LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS

Classic Leather Tote Everyday Use Tote Bag Laptop Work | Etsy

Classic Women’s Leather Tote, daily use tote bag, Laptop Work Student Bag, Personalized Leather Shoulder Bag, Mother’s Day Gift Take a look our beautiful and best-selling women’s classic tote bag is made of durable Cowhide Crazy Horse Leather. It will be aged perfectly over the time.♥ Sturdy and durable base to withstand heavy use♥ Colors don’t rub off onto clothes, only premium dyed leather.♥ Designed to be an everyday bag and with plenty of space.Comes in 4 color (BROWN, TAN, LIGHT BROWN AND BURGUNDY) and in three size:✔ Mini: Size; 10” wide across the base – 13” wide across the top, 4.5” deep and 11” tall.Perfect size for daily use– it can fit a water bottle, book, Purse, Notebook, Cell Phone and sunglasses comfortably. ✔ Midi: Size; 11” wide across the base – 15” wide across the top, 5.5” deep, and 12”tall. Can fit a water bottle, snacks, a book, wallet, snacks, Purse, Field Notebook, Cell Phone, sunglasses and a 13” MacBook comfortably. ✔ Large: Size; 11” wide across the base – 18” wide on the top, 6” deep, and 12.5”tall.Perfectly fits a water bottle, snacks, book, wallet, Purse, Notebook, Cell Phone and sunglasses and a 15” MacBook safely. Personalization:Location: front centered: we can emboss up to 5 capital letters of initials or name.Please leave your instructions. After you ADD your item(s) to CART, you will see in the bottom left hand corner a Box that says: “Add a note to Yoakum Leather (optional)”. […]

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Win a Smeg Toaster and Kettle worth R6,000!

Are you spending a lot more time in the kitchen these days, trying new recipes and becoming your very own master chef? Lockdown has brought the best of cooks out of even the most amateur in the kitchen.
To spruce up your space and help you level up on your financial education, Old Mutual is bringing you a super cool prize and a wealth of knowledge in the field of finance – who doesn’t need to become financially savvy these days?!
#LevelUp your financial education and Win!
Old Mutual recently launched their new Personal Cover offering. The financial service provider said, “We know no two people are the same, that’s why we believe you should be able to choose cover that’s right for you and not someone else. Introducing personal cover from Old Mutual that’s built around your life and whatever your future brings. You only pay for the cover you need and what you can afford with the option to change it when your life changes.”
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In line with their personal cover offering, Old Mutual is challenging you to brush up your knowledge and answer three questions for the chance to win the SMEG kettle and toaster combo of your dreams.
Need help answering the questions? Read up on Old Mutual’s Personal Cover to guide you through the process.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS1. In order to be eligible to win the prize, entrants to the competition must: a. be 18 years or older, b. be South African and in possession of a valid South African identity document, c. not be a: I. permanent employee of Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (South Africa) Ltd, and / or any subsidiary company of the Old Mutual group of companies (“Old Mutual”) participating in the competition; ii. permanent employee of True Love, Women’s Health and Bizcommunity; III. immediate family member of any employee referred to in (i) and (ii) d. Meet all of the qualifying criteria listed under the heading “How to enter”.2. By entering the competition, all entrants and prize winners agree to be bound by these competition rules as interpreted by the sponsor.3. The sponsor reserves the right to amend, modify or change these terms and conditions in its sole and absolute discretion without notice. By participating or continuing to participate in the competition, the entrants agree and understand that they will be bound by the amended terms and conditions4. All entrants consent to their personal information being: a. used by the sponsor, and b. shared with a Financial Adviser, to contact the entrants to advise the entrants on financial planning pertaining to the entrants current financial planning needs.5. The competition will run from 17 August until 31 August 2020.6. All entrants may only enter the competition once.7. The prize winners will be selected via a random draw and will be notified by no later than 2 September 2020.8. The sponsor’s decision will be final and binding, and no correspondence will be entered into.9. The prize consists of both a: i. Smeg Toaster, and ii. Smeg Kettle.10. The sponsor will use its reasonable efforts to contact the prize winner via email. If the sponsor cannot contact the prize winners within 24 hours, that person will forfeit the respective prize, after which the sponsor reserves the right to select a new prize winner(s).11. The sponsor is not responsible for any costs the prize winner may have when claiming or using the prize.12. The prize cannot be exchanged for any other service or item from the sponsor and is not transferable for cash.13. The sponsor is responsible for delivery of prize within a reasonable time of 4 weeks after the prize winner has been contacted.14. The prize winner is responsible for providing a physical address for delivery via Courier and to be present to receive the prize. The sponsor, True Love, Women’s Health and Bizcommunity take no responsibility for the loss of the prize should the prize winners not be present to receive the prize.15. By entering into the competition, the entrant indemnifies and holds the sponsor, its directors, affiliates, members, partners, employees, agents, consultants, suppliers, contractors and sponsors harmless against any loss or damages, either direct, indirect, consequential or otherwise, arising from its participation in this competition.16. If the sponsors are required by any legislation or the Minister of Trade and Industry, to alter any aspect of the competition or to terminate the competition as a result of changes in legislation, the sponsors will have the right to terminate this competition with immediate effect and without notice of such. In such event, all entrants shall have no recourse or claim of any nature whatsoever against the sponsors, its agents, contractors and/or sponsors.17. The sponsor reserves the right to carry out reasonable due diligence to confirm eligibility and help ensure that the use of any such person in advertising or publicity for the competition will not bring the sponsor or any of the sponsor’s brands into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule or reflect unfavorably on the competition as determined by the sponsor in its sole discretion.18. The sponsor assumes no responsibility whatsoever for any entry that has been left out from participation for any reason.19. By entering into the competition, the entrants and prize winners agree and grant permission to have their names, opinions and / or submissions published by Old Mutual on any website or any other similar medium in electronic or printed format. All entrants consent to their names so published by Old Mutual, and agree that they will not hold Old Mutual liable in any way for publishing their names and opinions in any format whatsoever. Entrants are aware that they may access the personal information that Old Mutual holds and request Old Mutual to correct any errors or to delete this information. Entrants may also request Old Mutual at any time to remove their names from any website on which personal information is published by Old Mutual. Old Mutual will never publish any email addresses or any contact telephone numbers of any entrants or prize winners. To view Old Mutual’s full privacy notice, visit www.oldmutual.co.za

