Seaweed bathing with Mungo Murphy, or I'm a Miso Soup!

Since Autumn has finally set its windy foot in Holland, bathing seems to be the equivalent of a summer's evening lounging at a sweet terasse.

And because leaves are falling aplenty outside, I picked up some leaves for the inside as well.

For the bath, that is...

There are various ways of bathing ranging from frothy bubbles, moisturizing oils and detoxifying salts. This time I went for the real sea-perience and got some seaweed from Mungo Murphy's.

So why seaweed? Why not? It is told to be brimming with all types of rejuvenating goodies, and it also a bliss for eczematic skin and other minor skin-irritations:

"Seaweed baths have been used for many, many years to treat skin imperfections, reduce the appearance of cellulite, improve blood circulation, detoxify the body, soften stiff muscles, improve thyroid health and to alleviate the symptoms of acne, psoriasis and eczema."

This particular seaweed is from the Irish place Connemara. I googled it, and they have a total spa-experience around this place (see tripadvisor here)

 Though this woman is having a lovely view on a mysterious lake, I also enjoyed my home experience with the windy, leafy view.

Though beneficial, not everybody should be getting into these leaves:

Which brings me to the next thing: it might not be everybody's cup of tea  bathing. The traces of shellfish described above, it is slightly apparent in the fragance. Or yes, I do feel like a part of a misa soup when bathing!

The after-effect took a while, like most beneficial baths. You get slightly tired first, but my energy level was a lot higher the next morning. My skin felt softer and my minor irritations had been diminished.

I paid £3.90 for a single bag (here): it is not cheap but if you can still remember summer, a cocktail on that terasse would set you back the same amount of cash. And this is such a healthy and spa-like option for autumn and the upcoming winter. 

So what different beauty rituals do you go for when the season changes?

Last Empties 2014!

Before I'm gonna wish you all a wonderful 2015, I'm gonna share some of the last Empties of 2014:

1.  Yarok Feed Your Roots Mousse for hair: This mousse is absolute love for me. I have a mild psoriasis condition and every bit of chemical on my hair can trigger my skin into producing more. This mousse is totally natural, but works even better than any chemical I tried so far. #repurchase in bulk!
2. Lierac Body-slim Destock Nuit: ahhh, those French and their thin thighs. So if you question me if/whether their anti-cellulite works, I would say: Yes, but...The but(t) is always the problem (area) about: so I think it gets the extra results with the training, the green juices and the lack of alcohol. Mind you, I'm still taking my sugar too much and I'm certainly not a skinny thighs. However, it will help with some millimeters and sometimes that's all a woman needs. This particular version is for the night: it helps, but it smells a bit funky. I will  have already repurchased the daytime version with my famous 10% caffeine.
3. Rituals Heavenly Hamman Bathoil: This brand from Holland sure gotten far and popular. I love the combination of fresh & mild of this blend.
4. Rouge Bunny Rouge Metamorphosis Mattifying primer: I really like this one, however, it's pricy and I found a lovely dupe. Btw, I'm gonna try to find an organic primer that functions well.
5. FutureDerm Time-Release Retinol 0.5: This retinol potion really is gentle for the skin and I can still see a good result when using it: smoother, more decongested skin.

I had more things I've used up, but I couldn't be bothered photographing a zillion of samples that were simply nice, but not earth-shockingly special.

Sooo, Happy 2015:

Some December Newbies

December often makes me feel more (self-) indulgent than normally:

 I finally ordered my first Charlotte Tilbury! I've read some mixed reviews but couldn't resist the name "Golden Goddess" and it's stunning hues:

The Golden Goddess upclose

I absolutely like the effect of the colours in the dictated suggested Tilbury colour scheme. However, I have some brilliant primers (hello mr. Bess) so I do not feel the need to overlayer. I received the compliment "wow, nice eyeshadows" from a makeup expert so I guess I put it on in a kinda right way too? Oh jolly!

However, I do not feel like glam shimmer & flecks on everyday base even though Charlotte T thinks everyone can benefit from that (can't remember where I read that but her line proves she likes shimmer). But I rarely have a standard eyelook anyway so I like this addition to my bronzy stash.

