My beauty diary 2-step Winter Bright Pack

This pretty sheet-set ended up in my shopping-cart a while ago. I have been trying a My Beauty Diary 2-step pack before (here), and the words 'Winter Bright' got me in...

Moisture and hydratation has been highly needed this long-lasting winter. I made a photo beginning winter of my hairline for the Phylia [de M] hairgrowth project and a second one last week: Conclusion is that my hair grew and got somewhat restored, but my skin has a bit more redness. It's still quite good after enduring the longer winter-weather, but not as smooth/calm as pre-winter.

That means I have to up my mask-routine a bit more. Something that targets especially for winter could be up for some soothing & brightening.

Shortly, an overview of the Steps:

1: Just like the previous My Beauty Diary 2-step system, it has a sheetmask in one compartment; an Olive Leaf mask. The smaller compartment contains Shea Butter creamy gel.

2: Ingredients of the Olive Leaf Mask:




Ingredients of the Shea Butter Creamy Gel:

 
3. How to use: similar to other (MBD) sheetmasks. The cream should be applied afterwards.

4. Date of production for controlling freshness.

Swatch of Step 2: the Shea Butter Creamy Gel

It has a lighter, fresh consistency which reminds me of Japanese Toner/lotion formulas

Step 1, the Olive Leaf sheetmask, is of a similar shape as most of My Beauty Dairy sheetmasks so I haven't made a photo of that one.

VERDICT:

• The Olive Leaf Sheetmask is quite drenched with liquid, being a moisture-bomb skins often needs for colder winters
• step 2: Shea Butter Creamy gel feels like a normal moisturizer instead of gel, but a thinner one.
• this time I really like an extra cream afterwards for extra hydratation
• Calming effect: yes...my redness around the nose reduced
• Brightening? I think so: my skin looked more translucent, moisturized & calmer afterwards
• lasting effect: until 3 days afterwards I had calmer, better skin with the same skincare regime
• scent sheetmask: somewhat fragant of a enhanced olive flower (bit chemical, but still fresh)
• scent Shea butter cream: neutral, fragance-free

CONCLUSION:
I really like this mask and wanna repurchase 2 or 3 more.

Availability:
I'm glad Sasa still has them for $ 1.70 per piece (here)

My Beauty Dairy 2-Step America Soothing Pack

I love my sheetmasks...I once learned that sheltering the skin from the outer elements while doing a masks enhances it's effectiveness, and sheetmasks have this element included by covering the face with a cloth.

My Beauty Diary has already been one of my favourite brands. Trying out their 2-step system was on my wishlist, and I picked the America variety as I normally need soothing and calming the most during this time of year.

There are other continents represented with their properties as well: eg. Africa being hydrating, Asia being brightening and Europe being clarifying.

I can understand why Asia would be connected to brightening (as brightening and having lighter skin is high on most Asian skincare-user's wishlist) but I wonder why America got soothing. Perhaps Obama being reelected and trying to sooth the world economy into better states?

Sasa explains it that the ingedients connected to being soothing are found in (North-)America: "marigold, cotton, mimosa, echinacea plant and Crafts essence". But, the cheaters, there is also "organic bamboo water from the mountains of Asia" being found in there. 

So what is so 2-step about this system. Simply, you use the sheetmask first, and apply their taylored face-cream afterwards.

The quality of their sheetmask is like most of the MBD varieties: although I found that it tore quite easily when I tried to place it differently on my face.

sheetmask: nothing unusual

The second step, applying facecream, wasn't the most handy way for me: (Uhoh)

step 2: cream pours out when making a small tear...not too handy

I think this step is not really necessary when having done step 1 (the sheetmask). I found my face to be calmed and hydrated enough. Nevertheless, it is a wonderful step for the dryer skintypes out there.

