Kiehl's

In this post I am going to share my first impressions on the Kiehl's Calendula alcohol free toner and the ultra facial oil-free lotion. This post was written over 3 months ago and I can say that I am still loving the toner which I got in full size.

I have tried various natural skincare products as well as other non natural ones both high drugstore and high end. Lately, I have even tried the famous Sisley Creme Reparatrice which so many people rave about and yet my skin has never felt so supple, hydrated and smooth as right now.


I have been trying to find a natural alcohol free toner which had restringent properties but was not strongly scented for months. And while I was on holiday in Vienna I came across the brand Kiehl's about which I have heard many good reviews. So I decided to have a look at the toners and I fell in love with the calendula scent - which was just what I had been looking for as it is meant for normal to oily skin and is both alcohol free and has a natural scent along with natural ingredients. So I decided to splurge and try this toner. I justified this splurge by telling myself that I am making up for all the years I have skipped the toner step in my skincare routine. After trying this product for the first time in combination with the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Lotion sample I was given, I am definitely happy I made this purchase and I wish I had also bought the lotion. In fact after applying it my skin felt like it was thirsty and it finally rehydrated itself. My facial skin feels smooth and hydrated and also plumped and lifted and it has never felt so good before. I also think the skin looks tighter and more even and I have a feeling that this lotion would make a great makeup base.

After using these products combo for a few days I am convinced that they would be great for my skin in Summer when my face becomes more oily and my makeup has trouble staying on. I also think I might enjoy them every morning to prepare my face for makeup. However, I also realized that the lotion on its own is not enough moisturizing for the Winter months. Hence, I will be replacing it with a richer cream, may be even one from Kiehl's brand.

 

For what concerns the toner, I love it. I think it works similarly to other harsh toners but it is so gentle and has an amazing scent which reminds me of tea and makes me want to find a tea with that same flavor. The toner in combination with the ultra facial oil free lotion does a great job at making the face tighter and cleaning any remaining impurities. So if you are on the oily side but have sensitive skin, I would suggest you to try these products. If on the other hand you are combination to oily you might want to alternate the lotion with a richer one in the evening at east for the colder months. 

Anyway, so far I think these products are worth the higher price and I am definitely interested in trying other Kiehl's products. What about you - have you tried any Kiehl's cosmetics?

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Anthelios Dry Touch Gel Cream 50+ by La Roche Posay

Quick review of the Anthelios Extreme Fluid 50+

After having used the Anthelios Extreme Fluid 50+ for the past 3 years I was ready for a change. Although great in terms of protection, the consistency of the Anthelios Fluid is far too liquid for my face during the hotter months. It makes my skin greasy and my makeup doesn't last long. On the other hand, this product works well for me during the Winter months. The fact is that the packaging is huge and the product ends up being wasted since I only need a small amount for my face and it expires after a year. This is the main reason why I haven't used sunscreen throughout Fall and Winter- I didn't want to repurchase the same sunscreen and couldn't find any other options by la Roche Posay where I live, as it seems that only few people apply sunscreen during the colder months. Since I consider sunscreen an essential product, and because I was quiet disappointed for not being able to find an alternative for Winter, I started researching sunscreens at the beginning of Spring. And after a few weeks I finally found 3 options, all by la Roche Posay (as this is the only skincare brand I am currently using). The three options were the following: the Anthelios Smooth Lotion, the Anthelios Melt-in- Cream and the Anthelios Dry touch gel cream. After considering the pros and cons of each one, I realized the best option was the third one as it's the only one which should help me avoid any greasiness and shine on my face. 

The Anthelios Dry Touch Gel Cream claims to be ideal for combination to oily skin (which is my skin type during Summer), water resistant and thus perfect for swimming and any activities involving sweating like outdoor fitness and training. It also says to have a dry touch texture, double anti-shine action, immediate absorption, ultra dry finish and leaves no white marks. 

After using this sunscreen for a few days, I can report back that all the stated benefits on the packaging are actually true. It comes in a tube which makes the product look like a cream; but it's not a creamy product. It has a strange consistency- its white colour makes it look like a cream; when you squeeze the packaging to let the product come out, it feels like a gel; when the sunscreen touches your fingers it has a harder creamy consistency; when you blend it on the face it feels like a silicone based product (indeed it does have silica listed among its ingredients); and when you are done blending it into your skin it leaves powdery streaks on the fingers but none on the face. 

This sunscreen is not greasy at all, and it's definitely not liquid. Because of the harder consistency you need more to apply to the entire face. You need to press it well into your skin in order to blend it. But once you do this, the product is absorbed quickly and dries within few minutes without leaving any residue. It does feel a little sticky at first, but once it dries this sensation is gone. I think the silicone in this product makes it a great makeup base. So with one product you are actually protecting yourself from the sun and making your makeup last longer. Although I do not use a primer, I believe that unless you are super oily, you shouldn't be needing to apply primer with this sunscreen. Contrarily to what the Anthelios Fluid used to do to my makeup, this sunscreen did not affect my makeup at all. It doesn't make it greasy or cakey. On the contrary, it makes it last longer and better.

To conclude this review I am going to say that I love this sunscreen. The 14.90 euros I paid for the 50 ml content were definitely worth it. And unless something better comes out, which is also fragrance and paraben free, I will keep re-purchasing this product during the warmer months. So if you are oily, or combination to oily, or even normal but you like a matte finish you should definitely try this out!

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Weleda Conditioner....A Review

After having tried the Dermaveen Oatmeal Conditioner, as well as the matching shampoo, I wanted to try a conditioner from the Dr Organic brand since I liked the shampoo so much. However, only few scents were available, all of which were either too strong, too floral or too sweet for my liking. For this reason, I decided to visit a small health store in my town and asked the owner to show me few natural fragrance free conditioner options. One of this was the Weeleda Lemon and Ginger.....which is the one I ended up buying and using.

