will publish it at the end of the day, but here goes anyways,  maybe one day I will have the guts to publish it

I was diagnosed at a very young age with ADD and then in my teens with what was then known as manic depression, I had trouble making and keeping friends at school and would throw myself into my school work to make up for it. Thankfully I had the greatest mother ever, and she looked for ways to treat me without using medication, some of those were putting me into karate and horse riding to increase my concentration times. I finally found my place, horses brought me peace and allowed me to just be. It amazed me and still does how this majestic animal can be more understanding and kind than some people were. I was no longer hiding in my books, or reading to escape the thoughts that spun around endlessly in my head, when I was around a horse I was a happy normal child and I bonded so deeply that I would even fall asleep laying next to my horse. He understood me so deeply that I would ride without a bridle or saddle and he would go in the direction I asked him to.
Karate taught me much, the meditation was the most helpfull teaching me how to clear my mind and be still with myself. These skills allowed me to start getting to know myself, and be comfortable with who I am. Fast forward years and the diagnosis is now called bi polar,  which basically means that I have episodes where I am very depressed followed by mania, where I feel like I am on top of the world and that there are no consequences for my actions. I was taught how to recognise the signs of an impending depressive episode before it hit and that allows me to take action before it takes hold of me. Though there are times when no matter what I do it takes me and I just have ro hold on until it passes.
I am blessed to have a husband who is very understanding and who has taken the time and effort to study my mood fluctuations and now he is able to tell when I am in a good place or not. And the support he is gives me a safe place, a quiet place. Which I believe is the most important thing for someone suffering with Bi polar.
Now a days I only have an episode every few years  and it's not as bad as it used to be when I was younger, 
I accept that I will never be what society poses as normal, but normal is over rated
With the right diet, exercise, doing things that make me happy,  and taking the time every single day to make the decision to be happy,  spending quality time with my daughters, and my husband. My experiance has taught me that it's the little things that count,  and that keep me stable.

Beautique box November 2014!

I was lucky enough to be amount the first ladies to receive the beautique box filled with high end products.
The very first box contained four items,  one a full size and three trial sizes all of which are available on the rubybox store.

I recieved the following in my box

DEAR DEER Satin Pillow slip,(retails at R149.95) 

made with 100% pure satin and claims maintain levels of hydration in the skin throughout the night and won't absorb hairs natural moisture the way cotton does, the result is a younger looking puffiness free skin and hair that is frizz free, I just put mine on bed, can't wait to go sleep tonight, 

BODYOGRAPHY veil foundation primer clear, 15ml (retails at R349.95 for 30ml)

I value my sample at around R175 

You use this primer before your foundation and it smoothes out the skin, allowing for a flawless application and extends the wear time of your foundation, personally I love this primer and a little goes a long long way. 

DERMALOGICA pre - cleanse,  30ml (retails at R520 for 150ml) I value my sample at around R100 this product is made with Olive, Kukui and Apricot oils that is suitable for use on all skin types,  gently massaged onto dry skin, it disolves oils, make up,  impurities sunscreen and any other impurities then you apply some water and it emulsifies to form a milky solution which I rinse off with warm water, and then wash my face as per usual. When I use this I can feel my skin dancing with joy.

CAUDALIE broad spectrum anti wrinkle fluid, 15ml ( retails at R149.95 for 25ml) I value my sample at around R70 it is a multi purpose anti oxidents and anti wrinkle treatment! It has hyaluronic acid which moisturizers and plumps up the skin which in turn smooths it out. It also has an SPF of 20 and claims to protect against UVA and UVB rays

So in total I value my box at around R495 which for me is definately worth it. I will be using three out of the four items in my box, the CAUDALIE is not something I will be using as I am very happy with my current skin care regime.

Build a box November 2014

My build a box with Rubybox this month contained
an eye lash curler,
Rubybox angled blush brush
Rubybox brush clean in a flash
Body Choice sponge
And Africolgy tissue oil

Also my boutique order of my beautiful pink tangle teezer for my handbag

My life saving product

After many tears, and many years, medications, pills, potions and spills my skin is finally acne free.

