• L’Oréal Paris | My Hits & Misses

    July 31, 2023

    Hi Everyone!

    It’s been a while since I’ve posted on the blog. It’s also been a while since I’ve done a Hits & Misses post. So here are my thoughts on L’Oréal products. Some of the products I was gifted and marked with a *.

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

    MAKEUP || Primers | Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Brows | Mascara

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | Maybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

    Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.

    HITS

    Voluminous Original Mascara – This is one of my favourite drugstore mascaras. I like the wand and it’s a good price. 

    Rouge Signature Liquid Lip Colour in I Create 416 – I love this shade and it’s a pretty comfortable matte liquid lipstick. Sometimes I’ll put a bit of gloss on in the middle.

    Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Varnished Rosewood 904 (read my review) – I bought this one for my mom, it’s a really pretty shade and has a nice shine.

    LIKES

    Bambi Eye Mascara* – I liked this mascara, the shape of the tube made it a bit difficult to open. I don’t have dexterity issues, but someone who does might have trouble opening it.

    Telescopic Intense Lash Length Original Mascara – This is the gold tube one. It works well for bottom lashes.

    Brow Stylist Boost & Set Volumizing Brow Mascara (read my review) – This brow mascara was okay. I liked the small brush, but it made my brows feel crunchy.

    Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Anti-Redness (read my review) – My mom uses this anti-redness bb cream and it works well. I wish it came in different shades because it’s too brown for me. It also doesn’t smell that great.

    Color Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in J Lo’s Nude 370 – I used to looooove this lipstick. I didn’t really love the scent of the lipstick (I think it was the same as the regular Colour Riche lipsticks – either a baby powder scent or a bit floral). I went through 3 tubes of this until I decided to try other products. I prefer lip tints and balms or liquid lipsticks these days.

    Color Riche Oil-Infused Nail Lacquer in 554 Carmin Parisien* – Gorgeous shade and the brush works well. I could do without the rose scent of the polish though. I prefer the regular Color Riche Nail Lacquer (if they still sell that).

    Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Day Moisturizer Fragrance-Free* – This is the only skincare product I’ve liked from L’Oreal because it’s fragrance-free. It did a good job as a moisturizer too, but it’s almost the same price as a non-drugstore brand. So I’d rather use a serum or moisturizer from another brand. 

    Revitalift Triple Power LZR 7-day Treatment Replumping Ampoules* – These were interesting. I would prefer if they sold it in a bottle because it’s expensive for these 7 capsules.

    Le Colour Clear Toning Gloss* – I haven’t coloured my hair in years, so I can only judge the claims to make your hair shine. It did make my hair look very shiny and healthy.

    Dream Lengths 8-second(es) Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-Out* (read my review) – It detangled hair well, but it didn’t last very long and it was expensive.

    MISSES

    Unfortunately, a lot of the skincare products has a heavy fragrance that gives me a headache, so I was unable to test how well the product actually worked. The serums were all quite tacky which I didn’t love. Here are 3 of their Revitalift serums that were too scented to try: 

    • Revitalift Derm Intensives 12% Pure Vitaminc C, E + Salicylic Acid Face Serum* – smells like that solution to clean the hair tools at a salon
    • Revitalift Hydrating Smoothing Serum* – smells like hairspray from what I remember
    • Revitalift Triple Power LZR 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum* – I may be mistaken, but I could’ve sworn that all of the serums had fragrance in them. Maybe there was another reason I didn’t like this one because it claims to be fragrance-free on the website

    Pure-Sugar Scrub for Oily Skin (Kiwi) – When I first tried this, I liked it, but I don’t really use scrubs on my face anymore because of my sensitive skin.

    Pure Clay Masks (Charcoal Brightening Mask for Dull Skin, Red Pore Minimizing 7 Exfoliating for Rough Skin, Green Mattifying Face Mask for Oily Skin)* – As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped using face masks as often out of laziness. I prefer to use a mask that I don’t have to clean off. Also, clay masks can make my skin feel dry and tight and I don’t need my skin to be drier (especially in the colder months).

    Concealer Infallible Full Wear, One-Swipe Complete Coverage Matte Finish – This one is too thick for my liking and just made my under eyes look cakey.

    Colour Riche Ultra Matte Lipstick* (read my review) – These were a bit too matte for my liking. I probably could’ve added a gloss or balm on top, but the shades I tried weren’t ones I would’ve personally chosen. So maybe if I had tried a shade that I like, I would like them better.

    Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara – This is going to be a surprise for some people, but I do not like this mascara’s wand shape. I need a more cone-shaped wand or one that’s wider in the middle, not thinner. 

    I have an Excel sheet of products I’ve tried and whether I would repurchase them or not. I have a few L’Oreal products that I said I wouldn’t repurchase, but unfortunately, I didn’t write why lol, so these fall into that category:

    • Voluminous Original Primer – I could’ve sworn I tried this, but I can’t find it in my records anywhere. I know I tried a mascara primer, but I didn’t want to splurge on one, so I got this one. I remember not liking it because it made my lashes feel so heavy once I put mascara on. It was either this or the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer.
    • Excellence Crème – I’m pretty sure I’ve used one of their hair colours. I don’t dye my hair often, but I tried a few box dyes a few years ago. So I don’t really have a reference for which ones are good
    • Dream Lengths Shampoo with Keratin and Castor Oil & Dream Lengths Conditioner* – All I wrote in my Excel sheet was “scent was too sweet”
    • Extraordinary Oil Shampoo Fine Coconut Oil – I’m guessing that I didn’t like the oil in it or I didn’t like the coconut scent.
    • EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner* – I usually stick to regular drugstore shampoo brands in bottles (sometimes I will occasionally buy an expensive one and use it for special occasions). I think I didn’t love the scent of this and it was expensive
    • Stylista #BeachWaves Texturizing Mist – I don’t like the feeling of a hair texturizer
    • Stylista #Curls Defining Spray – I remember this being quite fragranced

    I’ve tried a few discontinued products as well:

    • Sublime Soft Micellar Gelee Eye Makeup Remover (read my review)
    • Infallible Pro Contour Palette – This was the first contour palette I tried. I didn’t know what I was doing back then lol. I do remember the contour shade being a good ‘shadow’ shade though
    • Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in 337 Refined Ruby – This was a pretty red (blue-red, not an orange-red), very shiny too

    While I’ve tried quite a bit from the brand, it also doesn’t seem like a lot once I’ve written it all down. I haven’t tried much of their face makeup, but I don’t feel tempted to try much from the brand. I have considered trying their foundations, but then I just end up trying other brands. Especially since drugstore prices have gone up and they’re comparable to brands at retail stores.