To be sincere, I thought that almost 11 euros for a conditioner containing only 250 ml was quiet expensive, much more than the 7.33 euros for Dr Organic and the 8 euros for the Dermaveen one. Then I thought to myself, that the extra 3 euros were worth the money if the product would have been a hit especially since conditioner lasts longer than shampoo. 

After the first use, my hair felt great. Now, it might simply be because I had not been using a conditioner for 1 month or else because this product is very good. After applying it, my hair suddenly felt so smooth and no longer dry while I was still in the shower and once I rinsed it my hair stayed soft. Later, when I blow dried it the result was much smoother and straighter. My hair also looked very shiny and it had lots of volume. The next day, the volume was gone but the shininess and the smoothness were still there. My hair felt smoother than it had in a long time and it was no longer frizzy, except for the ends which need a trim.

After the second, third, fourth and many other following uses this conditioner gave me the same result. And now since I got a hair treatment and cut done, the Weeleda conditioner is helping me preserve the healthier, more nourished hair I got after the treatment and cut. If you want to know more about my hair salon experience at Mr James International read here.

What I like about this conditioner is that the scent is fresh and doesn't bother me neither while I am applying it on wet hair nor after the hair has dried. This is very important to me since I get headaches from products scents very easily. 

Which conditioner are you loving at the moment? Let us know in the comments!

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Grundig Hand Blender Set BL5040.....A Review

As you might know if you follow my blog, I really believe in the concept of eating healthy not only to be healthy but also to feel and look fabulous. Of course healthy eating involves purchasing lots of fresh and good quality ingredients and limiting the amount of processed food. Portion control and effectively timing your meals according to your lifestyle, your metabolism and your daily needs is also an important aspect of eating healthy. Also having kitchen tools which make your life easier by speeding up and making certain cooking processes easier for you is a way to enhance your healthy eating habits. Hence, why I want to share with you a great kitchen tool I have been using for the past 2 months. 

Grundig Hand Blender Set

I have been wanting to buy a hand blender set for a long time but I have always postponed it either because I thought it was an extra expense, but mainly because I didn't really feel the need to have it. About 2 months ago I said to myself I was going to research which hand blender sets were available for sale where I live and research those which not only looked nice but were also well priced. And that's what I did. I didn't really have that many options since there weren't many small hand blender sets in black and silver (which is the colour I wanted to match my other kitchen tools). The two which were within my budget, had a good brand, and technical specifications which fitted my needs (like power, speed, capacity and material) were the 3 in 1 Hand Blender Set by Russel Hobbs (I do not remember the exact model though) and the Grundig BL5040 (similar here) which is the one I bought. First, of all the Grundig one was a best selling in Germany and second after manually checking each component piece of the two hand blender sets inside the shop, I noticed that not only the Grundig looked nicer but in terms of proportions and colours, but it also looked and felt much more robust. Hence I bought it.

So far I have used it to make smoothies (you can view one recipe here), dips, pesto sauces and pasta condiments, as well as soups. I haven't used the whisker yet, but I am sure it will be as great as the blender and chopper in this set. Both the power and speed levels are amazing (they blend and chop in a matter of seconds) and they are exactly what I was looking for. The design is beautiful as you can see in the images above and below, especially for the budget friendly price (I got mine for 55 euros). The capacity is perfect for cooking for 2 people but will definitely be enough for even 3 to 4 people, plus you can always divide your cooking into batches. It cleans easily and the food results I have been getting have been great so far. It was definitely worth the money, especially since it comes with a  2 year warranty. This is definitely a great blender to buy if you are looking for something to use to make your baby food from scratch. Apart from being inexpensive it can also be used for the entire family. 

Things to look for when buying a hand blender set are:

1. The technical specifications you need depending on what your cooking is going to involve. For me a 400 W and 2 speed settings hand blender set was all I needed.

2. How you want your hand blender to look in terms of size and colour. I wanted mine to be black and silver.

3. The brand. Make sure you buy a brand with a good reputation which also offers a good warranty.

4. Stain less steel components. You definitely want to keep away from hand blender sets made of plastic  blades because they won't give you a good cooking result and are more likely to break easily.

5.  Capacity. For me the 900ml chopping bowl and the 700ml measuring cup are enough.

6.  Dishwasher-proof if you intend on washing yours inside the dishwasher. I do not have a dishwasher and I would not wash mine inside it if I had one, although it is dishwasher proof.

Apart from the smoothie recipe linked above, I will be sharing with you more of my recipes made with this hand blender set, so keep coming back....

Which is your favourite hand blender? Share it with us in the comments. And if you have any questions feel free to post them.

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La Roche Posay Hydraphase Intense Eyes

After having spent all Summer not using an eye cream, I really felt the need to buy one. This was mainly because lately I had been getting an itchy under eye area. So I thought to myself that the itchiness might be caused by either dryness or dehydration. After considering various options, mainly a few La Roche Posay eye creams and two other ones by Eucerin, I decided to go with the Hydraphase Intense Eyes. This seemed to be the most age appropriate and also the least expensive option. Most of the other eye creams options I had (the fragrance free ones) are in fact targeted to women in their 30's and above, since they claim to be filling wrinkles. What really made me think was the fact that the sales assistant told me that since I am too young I shouldn't be using a very strong eye cream. The fact that she referred to the other eye creams as strong made me think that those might be stronger in terms of the chemicals they use and I am always trying to use natural products with as few ingredients as possible. Plus I also figured out that since there will actually come a time when I will have to use the stronger eye creams, I might as well try the lighter ones, at least for now.

The Hydraphase eyes comes in a plastic tube with a nozzle application. It has 15 ml of product and I got it for 12.90 euros. I really like the packaging. I think it's easy to get the product out and onto the eyes. I also like the fact that it was cheaper than the other options. Eye creams can be really expensive, but I guess the price is worth the fact that we might get fewer wrinkles by applying them.