Relaxing in times of pre-Holiday tension is not only an indulgence: you'll be a much nicer person towards others and get some more focussed gifts as well. I think a bath is relaxing but most importantly warming when temperatures drop.

I've bought a bottle of Tisserand De-stress bathoil based on a good & detailed rave on naturisimo (here): I agree! I've really think its an awesome blend and it really outdoes it pricetag. I've had samples of Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax bath & shower oil and this is quite similar, only a whole lot more afforable: and that's relaxing as well

And yes, you can use it as a shower-oil as well!

 Kate = Queen...
whether it is the Dutchess of Cambridge, the ubermodel Moss or our Driveller-guru. So when she declared Suqqu M eyebrush to be a superior choice over mr. Ford (review)... I added it instantly to my Selfridges cart.

Thanks to its superior quality my blending skills have gotten better. Also, I have been rediscovering older infatuations such as Sienna Orchid.

 I've become more curious about natural and personalised blends so I ordered a couple of samples from Pollen & Wax: Among it their Peridot Cleansing Oil:

The Peridot Cleansing oil really smells refreshing, more like a Spanish Cava than a Peridot but I'm hardly the wine connoisseur. Most importantly, it cleanses the more profound makeup with the most gentle and beneficial of ingredients (listed here)

The Gold Petal facial serum (=oil) is indeed of a golden colour and smells more neutral. It is made for "{sensitive, ruddy, inflamed, combination, dry, irritated skin types}" so the amount of fraganced essential oils is not too strong. I detect the rose geranium.

Both have been really lovely. They last about 2 times and I do think I need a bit more to give out a good conclusion. 

Bunny overload [Rouge's] & the UsingUsed

It would be fair to say I took great advantage of the Rouge Bunny Rouge sales:

And my lack of [false] modesty will leave it for showing it here of all the products most of you have been loving already.

What can I say: it's my fave Russian brand and how could I resist?

Line up: (forgive me for not mentioning full names of this elaborate brand)

• Eyeshadow: Mysterious Tinamou, Periwinkle Cardinal & Tantalizing Lovebird
• Duo eyeshadow: A Major fis Minor
• Cream Eyeshadow: Brocade Slipper & Atlas Swallowtail
• Lipstick: Perfume of his Gaze
• Lipgloss: Uncaged Tigress, Counting Wishes (had Coy from a GWP)
• Duo cheek/lip: Samba/Enredo
• Concealer: Eunice

Well, most of you know I'm not a fan of reviewing things too-much-reviewed-already but I'll do a mini-review on some. 

I compared lipgloss Uncaged Tigress with Counting Wishes, and noticed the 'Wishes' is a deeper red I normally would sheer away from. Strangely, I actually love it and it feels like a better blend with my colouring. Perhaps because 'Tigress' has some metallic orange in it that didn't feel the best blend for me.  I still like them both for different occasions: 'Tigress' when I want my lips to be slightly unnatural but more made up, and 'Wishes' for that sensual hue.

The Duo Eyeshadow in 'A Major' has the most perfect cream-coloured highlighter that blends like pure radiance on eyes/corners & perhaps even cheekbones ♥. The brown partner is slightly less original, but still a fab neutral for defining creases.

I expected more from Cream eyeshadow 'Atlas Swallowtail': it looks too unnoticed on my eyes but will make a lovely base for other eyeshadows. I like 'Brocade Slipper': it's not as perfect as 'A Major' lighter side but it's wonderful for a more obvious highlight when naturality is not needed percé.

The Duo Samba/Enredo is my least fave of the lip/cheek-duos, but I suspected this beforehand. I do not do pink-toned cheeks oftenly as they need more work for my complexion. Still, it will be an option for some looks...

And a special section for everything used lately:

•  Madara face toner Dry/very dry skin: old version

This one was half price because of a new packaging (same formula). I liked this toner as it is both soft but slightly adstringent for the oilier zones. That doesn't occur often a toner that is suited for dry skin but still takes care for oilier/larger pore zones. So I really consider repurchasing the newer version, even though most people claim toners don't do anything (I think they do).