    Love,

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  • Review | WetBrush Speed Dry Brush

    April 28, 2023

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the WetBrush Speed Dry Brush. I bought this in January, so I’ve been using it a few months. Here are my thoughts on the hair brush!

    Upgrade your styling routine and protect your hair from damage with the game-changing Wet Brush® Speed Dry® Brush. Its vented design allows for air to pass through the brush, expediting your drying time and lessening your hair’s exposure to heat. HeatFlex® bristles flex as you style, preventing pulling or snagging strands and protecting against breakage.

    • Vented design removes excess moisture and speeds drying time
    • HeatFlex® heat-resistant bristles gently detangle while blow-drying
    • Brush design contours to scalp for extra comfort

    I bought the hair brush on Amazon.ca (not an affiliate link). The handle is a good size, not too wide. This brush is great, it’s so much easier to clean than the paddle brush I was using before. I never liked how my paddle brushes would get water in them when I cleaned them. Usually I just get whatever is on sale at the drugstore, but after seeing RachhLoves mention it on her channel, I decided to try it. I’ve accidentally dropped it a few times while using it (so it’s dropped about 5 ft) and it hasn’t cracked or broken a bristle. It’s easy to clean and dry off. With my old paddle brushes, I would have to dry them out, bristle side down, to make sure the water drained out properly.

    RATING: 5/5

    I also still love the Tangle Teezer brushes (read my review), but I don’t use them while drying my hair. Before getting the Tangle Teezer brushes, I bought one from Claire’s (an accessory store) and it melted into my hair when I was blow drying it.

    Love,

    Read More

  • First Impressions with BeautySense.ca | Sponsored

    November 18, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’ll be reviewing products I received from BeautySense.ca! This post was sponsored by BeautySense.ca and the products above were sent to me for review, but all opinions are my own. The links below are NOT affiliate links. 

    Beautysense.ca is a Canadian-owned website that sells beauty and cosmetics products.

    We have deep roots within the beauty industry operating successful spas and salons in Canada.

    BeautySense.ca was launched in 2013 with a vision of providing Canadians with a trusted and reliable source of beauty products while contributing the same customer service and education found in our spas and salons.

    BeautySense.ca currently offers well over 4000 quality products from top Canadian and International brands and we continue to add new brands every month.  We cater to each of you, our customer, to reach a goal of 100% satisfaction.

    They sell a wide variety of skincare, home, bath & body, makeup and wellbeing products.  

    Free shipping on all orders within Canada, no minimum!!

    They have promotions every now and then. A free gift with purchase, discounts on certain brands, etc.

    I don’t know if they have sales throughout the year, but I have signed up for the newsletter to email me. So I will update this post if I am notified of any sales throughout the year.

    They have a loyalty program. Receive 1 point for every $1 you spend

    100 pts = $5 | 200 pts = $10 | 500 pts = $25 | 900 pts = $45  

    BeautySense let me choose the products to try out so I went with a 3 products from brands I’ve never tried before and 2 products from amika (love the scent of their dry shampoo and soulfood nourishing hair mask).

    Colorescience: Sunforgettable® Total Protection™ Face Shield Flex SPF 50 | $63

    A lightweight mineral sunscreen with tinted color coverage immediately evens skin tone for a flawless look. Available in four uniquely flexible shades for a range of skin tones, it features innovative, tone-adapting pigments that offer medium, buildable colour coverage with a natural finish.

    This is drier than I thought it would be. I think I could’ve tried the medium shade instead of fair because it’s very white on me. For sunscreen, I usually just squeeze it out onto my hand and then apply to my face, but I think maybe it’s better to do a little at a time for this one. Instead of trying the medium tinted shade, I think I would just try the original (non-tinted) one next time.

    Amika: The Wizard Detangling Primer | $34.50

    A weightless, multi-benefit priming spray that detangles, cuts blow dry time and protects against thermal and environmental damage. Leaves hair smooth, soft and radiant.

    This detangled my hair so quickly and my hair felt smooth and sleek. It looked shiny and smelled really nice. It has the same scent as the normcore conditioner and dry shampoo.

    Amika: Normcore Signature Conditioner | $26

    Boost hydration, softness and shine daily with this everyday conditioner, loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

    I used to love the Perk Up Dry Shampoo, but I stopped buying products with aerosol cans. Since this has the same scent description, I figured this would be the same and it is. At the time, the shampoo was out of stock, but I would definitely get the shampoo. My hair is healthy because I don’t dye it and I don’t use styling tools all the time. So I usually stick to buying shampoos and conditioners from the drugstore. I have bought a few expensive shampoos and conditioners and I use them every couple weeks when I feel like a pick-me-up.

    jane iredale blush
    Blinc: Ultravolume Tubing Mascara

    Jane Iredale: PurePressed Blush in Barely Rose | $41

    A silky, easy-glide pressed blush that builds like a powder and blends like a cream for seamless, long-lasting color and a fresh, healthy glow.

    The blush is a pretty pink shade that looks like a natural blush to my cheeks. I did notice that the blush had faded by the 6 hour mark though. I purposely applied more blush than usual just to see how it wore throughout the day. So, by the 6 hour mark, it was no longer noticeable and by the 9 hour mark, it was definitely gone. I used a cotton pad to wipe the makeup and no blush came off.  

    Blinc: Ultravolume Tubing Mascara – Black | $32

    Whether your daily activities take you from the office, to your sweaty workout then out to dinner, Blinc Tubing Mascara Ultra Volume will make your lashes look as good in the evening as they did when you first applied it in the morning.