On first application, this product comes out easily when you squeeze the package. However, since it has a ticker consistency than the other eye cream I have ever tried (the Eucerin AquaPorin Eye) it doesn't run out and gets wasted. The tick gel like consistency is easy to apply and massage into the eyes. It feels moisturizing on the eye area but not as hydrating as the Eucerin. Because this latter is much more liquid and has a refreshing feel I think it works better if all you need is hydration under your eyes. If however, you are looking for more than just hydration, I think the Hydraphase eyes has much more to offer. First of all after applying it for the first time, I thought that the silicone like texture should act as a great base for concealer. This same consistency is more likely to do something for your fine lines, at least fill them while you are wearing it and thus reduce any creasing which you might get after applying your concealer, especially ticker ones.

After using this eye cream for 4 days my itchiness has been reduced, although I noticed that I tend to get it at night and I think it's being caused by using too much my laptop. I am really liking the feeling I get around my eyes after applying this product. It sort of takes the tiredness away for few minutes. Plus I am also realizing that it's a good thing I have started using my eye cream now that it's getting colder and the skin will start being drier than usual. Dry under eye areas are not good since they create fine lines and make your concealer look all creased. 
 

I did notice a difference when I applied my foundation over this eye cream. The application was smoother and it was easier to blend the foundation in the eye area. Even my concealer when applied directly on the eye cream (without  a foundation layer in between the two) applies much better. It is easier to blend, creases even less and lasts better. So if you are using a concealer that is giving you some trouble by creasing in your under eye area I definitely recommend to apply it directly on this eye cream.

For me this is a win win eye cream. Here are the reasons summarized for you. 

1. It's light enough for young age.
2. It's cheaper than other alternative eye creams (I got it for 12.90 euros).
3. It gives me an amazing hydration feeling the moment I apply it.
4. It works well under concealer and foundation.
5. And, I am sure it will help reduce any dehydration induced fine line I might already have, and might slow down any future ones.

What about you? Which is your favourite eye cream? And what does this do for your eye area? Share it in the comments.

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La Roche Posay Toleriane Soothing Protective Skincare Moisturizer.......A Review

This moisturizing cream is one of the most recent additions to my skincare. After spending all Summer without using a moisturizer on my face (because of the sticky hot weather) I finally felt the need to start using one again. And since other options were not available where I live, I decided to go with this one. After having tried various La Roche Posay facial products, I can say I trust this brand especially their Toleriane line which is targeted to sensitive intolerant skin like mine. 

As I have been looking for a moisturizer which was light, this one targeted to normal to combination skin seemed the right one. The packaging is similar to the other La Roche Posay products and the scent is not very evident, at least not as much as the Toleriane Foaming Cleanser. For 11.50 euros and 40ml of product it's neither too expensive nor super cheap. The product comes out creamy but neither too runny nor too tick. When applied, is easily blended in the skin and it hydrates and slightly moisturizes it - just what I was looking for transitioning between Summer and Winter. It does make my face look shiny and a little oily, although it doesn't feel greasy and it dries quickly leaving my skin feeling comfortable. It has definitely improved the texture of my skin in terms of foundation results. My foundation doesn't look cakey or dry since I have started using this product. If you would like to know more about how this product works with my foundation read here. I have experienced no major breakout which I can connect with using this cream and I have had no allergy problems. 

This is not a good moisturizer for people with dry to very dry skin. It is definitely more suited for normal skin and might work well for certain types of combination skin. I will keep on using this product during the Fall but I will be switching to a ticker richer one once it starts getting colder (around Christmas). I am not sure whether I would use this in Summer since it might feel a little too oily on my skin when the weather is too hot. For now this works well and I am happy to keep using it. 

Have you tried it? Let me know in the comments below.

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Dr Oganic Vitamin E Shampoo.....A Review

After having used this shampoo for about 3 weeks now, I am ready to give you a review. First of all, I must say I was pretty excited when I saw a full stand of Dr Organic products. Initially, I didn't even know about the existence of this brand. But as soon as I started reading the back of the products' packaging I got so happy because I have been looking inside supermarkets for so long in search of a natural hair brand. In fact the amount of natural fragrance free products in pharmacies was very small and after trying 2 different shampoos I ran out of choice since all the others were for really damaged and problematic scalp. So that's why I said yayy!!! for Dr Organic products, even better within a supermarket at fairly good prices (they are not cheap but you don't expect to pay a super low price for natural fragrance free products in Malta since the choice is limited and the demand is low). 

On the front the packaging says: "Super Hydrating Hair Therapy: Moisturizing, Rehydrating and Balancing." On the back it claims to hydrate the hair fibres while restoring the natural moisture of the scalp. It also says it should make your voluminous, vibrant and shiny. The best part is that it is free from parabens, SLS, artificial colours, harsh chemicals, fragrances and preservatives.

What I like about this shampoo most are the following features:

1. Although fragrance free it has a natural citrus scent, so you still get your hair to smell nice.
2. Its liquid texture makes it very foaming which helps me cleanse my scalp well and also get rid of the oiliness in my hair without too many washes.
3. Although it foams it's not drying. 
4. Since I have been using this I haven't had any issues such as itchiness with my scalp.
5. For 7.33 euros you get 265 ml which much more in quantity and value for money than all the others fragrance free shampoos I have tried.
6. Dr Organic has a large number of other shampoos and conditioner which I am excited to try, in particular the Manuka Honey and Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoos.
7. The fact that these are available in supermarkets makes them super accessible and easy to find (not so much in Malta since I only found them in one supermarket).

When compared with the Dermaveen Oatmeal shampoo, this is much more effective for cleansing my scalp because it foams more. While the other is less foamy and more creamy which makes it more delicate on the scalp and its scent is definitely more subtle, thus great for those who are looking a shampoo with almost no scent. You can read my full review of the Dermaveen Shampoo here.