• Aesop Fabulous Face Oil

I already discussed it here and really liked the scentual blend for nighttime. But did the oil-concoction convinced my skin for glowing intensively in the morning? Not completely, so the search continues...

• Muji Bath Salt Milk

FINALLY, I was so curious about this one after reading about this on Worship of Blues in 2011! (here)!! I never caved online because Muji's shipping is ridiculously high but I really consider buying it in bulk when in a country that actually has Muji! It smells like the perfect partner for my Balenciaga perfume and I love a good fragance in my bath.

• Vichy Aqua Destock

I've featured this one a couple of times as a good anti-bloat for moody water-rententive legs. So I finished another tube but I often switch cosmetics when I feel my body has become too used (read: lazy) to its ingredients. So I will do that again and keep you updated when using/finishing another anti-cellulite product.

• [too blurred photoshopped] Tammy Fender Antioxidant Cream

It has been a part of the larger travel set for Dry/sensitive skin . I like using natural/organic products but I was not too fond of its pot format. I prefer packagings that are less prone to being exposed to air/oxygen as the ingredients stay potent for longer. Basically, its lovely but for its price I do not consider the results to be too dramatic: I prefer her Intensive Repair cream I discussed here. I still like other elements from this set I will discuss soon, eg the Roman Chamonille face tonic is the most soothing I have found in a while.

Pretty Springy Things

- Something Cheeky

(YSL Creme de Blush 9)

-Something (from) Lush 

[Mumkin]

- Something Glossy 

[Le Metier de Beaute Sheer Brilliance Cannes]

Cannes looks really sparkly in spring-sunlight, but it's quite subtle on lips: 

- Something Mask-y 

Etos (Dutch Brand)

I guess it's more of a no [stop] buy for me lately....

Beginning Therapie: Roques O'Neil Discovery Set

Travel & discovery sets always have an alluring appeal on me. Perhaps in the name 'travel' or 'discovery', or perhaps the smaller sized products can be used in conjunction with each other.  Even if the discoveries and travels will be something in the far future, you can have that experience of travel in your bathroom with your dinky, little travel sizes.

The Roques O'Neil Therapie Discovery set is based on the wholistic effects of aromatherapy. Actually, aromatherapy isn't the 'socks-in-sandals', floaty, hippy treatment anymore: stores use fragance in order to let people browse longer and buy more products; scented candles are a modern (luxury) staple and who hasn't feel slightly uplifted eating or sniffing something with peppermint in it?

Michelle Roques O'Neil uses aromatherapy for treating all kinds of problems. She has been voted as one of the top 10 aromatherapists in the UK. She herself takes it a step further to call herself an Alchemist: something that creates an image of Harry Potter-esque wizard steaming up concoctions over a large steaming pot.

Her discovery set contains 5 products and are displayed in a beautiful and sturdy black box, embedded with orange sheets. It has something Buddhistic seeing this shade of orange. (this shade differs from the colour of the Dutch Soccer teams, which, has nothing holistic and buddhistic about it)

The inside of the box contains a description & ingredients of everything inside:

These are:

• Himalayan Detox Salts
• Restore Aura Spray
• Equilibrium Bath & Shower Essence
• Boost Hair & Body Wash
• Cherish Skin Repair Serum (actually an oil)

I've started my therapy with the Himalayan Detox Salts:

Besides of the main ingredient, the salt, it has a refreshing but calming blend of the aromatherapeutic essences of Rosewood, Patchouli, Lavender, Juniperberry, Lemongrass, Grapefruit:

I really liked this bath and felt relaxed afterwards. I first thought it caused my body to sweat at night, but the second time I used it I had no sweating.

I already bought a jar of Himalayan salt based on the wonderful effect but not from this brand. The ones I bought are cheaper but not blended with the aromatic essences that makes the experience & after-effect so blissful. I am considering going for a large size of the Roques O'Neil for the occasional treatment.

I bought my discovery set at Cultbeauty over here.

Claus Porto Soap Orange Amber 'Lelite', or, the OldFashionedly Soapy Clean

 I kind of stumbled upon this soap browsing in a Dutch Niche cosmetics store without really looking for it. I bought it because I felt like trying something retro that has worked for so many years. Honestly, solid soaps often have less chemical additives than their fluid counterparts.