    I have typical Asian lashes that don’t keep a curl for very long so I was surprised at how well this mascara kept the curl. I was wearing the mascara for about 9 hours and my lashes were still curled. They might’ve gone down a little bit, but they definitely had a curve to them still (not sticking straight down). I did notice a few flakes on my eyelid and under eye by the 9 hour mark. I think I may have touched my eye at some point. The mascara removes easily with warm water. I would say to remove the mascara with warm water before removing the rest of your makeup. So the tubes don’t get all over your face.  

    They have a number of brands that I’ve never tried, so I’d be interested in buying those in the future and reviewing them on my blog.

    Some products I have on my wishlist:

    • Amika: Normcore Signature Shampoo
    • Joico: Moisture Recovery Shampoo
    • Joico: Moisture Recovery Conditioner
    • Colorescience: Sunforgettable EnviroScreen Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
    • Colorescience: Sunforgettable Total protection Face Shield SPF 50-Original

    Love,

    Read More
  • October 2022 Product Empties

    May-Oct 2022 Product Empties

    October 31, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    I didn’t realize I was so behind on my monthly empties posts! Here’s what I finished during the spring and summer!

    Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve* – I wish I had known about this hand salve sooner. After trying it, I bought some for my family to try as well. My mom and sister get cracked hands in the winter. My mom said she had a crack on her thumb and it helped heal it faster than Vaseline. Whenever I forget to apply it, my hands are so dry. When I use this, my hands feel super soft.

    Repurchase? I already repurchased it and I’m on my second tube.

    How long does it last? I was sent the 200mL tube and it lasted 250 uses (most of the time, I used the same amount, but I used more in the winter). This last 8.5 months of daily use (applied at night only).

    Dove Deep Cleansing Cucumber & Green Tea Hand Wash – If you’ve tried Dove Shampoos, the hand wash smells exactly the same. I’m currently using the Deep Moisture one. They are nice hand washes that don’t irritate my skin. They come in bottles with a pump.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion – This is not moisturizing enough for me in warm weather, so I can’t imagine it being enough in the winter time. I prefer the Cerave Moisturizing Cream or Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion.

    Repurchase? No.

    Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash – This is an unscented body wash that’s super gentle. It does have a certain scent to it (smell from the natural ingredients). I think it’s the oatmeal, but you can’t really smell it on the body.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    The Inkey List Omega Water Cream* – This gel cream was okay. I didn’t think it was anything special. I was hoping it would be similar to the Sonia Roselli Water Balm where it beads up like water, but it was different. I didn’t like the smell of it. It had this wet smell.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? 2 months.

    Youth to the People Triple Peptide + Cactus Oasis Serum* – I really liked this serum, but it seems like I finished it fairly quickly. The pump also tends to spurt product out (I don’t know if I had a defective one, but this also happened with the Retinal + Niacinamide one). Comparing this to a Volition Beauty serum with the same amount, I finished the YTTP serum a month faster. With the Volition serum, I was able to control the amount by doing a half drop, but you can’t control the amount with this pump (can’t do a half pump).

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? The 30mL bottle lasted about 3 months of daily use (once a day, I mostly used one pump per use).

    Volition Beauty Skin Rhythm Balancing & Clearing Serum* – I was a bit skeptical about this one being able to help deal with hormonal acne, but when I used this, I noticed that my acne during that time of the month wasn’t as bad. I did still get some hormonal breakouts every now and then, but I think this definitely helped.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? I used the 35mL bottle for 5 months. For the first month or so, I was only using it at night, but then I started using it twice a day. A small drop was more than enough for each use and I would only apply it on my problem areas (nose, chin, jawline). It lasted 210 uses.

    Volition Beauty Yaupon Tea Glow Awakening Moisturizer* – I didn’t really notice a huge difference in my skin. It was kind of similar to the celery green cream to me. Both are nice, but I probably wouldn’t buy it. I prefer the volition products that come in bottles: serums and oil.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    How long does it last? About 3 months. It’ll last longer depending on how much you use. I feel like I used quite a bit for each use.

    The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Hyperpigmentation Treatment* – I didn’t notice a difference to my dark spots, but this gel wasn’t bad. My skin was pretty clear when I had this in my routine so I can’t say if it helped with new dark spots.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    How long does it last? 2 months.

    Bolden Skincare Hydrating Cleanser* – It’s a nice cleanser, but I didn’t see anything special about it.

    Repurchase? No.

    Bolden Skincare Awake Under Eye Patch* – The eye patches were a nice selfcare item, but I didn’t notice my under eyes being brighter or anything. I think I would need to use them regularly for a longer period of time.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? It depends how often you use them. You could finish the pack of 10 in a week and a half or it could last a couple of weeks if you only use them every few days.

    PanOxyl Creamy Acne Wash – 4% Benzoyl Peroxide* – This was a nice acne wash with benzoyl peroxide. While it wouldn’t clear acne super quickly, it did help bring some painful underground ones to the surface. I would only use this on areas where I needed it. At 4%, it was gentle enough that it didn’t make my skin red and irritated.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    How long does it last? About 4-5 months. I didn’t use it daily, but I used it when I needed it.  

    PanOxyl PM Overnight Spot Patches* – I did not like these. Read my This or That post on Acne Patches.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? It lasted about 3 months (I had some bad breakouts this summer).

    Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Spot Patch – These were good, but they are on the more expensive side (cost per patch). Again, check out my This or That post on Acne Patches to see a cost per patch breakdown of the pimple patches I’ve tried.

    Repurchase? No, there are others that are cheaper.

    Herbal Essences Tealightfully Clean Shampoo – I liked the fresh, clean scent from this shampoo.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo – My go-to shampoos are drugstore ones. I sometimes splurge on higher end ones or hair masks/treatments, but I don’t use those as often. I don’t style my hair that often and I haven’t dyed it in a long time, so I don’t need anything special for my hair.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub* – I really enjoyed this one. I don’t really do treatments with my hair since I don’t do much to it (don’t curl or straighten much, haven’t dyed it in a long time). I would do this scalp scrub every so often and I did notice that my scalp felt cleaner after using this scrub. It was gentle and I preferred it much more than a sample of the Drunk Elephant one I tried.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? It took me 10 months to finish the 150mL bottle, but I honestly don’t know if I used too much or too little each time. I’m pretty sure I used too much lol. I didn’t use this frequently so if you used this every couple weeks or so, it would only last a few months. Over the 10 months, I used it about 15 times. If you use quite a bit, it would last at least 6 months (using it every 2 weeks).