READ MORE ON: Sponsored Win […]

FAMILY & MONEY

The 9 Cutest Press-On Nail Kits to Buy on Amazon

With salons continuing to battle COVID-19 restrictions without a clear end in sight, at-home manicures and press-on nails have been surging in popularity. Since the onset of the pandemic, professional nail artists have been creating customized press-on sets to offset business losses. And even prior to the pandemic, we started spotting more fake nails (from brands like Kiss) sent down New York Fashion Week runways. Allure editors, like Nicola Dall’Asen, have also been adamant fans of the paint-on alternatives for quite some time now. 
A lineup of professional nail artists, including Eun Kyung Park, Gina Edwards, and Miss Pop have previously shared their expert tips to keep your manicure looking as fresh and lasting as long as possible. After you match each nail to the properly-sized press-on, push your cuticles back (many kits will come with a wooden tool) and wipe your nails clean with alcohol, so oils don’t prevent proper adhesion. From there, ensure the edges of each press-on lie flush up against the edges of your natural nail and seal it all in with glue — concentrate it in the center of the nail so it doesn’t spill over to the edges and onto your skin — or the provided, double-sided stickers.When applied properly and carefully handled, they can look just as seamless as professional manicures — but at a fraction of the cost and with less damage incurred. “The biggest benefit of a press-on is you are in charge of your nail health,” nail artist Gina Edwards previously told Allure. Removal should be just as simple as application, as long as you are patient with soaking nail tapes in warm water or glued-on tips in acetone. In further contrast with gels and acrylics, press-ons also allow for more frequent experimentation of different shapes and colors.
Amazon might not be the first place you think of when it comes to buying a fresh set of fake nails, but for those searching for a good deal, it’s a very convenient place to start. (As always, read up on those reviews, and use customer photos as a point of reference of what to expect.) 
Ahead, find nine of our favorite kits in a variety of lengths, colors, shapes, and designs for under $20 — most are even $10 or less — including picks from Gabi Thorne, Allure’s resident press-on nail expert.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. […]

FAMILY & MONEY

Is It Possible to Be an Ethical Beauty Consumer?