 The niche-ness and the fragance won me over as well. Claus Porto Soap, or Sabonete Aromatica, is  "hand-made and triple-milled in Portugal, in the same manner of production for over 100 years. The "Aromatic composition", as seen above, is composed in France.

Nice to bunnies and other non-human creatures:

Enriched with shea and cocoa butter for an extra creamy lather to soften your skin as you wash". The Soapbar describes it as a "tangy smell of Sicilian oranges combined with the intensely sensual scent of amber makes this soap an incredible bath or shower experience".

I do not pick up on the amber, but the zesty orange blossoms is strongly present and that makes it a delight. It lingers for some time too: both on the body as in the shower.

On the softening properties: uhm, it's not ultra softening as some etailer-companies will have or some liquid soaps, but I do not think it dries out the skin. The lather is really oldschool and it's fun to use this for a change.

Grips on the backside to hold the soap more easily:

Conclusion:

I really like this soap a lot and it smells fantastic if you enjoy Orange blossoms a lot (I do). It's wonderful for that retro feeling and getting that clean experience. Somewhat not too convenient is the way you have to dry the soap on a plate afterwards, but it looks beautiful and retro and it looks pretty displayed as well.

Available outside the Netherlands at soapbar.com and in the Netherlands this particular scent is probably only available in the brick-and-mortar Skins Cosmetics. Other scents/compositions are still available at their webshop.

Etude House Milk Talk showergel in Choco & Sheet Mask Royal Jelly

People, this is post no 499 of this blog but I will keep it rather short & sweet for today! 

For people celebrating the Eastern celebration I want to wish you a wonderful day. People not celebrating I want to wish you a pleasant day as well!

I will continue reviewing the latest Etude House products I have received in my latest haul from them (here). Actually, both are a foody bunch and over here Eastern celebrations is a lot about food & eggs, so it is a good theme for today ;)

First, the Milk Talk Shower gel in Chocolate.

I think the bottle is both cute and funny. It looks like a oldfashioned milk-bottle, but I think that 'Oh' on the left side is rather funny.

I once read that people that like to eat less of the so-called naughty foods can diminuish their cravings by smelling the food. The Dailymail has an article about it, but somehow I am a bit sceptic about this one because when I enter a bakery and smell delicious croissants, I only feel more inclined to eat one.

So actually dieting or eating less chocolate was not the reason I bought this showergel. I just like to smell wonderful things and the scent of chocolate is rather pleasant.

the gel: it also has a chocolaty colour

It is a mini review because there is not so much to analyse about showergel. However, I like it because:

• it smells like Hersey's Chocolate. 

Lot's of showergels and bodylotions are not able to get it right: the authentic scent of a food-product. Or sometimes they get it right but it goes weird after a couple of minutes. This one is able to maintain the Hersey's scent. They also have the Milk Talk shower gells in strawberry, steam milk, banana & apple. I wonder how they will be able to get the scent right...

• It cleanses quite well

The only con about it is that it isn't moisturizing enough. It isn't really drying either, but I think my Therme showergel is more moisturizing.

• It is really affordable for $5.05 (here) or on ebay (here)

Continuing to the sheet Mask: It is actually called the "I need you" Royal Jelly mask Sheet, how romantic.

I really like those little fellows carrying something on the left side of the mask.

Sorry for this flash-picture. I normally check them before I throw the packaging away. I hope you can still read most of it.

 I found this description from this ebayseller

Opening the satchel:

The mask is made for Korean faces: That meant it was a bit on the wider side for me, but not too much.

There was enough room for my eyes, nose but the mouth was a bit on the smaller side. Oh well, I never eat stuff while taking a sheetmask.

