Review : Darphin Jasmine Aromatic Care

This is a holy grail serum/moisturiser for me. The description says it's for mature woman who have dry skin and it promises to diminish wrinkles. I bet mature woman, though I have no idea what age is considered to be mature, deeply enjoy this, nonetheless, as a young woman having spot prone and combination skin, I don't enjoy this blend any less.

my preciousss

I use it after (if I happen to use) serum either on its own or under a moisturiser. For me, one drop is more than enough for my entire face. 

It comes with a high price tag but I think it's very worth the investment in terms of performance. It's organic too, if that's your thing.

Review : Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate

In general, I really like this brand though I never constrain myself from ranting about their price point sometimes.

I have tried their new hydration serum for a good few weeks, the consistency is very water like and absorbed within seconds. It's so thin and gentle, I also took it around the eyes. I didn't find it hydrating enough though, so I applied a second layer without any problems, again easily absorbed. 

This is a very over all, hydration boosting serum that is incredibly gentle on the skin. I doubt sensitive skin people will have any reactions with it. However, over all, I didn't find anything particularly wow'ing about this at 50Euros per 50ml bottle. I had higher expectations. Then again, everybody is different.

How was your experience with this serum?

Review : L'Oreal Pure Red Lipstick Laetitia

Hello, normally I only review skincare but I have received so many compliments on this lipstick, I feel like other also should benefit from impromptu compliments.

It's the new L'Oreal's Collection Exclusive Pure Red Lipsticks, Laetitia's Pure Red that I am talking about. This collection comes in 8 different shades but unfortunately, they're not all available in the Netherlands yet. I picked up this particular colour because, for me, it was the most interesting berry dark colour. 

day light, no filter; one layer smoothed out with fingers

applying second layer

day light, no filter, two layers.

In terms of texture, it's very pigmented. I never use a lip pencil nor a brush, I like to distribute with my fingers. It has a more or less satiny finish. Definitely not shiny at all. And when it dries, it has a very powdery finish, meaning, it is there to last. I advice to moisturise well before applying this, if you have dryness, it will accentuate, I promise.

After taking these photos, I went to a dinner party, after a few glasses of various beverages (see what I did there?), greasy cheese cubes, cucumbers (don't judge), a brownie and another piece of desert that I couldn't identify, the stain was still there. A total win. 

30 Day Philosophy Miracle Worker Anti-Aging Retinoid Pads Challenge

The challenge is on.

For 30 days every night I will use the pads and I will stop using serum or exfoliating toners to see honest results.

Review : Zelens Transformer Instant Renewal Mask

taken from zelens' website

This mask was a gift and oh god, I was more than thrilled to test it as Zelens is one of the most 'scientific' brands out there.

First let's see what this mask acclaims to achieve;

• • Instantly renews skin and visibly restores its vitality
• • Intensely moisturises the skin and enhances its youthful elasticity
• • Helps to achieve a healthy, glowing and younger-looking complexion

Overall, I find these claims to be more or less fair, it does exfoliate gently and also moisturises. However with 120 Euros to 160 Euros price tag, I don't think this mask is doing anything extraordinary. Doesn't help with impurities or blackheads on and around the nose. I think I would prefer Filorga's Meso Mask over this one.

Having said this, I can't wait to try Zelens' exfoliating pads, they are supposed to be AHmazing.

Am I really the only one who isn't fully satisfied with this mask?

Review: Decleor Aromessence Mandarine Smoothing Night Balm

This balm is probably my favourite from Decleor, I mean who doesn't like the smell of tangerine (answer is no one). Those who are sensitive to essential oils must be careful since this balm contains orange, mandarine and bergamot essential oils. I didn't notice any irritations or any clogged pores even though it contains shea butter which is quite infamous for causing pores on combination skin.

from decleor's website

Those with dehydrated skin (especially combination and dry skins) will wake up with plumped up and glowing skin, seriously. And those annoying dry parts of your cheeks will thank you for it. This jar comes with a very high price just like Darphin, considering how little you need and how much your skin will profit, you will have to take a deep breath before giving your credit card information.

What is your favourite balm?

Review : Bergman Microdermabrasion Serum

I have been testing Bergman's Microdermabrasion Serum for the last month, I can happily say I was ver pleased with the results. Let's see the description of the product;

Microdermabrasion Serum helps remove old dead skin cells and impurities enhancing the skins radiation. The powerful ingredient Sorbaine, a blend of enzymes of papaya and lemon extracts, helps eliminate dead skin cells in a gentle way without damaging the skin. Papaya has a high proportion of papain, its keratolytic property (encourages removal of dead skin cells from the horny layer) acts on a gentle level as apposed to plain fruit acids. The serum works preventive against ageing but also helps reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

from bergman's website

I have used this serum twice a day, didn't notice any irritation or stinging sensation, after a week I started to notice slight changes, in my opinion you have to use it consistently at least 6 weeks in order to see some results. 

The biggest outcome of this serum was keeping spots away and the over all, my face looked brighter and more even-toned. I didn't see any differences in my fine lines though. 