Once upon a time, Allure ran advice columns by our favorite beauty pros. In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we’re bringing back the tradition — but this time the expert is: us (we’ve learned a lot over the years). Send your burning (or itching, or otherwise inflamed) questions to beautyexpert@allure.com, and we might answer them in an upcoming story. 

Dear Allure, 
I try my best to be a good beauty consumer. My only hard-and-fast rule is that I won’t buy a product if the company tests on animals, and I try to patronize smaller brands or underrepresented founders when I can. But sometimes I also buy cotton rounds at Walmart. One of my favorite skin-care products was made by somebody who eventually got “canceled.” Are there ethics in beauty shopping? —Danielle, Brooklyn

First, thank you for writing. This year, in the face of overwhelming public suffering, people are having tiny, private referendums in every corner of their lives, including the ones behind the bathroom mirror. The good news is that, unless they are an Instagram influencer, one person’s skin-care and makeup preferences are rarely newsworthy. You are unlikely to lose any public favor based on your beauty product choices. I know that’s not the point, but in our darkest hours it is a nice thing to remember.

Second, I’d like to introduce a concept here, in the manner of a jovial balloon merchant handing one of his wares to a delighted customer: Money is power and nothing else. What are dollars if not enchanted pieces of paper we exchange for toilet paper and massages?

Personally, I love the stuff, cannot get enough of it. We have a simple and powerful relationship: The more money I have, the less feeble I feel. Money does not buy happiness, but if you gave me a substantial amount right now, I would love that, thank you! Because though it does not buy happiness, money does buy food, shelter, clothing, and other things that humans love, and which bring us health and basic dignity. Many have tried to combat money’s magic and failed. The best we can do is try to make sure everybody has enough of it to meet their basic human needs. […]

FAMILY & MONEY

Pat McGrath Reveals the Drugstore Cleanser She Uses to Take It All Off

ALLURE: Which artists of the non-makeup variety do you admire?
PM: I am always deeply inspired by 17th and 18th century French and German rococo and baroque styles, specifically the architects of Nymphenburg and Versailles, mixed with Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey and Besson’s Le Cinquième Élément.

ALLURE: Most descriptive beauty adjective in your vocabulary:
PM: Major!
ALLURE: Most admired person:
PM: I adore Grace Jones.
ALLURE: Last TV binge…
PM: Le Bureau.
ALLURE: Favorite flower:
PM: A “Divine Rose,” of course!

ALLURE: When we can travel again, what is the first place you’d like to go?
PM: A little heat could be nice, but I’m not like a lot of my friends — it’s like the Grand National rushing to get to the airport! They just want to go somewhere. I’m like, “I have been somewhere my whole life.” Once, in a single week, I went from New York to London to Japan and back to New York. I’m not bolting to the airport.
ALLURE: Do you dream about makeup?
PM: Working in makeup is a dream! 
ALLURE: Drugstore beauty staple:
PM: Bioderma Sensibio H20.
ALLURE: Favorite sunscreen:
PM: Institut Esthederm Bronz Repair.

ALLURE: The products that are always in your shower:
PM: The Aesop Citrus Melange Body Cleanser, the Oui The People Rose Gold Sensitive Skin Razor and Sugarcoat Shave Gel-to-Milk, and the Pattern Leave-In Conditioner.
ALLURE: I feel most confident when… 
PM: …I read reviews from beauty lovers around the world who’ve spent their hard-earned money on something from Pat McGrath Labs and they love it. That’s just beyond rewarding.
ALLURE: Who are your beauty icons?
PM: Donyale Luna, Grace Jones, Pierre Laroche, and Serge Lutens.
ALLURE: Who makes the best black headband?
PM: They are actually handmade for me in Paris at an undisclosed location ;).

