Falar...Benamor?

Lingering on other sites makes you crave new thingies. The dear "Worship" once showcased some European goodies with those old-fashioned packages (here). That made me even more curious for this tube when seeing it in Portugal

It comes in one of those metallic squeezy tubes that stays like that when once squeezed.

It has been used since 1928 by various famous Portuguese, eg. the last queen of Portugal. But the romantic part was buying it during one of my journeys.

Not so romantic, but you can buy it from this place too.

Continuing Therapie: Roques Oneil Restore Aura Spray

I have been on some therapeutic ventures since receiving my Roques Oneil Discovery set: But, like any good therapist would say...even when things go quite good, you got to continue with the therapy.

This sample size I received in the Discovery box is rather big. I think it is a similar size as the Caudalie Beauty Elixir travel spray. Similar to Caudalie Beauty Elixir, this spray also should be applied after makeup (or after cleansing) or during the day for an aromatic 'perk me up'

source: RoquesoNeil

It has a more wholistic approach compared to the French Caudalie, which, as the name suggest, is targeting for 'Beauty'. Roques Oneil is looking for 'Aura', thus inner-beauty and balance.

But most people realise that the balancing of the inner self will attribute to a happier outer self. And, honestly, the names and approaches might be different but the sprays have a similar effect, containing an aroma that is wonderful for either energising (Caudalie) or soothing (O'neil).

Also, they both target dehydration by hydrating /refreshing the skin by spraying it on.

Ingredients:

Nice, I like the liquorice extract for its brightening properties and the rose is delicately present in its scent.

At the time being I prefer this Roques O'Neil spray over the Caudalie. Caudalie has some strong mint in its formula that intitially feels refreshing but I concluded my skin doesn't like it on the long run (and it didn't get more beautiful either). That is just a question of personal taste and the level of sensitivity of your skin. I see Spearmint featured in the Aura Restore mist as well but it doesn't hinder my sensitive skin at all.

I got the Restore Aura mist in the discovery set I bought at Cultbeauty.

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.

Mini-review: Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel & Antipodes Rejoice cream

Again, after yesterday's post I will be featuring another Antipodes product. But to make it a bit rounder I will add the Darphin Anti-Fatigue smoothing eyegel too.

Perhaps not entirely visible on the picture above, but I finished the Darphin Anti-fatigue eye gel completely. In contrast: the tube of Antipodes Rejoice is still half full, and I probably won't be emptying that one either.

Starting with my finished one:

Darphin Anti-Fatigue Smoothing Eye Gel

I think I bought this based on lots of positive reviews. I only have to say that I really liked this as a thin eyecream for in the morning.

 What I liked about it:

It does what it tells you: ok, sort of! I live a healthy lifestyle so I couldn't test it after a night out or when having a hangover, because I almost never have that. Still, my eyes are prone to hang a bit, especially the eyelids, and I feel the cafeïne working and slightly lifting it in the morning. Without any irritations.

As far as the anti-ageing:  oh, I seem to forgot to smile in my life so my eyewrinkles are not as developed as my frown and surprise wrinkles...hahaha. But it seems to be working as well keeping everything tightened and hydrated. Another plus: it's almost scentless.

Let me include a chart/claims from their website:

Meh:

Nothing specifically. Perhaps it could be cheaper or a pump-tube, but I the plastic tube was convinient enough.

Antipodes Rejoice cream: 

So the love for one product of a brand doesn't have to end up in liking all of their products. For the record: I did like it enough to empty half of the tube. If it would be totally craptastic I would have binned it after a couple of uses.

What I liked about it:

The scent is a very soft vanille. It was also rich enough for my skin and it was conforting in period when my skin was not so sensitive

Meh:

The richness of the cream translates in a sort-of semi-balmy texture, but still a cream. Now, approaching wintertime, my skin gets more sensitive and the stickiness of the balm that seems to linger on my skin too long begins to become not so pleasant. 
I also do not like the old-fashioned handcream-type of tube. It is one of those metallic-type tubes.


Availablity


I got the Darphin eyecream from feelunique.com and the Antipodes is available over there too...It seems they updated the tube into a plastic one so that has improved at least

Finished Business

Last month I have finally been able to finish up some of the products I had lingering in my beauty box:

Left: Haus of Gloi Selicie bubbling Scrub:

The first one is a continuing favourite of mine. I simply enjoy Haus of Gloi scrubs a lot. I often order the sample size for the simple reason that I am always curious about their regular update of new scents. Sometimes I hit an all time favourite and then I order something larger...

Middle: Kerastase Resistance Bain de Force Shampoo

I kind of stick to the rule I once read that 'things you rinse off can be the cheaper variety, as they do not do so much for you' in contrast to the things that are leave-on/in. I normally do not go for the more expensive variety of Shampoos, but splurge on conditioners etc. This one was in a set, so I wanted to try it out.
Lovely fresh scent, a bit of a combination of grapefruits and chemicals.

Still, I would not repurchase. It is expensive and does not do so much extra for my hair.

But as I said before, most shampoos wouldn't. It's best to have a non-stripping one, and for the persons that have coloured their hair in a certain hue to have one that targets or is gentle for your colour. There are lots of cheaper variety that can take care of that need too...