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Nail Top Coats: Rimmel vs Sally Hansen vs Professional Nail Care

Few weeks ago I wrote a post about nail hardeners in which I compared Rimmel, Maybelline and Sally Hansen. For this week I would like to review and compare top coats. Every woman needs a good long lasting anti chip top coat, especially those of us who do a lot of chores around the house and have their hands always in contact with water. Most nail top coats promise to last for 7 days, even up to 10 days. But in my experience the most they can last without one single chip is 3 days, when applying one coat. So I have really stopped expecting my nail polish to last longer than 5 days on my nails because so many top coats have not maintained their promises. Now, what I want is a top coat which can at least last me 3 days but most importantly which dries fast and is not messed easily after being applied. After all we cannot really sit for 3 hours waiting the nail polish to be completely dry and solid. We need to keep on doing what we have to and that certainly involves using our hands. So below are 4 nail top coats I have been using for the past year which I am going to give you my opinions on.

 

PROFESSIONAL NAIL CARE FINISHING TOUCH TOP COAT by Markwins International

This top coat was part of a manicure set I got as a gift about 2 years ago. Initially, I really enjoyed using this top coat especially on clear or very light nail polishes. I cannot really remember how long it lasted when applied on my nails because it has been a very long time since I last used it. However, I have been using it more on my toe nails and it does a great job at keeping my nail polish on for weeks. I guess it's because I wash my hands all  the time that my nail polish doesn't last as long on my nails as it does on my toe nails.

RIMMEL LONDON PRO SUPER WEAR ULTRA SHINE TOP COAT Up to 10 Days

I initially hated this top coat because it used to solidify after drying in such a way that my nail polish would start peeling as a whole rather than chipping. Sometimes it would happen after one day and I would have to take my nail polish off. Then after few months using it, it stopped doing it. It might also be because I started applying thinner coats of nail polish and waiting longer before applying this top coat. Again this doesn't last on me more than 3 days without starting to chip. So it doesn't live up to the 10 days advertised on the bottle. Price 5.35 euros.

 

RIMMEL ULTRA MATTE PRO MATTE FINISH Up to 10 days

I discovered this mattifying top coat at the beginning of this Summer. I had no idea you could get a top coat which could make your nail polish matte. And I really liked to have that option. In fact, many times I don't like certain nail polish colours simply because of their shine and this top coat solves that problem for me. Plus it can really transform a nail polish colour by simply mattifying. In terms of how long it lasts, I must say this is the best top coat I have tried because it lasts even 4 days (vs 3 days with most other top coats). 

One thing I would like to add is that you must wait a little longer than usual before applying this top coat if you really want your nails to be mattified. In fact, if you apply it too soon the mattifying formula just doesn't work and your nails remain shining. Price 5.35 euros.

SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRI ANTI CHIP TOP COAT

I really had high hopes and expectations for this top coat. Sally Hansen is a well known brand which many people rave about. So after trying the nail hardener, I decided to give this top coat a go. I thought it would make my nail polish last longer than 4 days, may be a week, but it doesn't do that for me. Today on my nails I am wearing a nail polish colour with the Sally Hansen top coat on my left hand and the Rimmel Matte Finish top coat on my right hand. I applied the colour and top coats last Friday and you know what, today I have only one chip and it's on the left hand where I am wearing the Sally Hansen. So I can conclude that the Rimmel Matte Finish top coat is better than the Sally Hansen Insta Dri in terms on how long it protects your nail colour from chipping.

I am definitely going to give Sally Hansen one more chance to wow me. Next time I will buy a more expensive top coat and see whether it works better. Price 4.99 euros.

The best top coat among the above 4, in terms of anti chipping properties, is in my opinion the RIMMEL ULTRA PRO MATTE FINISH mattifying top coat.

What about you, which is your favourite top coat? And does it make your nail polish colour last longer than 4 days without chipping? Let me know in the comments below.

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Nail Hardeners Rimmel vs L'Oreal vs Sally Hansen

Having healthy and beautiful nails depends on various factors including how healthy is your eating, how much water do you drink, and how well you protect your hands and nails from the most damaging source that is water, especially water which contains detergents. If you are a clean hygienic freak like me, you surely wash your hands at least 50 times a day (may be even more). Apart from this, you will have to clean around the house and shower too. All of the water and detergents or soaps which come into contact with the nails make them weaker and fragile and this is the first step in the nail breaking process. For this reason it is very important to use gloves as much as possible when cleaning around the house and when cooking, so that you are washing the gloves in between not your hands. 

To get and maintain stronger nails you also need to give yourself frequent manicures. I try to do so at least twice a week. This normally involves removing nail polish, pushing back my cuticle, filing, applying nail hardener and then a top coat, sometimes followed by a coloured nail polish and again top coat. Lately, however, I have been keeping my nails bare from any colour because I am liking the clean fresh look of glossy transparent nails. This is also a great way to give my nails a break, since many times applying too much colour can stain them even if you use a base coat.

The most important part of my manicure which most determines my nail strength is applying a good nail hardener. Today, I want to compare and review three of the nails hardeners I have been using during the past few months.  

The first is the Rimmel Nail Rescue Save Me 14 Day Nail Hardening Treatment. This costed about 5.25 euro. And for several months it has done a great job at keeping my nails strong and saved them many times from getting super weak. So far this is my favourite nail hardener because I actually saw a difference in terms of my nails being stronger and chipping less.