There is one thing to be warned about Bergman creams and serums; you really need to apply very (very mean very) little otherwise when you layer your cream or spf on top it will flake off. So hold your horses if you are heavy handed like me, it will save you some frustration and/or ocd-like rubbing your make up off.

pros;

.it works

.relatively cheaper compared to other serums doing the same thing out there

.little will go a long way (remember? it flakes)

.older women will benefit more (i bought 3 of these to my mum's friend)

cons;

.if you will put too much it will flake.

.might not really help with fine lines.

Review : Bergman Microdermabrasion Cream

I have used a few creams that have crystals from different brands including Philosophy and Alpha-H but Bergman's microdermabrasion cream is hands down the best one I've come across so far.

It has the tiniest diamond shaped aluminium oxide crystals that exfoliates even more than  similar products out there that have bigger particles. Don't be fooled though, it's very strong and you ought to be careful not to hurt your skin. The creamy texture gives good amount of hydration too. I would recommend this cream to anyone who likes manual exfoliation for little pigmentations and fine wrinkles, I personally like following with a good face oil to top up my game.

Review : Does castor oil really makes your eyelashes thicker?

Idiot alert!

Last week, trying to top up my make up game, I decided to give a try to my eyelash curler. Result? 

Being almost idiotically clumsy, I was squeezing hard this curler, the metal part slid from the rubber part that ended up CUTTING half of my eyelashes from the root.

Good time to try castor oil.

I have used castor oil, coconut oil, argan oil and olive oil in this experiment. I noticed that castor oil is the one that provided results. I put it onto the roots of my eyelashes every night with a thin brush.

Pros:

 . It makes your eyelashes grow faster and slightly longer. 

(the eyelashes that were cut were longer by the morning, I swear.)

. It will condition your eyelashes, they won't break easily.

. You will shed less eyelashes.

Cons:

.It won't make your eyelashes thicker.

. I had puffiness on my lash line in the morning.

. Don't let it get into your eye, you will have a blurry vision for a while.

Anybody else who tried castor oil?

Review: Darphin Intral Toner

This is one of Darphin's cult products; toner for sensitive and prone to redness skin. Now, I don't have redness nor rosacea, I use this as second toner after my exfoliating one. 

Can we take a moment and appreciate how it smells? Divine! Divine! If there were a perfume that smelled like this my life would have been complete. (melodrama alert!)

It's a joy to use and the smell sends me to heaven, this toner is so gentle and soothing that it will work on anyone. I would say it is more appropriate for those who suffer from redness and rosacea issues, if you are only looking for a toner that will sooth your face, there are cheaper alternatives on the market.

Review : Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

REN Skincare is very well loved in skincare industry, not only because they are paraben, sulphate, mineral oil, petrolatum, fragrance, silicon etc free but also they are kind and effective products.

Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask promises to remove dead skin cells, helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, combats congestion, blackheads and blemishes and an overall brighter and radiant skin. 

This is a chemical exfoliant mask, it means that it doesn't contain any hard particles that you need to rub against your face in order to exfoliate, instead it has fruit extracts (passion fruit, lemon, grape, pineapple and papain from papaya to be exact) that naturally have exfoliating properties. You leave it on your face for 10 minutes (I personally prefer leaving it up to 25 minutes instead) and remove it with muslin cloth that comes in the box.

Now, the mask itself looks, smells, tastes (yeap!) and feels like orange marmalade. Some people could feel a bit off putting this on their faces at first, also feel some little tingling sensation. If you are like me and you have not-so-sensitive face you won't feel the tingling.

I think this mask is a great option for those who are new to chemical exfoliation and those who have sensitive skin. Not that it gently exfoliates, it also moisturises as well.

You can start using this mask from once a week up to three times a week. I need to warn you though, you won't see immediate results after first uses, you need to be consistent in order to see your pigmentation and spots to fade away. 

This mask costs 'jeesussss-christ-really?' 50 euros in here Amsterdam. Though I really like most of the things from this brand, for quality/price performance-wise I would prefer Alpha-H's Liquid Gold Mask or Filorga's Meso Mask instead. 

Review : Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Creme Cleanser

This 110ml (3.7oz) tube normally retails around 40 Euros, lucky me, I had a discount on it.

This fancy looking bottle has lasted me more or less for 4 months as I used it as my second pm cleanser.

dr.brandt suggests that this cleanser will help to lift, firm, tighten sagging and ageing skin. Let's take a moment here to sarcastically smile to this acclaims. However this cleanser will feel lovely on your skin, take all of the dirt and make up off of your face, will not irritate and will leave your skin feeling fresh and moisturised. 

