Review: The 10 Best Winter Warrior Beauty Products We Tried in June
The winter months can be super harsh on the skin, hair, and body. Whether you live in the wet and windy Western Cape or dry-as-a-bone Gauteng, your skin, hair, and body needs extra care during the cooler months to keep it healthy and looking great. But, with so many new beauty products launching every month, it can be straight-up overwhelming trying to figure out what’s worth the splurge, and what’s better left as a distant memory from your Instagram feed. Fortunately for you, dear reader, I’m always willing to put my body on the line to test out the newest beauty products on the market, so you don’t have to. So, what’s good this month? Here are my picks for 10 of the best beauty products available in South Africa to get you through the month… Because I support your decision to treat yourself to yet another lipstick you probably don’t need but deserve.
1. SknLogic Omega Face Oil
The skin’s first line of defence against external environmental factors and irritants is a well-functioning skin barrier. It plays an important role in preventing water loss and helps keep skin looking healthy and youthful. My skin has been loving this lightweight facial oil from SknLogic this winter. The multi-tasking oil can be used as a moisturiser and serum treatment product, especially for sensitive skin. It also works brilliantly as a primer before applying makeup. The oil contains Omega 3, 5, 6, 7, and 9 to help improve barrier function, seal in moisture, calm inflammation, protect the skin from harmful pollutants, and promote a healthy glow. What’s more, it does not contain Parabens, Sulphates, and Synthetic Colourants, Lanolin derivatives, Mineral oil or MIT’s; giving you peace of mind when applying it to your skin.
I love this oil because it’s affordable and works like an absolute bomb. It absorbs so easily into my skin, and is non-greasy, so I can apply it and forget about it. I’ve been mixing it with my moisturiser for a boost during the winter months, but I’ve also found it’s brilliant to apply on its own when you’re layering serums, especially when my skin is feeling worse for wear and I need to calm redness and inflammation caused by the harsh winter weather. A little goes a long way with this oil so make sure you only apply a small amount to ensure it absorbs and penetrates into the skin easily.
Buy SknLogic Omega Face Oil from SknLogic online at R240 (30ml).
2. Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Cream-in-Mist
Another saviour for my skin this winter has been the Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Cream-in-Mist, which helps to strengthen the skin and help it retain water. If you’re a fan of Nuxe’s Crème Fraîche range, then you will adore this product which is basically a mist version of the Crème Fraîche de Beauté 48hr Moisturising Cream. A moisturising powerhouse the product contains 89% ingredients of natural origin and is packed full of hydrating and soothing botanicals like almond milk, red seaweed extract and vitamin E. Just one spray and your skin is covered in a light veil of moisture to instantly soothe and hydrate when you feel like you need a boost. I use it every morning to hydrate my skin and to comfort my skin when it starts to feel tight during the day. It can also be used to set your makeup, making it a multitasking wonder.
I love this mist because it instantly hydrates and soothes the skin. The milky mist offers antioxidant protection from free radicals and feels feather-light when applied. If you struggle with sensitive skin, then this product will be a godsend. It’s a must-use for me when I have a psoriasis flare-up and need something to calm my skin. It also smells amazing and features the Orange Blossom scent of the Crème Fraîche de Beauté collection. For those concerned about its environmental credentials you’ll be thrilled to know the product is vegan and is made using a high-tech, low impact process of extracting red seaweed that involves no solvents or polluting waste emissions. The packaging is also recyclable thanks to an atmospheric pump that contains no propellant gases.
Buy Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Cream-in-Mist online from Woolworths at R375.
3. BioMedCan Immune Boost
Everyone is looking for ways to boost their immune system and stay healthy during the winter months. This month I’ve been using locally produced BioMedCan Immune Boost to help give my body the edge to ward off illness and stay healthy. BioMedCan offers a range of CBD products to help boost a healthy lifestyle and provide an all-natural solution for common ailments. The CBD Immune Boost is the latest product to be added to the range.
The daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with added herbal components and 5mg CBD isolate (per capsule) helps to boost your immune system, supporting the body’s defence against viral infections and general maintenance of good health. For this supplement, BioMedCan takes advantage of the ‘Entourage Effect’ to maximise the efficacy of the active ingredients in the product, giving you more beneficial results. These immune boosting and anti-viral capsules contain powerful ingredients such as Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Zinc, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, as well as Cannabis sativa L. (CBD isolate), which all work together to help boost the proper functioning of the immune system, fight inflammation, and aid in recovery or regeneration of the nervous system. The capsules come in an easy one month supply (60 capsules with 300mg CBD) with the correct dosage measured out for you. The recommended dosage is two capsules per day.