VERDICT:

• designed for soothing? Yes, it has a calming effect on the skin and didn't irritate it (and I'm quite sensitive on the field of skin lately)
• scent: a bit of a mild chemical cucumber...I almost wanted to say "an American cucumber" as I smell this type of "cucumber"-scent a lot in American body-products. It is really light and not obtrusive. However, the people looking for a fragance-free mask will probably have to skip it.
• anti-ageing? Not really. Although lessening irritation can also qualify as "youth-defending". However, priorities have to be made with skincare and if your skin gets red/irritated, then diminishing that element is often more important than anti-ageing. However, there are products on the market that do both, such as Ren Hydra-Calm Youth defending serum
• 2 step necessity? Not really to me, but I use the moisturizer separate from the sheetmask and try to remember to make a really tiny tear.
• Hydrating properties of sheetmask? plenty serum/liquid. The mask is still moisturizing enough after 20 minutes of use.
• Size Sheetmask? It is on the smaller side on the width of the face. I'm from North-Europe and I wonder if broader face-types can fully cover the whole width of their face.

CONCLUSION:

It's a lovely mask and it's quite soothing. It's scented lightly. I personally think the 2-step is a bit gimmicky, but the extra face-cream (somewhere between lotion and cream) is nice and penetrates easily. I think the quality of the sheetmask itself is a bit thin and I think it could have been designed a bit wider for the Asian market. Nevertheless, I think My Beauty Diary has delivered a wonderful mask that keeps it's promise of soothing, and the names attached to the use to the continent is really cute.

AVAILABILITY:
I bought my package on sasa (here) for $18.70

Cosmetic newbies

I bought some new cosmetic things:

My Beauty Diary Rose & White Peony Brightening Mist

It's from the same company that makes the infamous sheet masks. I figured out that I might like their spray too. Until now, I do: it's quite neutral but still lovingly hydrating.

And one of their masks too: The France Apricot masks...these are so dewy and lovely. (both are from sasa)

I also bought this:

Yep, from strawberrynet...

And it is?

Edward Bess compact (cream) rouge in Island Rose.

Gosh, I have read so many raves on this product. I was looking for a lighter cream pink blush for the summermonths and initially I wanted to go for Bobbi Brown cream pot in Pale Pink based on someone's gorgeous makeup, who is a brunette as well (I first thought pale pink was just for blondes).

I saw in a review (here) that this one is quite similar so I went for Edward Bess instead. This one is cheaper via strawberrynet (with my discount € 20  and BB is € 25 in our shops). Also, I remembered one reviewer saying this one is travel-friendlier in size, and that is true as well. I also prefer Edward Bess as a brand because his ingredients are more naturally based. And this one got high reviews as the hybrid product it stands for: normally the hybrid lip/cheeks only work well on one part, either cheek or lips, but the raves said and showed it performs good at both tasks...

gonna find out for myself...;)

Also, the shop had a massive action going on (buy something via your mobile get a Calvin Klein lipgloss and buy something before a certain date get a Lancaster Lipstick, both by choice:

The Lancaster CM46 is a sheerer fushia pink with a blue-toned glimmer: really lovely for cooler complexions and the Calvin Klein LG 13 has the most perfect golden shimmer:

Kind of a face & lipstick haul this time....

The almost 500 Giveaway

I have been plotting another giveaway for this dreary and probably cash-derived time of the year, but I didn't want to call it the January Giveaway's again.

So, I thought I was going to be a bit selffish and a tad pride of the fact that I almost have 500 followers. I have been blogging regularly since 2009 and I realise that it is quite good even though I am not trying to be an A-list beautyblogger. (makes me realise I can really relate and smile about this article of 'Confessions of a B-list Beautyblogger' a lot).

But what is in there for you?

1. Burberry Sheer Lipstick in 206 / Blueberry

Freshly released for FW 2011 and a beautiful deep bitten cherry-ish colour. Swatched here (theultimatemakeup) and here ( CafeMakeup).

Absolutely stunning, so why am I giving this new lipstick away? Well, I vowed that if I didn't use this colour for the 2011 Holidays I would have to give the favour to other beauty-fanatics. How much I love lipsticks, I do not go for the darker colours too much, and if I do I often go for Julie Hewitt's beautiful darker interpretations.