Here are more details from their official websire

Key Ingredients: Glycerin - Humectant that attracts water to hydrate the skin. Phospholipids & Phytosterols - Enhances penetration of the active ingredients delivered through Dr. Brandt’s Age Reversing Platinum Technology by reinforcing the protective abilities of the skin’s natural barrier that prevents dehydration and disease. Sunflower seed - Natural oil rich in Vitamin E that gently hydrates. Tocopherol - Protects cells from free radical damage and helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  WATER (AQUA), HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, TRICAPRYLIN, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, GLYCERIN, BEHENYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERYL STEARATE, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) STEROLS, PEG-150/DECYL ALCOHOL/SMDI COPOLYMER, AMMONIUM ACRYLYL DIMETHYLTAURATE/ VP COPOLYMER, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA (LAVENDER) OIL, SODIUM PHYTATE, LECITHIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, TOCOPHEROL, DI SODIUM EDTA, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYL PARABEN, BUTYL PARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, ISOBUTYLPARABENFull ingredient list

I enjoyed using this every single night, considering the price tag I am not sure if I will purchase this again.

Make up of the day : Winged eyeliner with a little twist

I have used Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in black mauve shimmer and applied it with an angled eyeliner brush. When I made a little flick, I blended the tip of the flick into the crease a little. And voila, this is the end result, hope you try it too.

Review: La Roche-Posay Serozinc

I just finished second bottle of Serozinc. This moisturising toner comes in a 150 ml bottle and it spritz the toner just like a deodorant would do.

The company says this is a toner is especially for oily skin, blemish prone skin or irritated skin, though I think this water which has 0.75% of sodium chloride and 0.10% zinc.

This toner is a lovely resonable option if you want to use as a moisturising toner or as your second toner after the exfoliating one or simply spritz on top of your make up to get rid of cakeness.

 

Review : Yes to Carrots Nourishing Daily Cream Facial Cleanser

I randomly grabbed this cleanser when I was killing time at Sephora, the ingredient list looked promising: organic carrots, aloe vera, castor oil, shea butter, sunflower and coconut oil... No petroleum,  SLS nor parabens.

I had the intention of using this as a second pm cleanser. The product has a creamy almost oily consistency.  it applues wonderful on dry skin, feels very moisturising when you massage it in to the skin. However when you take it off either with a warm cloth or by washing your face, my face becomes as dry as Sahara. I actually feel my skin getting tighter because of lack of moisture. I don't understand how a creamy cleanser that is designed for dry skin could be so over drying. Am I the only one here facing this issue?

Review : Kiehl's Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment

I purchased full size of this product after receiving the sample. I have tried different spot treatment creams from different brands like Avene and La Roche Posay but I find this one to be the most gentle and most moisturising of all. Also it didn't cause any uncomfortable feeling like itching or redness.

This treatment comes in a 30ml tube, you need a very little amount to cover an entire face. Kielh's people advise this to be used on the spots or on the problematic area. I was pleased to see it helped spots to dry faster.

I think this treatment is good for every skin type especially for those who have sensitive and dry skin. What is your favourite spot treatment?

Review : Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum

This is a serum to be worn after your toner and before your moisturiser. It has a white runny texture and very quickly absorbed. Upon application, you can feel your skin being hydrated and it almost lasts the entire day. This serum is such a joy to use, I can't think of anybody who won't profit from this product.  Packed with organic grape water and hyaluronic acid, especially people with sensitive skin and/or dehydrated skin will surely profit even more than the others. Not to mention this hydrating serum is suitable for all skin types.

Review : Ren Clarifying Toning Lotion

I wanted to give this toner a try because I liked this brand and it’s half price of Clarins’ Gentle Exfoliator.

Nowadays I have dry and sensitive skin, a few spots here and there and loads of white little bumps under my skin. So far this toner didn’t irritate my skin and the ingredients are impressive. However, a month into using this toner but I didn’t see much of a difference. It didn’t help my spots to dry faster, not much of a difference on my old or new spot scars and the bumps are still there. 

I see this acid toner to be suitable for very sensitive skin which can’t handle heavy duty acid toners that have glycolic and salicylic acids. However, if you are looking for a more exfoliating effect in order to help with the scarring, I am afraid this product won’t cut it for you.

Review : 100% Raw Virgin Coconut Oil as Make-up Remover

If you are into skincare, you probably know that if you wear sunscreen and/or make up during the day you must double cleanse at night. First cleansing for getting rid of make up and other gunk sitting on your face, second cleansing for really deep cleansing your skin. If you want to know more about this you must read this cheat sheet of skincare goddess Caroline Hirons.

As I ran out of my balm cleanser and feel very lazy to make my own, I’ve been experimenting with organic raw coconut oil. I need to say I am quite impressed with this, it hasn’t broken me out, lovely coconut smell on my nose and incredibly inexpensive. I take a bit of oil on my fingertips, rub them together to give the oil the chance to melt and apply it directly on my dry face and keep massaging until every bit of make up melts on my face. I don’t use a separate eye make up remover because coconut oil melts my waterproof eye shadows and lines like a dream. Then I take my flannel/towel, make it soak some warm water and squeeze most of the water out and clean coconut oil off of my face with this lukewarm towel. Be careful though, I made the mistake of letting towel get too warm and I ended up getting broken capillaries on my face.

I am very pleased with the results as it left my skin feeling very clean yet moisturised but I don’t think just coconut oil gives me all the benefit of cleansing with a cleansing balm. However this is a great option if you are on a tight budget.