I have been on almost every medication for acne there is including a year on a high dose of Roaccutane,  I have finally found the holy grail of skin care and I can't wait to get the word out there, I can't understand how this product has been kept in dark for so long, but no longer, I am going to shine a light on my life saver.
Even roac didn't get rid of my acne,  I thought I was gonna be stuck with it for the rest of my life, then I went to see a plastic surgeon about my nose,  which I couldn't breathe through, and he gave me a two week trial of a product I will now never be without. I got to try out the whole range before I bought it which is good thing as to be honest it is pricey, the regime is time consuming and has about 6 steps but as any one who suffers from acne can tell you this is a small price to pay. The reason I waited so long to write about this was I needed to make sure it actually works, and that my acne wouldn't just come back after a month or two. Now I can safely say that it hasn't,  and I see no signs of it ever returning, even when it's that dreaded time of the month (when even ladies who darn have acne get a pimple or two) I don't break out.

I'm sure by now you are all asking what is this miracle product,

Skin Ceuticals, 

I got two cleansers, toner,  cream, serum, anti oxidents,  and sun block. I bought this about four months ago, and I have only used about one quarter of each item so if you cost it out, it works out cheaper than other products I used in the past including clinique, estee lauder and the like.

Skin ceuticals is only available via cosmetics surgeons rooms, but is so worth it, remember if you go to a good doctor he will give you a decent amount to try first so you can see for yourself that it works. It promotes skin turnover, and gives you not just nice looking, but actual  healthy, glowing skin. My marks from past acne, have lightened considerably,  and there is not one pustule in sight.

I will be going for a professional Skin Ceuticals peel in January to target the most stubborn of marks.

To anyone suffering from bad skin, there is an end in sight, you don't just have to live with it, the doctors behind Skin Ceuticals have heard our cries, and brought to us a product that really works. Bad skin will be a thing of the past, and like my acne,  become nothing but a bad memory.

For anyone looking to try this range, call Dr Chetan Patel rooms in Sandton medi clinic,  0114631210

Disclaimer:
I bought all my products and have in no way been compensated by Skin Ceuticals. This is my own experiance with the products based on twice daily use

Quick and easy chicken corn soup

3 chicken breast cubed
1 onion chopped
1 tsp green chillies ground
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 stick cinnamon
6 peppercorns
Dash nutmeg
Dash ground cloves
2 packets knorr cream of chicken soup
1 small tub fresh cream
1 tin sweet corn
Fresh spring onions

Braise onion in butter until soft
Add chicken, green chillies,  salt, pepper, cinnamon,  clove, nutmeg, peppercorns, and cook until done
Smash chicken with back of spoon
Add in the Knorr soups mixed with water and the sweet corn
Allow to boil until thick
Add fresh cream and garnish with chopped spring onions

Serve with fresh bread sticks

Make up course

I finished my course, now I have to get in 90 hours of doing make up, here is a before and after pic of my first client, let me know what you ladies think,

#BlogVember Day 11

My fav spot in my city is the Zoo Lake on the weekend
We go at least once a month with the family.
The kids love the jungle gym, and we adults get relax knowing that they are safe and having fun, we take stale bread to feed the ducks and spend about an hour rowing on the lake itself, it's also an opportunity for us to meet with friends we haven't seen in a while,
I'll either take a disposable braai and meat, or a pot of yummy biryani.
There is so many things to do there, hubby and them will play soccer or cricket, sometimes we all get involved and play a game of volley ball.
And the best part, it doesn't cost a cent, and promotes family love
Just remember to hydrate and apply lots of sunblock

#BlogVember Day 10

My dream date would entail a picnic on the grass at a night time movie, hubby has booked this for us at the end of the month, we will be watching Dirty Dancing and Top Gun at Emerald casino.
I think it's the romantic evening, the green grass, stars in the night sky, and the man of my dreams to cuddle with for over four hours, what more can a woman ask for?
Then again, any date night with a man who takes the time to find out what you like and makes the effort to make it a reality would be a dream date, for me it depends more on the person I am with than where or what we are doing.
I am blessed to have a man that has made my happiness his priority, and that we have alot of the same tastes in hobbies.
My second fav date, which we do at least once a month is going to the track to ride motor bike.
My wish for all my readers is to have a partner who takes the time to make you smile, and just calls to hear your voice every so often.