    Spot any favourites in my empties list?

    Love,

    Products marked with * were sent to me for review.

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  • april skincare empties

    Feb-Mar-Apr 2022 Product Empties

    May 10, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    Live Clean Cool and Fresh Deodorant – I liked this deodorant, it smelled fresh. I had to declutter since I had it for too long though.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? Don’t know, I had to declutter it since it dried out.

    The Beauty of Eczema Skin Wash* – Sometimes the body wash had random globs of product (similar to when paint dries in a bottle). This body wash was a bit runny so I think I used more than I needed to use.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? The 200mL tube lasted two months.

    The Beauty of Eczema Bathing Oil* – I used it once a week to relax. I don’t know if I used a lot. Once I found out how much it cost, I made sure to use less. You can either pour it into a running bath or apply directly to your skin and then rinse it off. I think the best way to figure out how much to use is to apply it to your body. When I first read the words ‘oil,’ I was a bit unsure about it, but when I read the directions, I found out it turns into a milk.  

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    How long does it last? The 200mL bottle lasted two months (about 10 uses).

    Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask – I love the scent of this hair mask. I don’t use it too often though since it’s expensive.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? I had it for a year because I kept forgetting about it. I started using more of it later on. I recorded that I used it 20 times, but that could probably be doubled. I think I was using a lot.

    Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner Alcohol-Free* (read my review) – I found the petals in the toner unnecessary. I did notice that I didn’t have as much redness when I used this, but I don’t know if it was just because of the toner or if it was other products I used too.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? I had some compressed, dry sheet masks lying around, so I started using them with the toner. I think I used this toner quite generously. I will add a few uses to mine. I would say this 250mL bottle would last about 6 months. 

    La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Anti-Aging Serum* (read my review) – This serum was too scented. I got a headache from it, so I started using it on my feet. I would apply it after a shower and then put socks on. My feet did feel smooth while using it.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? I can’t say how long it would last since I didn’t use on my  face.

    La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M Eco Tube* (read my review) – I wasn’t a fan of the smell (it smelled like school glue). I also used it up quickly.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? The 200mL tube lasted for a month of daily use (full body). I cut it open when nothing came out after squeezing the tube, I got a few days’ worth of product.

    The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser* – I didn’t find anything special about this cleanser. I would rather use the more affordable Cetaphil or Cerave cleanser that comes with a pump.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? This cleanser was more fluid than others (Cerave, Cetaphil), I feel like I tend to waste more when it’s fluid. Especially when it’s in a bottle with a cap that you turn sideways/upside down, it just flows out easily. This 150mL bottle lasted about 4 months.

    What have you finished lately?

    Love,

    Products marked with * were sent to me to try.

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  • Nov-Dec 2021-Jan 2022 Product Empties

    January 31, 2022

    Hi Everyone!

    I mostly finished skincare products in the past few months and I also decluttered a few things.

    Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser – I’ve used a few bottles of this already. I use it as a cleanser in the morning since it’s very gentle.

    Repurchase? Purchased bottles in bulk from Costco.

    Cerave Moisturizing Cream – Love this body lotion during the colder months. It keeps my skin feeling moisturized.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? 3 months – used once a day on full body.

    Boscia Plant Stem Cell and Ceramide Barrier-Defense Moisturizer* – This was an okay moisturizer. I probably should’ve tried it in the spring/summer because it definitely isn’t enough on its own for my dry skin.

    Repurchase? Maybe in the summer time.

    How long does it last? About 100 uses (took 1.5 months) two times a day. I used a generous amount to moisturize my face and neck.

    Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector – I had this as my fave eye cream in the past, but the size of it is getting smaller and the price is going up. I feel like there are eye creams that are more hydrating than this one. I know that hydration isn’t the target for this, but it does keep my under eyes pretty smooth.

    Repurchase? Undecided.

    How long does it last? 6 months, used two times a day.

    Volition Beauty Hibiscus Unspottable Correcting Oil* – I really enjoyed this oil. I also noticed that a dark-ish spot on my nose got lighter as I used it.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? Almost a year (about 11 months)! I used 2 drops per use, two times a day.

    Decluttered

    Oh K! Soothing Face Lotion* – I used this for a while, but didn’t notice any improvements in my skin.

    Repurchase? No.

    The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum* – I didn’t like this. I found this product too tacky for my liking. I think I don’t like Hyaluronic Acid when it’s on its own. I prefer it with other ingredients. I also didn’t like the bottle this came in. The serum would often get on the top and dry.

    Repurchase? No.

    L’Oreal Ever Pure Bond Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner* – I had to give this to a friend. At first, I thought the scent of it was really nice and fresh when I smelled it from the tube. But once I actually used it, it was way too powerful for me.

    Repurchase? No.

    Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Primer* – I did not like this primer. It just sat on my skin and when I tried rubbing it in, it would pill.

    Repurchase? No.

    What products did you finish lately?

    Love,

    Products marked with * were sent to me for review or gifted.

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  • October 2021 Product Empties

    Aug-Sept-Oct 2021 Product Empties

    November 10, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    It’s been a while since I’ve done an empties post. I haven’t finished many products lately. For empties posts, I will now add how long it took me to finish the product. I keep a skincare journal of all products I use in a day, so I’m able to track how long it takes me to use a product. It also helps me figure out what products I’ve been using if I get a break out.

    • First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
    • Youth To The People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask
    • L’Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out
    • Rael Miracle Patches
    • Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer
    • Cerave Hydrating Cleanser

    First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA – My legs and arms feel smoother after using this scrub. I think if you use this scrub, you need to be consistent though. I’ve been trying my best to use it as frequently as directed, but sometimes I check when I last used it and it’s already been 2 weeks.

