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.