The second one, the L'Oreal Resist & Shine Pro-Keratine Strong 5 Plus Stronger, was actually not my purchase but a gift from my sister. I don't think I would have otherwise tried this if it hadn't been for my sister. In fact, I don't normally buy L'Oreal nail polishes because they are kind of expensive for being drugstore. The L'Oreal nail hardener is not as good as the Rimmel one.  Actually, this nail hardener didn't help my nails strengthening that much and it doesn't hold that long on the nails. So for being at least 7 euros or even more, I think it's not really worth the money. I have another L'Oreal nail polish and it's not good either. It's very thin and it gives me a streaky application. I am definitely not into L'Oreal nail products.

The nail hardener I am currently using is the Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hardener. This is the least expensive one, 4.99 euros, and so far it has done a good job at protecting my nails and keeping them in a good condition. I have been using it for only a week so I cannot compare it to the Rimmel hardener but I can definitely say that it is better than the L'Oreal one.

What about you, which is your favourite nail hardener? Let me know in the comments below.

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ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick, Black Licorice Cream Shadow and Shy Blush

I have already posted a review on few ELF products, which you can find here if you haven't read it yet. Since I liked the products mentioned in my first post so much, I kept buying more especially because they are so inexpensive and good quality, at least for their low price. I haven't had any reaction so that made me like this brand even more. Last Friday I bought 3 more Elf cosmetic products and used them all together for the makeup look I wore that same night which will be featured in one of the coming posts. These products are gorgeous and that's why I wanted to share them with you. So here they are...

Elf Natural Radiance Blusher in Shy 2301, Duo Eye Shadow Cream in Black Licorice 7106, and the Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Perfect ink 2119.

I am going to start from my favourite one, although I love them all. This is the perfect lip product for me. It's a lipstick and lipgloss in one product and it works great. It makes your lips soft and smooth while you apply it, gives them colour and makes them a little shiny but not too much. This formulation makes this product perfect for both day and night. It lasts a good amount of time and it's super easy to apply. Its application is not streaky as the Hypershine gloss which I reviewed in post 1. The colour perfect pink is gorgeous and it's a new addition to my lips product. I had lighter and darker more muted pinks but not this kind of bright pink which I love on my skin because it's bright but not too bright, as you can see below.

In this makeup look I am wearing all the 3 products reviewed

The cream shadow in silver and black is a great product to have in my opinion as it serves different functions. It can act as a base for smokey eyes. But surprisingly, being creamy, the black shadow can also be used as an eye liner. Although in very hot weather it might melt easily, I used it both on my lower and upper lash line and I loved the way it applies and the way it looks. It's super easy to apply and it's cheap when compared to most gel eye liners. 

Finally but not least, is the blusher in the colour shy which is a sort of baby muted pink although it looks slightly darker in the image above. I didn't have this shade of pink blush in my collection and I really like it. It goes nicely with many makeup looks and gives a natural bright colour to the cheeks especially for my skin tone. 

Each of this product was only 2 euros at my local supermarket. I am really satisfied with Elf products so far and I am looking forward to try more. What about you: do you like ELF? Which is your favourite product? Let me know in the comments below.

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Elf Makeup Review

Mondays are all about product reviews on my blog. So here is another post featuring some affordable makeup plus my opinions. 

I have heard a lot about ELF and the main piece of information which I kept on my mind was that of ELF makeup being a good quality super low price makeup. However, I also knew I could not get this brand in my country, as most other brands, so I never thought about it. I was happily surprised and very excited to discover a corner in one of my favourite supermarkets selling a small selection of ELF makeup at very low prices. The first things I grabbed were a hypershine gloss in 012 blossom and a duo eye cream shadow in sugar cookie. Because I liked these 2 products so much, at least when considering how cheap they are, I also bought a brightening eye colour eye shadows quad in nouveau neutrals and a second duo eyeshadow cream in coffee & cream. 

This brightening eye color quad in Nouveau Neutrals (2004) is very nice. The colours are soft but neither too cool or warm toned, which is why they are great for both warmer as well as cooler skins. You can get various eye looks from this quad by using the 2 shadows on the right together in 1 look and the other 2 shadows in another look. But you can also mix one colour on the right with one on the left. It all depends on your skin, your hair and the colour of your eyes. The quality is very nice too. These shadows perform well in terms of pigmentation (although they are quiet sheer they can be built up), staying power and they do not crease especially if you were them on top of a good base.

This duo eye shadow cream in coffee & cream (7108) is amazing. First the colour are gorgeous. The white colour is iridescent and has gold particles in it. It is great for highlighting your inner corners and your eye brow bones but also as a base to make colour stand out more. I used the white one together with the pink in sugar cookie cream duo and the result was gorgeous. I also used the brown one under some taupe powder shadows and I got a beautiful eye look. The staying power is good (at least on my lids which are not oily) and the pigmentation is great. 

This other duo eye shadow cream in sugar cookie is very versatile too. You can use the two colours together or on its own both as a base or as your main eye colour. The gold is very pretty and not too loud. All of these cream shadows are iridescent and have shimmering particles in them. Plus, they blend easily.

Finally, but certainly not least, is this great lip gloss in a beautiful warm pink called blossom (012). It applies nicely, is not sheer and the colour is very visible. It also lasts for few hours if you apply 2 coats. Is a great Summer lip colour for both mornings and evenings. 

Each of the above Elf product only costed 1.99 euros at my local GS supermarket. So far, I haven't had any problems with these products in terms of breaking out or allergic reactions. Another great aspect is the fact that they do not have a strong scent and therefore they won't bother you if you wear them all day long. I really recommend this products and I am looking forward to purchase more of them.

STAY FAB

DermaVeen Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner......Review + Update

UPDATE

For the past 5 months or so I have been using fragrance free shampoo and conditioner because of my scalp being particularly sensitive. I tried Eucerin Shampoo and I really liked it. It made a difference by reducing my scalp itchiness as well as making my hair shinier and softer. I kept using it for about 3 months in a row with no conditioner, which I know sounds bad, but my hair was doing fine for the first 2 months. I only noticed the need to use conditioner during the third month. So I started looking for something new especially because  it's important to rotate your shampoo and conditioner every month. And that's when I came across the DermaVeen line. I asked my pharmacist for a fragrance free option and she suggested something very natural. I am normally skeptical about natural products if they are plant based because sometimes they do contain fragrances or unpleasant scents, at least to me that I very sensitive to scents and perfumes. But this is natural in a good way and the scent is amazing. Continue reading if you want more information about the DermaVeen hair products...