Nail polish

I recieved this beautiful pink shatter nail polish from Opi in my Secret box, you paint your nails any color and then use one coat of pink shatter over once it has dried. As the pink shatter dries, it gives a shattered appearance which looks totally awesome. I paired it with a pretty blue from ruby box Nailed it range, though I think it would look much nicer with a black background. I painted it a bit too thick on my first try, and it didn't shatter properly; so just one tgin coat is enough even if it doesn't seem like it while you are busy. Pretty pink and blue toes for the weekend

#BlogVember Day 8

My fav restaurant is Spur. I adore the fillet steak, and the play areas allow my husband and I to enjoy our steaks and the kids to play so they don't get bored.  I love the one in Mayfair, the service is great, the staff friendly. My fav order is the fillet steak done medium well, with a baked potato and a fresh salad.

#BlogVember Day 7

Favourite time of year:

My favourite time of the year is June and July, with warm fires, toasted marshmallows,  hot chocolate,  and cuddling with my family to keep warm.
Winter brings us together and allows us to just hold on to each other without having to have reason behind it. I love cuddles, and winter definitely promotes the family to cuddle up under a nice fleece blanket, and having a wood Fire burning on a cold evening can be the most romantic date night. We switch off all the lights and just sit in dancing shadows cast by the fire and talk.
Also I love winter clothing, jerseys, bomber,  it really gives me a chance to go all out and create new and dun looks every season.

#BlogVember Day 6

Favourite series I'm currently watching

My favourite series at the moment, that's a hard one I have about 5, but if I could only watch one, and I had to choose it would be Greys Anatomy. 
I just adore Mer, and there is lots of eye candy. The story line is really intriguing and forever twisting and turning, there is literally never a dull moment.
The characters all have their individual life problems and it's interisting to see how they solve them.
My fav character is Owen, and his story gets to my heart the most, you can see he really misses Christina even though they were not a very good fit, speaking of Christina I miss seeing her, it would be great if they could create a series following her career like they did with Private Practice.
So that's my fav series at the moment

#BlogVember Day 5

Take a pic of your shoes

Day 4 #BlogVember

What is at the top of your bucket list?

The top of my bucket list is to take my two daughters for pilgrimage to Mecca. 

My mum took me when I was 5 and again when I was 13 and the experiance was amazing and shaped me into the person I am today.  I want that for my daughters as well. Hopefully one day soon with the will of God we shall go as a family, and they will treasure the experience as much as I did

#BlogVember Handwriting

I have a very bad handwriting,  I guess that's why I prefer typing. Anyways here goes, a picture of my handwriting.

Day 2 #BlogVember

What is my guilty pleasure???

Looks like I'll be revealing alot about myself this month, my guilty pleasure is Coffee....... I love every kind of coffee available strong mild, black or with milk. When I wake up in the morning I'm not fully human until I have at least two cups of coffee, and last thing at night as well.
When we were over seas I had turkish coffee which is so black and thick if you try to add milk it turns grey, but it was so yummy. And I can't find it anywhere here.
Then there is Arabic kahwa,  which thankfully I get a supply of once a year. I adore tasting new kinds of coffee from all over the world. At this moment I think I have over 40 different types of coffee in my cupboard.

What do you collect? #BlogVember

I will hopefully be posting every day for the month of November as part of the Blogvember challenge.

I collect make up, it's my passion and I love trying, buying and playing with new innovations, colors and consistencies. When it comes to make up my mantra is you can never have enough, in fact I love it so much i have even started a professional make up course with Kryolan.

What do you collect?

Marie Claire Beauty event

Yesterday was the Marie Claire event in joburg.  We arrived just after ten and we're welcomed with smiles and offers of champagne.  We were excited about what was to come and took the elevator to the main floor. The first stand we saw was Nimue,  unfortunately there were only around ten stands and the Loreal and GHD workshops that I had tickets for were cancelled. THE one saving grace was that I did get a full dermatalogica facial by the talented Sarah and she gave us samples suited to out skin, to last about two weeks.
My feeling is that they had enough time after the original venue fell through to make this the show of the year. I much rather prefer the RubyBox Beauty night out.

Ciao
Phoenix

Restalyn evening

Dr Claire, an amazing doctor specialising in aesthetic medicine based on the corner of Kloof and Henri road in Bedfordview,  at the lightsculpt Aesthetic Clinic.

She invited a select few ladies to an evening to learn more about Restalyn skin boosters and fillers.