Moreover, since they are on sale in the Netherlands and online at the douglas.nl I noticed they lost a bit of their niche and exclusive appeal. That still makes me love Burberry cosmetics a lot, though, only not enough to treasure this lipstick, so I hope the future winner will treasure it enough ;D

My close-up of the lipstick you might win:

2. Banila Co The Secret Blush/Highlighter in 02 Eternity

Wow, I can promise you Eternity as a price? Who wouldn't wanna win that? Also, so pretty as a highlighter but honestly when you have one Banilla The Secret you do not really have to have all colours of them.

I guess I can make another winner really happy with this beautiful glow:

3. Haus of Gloi BodyLotion in Madcap Garden

Lushious Haus of Gloi are a beautyblogger's favourite and you can try out why...This one is brand new too. So indulge in a beautiful garden before it is officially spring with this excellent bodylotion.

4. My Beauty Diary SheetMasks in Chocolate Truffle

Another beautybloggers favourite and they probably need no introduction...I will add 3 of them in my giveaway....

So you might guess I will be a bit more demanding for this giveaway than my previous ones, because I would actually like to reach the magic 500 followers :P

Rulezzz:

1. Make a comment or say something small in the comment section

2. I should be able to contact you, so either leave your email behind, or, if you have it listed in your profile, I can contact you that way.

3. This time you HAVE TO BE A FOLLOWER. You can always unfollow me afterwards, but please don't because my blog is actually not that bad ;D

4. Contest ends on Monday, 9th of January 2012, 13.00 hrs European standard time)

5. You are only able to make one comment, so no cheaters who would like to double  their chances.

6. Winner will be announced in a new post after randomly being selected by random.org

7. Please contact me within 2 days to claim your prize or another winner will be selected!

 

8. Prizes will be shipped by airmail WORLDWIDE within 3 business days after winner contacts me!

So, good luck so you might get your beauty-fix without spending!

Glorious Giveaway: Mac, Emma Hardie, My Beauty Diary

I thought it was time to give out a giveaway to my faithful readers on the blog.

I decided to keep it small but full of quality items. Somehow I wanted to keep everything for myself again, because I like the things I will be giving away, but I can use some more space in my closet and I like to treat my readers a bit.

 

What can you win?

1. Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm:

  I reviewed this one yesterday and shortly I liked this one for the luxurious vibe. I received an extra travel size, which is the one I will be giving away. I also include their high-quality dual sided cleansing cloth. I featured pictures of that cloth over here. 

2. Mac Eye shadow mineralize duo in Fresh Green Mix.

Brand new...this will look stunning on all kinds of eyecolours, but especially brown hues.

3. My Beauty Diary Chocolate truffle Sheet Masks: 3 pieces.

A true staple in my cosmetic wardrobe, the My Beauty Diary Masks. These with Chocolate truffle really smell a bit chocolately. Perfect for infusing some moisture and pampering into winter-dry skins.

4. Kawaii Doll & MP3 player earplugs...

Also new, ofcourse...for the cuteness factor.

How do you make a chance to win it all?

1. Make a comment or say something small in the comment section

2. I should be able to contact you, so either leave your email behind, or, if you have it listed in your profile, I can contact you that way.

3. I do not want to oblige you to follow the blog just for the giveaway, so you can join even if you do not wish to follow my blog.

4. Contest ends on Thursday, 1st of December 2011, 15.00 hrs European standard time, GMT +1)

5. You are only able to make one comment, so no cheaters who would like to double  their chances.

6. Winner will be announced in a new post after randomly being selected by random.org

7. Please contact me within 2 days to claim your prize or another winner will be selected!

 

8. Prizes will be shipped by airmail WORLDWIDE within 3 business days after winner contacts me!

 

 

 So, good luck!

Mini Review of My Beauty Diary Hello Kitty Honey Strawberry Mask

This week I finally got my highly anticipated collector's item in the world of sheet masks: The My Beauty Diary Hello Kitty Honey Strawberry Mask.