    Repurchase? I already repurchased a full-size bottle.

    How long does it last? For 1 oz travel size mini, I got 7 uses. I used a generous amount each time – full legs and upper arms, so you could probably get a few more uses if you only use on legs or arms.

    Rael Miracle Patches (read my review) – You probably already know that these are one of my fave hydrocolloid pimple patches.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? I used a couple sheets in the last 3 months because I was breaking out from some new skincare and also my diet.

    Cerave Hydrating Cleanser – This was an okay cleanser. It was very gentle and it didn’t dry out my skin. Comparing it to the cheaper Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, I didn’t see a huge difference. I’d rather buy the cetaphil cleanser and spend the money on a moisturizer.

    Repurchase? No.

    How long does it last? For 562mL, it took 9 months to finish (250+ uses). I used it once a day – 1 full pump, sometimes I used 2 pumps. I would say you could stretch it out to 10 months’ use if you only used 1 pump every day.

    Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer* – This was a great moisturizer. I noticed that some of my redness went down when I woke up the next morning. I used this day and night.

    Repurchase? Yes.

    How long does it last? For 50mL, it took 4 months to finish (240 uses). I used one full pump each time and used it AM/PM (so 2 pumps a day).

    Youth To The People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask* – This is the first clay mask I’ve tried that doesn’t dry my face out. I didn’t use this as frequently as directed, so I didn’t see any of the benefits from this mask. I’m kind of lazy when it comes to face masks and I don’t use them that often.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    How long does it last? The 59mL bottle lasted me 6 months, but I didn’t use it as frequently as directed. I didn’t get many uses out of it because I used generous amounts and went down to my neck. Using a regular amount, you could probably get 20-25 (maybe more) applications.

    L’Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out* (read my review) – It was a cool product to try, but I don’t personally find it worth the $10 for only 10 uses. It worked for me, my hair felt smooth, and it smells nice. For reference, I have straight hair and I haven’t dyed my hair in a long time. I also don’t style it very often, so it’s not damaged or frizzy. I’ve seen a few reviews where this hasn’t helped people with frizzy hair (as it claims).  

    Repurchase? No.             

    How long does it last? For a 200mL bottle, you’re supposed to use 20mL (or more) per use. 10 uses or fewer if you have thicker/longer hair.

    What products have you finished lately?

    Love,

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  • nume rise and prime hair primer

    First Impressions with NUME

    October 28, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the NuMe hair products: Classic Curling Wand and Rise And Prime Hair Primer.

    Hair Type(s): Safe for all hair types, including thick, curly, frizzy, and damaged hair.

    Features

    • 100% tourmaline ceramic barrel
    • Clipless design for crease-free curls
    • Heats to 410°F in seconds
    • On/off power switch with indicator light
    • Far infrared heat
    • Negative ion conditioning technology
    • Fully rotating swivel power cord
    • Ergonomic design

    19mm barrel for tight ringlets, 25mm barrel for glam curls, 32mm barrel for beach waves

    • includes a heat-resistant styling glove
    • Far infrared heat – sends a gentle heat directly into the hair follicle and out to the cuticle to protect strands over time.
    • Tourmaline ceramic – offers a smooth, friction-free surface to reduce breakage and naturally conducts far infrared heat and negative ions for healthier heat styling.
    • Negative ion conditioning technology – maintains moisture and eliminates frizz by sealing the hair’s cuticle while boosting shine.

    The classic curling wand also comes in 6 different colours: Black, Pink, Turquoise, Blush, Mint Green and White. The 19mm only comes in Black and some of the colours are currently sold out.

    Currently on sale for $62 USD, regular price is $89 USD.

    HOW TO

    Curl: Wrap small sections of hair around the barrel for three to five seconds. Catch the curl to cool and set, then release. Wear the heat-resistant styling glove for added protection. 

    I chose the 32mm barrel curling wand in black. Personally, I prefer beachy waves because I look older with curls. Also, my hair is stick straight, so it usually doesn’t hold a curl really well.

    This is my first time using an actual curling wand. I’ve only used curling irons with clips. I’d say my hair is pretty thick, but it styles my hair well. I get the waves that I want. I tried using it without applying hairspray because I wanted to see how long the waves would last. I did my hair early in the afternoon and it still had some waves by the evening.

    Pictured is right after curling my hair. I ran my fingers through it to soften the waves. I will try to take a selfie and post it on my Instagram.

    RATING: 4/5

    This curling wand is their most basic one. If you have thinner hair, you may want to choose one that controls the temperature. They have the Magic Curling Wand (retails for $129 USD).

    I wish it had a bit of a stand so that the wand part doesn’t touch my desk after I’m finished using it. Since it’s a bit top heavy, the barrel touches my desk. Luckily, I have a silicone mat heat protector. The fingers of the heat protecting glove are really long. I don’t think anyone’s thumb could be that long. 

    Protect and nourish your strands without weighing hair down. Use Rise and Prime Hair Primer on its own as a base prior to heat styling or on its own as a leave in conditioner.

    Directions: Apply a generous amount onto wet or damp hair directly out of the shower. Use before heat styling for added protection or on its own as a leave in conditioner.

    • Hydrolyzed Silk replenishes hair with amino acids, improves against breakage and forms a protective barrier
    • Sunflower Seed Oil, an antioxidant with fatty acids, rich in beta carotene which moisturizes and controls frizz and prevents thinning of hair; packed with vitamin E and oleic acids which helps nourishes and softens hair
    • Honey Extract prevents drying of hair; natural humectant, keeping hair lustrous and moisturized
    • Isoparaffin enhances texture

    Ingredients: Aqua, cyclopentasiloxane, dimenthiconol, phenyl timethicone, polyacrylamide, c13-14 isoparaffin, laureth-7, hydrolyzed silk, helianthus annus (sunflower) seed oil, honey extract, parfum, phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, citronellol, linalool.

    RATING: 3.5/5

    Straight out of the bottle, the scent is a bit strong for me. It’s a bit sweet for my liking, but once you dry your hair, it’s very faint. It felt like my hair dried faster after using this and my hair feels and looks silky smooth.