ALLURE: Wellness essentials:
PM: Sleep. Laughter. Friends.
ALLURE: Last product you finished:
PM: My Bronze Temptation Lust Gloss. I am obsessed!
ALLURE: Most used item in your personal makeup bag:
PM: My Dark Star Mascara.
ALLURE: Most surprising item in your personal makeup bag: […]

FAMILY & MONEY

This New Lipstick Is Somehow Glossy and Long-Lasting

Like for so many other things, 2020 was arguably not lipstick’s year. And while masks may become a nearly-permanent part of our wardrobe I, at least, have finally started working lip products back into my daily makeup routine. The lovely folks on TikTok are too, and Nyx Cosmetics Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color is one new launch they’re particularly amped about. 

Currently, the dual-sided lippie is blowing up because of the brand’s claim that the product’s color lasts for 16 hours without any transfer, despite its glossy finish. Influencers like Mikayla Nogueira and Stephanie Valentine (and yours truly, though influencer is a generous term here) have posted videos of themselves applying the lipstick, kissing their fingers, then waving them into the camera to prove the color stays put. As I ease back into wearing makeup on the reg, having a lip product that doesn’t require any touch-ups is a nice bonus. 

If you aren’t one to be swayed on longevity alone, the color payoff might be the thing to sell these to you. They’re available in 24 shades, ranging from your usual nudes, pinks, reds, and berries to surprisingly wearable navy and green. I’ve historically found that liquid lipsticks can get a bit messy, but the diamond-shaped reservoir tip applicator on this product makes it easy to both pile on color in the center of your lips and get into the corners with the pointy end of the brush. 

A long-lasting matte base, plus a super-glossy topcoat, sounds like a recipe for a horrible drying-yet-sticky sensation, but, luckily, these lipsticks provide neither. The first day I tried the product out, I genuinely forgot I was wearing it and put on my cloth face covering without removing it (a no-go, if you want your mask to be as effective as possible). 

Courtesy NYX
Of course, the one downside to a long-lasting lip product is that they last… for a long time. As you can see from my video, makeup-removing wipes alone don’t do the trick. Ultimately, the only thing that would get it off was the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm, plus a lot of elbow grease. But was all the effort worth it for lip color that lasts through five hours of Zoom calls and a bunch of really great selfies? Absolutely.
You can get the Nyx Cosmetics Shine Loud High Pigment Lip Color for $12 at Ulta Beauty. 
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Read about more of Allure editors’ favorite new products: 
Now watch three nail artists create a butterfly manicure:

You can follow Kara on Instagram and TikTok.  […]

FAMILY & MONEY

This New L’Oréal Device Will Change How You Wash Your Hair Forever

Getting shampooed at the salon has always been one of our favorite rituals. There’s nothing quite like kicking back in a big chair, neck nestled in a specially curved sink as a stylist or assistant turns the usually mundane task of washing your hair into a mini massage you wish could go on forever. And now, getting shampooed at the salon won’t just feel good sensorily. With a new L’Oréal innovation called the Water Saver, you can feel good environmentally, too.

The L’Oréal Water Saver is a breakthrough device that will allow salons to take a more sustainable approach to styling by upgrading the traditional shampoo, conditioning, and treatment experience in a water-conserving way that promises to make a major impact.
“We met this company out in Switzerland called Gjosa, an environmental tech startup, and they have this really cool technology, which takes a water droplet and makes it 10 times smaller,” Guive Balooch, head of the L’Oréal Technology Incubator, tells Allure. And amazingly, even though the amount of water is significantly reduced, your head won’t be able to tell. Unlike low-flow systems, the pressure feels the same. “You have no difference in the sensation, but you use 80 percent less water.”

While L’Oréal is planning to eventually bring this technology directly to consumers, it made the most sense to start with salons. “If you look at salons today, on average, have three to five back bars and they’re constantly water — constantly,” Balooch says.

The Water Saver’s name is an understatement, however, because it does so much more than save water. The special showerhead emits micronized L’Oréal and Kerastase hair-care formulas directly through the water stream, allowing for better absorption and faster rinsing.

Courtesy of brand […]