REVIEW

" A unique formulation containing natural colloidal oatmeal that gently soothes, protects and hydrates the scalp." It's pH balanced, won't clog pores, it is ideal for both children and adults, it's soap free and has no lanolin, parabens, dyes or fragrances. And it's of course dermatologist tested. This is what is written on the back of the packaging.

Positive things about DermaVeen Shampoo & Conditioner:

1. It's gentle on the scalp and doesn't irritate my skin.
2. It has a very pleasant scent, which reminds me of Sicilian traditional almond milk.
3. After using these products, my hair feels clean and fresh and has a very natural scent which doesn't bother me at all.
4. The shampoo is very good at cleansing my scalp, although I do not normally use tons of products so I do not have a lot of buildup.
5. My hair stays soft and smooth for up to 2 days (keep in mind that I exercise daily).
6. This hair line is not tested on animals.
7. It is available in pharmacies.

Negative things about DermaVeen Shampoo & Conditioner

1. I wish the conditioner could be a little bit creamier and moisturizing.
2. The price is higher than what I am used to spend on hair products. It's around 8 euros each. However, we are all used to paying more for natural and healthier options whether it's food or beauty products. 

Overall, I recommend DermaVeen hair products to those of you who are trying to use more natural alternatives, either as part of a lifestyle or because your scalp and skin cannot stand products full of chemicals and strong fragrances. Using them in combination with a moisturizing treatment and a leave in conditioner would be the perfect way to keep your hair healthy and nourished.For what concerns children, especially very young ones, I would consult a pediatrician before using this brand just to make sure there are no better options.

Other Hair Posts:

Birthday Hair...Easy Half Updo

SS12 LOB...Long Bob

2012 Hair Cut

Long vs Shorter Hair

STAY FAB

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water......Review

When I purchased this product I was initially skeptical about how useful it could really be. I was thinking "it's just water". But because it was only 6 euros for a relatively large bottle, which I knew would have lasted me a long time (and in fact it did), I decided to give it a try and bought it.

I think the main reason for which I decided to look into the La Roche Thermal Spring Water was the fact that I really wanted to have a product which could act as a toner but at the same time be as natural and chemical free as possible. So if you are asking yourself "DOES IT REALLY ACT AS A TONER or not?" keep reading....

Below are my opinions and conclusions on La Roche Thermal Spring Water. I have been using it for at least 5 months now and I can therefore give you a complete review, highlighting its benefits for the colder months as well as the warmer ones! 

1. This thermal spring water makes my face feel fresh, clean and cool especially when applied right after cleansing. To make it extra cooling and lifting I keep mine in the refrigerator, especially during Summer. So yes it does act as a toner, if the aim is to refreshen the skin and pack it with extra water to keep it hydrated.  
2. It also acts as a light hydrating lotion by leaving my face feeling very supple and comfortable with no feeling of tightness at least for 1 to 2 hours in Winter and for the rest of the day in Summer.
3. Thanks to its anti-irritant properties, I have seen a reduction in my cheeks redness especially in Winter when the cold air dries and irritates my facial skin.
4. Because its antioxidant properties should help in fighting skin aging, this is a great product for young women who haven't started anti wrinkle treatments.
5. I have used this instead of my moisturizer for a few days during the current heatwave and my face felt fine. So if you have normal to combination or even oily skin, la Roche Thermal Spring Water could replace your moisturizer when you are either in a hurry, it's too hot to apply a thick cream or when you want to skip this step under your makeup.
6. Its antioxidant properties also help reducing makeup oxidization which tends to cause darkening of foundation and concealer on the face. If this is a problem you have, try applying your thermal spring water on clean skin just before you apply your makeup and see if it makes a difference for you.
7. It is very economic. In fact it is cheap to buy and lasts several months. It lasted me more than 4 months using it once a day.

There are other brands like Vichy and Avene which offer different versions of Thermal Spring Water. Each one comes with the same concept but might have different benefits. You should at least try one and I am sure you will find at least one beneficial use. I will definitely be repurchasing this product but I am still not sure whether it will be La Roche or whether I should try out another brand. Leave your comments telling me whether you think Vichy and Avene are better than La Roche for their thermal spring water.

STAY FAB

Best WINTER Hand Cream is.........

As you might have understood from my post "How to cope with Raynaud's" http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2012/01/fragrance-allergymy-new-skincare.html , WINTER is not my favourite season. I would actually do without it if it wasn't that I love Christmas time as well as coats and boots.....My hands are the most sensitive part of my body to temperature change and they really get affected negatively by the cold temperatures. The result is very dry hands, and unfortunately chilblains. 

This year after 13 years I was actually able to have baby smooth hands even in winter thanks to one hand cream. I started researching about hand creams at the end of summer and started using Eucerin Intensive Hand Cream which I reviewed here http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2012/01/fragrance-allergymy-new-skincare.html. This cream was great for fall but it stopped working around December January when the air got colder. That's when I bought my Norvegian Formula Hand Cream Concentrated by Neutrogena. 

The Norvegian Formula Hand Cream is the best I have ever tried and believe me I tried at least one different hand cream for the cold weather every year. Many might have worked if only I had kept using them as much as I used this one. However, most of them were very expensive since prescribed by either general practitioners or dermatologists. The Neutrogena one on the other hand is very affordable. I would say it is very cheap since 75 ml cost less than 6 euros and it gives you about 200 applications. In my case I think I am going to get about 150 applications simply because I use a lot for each application since my hands really need the extra moisture. I like to apply it twice, once in the afternoon and one more time in the evening. 