    This was a great first introduction to NuMe hair products for me. I would definitely consider buying other products from their collection.

    Have you tried NuMe hair products? Which are your faves?

    Love,

    *Product was sent to me for review. Links are affiliate links. Information in italics taken from the Nume Hair website.

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  • L'Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out

    Worth It? | L’Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out

    October 25, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the L’Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out. This was sent in a box from L’Oréal for TIFF.

    A new generation of hair treatment. Our liquid formula disperses instantly on wet hair. It works in 8 seconds and visibly transforms hair from the first use. With moisturizing agents and amino acids, our formula targets damaged areas of hair, forming thin layers called lamellas that smooth the hair’s surface with no weigh down.

    How to Use: Apply directly to wet hair. 2. Massage for 8 seconds. 3. Rinse out, avoiding contact with eyes. Frequency of use: Use 2–3 times a week on wet hair after shampoo. 1 dose for fine to medium hair. 2–3 doses for thick to curly hair. Add 1 more dose if you have long hair.

    Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Myristyl Alcohol, Aqua, Parfum, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Tocopherol, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydroxycitronellal, Phenoxyethanol, Arginine PCA, Behentrimonium Chloride, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Linalool, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Amyl Cinnamal. (F.I.L.: C241530 / 1)

    L'Oréal 8-second Wonder Water Lamellar Rinse-out

    This smells nice and even smells good the day after I use it. At first, I thought the smell would be too sweet and give me a headache, but it’s not. I usually prefer fruity scents. I’m not exactly sure what scent this is (I’m bad at identifying scents, sorry!!) Like the instructions say, when you squeeze it out onto your hand, it feels warm.

    RATING: 3/5

    It was cool to try out, but I wouldn’t purchase this on my own. I’d rather spend the money on a conditioner. It does detangle my hair well, but at $10 a bottle (for a 200 mL per bottle), I don’t think it’s worth it. Each time, you’re supposed to use 20 mL which means you only get 10 doses out of it (fewer if you have thick hair). I would say I have pretty thick hair and it’s also pretty long at the moment, I’ve only used the recommended 20 mL. 

    If you’re wondering about the other products that I was sent in the TIFF box, the Gourmaïs popcorn was good. I was sent the Intense Caramel & Salt Flower flavour. It had the perfect balance of salty and sweet. 

    I did not like the Gruvi Alcohol-free Dry Secco. I’m not much of a drinker, so please take that into account. It did taste like wine though if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option and don’t want to get ginger ale or sparking grape juice. It had a bit of an aftertaste that I didn’t like.

    As for the other products, I think most people have tried Lindt Lindor chocolates, I’ve already reviewed the Lash Paradise mascara (read my comparison review) and I had to stop using the Revitalift Triple Power LZR 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum. I know it can be common for peeling to occur for retinols and you’re supposed to wait it out, but my cheeks were so peely, I had to stop.

    Love,

    *This product was sent to me to try. Links are NOT affiliated links. Description and ingredients in italics were taken from the L’Oréal Paris website.

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  • vichy dercos anti-dandruff shampoo

    First Impressions with Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

    September 3, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Normal to Dry Hair I received from Topbox Circle.

    Anti-Dandruff Shampoo formulated to realign the hair scalp to eliminate 100% of visible dandruff*. You can now break up with flakes, itch, and irritation associated with dandruff and dry scalp. Up to 6 week anti-relapse promise. Recommended by dermatologists.

    The Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo exfoliates and treats visible dandruff on the scalp from the very first application. More importantly, this professional product is the best dandruff shampoo to prevent its return. Results are continuous for up to six weeks post-use. Efficacy tested under dermatological control.

    • Skin Type: Normal Sensitive
    • Paraben-free
    • Sulfate-free
    • 100% Hypoallergenic
    • Tested under dermatological conditions
    • Tested on sensitive scalps

    Ingredients: 1144624 B3 – Active ingredient (w/w) / Ingrédient actif (p/p) selenium sulfide 1%

    Non-medicinal ingredients / Ingrédients non-médicinaux aqua • sodium laureth sulfate • glycol distearate • dimethicone • coco-betaine • glycerin • salicylic acid • parfum • sodium chloride • PPG-5-ceteth-20 • citric acid • sodium hydroxide • carbomer • sodium benzoate • tocopheryl acetate • menthol • 2-oleamido-1,3-octadecanediol • CI 47005. (Code F.I.L. : C264790/1).

    It retails for $19.95 CAD for 200 mL

    In the past, I used to wash my hair every day, but now I try to do every other day. Sometimes I’ll stretch it to 2 days, but that’s my limit because my hair will get greasy and I tend to get headaches easily. I can easily wash hair every other day and I don’t have any dandruff, but if i stretch it to longer, the oil can build up to cause dandruff. TMI, I’m also prone to acne on my scalp (usually the back of my head), so I was hoping that this shampoo would help since it has salicylic acid and it did!

    I followed the directions and tried using it twice a week (the website advises using it 1-3 times a week). So I went for twice to see. On the second time I used it, I noticed the next day that my hair was oilier than usual. I think my scalp was over compensating for the active ingredients in the shampoo. I decided to decrease to using the treatment once a week which worked best. 

    RATING: 3/5

    Whenever I used the shampoo, I noticed that my hair looked quite shiny (healthy shine, not oily shine) the next day, but I just don’t love the scent. It smells a bit like chemicals to me, so I would use the Vichy shampoo on my scalp and then follow up with a nice-smelling shampoo/conditioner on the ends. I wouldn’t purchase this one on my own and I  I’d rather try a different shampoo that’s not as expensive. I know Head & Shoulders shampoos have come a long way since I last tried it (probably like 10 years ago). Now they have scented shampoos instead of just the regular Original Head & Shoulders scent. 

    Have you tried Vichy Dercos shampoos? What are your faves?

    Love,

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  • March 2021 Product Empties

    March 2021 Product Empties

    March 31, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    I have a few skincare empties this month!

