Operations manager Emma's array of handbag must-haves

“I think a handbag is a reflection of your sense of style, and mine contains all sorts of weapons and potions to tackle the day,” says Emma, who’s often seen wearing an assortment of interesting accessories and is never without her bag. “I totally disagree with the saying ‘less is more.’ More is more! And as I live fairly far from work and I’m often unsure of where the day will take me, I like to be prepared for anything that might come up.”

Any handbag must-haves? “I carry my iPod everywhere, especially if I’m going to gym. I feel the cold easily, so my fingerless gloves are ideal for wintery days. After a smash-and-grab two years ago, I now carry a mace spray too.” And Emma doesn’t have a shortage of beauty products either. “I never leave home without my Shield deodorant, Dolce & Gabbana The One and a comb for my unruly hair. I’ve got a large selection of lip balms and glosses, and today I’m carrying my Woolworths Tinted Gloss in Cotton Candy and The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Balm. Plus I’ve always got a bronzer and my Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara with me for those days when I know fluttering my eyelashes will get me what I want!”

When Emma’s not busy organising deliveries or the packing of the rubyboxes, she likes spending time with her friends and socialising. “I’ll change to a small sling or clutch bag for a night out, but I generally stick to using one handbag. I’m very fussy when it comes to buying a bag- it’s a staple item, so I need to fall in love with it before I buy…and I always go into mourning when it buckles under the strain of its contents three months later!”

Check back next week as we empty our editorial intern Nicole’s handbag…

I’m a big fan of hair treatments, but often I don’t have the time to wait twenty minutes before rinsing them out. This morning however, I could treat my locks to a much-needed moisture boost in the shower as Aussie only requires a few extra minutes (plus I could squeeze in a full body scrub while waiting for the mask to penetrate).

After shampooing I opened the sachet and the first thing I noticed was the amazing grape-like scent that took me straight back to my childhood. Packed with aloe vera and jojoba seed oil, I applied the nourishing treatment and concentrated on my ends which need some extra TLC. Depending on the level of your frizz, you can leave the treatment on for up to three minutes. I left mine on for two minutes and while the steam of the hot shower was helping turn my frizz-prone locks into Giselle Bundchen-style waves I got to work on a much-needed full body scrub.

After two minutes, I rinsed out the treatment and hopped out the shower. Already my hair was noticeably easier to comb, which makes a welcome change and after blow drying, my hair felt super soft and silky, with just the right amount of bounce and no flyaways or frizz in sight! It’s not called a Miracle Mask for nothing and the generous 20ml sachet means I can get another two treatments out of it!

Frizz-prone rubies, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Aussie!

Tip Top Nail Chic in Space Cadet

Whether you’re into a sexy fire engine red or a classic French mani, you can’t deny that beautifully painted nails make a major difference to any outfit. Besides for adding a bit of fun (nail colour is the ultimate accessory), it also gives you an overall look of being well-groomed and polished (excuse the pun!). As much as I love painted nails, I don’t do mine as often as I’d like to. I usually blame it on lack of time, so I’ve recently decided to make the time and paint them while watching the news or chatting on the phone (set to ‘speaker’ of course!).

I’ve always been very strict on what type of polishes I buy- no matter how gorgeous the shade or texture, I never compromise on quality, as I know it’ll cost me loads of time fixing chipped colour. Our beauty editor at rubybox has been raving about Tip Top Nail Chic ever since I met her, so I’ve always been keen to try it out, and when it was featured in one of our May rubyboxes, I jumped at the chance.

I tried Space Cadet, a navy blue shade with a hint of sparkle, which I thought would be great with the greys and blacks I’ve been wearing since winter approached. I applied two coats of colour (plus a clear base and top coat), and was left with a beautiful deep, glittery shade of blue. The colour passed my seven day test and only starting chipping after a full week, making it the perfect product to apply on a Sunday evening for the working week ahead. Plus the application was quick and easy thanks to the large flat brush.

Besides for the long-lasting quality and wide range of shades available, I love that this product is animal-friendly and free of nasty chemicals like toluene, formaldehyde and camphor. Now that I know and love the brand I can’t wait to try out some of the other colours available – there’s over 50 to choose from!

Tip Top Nail Chic is available at Clicks stores nationwide.