Buy BioMedCan Immune Boost online at R489.95.
4. Filorga Age-Purify Double Correction Fluide
Living in the city, your skin is battling pollutants daily. A powerful fluid moisturiser, like Filorga’s Age-Purify Double Correction Fluide, is your skin’s best defence. It works like an anti-pollution shield that simultaneously keeps skin looking matte and hydrated while protecting it from heavy metals that cause premature ageing. To develop this wonderful fluide, Filorga worked closely with aesthetic doctors and dermatologists, resulting in a skincare product that offers lasting results.
This lightweight fluide has intense moisturising properties but soaks into the skin instantly without leaving an oily texture behind. It has a lovely mattifying effect on the skin, which is a real blessing on days when you’re oil production seems to be going into overdrive. It’s great as a primer before applying makeup to reduce shine and create a smooth canvas. The fluide’s Dermo-Rescue (with micro-peeling agents and sebum-regulating zinc) and Hyaluron-Youth (with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and smoothing peptides) complexes work to improve the appearance of imperfections and wrinkles with religious use. The moisturiser is ideal for anyone with combination skin and oily skin with fine lines. Using this serum for a few weeks, the results were truly incredible. My skin tends to be quite dry, but I also have an oily T-zone and this helped to target both my dryness and keep my T-zone in check, while also helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines on my face.
Buy Filorga Age-Purify Double Correction Fluide online at R1,430 (50ml).
5. GO2 Essential Oil Inhaler Sticks
If you’re curious about trying essential oils but are looking for a slow, easy way to try them out then, I recommend you try GO2, 100% natural essential oil inhaler sticks. Essential oils are loved by many for their therapeutic, cosmetic, aromatic and spiritual support but it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which essentials will work for you, GO2 aims to help take the confusion out of using essential oils. The GO2 range offers 4 inhaler sticks; Sleep, Focus, Energy, and B.Calm.
These little gems work as natural support aids and help stimulate the brain’s limbic system which guides our emotional responses. They are somewhat of a game-changer for natural health in SA because they are safe, easy to use and contain high quality, pure essential oils. I’ve been using the sticks for just over 2 weeks now and am loving them! I keep the ‘Sleep’ inhaler next to my bed and give it a good whiff every night and it helps me drift off to sleep a lot easier. It combines lavender to relax and soothe the body and mind, red mandarin to support restful sleep, and frankincense to promote a sense of inner peace and contentment. I also love the ‘Focus’ inhaler, which combines rosemary to support memory function, peppermint to stimulate and aid focus, and lime to naturally uplift the body and mind. I’ve kept it on my desk and it’s definitely helped me refocus my attention on important tasks when my mind starts to wander and my fingers are itching to check Instagram.
Buy GO2 Essential Oil Inhaler Sticks online at R80 each.
6. Playgirl Sultry Nudes Eyeshadow Palette
Yes indeed, Playgirl, the brand best known for beautifully scented body sprays, roll-on’s and lotions, has announced a bold move into colour cosmetics. The new line offers makeup lovers an impressive 220 shades in eye and face palettes, all at super affordable prices. The products are luxurious, cruelty-free, and oh-so-fun. The Playgirl Beauty range launched with 18 eye palettes and a face palette with nine smouldering shades to contour, bronze and highlight.
I had the opportunity to try out a few of the eyeshadow palettes from the range and was very impressed by the quality of these eyeshadows considering the price point. They have very little fallout and the colours are beautifully pigmented and so easy to work with and blend. The glitter shadows across the palettes are some of the most impressive, offering a balance between a cream and a dry glitter, allowing for a soft and lightweight application with maximum impact. Playgirl says that each shade in the range has been tested across a range of different skin tones to ensure a high colour payoff result and seamless blending of colours, so it’s brilliant for South African women who want to make a real statement with their makeup looks. The ultra-pigmented formulas range from intense mattes, buttery shimmers, multi-dimensional shears and glitters, all of which are designed to last once applied. My favourite is the Playgirl Sultry Nudes Palette with 12 beautiful nude shades in a mix of shimmer and mattes. It’s a brilliant palette for anyone wanting to create nude looks that really pop and it’s small enough to keep in your handbag for touch-ups on-the-go.
The range is available at selected Clicks stores and online at a recommended retail price of between R59,95 to R179,95.