    Volition Beauty Neroli Complete Crème* – I’ve tried a handful of Volition Beauty products and this one isn’t at the top of my list. I prefer products that come in bottles instead of tubs/pots because it’s more hygienic. It did a good job of keeping my skin feeling moisturized without feeling oily. I liked that my skin didn’t feel tacky after applying it too.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    An empty and a newbie.
    If you have this eye cream, make sure to cut it open because I was able to get almost a week’s worth of cream after cutting it open.

    Pixi Retinol Eye Cream* – I liked this eye cream and it lasted a while since most eye creams are 15mL or less. It’s one of the few eye creams I’ve tried that didn’t give my under eyes milia. Unfortunately, I can’t say if it worked well under makeup.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb – This is one of the few eye creams that didn’t give me milia, but it’s not one that stands out. I would prefer one that isn’t scented.

    Repurchase? Probably not.

    Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo & Conditioner – I wanted to try the Briogeo shampoo and conditioner to see what all the hype was about. I decided to try the banana and coconut one even though neither of those are my favourite scents. The shampoo’s scent was fine, but the conditioner smelled more artificial to me. I found that my hair dried faster when I used this conditioner than when I use others. 

    Repurchase? No, but I might consider trying the Matcha + Apple shampoo and conditioner because I think I’d prefer that scent.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – I bought a mini 3-pack of Smashbox photo finish primers. It came with this primer water and the primerizer (my friend took the original primer). I like that it doesn’t make my face feel greasy, but it adds some hydration.

    Repurchase? Maybe.

    What products did you finish this month?

    Love,

    Products marked with (*) were sent to me.

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  • Jan 2021 product empties

    January 2021 Product Empties

    January 29, 2021

    Hi Everyone!

    I have a few empties for you this month. I decluttered a few makeup items. I know you can keep some makeup for a while, but I have sensitive, acne-prone skin, so I don’t really want to keep makeup longer than two years.

    Good Molecules Rosewater Daily Cleansing Gel* – This cleansing gel was just okay for me. It didn’t really do much more than my Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser which is less expensive.

    Repurchase? No.

    Skyn Iceland Arctic Repair Cream* – I tried it once as a face moisturizer, but I found it too heavy. I really enjoyed this as a body cream. I would use it after showering and I loved that it wasn’t greasy at all. The container is a 100% recyclable jar made from sugarcane. I found sometimes it was hard to twist the lid on nicely. Since it comes with an insert that holds a spatula. It wasn’t a big issue for me, but I would be worried if I put it in a bag.

    Repurchase? For the colder months, I would definitely consider purchasing it.

    NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Shine Shampoo & Conditioner* (read my review) –

    Repurchase? I would consider trying a different scent.

    Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light – I really liked this powder. Even though it’s a finishing powder, I used it as a foundation for days I wanted light coverage. I wish they had more shades though. The light shade wasn’t the perfect match.

    Repurchase? Definitely!

    Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Light Neutral – I really liked this powder. It was the wrong shade, but it looked really nice on the skin. I know it’s called a full coverage foundation, but if you use a light hand, it won’t look heavy.

    Repurchase? In a different shade, yes.

    Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7 – I purchased this when I bought the Luminous Silk Powder Foundation for my mom. The fluid sheers were on sale and this was one of the shades they had left. It was a good deal and I really just wanted to try it, so I chose #7 (a pinky pearlescent shade). I used this more like an illuminator mixed in with foundation instead of as a highlighter since it was a pink shade. It made my foundation look glowy. I still would’ve preferred to get a different shade, but I liked it.

    Repurchase? I want to try other liquid illuminators from other brands, but if I were to get this again, I would get it in shade #2.

    Love,

    Products marked with * were sent to me for review.

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  • naturelab tokyo perfect shine

    First Impressions with NatureLab Tokyo

    September 8, 2020

    Hi Everyone!

    Today I’m reviewing some products I received from NatureLab Tokyo. Here’s a little bit about the brand from their website:

    Through our own research and discovery, all NatureLab products use active Botanical Stem Cells to maintain scalp health, improve follicle strength and promote hair growth at a cellular level.

    Free of harsh Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, Gluten, Mineral Oil and other harsh chemicals that not only damage hair, but the environment. Cruelty Free and Never Animal Tested.

    Their shampoo and conditioner bottles are really cool. They sort of look like round-bottom flasks that you see in science labs. They also sell refillable pouches so you can reuse the bottles. The bottles are made of a harder plastic (not squeezable).

    They have four different collections that target different hair types.

    REPAIR – Healthy scalp, soft strands, revitalized appearance

    For damaged, colour-treated hair

    Fragrance – Inspired by Japanese bamboo forests with a hint of green tea and Cyprus

    Products in Collection – Shampoo, Conditioner, Treatment Masque, Leave-In Treatment

    SHINE – Shine on

    For dull, drab hair

    Fragrance – A refreshingly light, soft scent with notes of violet and amber

    Products in Collection – Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Oil, Clarifying Scalp Scrub

    SMOOTH – Calm scalp; controlled, frizz-free hair

    For dry, frizzy hair

    Fragrance – Inspired by the warm, fresh scent of a freshly peeled Japanese yuzu

    Products in Collection – Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Oil, Blowout Lotion

    VOLUME – Healthy scalp, voluminous body

    For flat, limp hair

    Fragrance – Inspired by the light feminine floral aroma of Japanese cherry blossoms

    Products in Collection – Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Oil, Blowout Jelly, Texture Mist

    I chose to try products from the SHINE collection – Antioxidant-rich Stem Cells from Grape regenerate scalp papilla cells and revitalize shine. Hyaluronic acid seals in moisture while Pearl Extract stimulates enzymes for an iridescent finish. Shine on.

    Perfect Shine Shampoo

    Let your inner light shine through with a Platinum Fiber-infused shampoo that reveals hair’s natural reflective properties.

    Ingredients:  Aqua (Water, Eau), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Cell Extract, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Pca, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Platinum Powder, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Locust Bean Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Argan Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Butylene Glycol, Isomalt, Polyquaternium-10, Butylene Glycol Laurate, Ppg-2 Cocamide, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Lecithin, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Caramel

    Perfect Shine Conditioner

    Elevate shine to mega-watt status with a Platinum Fiber-infused conditioning treatment that delivers a weightless, glossy finish.