Skin boosters are made of synthetic hyaluronic acid and are the closest to skins own collegen. They are primarily uses for anti aging and can be used almost anywhere on the body. Skin boosters work immediately by filling in the areas to soften them, and also in the long term by causing skin to produce more collegen and elastin. 

Skin Fillers on the other hand,  are used to combat the signs of aging such as wrinkles and areas that have collapsed inwards due to age concerns.  Fillers are also used for creating contours on the face like cheek lines or to fill in lips.
It is a relatively painless procedure due to the lidocaine in the filler mixture. A tiny hole is made with a needle and then a soft, needle like catheter is inserted into the skin and the mixture is slowly injected into the area. It is gently shaped by doctor clair to look as natural as possible and no downtime is needed.

At the end of the evening one lucky lady walked off with a skin booster treatment worth R5000 and five of us won a restalyn hamper worth R1300 each. Every lady that attended recieved a hamper containing a Restalyn hand cream worth over R200 each thanks to Galderma. 

Overall it was a very informative evening and I would definitely consider getting the skin boosters done.

Ciao
Phoenix

Make up course kryolan first attempt

So this is the result of my first attempt at professional make up.
This is a day look

Track weekend

Hubby and I did our first track weekend this weekend, at Phakisa Raceway. 
We arrived on Saturday morning and hubby started riding almost as soon as we arrived.  This trip was just the two of us, no tv no kids,  it was really an opportunity for us to bond as a couple.
After the last ride, we pulled our combi into the pits, had a braai,  and then just chilled in our cute double bed in the back of the combi (hubby took all the seats out at home and put in two mattresses. )
Then it was up with the sun, and breakfast on the braai again,

Secret box by retail box

I was lucky enough to get one of these boxes,
Delivery time was impressive, and value of the box as well.
I recieved the following in my box and can't wait to start using them.

Schwarzkopf color freeze sulphate free shampoo
Color freeze conditioner
Color freeze treatment
Pink invisibobbles
A book and pen
And a pink Opi nail polish

A great box with excellent value for money

Clarisonic finally to hit S.A shores

YAY
I heard via a little birdie my absolute favourite face brush, the Clarisonic will be sold in South Africa come early 2015!

Clarisonic is the original sonic face brush and I have one..... In pink I might add, if you want smaller pores, clear acne free skin then look out for this amazing device in Stutterfords stores early 2015, or keep and eye on the blog and ill let you know exactly where and how much they will be!!

I'm so exited, clarisonic was one of my first blog posts and still my can't live without beauty product!!!

Ruby Build A Box!

So if you are someone who is not into the surprise boxes every month, Rubybox has brought out a build a box subscription at a cost of R199 every month,

Once your payment has gone tgrought,  you 'pack' your box with 5 out of a possible 20 items, some of which are full size,

I am a Rubybox addict, so I have taken out a build a box subs as well,  this is what I chose for this month

Nuxe huile Prodigieuse dry oil (mini)
Africology tissue oil (full size)
African Extracts rooibos lip balm (full size)
John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo (50ml)
Rubybox box cat Kohl Eyeliner (full size in grey)

Love having my own choice!! 

It's competition time again!!!

After the great feedback I got from you guys I decided to get hold of a second derma roller and put it up for grabs,
.
Here's what you have to do if you want to own it, if one step is incomplete prize is forfeit, 

A) follow my blog
B) like Blushing Phoenix face book fan page   
https://m.facebook.com/blushingphoenix?fref=nf&_rdr
C) Share this post
D) comment why you need a derma roller

Beauty boxes

So beauty boxes are all they hype and I've been saving up to get one, 
Chatting with my mother in law she had two very similar boxes that she politely gave to me when she heard the price of the perspex boxes

Now my make up is organised and it looks so pretty

Are you going to invest in a beauty box? They really are worth it

Wedding

This weekend was my brother in laws wedding, the girls side hosts the wedding and the next day the boys side hosts the Walima!
And it was just amazing, in our culture we gifts and create pretty parcels with them,  here are the pictures of the parcels we gave from the boys side...
We had an amazing time and the bride and groom looked so amazing!
Weddings are a great time to get the family together and ours was no different, for the two weeks before the wedding family members all cane to the wedding house, to visit, chat, and help make the parcels and the sweet meats,
Things went of without a hitch, and a lovely time was had by all