 I do not have to say why I bought this set of masks in the first place: Kawaii factor!

I might be a grown up person but Hello Kitty makes my heart melt a little.

I also noticed that I enjoy a couple of the sheet masks from My Beauty Dairy. And the idea of using a mask with honey extract that is often really good for sensitive skin, and strawberry that has brightening properties was something that appealed to me.

The packaging of the masks is so cute, with the beehive-esque exterior and the strawberries, bees and Hello Kitty decorated on them.

How does the mask preform:

First I like to say that I have used this mask today for the first time, so I cannot say too much about the long term effect.
But I really enjoyed this mask a lot for a couple of reasons:

• The masks really hydrates the skin a lot: 

This morning I woke up with semi-dehydrated skin. A couple of nights ago I finished my Antipodes Joyious oil (blogged over here) and I did not have any skincare oil for nighttime use ready for hands. So my skin was a bit dryer than usual. Not extremely dry, but not plump either. Well, that is often a sign that it would be good to add some moisture in a more concentrated way, such as a serum or a mask.
The effect after 10 minutes was a plumper skin that looked more hydrated than before...so yey, results!

• It has soothing properties.

I have a tendency to have blotchy skin. Right now I am not completely flawless, but after the mask I noticed that the honey essence (or another ingredient in the mask) had a beneficial effect on getting my skin less blotchy. I needed less makeup, so that is a big plus in my book.

•  It had a brightening effect on my skin

  As I wrote before, the whole effect on my skin was that it became a bit brighter.

I also noticed that a lot of essence was packed inside an onto the mask. I found it a bit wetter than the usual My Beauty Diary Mask. But I prefer it when something is a bit too much than too little, and it plumped some moisture in my skin, so it was not hindering at all

So overal, I am so glad I got this collector item. And besides its incredibly cute exterior, it actually is a fantastic mask for skin that is a bit dehydrated and sensitive. I cannot say too much if it is really diminishes ageing lines, but brightening is always good for looking that bit younger.

I bought this mask on ebay over here. When they sell out, watch and check them every now and then, because they restock..

New, succesful discovery: My beauty Diary Blooming of beauty Orange Blossom Sheet Mask

A couple of days ago I blogged about my experiences with the Love More Brazilian sheet masks. It was not really successful, and that is a euphemism. It made me a blotchy mess and I was not even flawless to begin with.

You win some, you loose some when you try out new things. You can stick to the old and trustful, but I am a beauty blogger so I like to try out things that can make me prettier or more radiant. Sometimes you find out that something that works perfectly for another can be a total fiasco for you.

Fortunately, I received a set of sheet masks that have been able to limit the damage in my face, and have that bit of quality.

It was by eki (little bit of Eki) that I stumbled upon a new set of My Beauty Diary masks. I was not a fan of these masks, until old cow from WorshipofBlues mentioned that the Vienna Black Tulip masks seemed to work for her. I ordered them as well, and they are brilliant. So yeh, that rekindled my interest in MyBeautyDiary masks.

Eki blogged about the cute My Little Kitty editions that are coming out soon. I haven't found them on internet yet, but she blogged about the two latest editions of the MyBeautyDiary Blooming of Beauty in Pink RockRose and Orange Blossom.

I love anything Meditteranean based and I like orange blossoms, so I picked the Orange Blossom version first.

So, I told you I like this mask a lot. Why is that?

• Most importantly: reduces sensitivity
• texture of sheet mask is soothing
• the right amount of moisture for the skin
• the scent is absolutely lovely (Orange blossom)
• Affordable price
• Cute design of the packaging

I have only been using this mask twice, and I have not been able to use it on healthy skin yet. So, I cannot say that much about the brightening or anti-aging properties. However, I really like the soothing quality of this mask for the time being. Any mask that is able to be tolerated on a highly sensitive and slightly damaged skin is a blessing.

I bought mine on ebay from ciaotaurus over here.