In terms of application, I can say that I hated the sticky greasy feeling I got the first time I applied it. But this was because I had applied too much and had not rubbed it in as well as I do now. This hand cream might leave your hands feeling slightly sticky for the first 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much you apply and how well you rub it in. But having sticky greasy hands means you have an extra layer of moisture surrounding your hands which will act as a protection against the cold. So if you can seat for half an hour may be while you are watching TV, studying, reading, browsing online, helping your kids with homework, or talking on the phone you should try and endure the stickiness. I promise you it will pay you off. In fact, after only a week of applying it twice a day I saw my hands so smooth and those wrinkles I had due to  the extra dryness from many years in advance started being less visible. 

This cream has also helped me fight my chilblains and I must say that I was almost able to have my dream come true of not getting chilblains this year thanks to the cream and the tips I told you about in my Raynaud's  post. Another great thing about this cream is that it comes in both fragranced and unfragranced which is important to me since I am allergic to perfumes and scents. I will definitely stick to using this until summer and then I might switch for something lighter. In fact, I have already bought my second tube. And unless I find something better I will use it next winter.

STAY FAB.

Greasy/oily hair and itchy scalp........A Review

An itchy scalp can have various causes. A common one is stress. Very often, certain shampoos and conditioners can be very aggressive on your scalp and strip all the moisture out, thus creating itchiness. Not washing hair very often but also washing it too often can impact negatively on the scalp. Dirty hair will get greasy and create excess sebum which will deposit itself on your scalp and trigger the itchiness. Washing your hair when not necessary will dry your hair and also your scalp, thus causing itchiness. If you have oily hair you will have to wash it more often in order to protect your scalp from the excess sebum. So you have to make sure to  use gentle hair products. 

There are however various products which can be used to reduce excess sebum and thus reduce the number of times you wash your hair during the week. A good product for greasy hair is Matrix Biolage Oil Control Treatment. It is a treatment for your scalp which relieves itchiness as well as makes your hair stay clean longer by fighting the excess sebum. It is very simple to use. You just nebulize it on your scalp concentrating it on the areas which are more itchy and feel more greasy. You can also use the product to prevent your hair from getting greasy and thus avoiding the itchiness. In my case, my hair will still be clean but my scalp will get itchy. Normally, I would wash it with the hope of relieving the itchiness but sometimes I can still feel it itchy. This product has helped me fight the itchiness without the need to wash my hair when it's still clean. I bought mine from my hairdresser a few years ago and have not used it for a long time. But recently I have been loving it. It was about 13 euros but Amazon offers a much better price as you can see below.

Stay Fab!

Tuesdays with Morrie.......Book Review

Hello ladies,

In previous book review posts I already stated that a good book can make you feel fabulous as much as a new foundation or a new pair of shoes does. May be even more. Why is this so?........It's simple, a good book whether fictional or real will always teach you something and will always make you feel good either because you get into the story and feel what the characters are feeling or else because it will make you feel good about yourself and your life. For instance, even a sad story like Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom made me feel good because it was sad but it was also about life.

This book is the best I have come across in terms of emotional content. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. I felt sorry for someone ( I don't want to tell you too much) but also happy for him at the same time. He is such a goos example. This person is brave and has led a balanced life helping others while building his career without neglecting his family. And all the good he is done is paid back to him by the way people around him care about him in the moment of need. It shows you how pride is set aside when you really have to. It also shows you how to accept circumstances where your independence is gone and yet make the most out of the situation. It's about a person dying, but this book is so much about life rather than death......YOU HAVE TO READ IT. It's also a short book so you can read it on a plane or within few days if you are going on a holiday or a weekend break. Believe me, it will be a good read for you but also for your partners, friends, children and parents. It's a great gift for anyone.

My other book posts:
The Art of Happyness by the Dalai Lama....A Book Review
http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2011/09/good-book-can-make-you-feel-fab-too.html
Ghandi's way: A book of conflict resolution by Mark Yurgensmeyer
http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2011/07/gandhis-way-handbook-of-conflict.html
Infinite Impact by Stu Weber....A Book Review.
http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-reviewinfinite-impact-by-stu-weber.html
A good book can make you feel fab too!
http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2011/01/good-book-can-make-you-feel-fab-too.html

Kiko Nail Polish.....

Hello ladies,

Lately I have been loving nail polishes. For this reason I started posting nail of the week looks. During this summer I enjoyed wearing bright colours on my nails. I really loved the minty nail polish by Essence. However, fall has arrived and to my surprise I am looking forward to wearing more muted less bright colours. So here is my first nail look for this fall 2011. It is a beige satin (shade 220) by KIKO Make Up Milano.

I absolutely love this nail polish. I really like the colour which seems like a beige with a touch of pink almost a pink caffelatte. What is great about this colour is that it can look classy when paired with more elegant classic outfits but it can also look modern and chic with more casual and colourful outfits. The consistency is perfect. Applying it is really easy because the nail polish is quiet liquid, but not runny. It doesn't thicken (like my Rimmel nail polishes do) when you apply it. It dries in few minutes (the same as Rimmel 60 seconds polishes). This shade can look almost like you are not wearing nail polish from a small distance. So it can be great to wear for interviews, work and formal events. When you see it from a close distance it is shiny but not too much and it has a pearled almost glittered appearance which is really nice. Finally, but most importantly it lasted me a week which none of my Rimmel 60 seconds has done before. And during this week  have done a lot of cleaning, washing, cooking not always using gloves. Moreover, even now that it is starting to come off it is doing so at a slow pace and it still looks decent.