7. Renpure Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner
The harsh winter weather can also wreak havoc on your hair. I struggle with scalp psoriasis and I always experience the worst flareups during the winter months. I make sure I take extra good care of my hair during the cold season by using products that help to strengthen my hair, treat my scalp, increase moisture, and promote hair growth. I’ve been loving using Renpure’s Biotin & Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner this winter. Using these plant-based, vegan products together has helped to add volume to my tresses, plump up my hair strands, and left my hair soft, shiny and healthy after every wash. I have fine, dense hair and it really does work to make my hair look and feel fuller.
If you’re struggling with fine, limp hair then you’ll love this stunning duo. Plus, if you have a few baby hairs that just won’t grow, then this shampoo and conditioner is the perfect solution to give them a boost. The products contain no animal-derived ingredients, sulfates, harsh salts, parabens, or dyes. They are also safe to use on colour-treated hair. What’s more, it smells great and is formulated with bergamot, apple and jasmine to turn your shower time into a delight for the senses.
Renpure hair care products are available at Dis-Chem at R149.95 per 473ml shampoo and conditioner.
8. Marc Anthony Hydra Lock Instant Moisture Recharge Hair Mist
Speaking of adding moisture to the hair, another hair product I’ve been absolutely smitten with this winter is the Marc Anthony Maximum Moisture Hydra Lock Hair Mist. The easy-to-use spray has become a go-to for me when my hair needs a pick-me-up. The product is enriched with silk protein to instantly penetrate hair strands and provide a quick boost of hydration. Added quinoa protein helps to lock in moisture, leaving hair softer and shinier. The product is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, and fits easily into your handbag.
The product coats your hair in a delicate and fine mist, but packs a major punch to deliver moisture, softness and shine with just one spray. It doesn’t weigh down the hair and feels super lightweight and I love how shiny my hair looks after using it. It’s also free from Sulfates, SLS, Parabens, and Phthalates, so is ideal if you’re looking to avoid products with too many nasties. The leave-in mist can be sprayed on damp or dry hair, and is great as a styling product if you want to ensure your heat styling doesn’t pull out too much moisture from your hair. I’ve mostly been using it to keep my hair soft and moisturised in-between washes and it’s truly brilliant for that.
Buy Marc Anthony Hydra Lock Instant Moisture Recharge Hair Mist at Clicks for R149.99.
9. Batiste Dry Shampoo Pretty & Delicate Rose Gold
In between wash days, a good dry shampoo is a must as well. If you’re a big fan of Batiste Dry Shampoo (who isn’t?), then you simply have to try Batiste Dry Shampoo Rose Gold. It smells beyond amazing and is the perfect refresher between washes. One quick spray helps to instantly revitalise hair, remove any excess oil, and leave your hair smelling like roses. After using this dry shampoo my hair feels gorgeously clean and fresh and the product helps to give my hair added body and texture when styling.
This stunning variant of the popular Batiste Dry Shampoo is scented with Bergamot, freesia, rose, jasmine, almond, vanilla, praline, and orris to add a subtle and delicate scent to your hair flicks. To use simply shake, spray, and massage into roots for hair that is tres chic in seconds. The product is vegan and sulfate-free to boot and is packaged in a beautiful rose-print aerosol can.
Buy Batiste Dry Shampoo Pretty & Delicate Rose Gold at Clicks for R93.99.
10. Body Botanika Lemongrass Hand & Body Collection
I’ve also been pampering my skin with the locally-made Body Botanika Lemongrass Hand & Body Collection this winter. The range consists of 6 different products, all of which are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free and produced locally in Cape Town. The beautifully fresh scented range includes a Body Wash (to cleanse and moisturise the skin), Hygiene Hand Wash (a 2-in-1 cleanser and moisturiser), Glycerine Soap (to cleanse and protect the skin), Body Balm (to nourish and protect the skin), Hand & Body Lotion (to nourish and protect the skin), and Hand Sanitiser (to cleanse and protect the skin on the go).
Safe for the whole family to use, with the Body Botanika range you can be sure there are no nasties that will dry out the skin or cause irritation. Formulated with lemongrass essential oil and vitamin E, the Lemongrass Hand and Body Collection works to gently cleanse while nourishing the skin. Lemongrass oil has many benefits including natural cleansing properties and hydration while Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant and works to further hydrate the skin. My favourite from the range is the Body Wash which retails for just R59.99 for a 500ml bottle. It smells absolutely divine and doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped of moisture after a shower. The Body Balm is also beautifully luxurious and a great treat for the skin during the winter months.
Buy the Body Botanika Lemongrass with Vitamin E range online here.