My verdict:

• The cloth is a bit rougher than sheetmasks such as Mybeautydiary, MyBeautyFriends & MySheming. Not hindering at all, but still a bit rougher. On the positive side it meant that it didn't tear so easily.
• It has enough moisture inside. Normally the satchels are drenched in moisture & you can reapply the leftover part in the satchel after you have been using it, but this one is enough.
• The liquid felt very comforting on my skin. It is scentless.
• BEST THING: THE EFFECT. Although the things mentioned above aren't pure rave-ville, I really loved the effect. I took this mask at night and went to sleep without my usual night-prep, only the effect of the liquid of the mask. The next morning I actually looked younger, revived and my skin looked a lot fresher & tighter!

Basically, I will rebuy this one for it's effect. Probably not on the EtudeHouse gmarket side but from one of the ebay sellers who lists them.

Something Finished: Kérastase Age Premium, Antipodes Hosanna & Tom Ford body Oil

I'm always proud I empty a product. Sometimes I do that because it is really good, and sometimes it is just ok but I need to make some space in my beauty closet again.

Today I have hair, skin and body...

Starting off with Kérastase Age Premium Masque Substantif Rejuvenating Mask:

 

It was one of those moment nothing of the 10 products designed for taming hair at home worked for me. I rushed to a hairdresser and asked for the trusted staple and silicony tamer Kérastase Masquintense for thin hair.

The hairdresser lied to me that they took it out of their range (Kérastase, so why would they do that? I don't EVER think so but I played along because I needed a mask, I think they just didn't have it in stock) and offered me this as the alternative. OMG, never going to buy it from a direct hairdresser again because they charged me €35 instead of the €26.88 I would have to pay on feelunique.com.

Well, at least I got a lousy white lie included with it...

Is the mask as Substantif as it claims to be?

I like how there is a bit of pearly glow in the mask itself. But the white-lie hairdresser told me it was ok to put this stuff on a sensitive scalp: Ehm DON'T DO THAT. It is rather fraganced and my scalp didn't liked it.

For the rest, it is a true Kérastase mask that it slightly controls the problem with a large dose of silicone. I prefer their Masquintense, although that one is not really natural either. You know, for repairing I love to use natural/organic ranges, such as Rahua, but when the going gets tough and you need some temporary taming, Kérastase is your woman...ehm...hairmask.

Verdict: Not a repurchase but I would use it if I got it for free.

You can buy this one on feelunique.com (or find a honest hairdresser with normal prices)

Antipodes Hosanna Intense Hydrating Serum:

I have ventured on quite some Antipodes products before (read about it over here). They are organic and some of their products are really lovely and effective and that is what I appreciate about a product.

The Hosanna serum did what it said: it hydrated my skin without irritation.

Still, I have that particular age that need a bit more than hydrating, and I do not want to get stuck in applying 7 kinds of serums on my face to target every 'flaw' I have. Nor do I need to, these days, because there are some fabulous multitaskers. One of them is the Nude Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum which does quite some things, I only have to apply some extra moisture in the form of a daycream.

Still, good enough to finish it with other layering serums. I recon this is lovely for a younger face that only needs hydration, is sensitive and could benefit from a neutral, organic product. Or someone who really likes their skincare routine and loves layering. I know Japanese women are raised to use various types of skincare products so that would be ackward to skip on that ritual.

Verdict: I won't repurchase but if I would get it for free I would use it again ;D

Also available on feelunique or lovelula.com

Lastly, the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Body Oil

Can you remember my 'niche and snobby' haul in May of this year? Probably not (over here) but I purchased this expensive body oil because I really like Citrus based scents inspired on the Italian coast. Knowing Tom Ford is, besides of a sleek fashion designer, quite skilled on the field of fragance (and cosmetics) as well, I ventured on this oil.

I called it the 'too expensive body oil', but it has been lasting me for a long time afterall. I used this regularly (about once a week).

However, I didn't used it the conventional way, it was such a wonderful oil for bathing.

I really liked this for moisturizing in the bath, it's a thin oil but still oily to combat extra dryness. The scent is unisex, but I found it bordering on masculine. Perhaps too masculine for repurchase, but my boyfriend could use it as well. I would love to see more body-oils in his other fragances, such as the Black Orchid and the Havana Vanilla.

Verdict: same as the previous products, with an exception that I would shill some € for it if he launched this in a different scent.


I purchased mine on parfuma.com and I should order something from them again because they are brilliant in giving out samples you actually want.