    Ingredients:  Aqua (Water, Eau), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Lauryl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Dipropylene Glycol, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Cell Extract, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Pca, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Platinum Powder, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Locust Bean Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Argan Oil Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Butylene Glycol, Isomalt, Polyquaternium-10, Butylene Glycol Laurate, Ppg-2 Cocamide, Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Lecithin, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Tocopherol, Disodium Edta, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance), Caramel

    RATING: 4/5

    When I first received the products, I obviously smelled them right away. The scent was a bit strong (sweet and floral) from the bottle, but once you rinse it out, it’s a lighter scent. In the past, I’ve used shampoos that gave me headaches because they’re too strong.

    The shampoo and conditioner made my hair look so shiny and sleek. The violet scent is pleasant, but I prefer fruity scents over florals.

    Perfect Shine Oil Mist

    Enhance color and elevate shine with a Platinum Fiber-infused light-reflecting hair oil mist.

    Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Cell Extract, Argania Spinosa Sprout Cell Extract, Glutamic Acid, Sodium Pca, Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein, Platinum Powder, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Locust Bean Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Eisenia Arborea Extract, Porphyra Yezoensis Extract, Hydrolyzed Keratin Pg-Propyl Methylsilanediol, Prunus Domestica Seed Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Butylene Glycol, Isomalt, Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Bicarbonate, Aqua (Water, Eau), Xanthan Gum, Cellulose Gum, Lecithin, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum (Fragrance)

    RATING: 3/5

    I don’t really like using hair oils because my scalp is already oily. It’s definitely easy to go overboard. The first time I tried it, I sprayed too much and it looked greasy instead of a healthy shine. The scent of the oil is stronger since you don’t rinse it out like the shampoo and conditioner.

    Perfect Repair Treatment Masque

    Get back to your roots with this deep conditioning treatment masque that restores dull hair from scalp to strand. Smart Keratin technology fortifies the hair cuticle and penetrates the cortex to rebuild body and revitalize shine. Potent plant Stem Cells from Bamboo strengthen the hair shaft and promote healthy hair growth while antioxidant-rich Argan and Prickly Pear oils add a protective luster. Damaged hair is visibly improved and new hair sprouts stronger.

    Ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Steartrimonium Chloride, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Polyquaternium-10, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Phyllostachys Pubescens Meristem Cell Lysate, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Carapa Guaianensis Seed Oil, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Cetrimonium Chloride, Isopropyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Parfum (Fragrance), Green 3 (CI 42053), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985).

    RATING: 4/5

    In addition to the shampoo, conditioner and hair oil mist, they also sent samples of the Repair Treatment Masque. I really like the smell of the Repair collection. It’s green tea and cyprus. It smells similar to the Dove Cool Moisture Shampoo (which is green tea and cucumber). I really liked the masque and it also made my hair look shiny and healthy. I don’t do much with my hair, so it’s not damaged. I’d be interested to see if it works well for someone with damaged hair.

    Check out their Instagram!

    Have you heard of NatureLab Tokyo?

    Love,

    *The descriptions and ingredients in italics were taken from website (as well as the ingredient pictures).

    *None of the links in this post are affiliate links.

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  • sudtana bergamot coconut and sesame hair mask oil

    Review | Sudtana Bergamot, Coconut & Sesame Hair Mask Oil

    September 11, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today’s review is on Sudtana’s Bergamot, Coconut & Sesame Hair Mask Oil.

    Our hair mask is made from 100% natural and organic ingredients sourced from local Thai farmers.

    The bergamot, sesame, and coconut oils are cold-pressed so they retain all their nutrients.

    • Traditional Thai hair mask contains a mixture of bergamot, coconut and sesame oils in the perfect ratio
    • Strengthens your hair from the inside for more volume and bounce
    • Prevents premature graying
    • Nourishes, moisturizes, conditions and repairs heavy hair damage
    • Keeps your scalp clean, healthy and infection free which promotes natural hair growth
    • Nourishes and moisturizes dry, itchy and flaky scalps

    One thing I don’t love about the mask is the jar. I found it quite messy to open and pour out the oil. I transferred the oil over to an old bottle with a pump. This also helps me figure out how much I’m using each time and I don’t have to dip my finger or a spoon into the jar to get the product out. I have long hair, so I use two pumps. I massage it into my hair and wait 10-15 minutes before washing it out. Usually I use conditioner, but I skip that when I use the hair mask.

    My hair feels soft and smooth after using this hair mask. I usually prefer hair masks that have the consistency of conditioner because it’s less messy. It has a citrus-y scent from the bergamot (I don’t really smell the sesame or coconut). Since I have combo skin, my scalp can be both dry/itchy and oily at times.

    RATING: 3/5

    The hair mask is on the pricey side, but it should probably last a while. This is a nice hair oil mask and it’s great that it’s 100% natural and doesn’t have any added fragrances. In addition to the hair mask, Sudtana also sells other products that are all natural: facial oil, toner, mask, and body oil.

    Check out Sudtana Skincare’s Instagram!

    UPDATE: They’ve changed the packaging of the hair mask to a bottle with a pump!

    Love,

    *This product was sent to me by Sudtana.

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  • joico moisture recovery conditioner for dry hair

    Review | Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner

    August 21, 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    Today, I’m reviewing the Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner that I bought at the Shiseido Warehouse Sale.

    Check out my haul!

    A one-minute intensely hydrating conditioner for all hair types needing moisture and reconstruction.

    Marine botanicals, sea kelp, brown algae and essential minerals restore the hydrolipidic barrier and prevent dehydration.

    After just one use, this exceptional conditioner will detangle your dry hair to reduce breakage by 55% as it hydrates and strengthens. Your hair will become smoother and respond to styling better with greater fluidity.

    RATING: 5/5

    I love the scent of this conditioner and it makes my hair feel so soft and smooth. I wouldn’t say I have really dry hair, but if I don’t use conditioner, I can definitely feel the difference. I would definitely buy it again at a future warehouse sale. Would I pay full price at the drugstore? Probably not since I know it’s cheaper at the sale. I would just stock up on a year’s worth.

    Love,

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