Beauty With Heart

For years we’ve known The Body Shop as one of the world’s most ethical cosmetics brands; and after projects like Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People (which resulted in new bills being passed all over the world), we’ve waited with bated breath to see what they’ll do next.

Today marks the launch of Beauty with Heart, the brand’s new platform that’ll see the launch of new products, an official ambassador, changes in the stores and a reinforcement of the brand’s principles. So what does Beauty with Heart entail? It’s built on three strong pillars- Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good. By sourcing fair trade ingredients, using profits to create campaigns that make a difference, and making products from high quality natural ingredients, looking good has never been so ethical!

The brand’s first ever global ambassador? Gorgeous Brit model, activist and actress, Lily Cole. “There is nothing more attractive than someone with a beautiful heart,” she says, making her the perfect face for the campaign.

So what can we expect? The first thing to look out for is the brand new range of beautifying oils. Launching across the country today, these oils can be used on your face, body and hair. Thanks to a blend of three lightweight nut oils, this amazing new product instantly banishes dryness without leaving an oily residue behind. As they’re made from dry oils, they absorb quickly, so that they can get to work faster. And with seven beautiful fragrances, you’re bound to find one that appeals to you. Our favourite is The Body Shop Moringa Beautifying Oil. Made from the ripe fruit (sourced via fair trade in Namibia), it gives a natural glow, restores moisture and smells too wonderful!

Plus look out for their famous body butters’ brand new look and 100% recyclable packaging! Did you know that one tub gets sold every two seconds, making it their best selling product ever?

Make sure to visit your nearest The Body Shop from today to check out their latest launches, and remember if you look and feel good, it’s easier to do good!

Jennifer Lopez with her new fragrance Glowing

Remember Jennifer Lopez’s first fragrance, Glow? Can you believe it’s been ten years since its release? To celebrate J.Lo’s ten-year fragrance history, Coty (her fragrance partner) held an intimate party at Hotel Bel Air in Los Angeles last week. And what better way to mark the occasion than with the release of a brand new fragrance?

According to Jennifer, her new scent Glowing, was “created to pay homage to the fragrance that set it all up for us.” Not only did Glow mark the start of a successful line of perfumes (eighteen and counting…) but it’s also grossed more than $1 billion in sales worldwide… Known for their sensuality, her fragrances are also recognisable for their gorgeous packaging, so it’s no surprise that her latest one is as beautiful as its precursors.

Inspired by Baccarat crystals, Glowing is presented in an elegant bottle that lights up when the actuator is pressed. The scent also features in the music video for her latest single, “Dance Again” (where she’s also seen dancing with a rumoured new boyfriend).

Jen showed off her signature wavy locks and rocked a pair of super short shorts at the Coty party, revealing a more casual look than her fans are used to seeing on American Idol. With the finale of American Idol and a tour alongside Enrique Iglesias lined up, it seems this busy lady just can’t be stopped…

Image via okmagazine.com

Calvin Klein Beauty

A name says a lot about a fragrance. Though they’re sometimes a bit vague, or seem like they have no connection to the actual scent, names plays a large part in our perceptions of perfumes. How often have you asked someone what perfume they were wearing, only to be totally surprised by their answer, because you’d never have imagined “that” scent to smell so lovely…

When I first heard the name Calvin Klein Beauty I had a very clear idea of what I expected the fragrance to be like. Having read it was a floral (my fave), I envisioned a scent that’s captivating, feminine and elegant. And after seeing Diane Kruger grace the advert in a white dress, I was pretty certain the scent was given its name for a good reason.

After testing it for a couple of days, I can honestly say that the only word I would use to describe it, is “beautiful.” I have never come across a fragrance that lives up to its name the way this one does. Not only is it soft, feminine and elegant, but it has a modern edge while still being timeless. I couldn’t find fault with it, from the smell to the beautiful packaging to the ad campaign, I thought everything was created with beauty and sophistication in mind.

When I first sprayed it, I couldn’t quite identify the ingredients, but I later learnt that the top notes consist of ambrette seeds, which explains the initial sweet, floral scent. After a while the hearty jasmine notes kick in, and eventually you’re left with sensual cedarwood. 

I often come across fragrances I like, but seldom ones that I love. After trying Calvin Klein Beauty, I can finally add another name to my list of favourites!