I am sorry we do not have Kiko in Malta. So if you have it in your country, pop in one of the outlets and get yourself one colour from the Nail lacquer range and I am sure you will love it. The best part about it is that it only costs 2.50 euros (Catania, Sicily prices) and you get 11 ml (while my Rimmel 60 seconds costed me 3 euros and they came in 8 ml bottles).

Love it,
AlessiaPearl.

Missha BB Cream SPF20.......A Review

Hello ladies,

I was been given 2 samples of the Missha BB Cream with SPF20 during last winter. I used one of the samples but didn't feel ready to review it. Now after trying more high end foundations I feel more able to give my true opinion on this tinted moisturizer.

As you can see the package is nice and compact, easy to carry around either in your handbag or travel beauty kit. The bottle says that this is a cream which contains 7 essential vitamin complexes derived from natural ingredients. It is more than a tinted cream as it aims at moisturizing the skin while giving it a more even skin tone and also protecting it from UV as it has SPF20 in it.

I believe the above description is absolutely correct. This tinted cream feels amazing on my skin. It is really moisturizing. It has a very subtle scent so doesn't bother me at all and doesn't water my eyes and nose either. When I apply it, my skin looks natural just more even. So it does help you achieve a more even skin tone.

It doesn't however cover my redness but just minimizes it a little. I apply it on top of my Body Shop Skin Primer Matte It and then powder it with Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder. And I must say that this is the only tinted moisturizer I have tried which doesn't make my skin look dehydrated or cakey even after applying the powder. I believe it is due to the fact that it is very moisturizing and that's exactly what my skin needs to look great.

This product only comes in one shade. When I squeeze the product out of the sample it comes pretty dark almost taupy coloured. But then once I blend it in my skin it looks almost transparent and matches my skin tone nicely.

Overall I think that the Missha BB Cream with SPF20 is:

1. A very good tinted moisturizer. I wouldn't call it a foundation as it is transparent and has almost no coverage.
2. This product is great for women who want to even out their skin while looking natural. It is good for those who need high coverage all over their face.
3. To achieve more coverage I would suggest covering any redness and blemishes with a concealer and then applying this tinted moisturizer to even out the skin.
4. I would suggest to use a primer because it helps the BB cream hold longer onto your skin.
5. Using a pressed powder with this BB cream can help you achieve slightly more coverage and a more polished look.

If you (like me), have problems with dehydrated skin which can look cakey and flakey with foundation on, especially after powder and after several hours have passed, I think this is the right product to use for every day when you just need to look good and natural without too much coverage. So yes I would buy this product especially since it only costs about 12 euros. But I am also looking forward to try the other moisturizing foundations by Missha.

AlessiaPearl

Essence Makeup Review......

Goodmorning ladies,

As you might have read in my previous posts, I have been on holiday in Catania for 3 weeks. I took advantage of the fact that prices tend to be slightly lower there and did some shopping. I planned to buy a lot of makeup because I need to grow my collection as I need more basic makeup staples. But as it always happens to me I start seeing the prices high and tell myself I will buy another time or from somewhere else, and then I end up not buying whatever I needed.

In Malta there aren't so many makeup brands available. In fact, we don't have MAC, Makeup Forever, Bobby Brown, Laura Mercier and many other cheap drugstore brands. In Catania there were few of these but still looked expensive to me. I wanted to try new drugstore brands which were also affordable and the only ones I found to be interesting is ESSENCE.

I bought the following Essence makeup items:

• Essence Colour & Go quick drying nail polish in shade 53 You belong to me (minty shade)
• Essence Multi Dimension XXXL Shine nail polish in shade 62 Must-Have (charcoal grey)
• Essence Nail Art Special Effect! topper in shade 04 Mystic Mermaid (silver glitters)
• Essence Bronzing Compact Powder Matt in shade 02 Love to be matt
• Essence Silky Touch Blush in shade 30 Secret it girl (peach)
• Essence Eyeshadow in shade 25 Go All Girlie Shimmer Effect (pink)
• Essence XXXL Shine Lipgloss in shade 04 Rising Star (pink)

From the nail polishes I only tried the first which is the minty one and I must say that it really surprised me as the quality looks very good. It has a nice consistency which makes it easy to apply. It dries quickly and it has a nice finish. But most importantly it lasted one entire week which seems a lot to me. I will tell you more about the other 2 nail polish in my nail of the week posts. These 2 nail polish costed me only 99 cents each as the were on sale. You can view my nail of the week post for the minty nail polish here http://alessiapearl.blogspot.com/2011/09/summer-nail-of-week-7.html.

The bronzing powder was really cheap as it only costed 3.49 euros and it is not that small (10g). The colour is not the best for my skin as it looks a little too dark and too brown. However, it looks fine if I apply just a little. It is very pigmented as all the other Essence powder products I bought. It is matte which is better for a bronzer as you want to sculpt your face by shaping your cheekbones and temples and not illuminate them.

The blush is a pink with a peachy undertone. I have been wanting a peachy blush for a long time and I am glad I have this now until I can find the ideal peach for my skintone. It is also very pigmented so I only apply a little because it can me look funny otherwise. I like the combination of this blush with the essence bronzing powder especially for summer. In fact, it is very shimmery and it reflect golden light because it has some gold glitters in it. The price of the blush was 2.49 euros.

The eyeshadow is a nice light pink which is also very shimmery. So it is great to illuminate the eyes by using it on the entire lid or just in the inner corner. I used this together with a darker pink in the crease to achieve a soft pink makeup look and I also used it with a very light brown in the crease to create a romantic fall makeup look. This was a bargain because it was on sale for only 99 cents of a euro.

The lipgloss is light but very glossy and shimmery. It almost has a lilac undertone. I would advice you to apply it lightly in the morning not to look to shimmery. I really needed a light pink lipgloss so I was very happy to get this for only 2.29 euros.

All this makeup was bought from Coin.

Hope you found this post interesting and helpful.

AlessiaPearl.