Right: Caudalie Vinosource Sorbet Creme

How much that I love Caudalie and have been the greatest fan of their Pulpe Vitaminée for a long time (and I would repurchase that one), I just do not think this one was that brilliant. First, they claim it is suitable for sensitive skin:

This ultra light cream immediately hydrates and soothes sensitive and dehydrated skin. The cream restarts internal hydrating mechanisms and restores water reserves. Fortified and protected from free radicals, the skin is left luminous, velvety, and lastingly soothed.

Well, it is quite perfumed, although in a fresh, fruity way, but still perfumed. That meant that my skin did not really liked it when it had one of its sensitive moments. I DID use it up, but only when my skin was fairly normal.

As for the hydrating properties...meh, I had better (eg the Pai cream I will discuss later in this post). It is fresh and moisturizing but I would not recommend to really hydrated skins.

So, I would not repurchase this one either.

Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment:

I use this one up, or not quite, asI threw away some when I was in the middle of it. It works nicely as a eye-PRIMER, but not so much as a cream. Reason for that: silicone-valley. I have the feeling this cream is loaded with silicones: a good thing for primers or for mature eyelids to have that illusion of a wrinkle-less skin, but not completely suitable for day/nightcare product.

So, I would not repurchase this one either.

Pai Organics Lemongrass Moisturizer:

I have to say that I completely LOVE this one. It came in a set with some other PAI organics products and I have been using it a lot. The scent is so fresh and so natural and it gives a ton of moisture to the skin.

Probably a bit too much for oilier skintypes, but I just blotted some of the moisture off with blotting sheets and had a plump and dewy skin for a large part of the day.

This one I would absolutely repurchase, but it is quite expensive so I have to reconsider it for a while and finish up something more.

Skin & Care talk: Evolve Single cream & Nude Advanced Cellular Renewing Serum

Natural and organic products have gotten better over the years. They evolved, which is also the name of one of the products I will talk about today.

First, I'd like to say that I am not planning to review these two products elaborately. I already think that giving out a review on skincare is quite difficult, as there are so many skintypes, and my type could be completely opposite than yours.

But it never hurts to give out my two cents about these products.

The first one: Evolve Multi Action Single Cream: was a daycream I purchases this summer. Oh, delightful summer! And how bleak the winter was after that...

Anyway, there is a Single version and a thicker version. I picked Single, well, because I was single at the time being, LOL. Yeh, and the lighter constency seemed to be the best bet for summer skin-needs.

One of the main ingredients of this mixture is Argan oil. Argan oil is a terrific anti-aging oil. It has more benefits, which you can read over here or here.

And you can read some of the information on the back of the bottle I pictured beneath:

There is no ingredient list listed on the bottle, but I got one from their website:

Aqua (water), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil , Parfum , Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil , Cocos nucifera , Sesamium indicum , Candellila/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters  , Glyceryl Stearate , Cetearyl Alcohol , Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil , Butyrospermum parkii butter , Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline , Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate , Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Protein , Magnesium Aluminium Silicate , Mannitol , Lactic Acid , Dehydroacetic acid ,

Pros:

• The bottle comes with a hygienic pump applicator
• cute colour
• relatively good bargain
• almost unscented
• organic and eco friendly(no nasties, according to them)
• fairtrade

Cons:

• It does not absorb well into the skin, and leaves a bit of a film on it
• So, it hardly moisturizes

Yeh, this is one of the products that would be Perfect, IF ONLY...

Well, actually the thing it is supposed to do is the thing it does not do: the basic stuff - Penetrate into the skin and adding a bit of moisture (at least).

Mmm...(that is a not so positive "mmmm") It absolutely lacks 'multi action'.


From that perspective, I have found a better product that actually does what it says.

Nude Advanced Cellular Renewing Serum:

Ingredients: (from their website)

 water (aqua), bifida ferment lysate (milk), glycerine (plant sources), propanediol (corn sugar), simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, oryza sativa (rice) hull powder, xanthan gum (fermented sugar), sodium hyaluronate (lactic acid and wheat), chondrus crispus (Irish moss), undaria pinnatifida extract (Japanese sea kelp), lactose (milk), alpha-glucan oligosaccharide (corn and beet), whey protein (lactis proteinum), arginine (plant sources), galactaric acid (apple pectin), tocopherol (vitamin E), lactic acid (sugar and beet), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, natural fragrance (parfum), phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium benzoate, linalool (essential oil), limonene (essential oil).

Pros:

• absorbs easily into the skin (after a minute)
• as good as scentless
• REDUCES SENSITIVITY
• lots of celebrity praise (yeh, and they have lots of cash so it must do something if they opt for this one), especially from one of my fave 90s models and contemporary business/creative maven Helena Christenson
• Peptides, not sure if they work yet, but I finished a whole bottle and I haven't aged that much yet ;P 
• Antioxidant Japanese Sea Kelp (I like marine-type of anti-agers)
• 'biocompatable' skincare- mmm, a new term to lure in the consumers. Not sure what it is about, but it sounds healthy
• Natural skincare

Cons:

• expensive
• glass bottle...although sturdy (I dropped it once and it was unharmed)
• One of those dropper bottles...I prefer a pump for hygienic reasons and I believe the potion stays fresh and the ingredients work longer when the product stays inside for as long as possible.

Overal, Naturally based skincare has involved indeed, but I haven't found it in Evolve, but in the Nude Serum instead.