What do you think rubies, did you like the fragrance as much as we did?

Africology Purifying Cleansing Gel

Though I’m the biggest fan of so-called green and natural products, I’ve never used a natural cleanser before. There’s always been a little bit of doubt in my mind as to whether a natural cleanser can remove impurities as effectively as a chemical-based cleanser does.

However, as I’m always up for trying new products, I jumped at the chance of testing the Africology Purifying Cleansing Gel. I’ve been in love with local brand Africology ever since I first tried their Neroil Body Balm last year, and this cleanser reinstated my admiration for the brand.

The first thing I noticed (and it’s impossible to ignore) was the gel’s gorgeous scent. I’m used to cleansers with soapy smells, so this was completely new to me. Containing 100% natural essential oils, it felt as if I was getting an aromatherapy treatment every time I cleansed my skin. The texture is smooth and foams beautifully, plus I found a little goes a long way as you only need two or three small pumps of liquid to work up a foam.

And as for my reservations about its cleansing power, I can happily admit that I’ve changed my views on natural cleansers. My skin felt silky soft and refreshed after I used it. As an extra test, I swiped a piece of cotton wool over my cheeks after cleansing (as I often do to test if my cleanser’s doing its job) and I couldn’t see any trace of impurities left behind. I can’t wait to try the rest of the range now too, as I think the cleanser will work even better when accompanied by Africology Moisturiser SPF15 and Africology Night Cream. If you aren’t familiar with this cleanser, do yourself a favour and give it a try- you won’t regret it!

Good news rubies, this amazing cleanser is now available in our online boutique! Click here to order yours!

Nine West Love Fury

For the mum who loves to shop…

Try Nine West’s debut fragrance Love Fury. This combination of fresh fruits and florals combines rose, mandarin, sandalwood and amber.

Passionate and seductive, the scent is super feminine and celebrates all things woman! Designed with a woman’s love for shoes in mind, the pump represents a stiletto heel, making the bottle and packaging equally alluring!

Nine West Love Fury is available at selected department and Nine West stores nationwide at R595 for 50ml.

 

 

 

Jennifer Aniston

For the mum who can’t resist the latest edition of Heat…

We can’t get enough of Jennifer Aniston (by Jennifer Aniston, of course). This aquatic scent reminds us of long lazy days on the beach. Think fresh, salty top notes combined with a dazzling jasmine heart. Lastly, warm amber and sensual sandalwood come to the fore.

Jennifer Aniston is available at selected department stores at R595 for 50ml.

 

Calvin Klein Beauty

For the mum who’s into big white florals…

Is your mum the type that everyone looks up to? Then she needs an elegant spritz in the form of  Calvin Klein Beauty.

Classic and sophisticated, this gorgeous blend of white florals (read: sparkling jasmine and luminous lily) is the ultimate in femininity, but still maintains a modern edge.

Calvin Klein Beauty is available at selected department stores at R840 for 50ml.

Yves Saint Laurent Opium

For the mum who loves a bit of retro…

Go with an iconic scent that’s stood the test of time. Our pick? Yves Saint Laurent Opium.

Probably one of the most well-known oriental scents in the world, and with good reason – rich in mandarin, myrrh and carnation, this opulent scent is incredibly decadent and sensual. Plus, it’s the perfect heady scent for winter!

Yves Saint Laurent Opium is available from selected department stores at R995.

When you tie your hair up, you put strain on your roots and cause tension on your strands, and the tighter you pull the hair elastic, the more damage gets done. If you’re an occasional ponytail wearer, don’t worry too much about it, but if you tend to tie your hair up at any given chance, follow our tips to avoid hair breakage.

Always use hairbands that are covered in silk or cotton fabric and avoid rubber or plastic bands at all costs. It’s best to look for ones that don’t have any metal pieces holding the band together, as these are also major culprits in damaging your locks. Secondly, a light silicone spray will work wonders to keep hair protected, so spritz a bit all over your hair before tying up. This will prevent the individual hairs from splitting from the friction of the hairband. We recommend John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum.

And lastly, balance is key, rubies. Try to alternate your hairstyles so that you don’t end up wearing a ponytail every day. If you don’t have another choice, try to loosen your hair for at least half the day, and never go to sleep with your hair tied up!