The 2016 Resolutions edition: #BUDGETIZE (somewhat) with Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Mask

Resolutions often have something to do with #budgetizing or spending less on luxury goods. 

 Oh, and so we like love the little me time when you can pamper with gorgeously scented products that make you glow like nothing else? I mean, there is often the new diet or that epic new workout schedule: can't we get some pampering as a reward?

I found this little new hairgem that not only peforms at that ridiculously Philip B Russian Amber Conditioning cream; it even smells like it!

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme has been an upgrade or a version on speed from their already well-performing Phytokeratine line. And lets add the wonderful golden packaging...

 -the outside-

 

When opening the can, there is a pastlike substance that looks like a golden yellow. This is similar as the Philip B. one.

The formula of the mask is quite past-like. Thicker masks are often more concentrated, and they are handy for handluggage air travel.

-the inside-

 I have been so generous to highlight the ingredients that I find beneficial to hair-care.

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme Mask ingredients:

Formule INCI:  paeonia officinalis flower extract (Peony flower), cetearyl alcohol (derived from coconut oil), isodecyl neopentanoate, dicetyldimonium chloride (dérivé de colza), stearyl alcohol (dérivé d'huile de coco), isodecyl, neopentanoate, dicetyldimonium chloride, aqua, pouteria sapota seed butter (beurre de sapotier), sipalmitoylhetyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, mauritia flexuosa fruit ouil (buriti oil), isopropyl alcohol, ceteareth-33 (dérivé d'huile de coco), glyceryl stearate, parfum, ceteareth-20 (dérivé d'huile de coco), polyquaternium-10 (dérivé de celullose de bois), ricinomidopropyltrimonium methosulfate, adansonia digitata seed oil (baobab oil), panthenol (provitamine B5), hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein (proteines from corn, soja, wheat), tocopherol, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, caprylyl glycol, tetrasodium edta, maltodextrine (pomme de terre), CI 75470/carmine, methylchloroisothiazoline, methylisothiazolinone.

Peony flower extract is also a prime ingredient in Klorane Peony Shampoo and is claimed to have anti-irritant, soothing and anti-radical properties. It is also often used in Chinese medicine. 

Sapote Butter has high lipid replenishing power and is infused with 2 times more omega 6 extract than shea butter.

I really like the pure version of buriti and baobab oil and I have used them for hair.

The hydrolized wheat proteins (glutenfree people beware) is claimed to "biomimetic properties that replicate natural keratin" so "it works very precisely to fill in the gaps and rebuild the initial architecture of hair".

Philip B. Russian Amber Conditioning Creme Ingredients: 

 Water/Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Dimethicone, Benzyl Benzoate, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Stearalkonium Chloride, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Lactate, Stearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, PCA, Ethylhexylglycerin, PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Glycine, Alanine, Myristic Acid, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Phytantriol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Polysorbate 20, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract/Chamomilla Recutita, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract/Rosmarinus Officinalis, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract/Salvia Officinalis, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract/Urtica Dioica, Styrax Benzoin Resin Oil, Benzaldehyde, Cinnamic Acid, Coniferyl Benzoate, Vanillin, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil/Vitis Vinifera, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Salicylate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Coumarin, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Citronellol, Citronellol, Caramel, Bismuth Oxychloride/CI 77163, Yellow 5 /CI 19140

Philip B has a concoction of more expensive ingredients. Funnily, I could not find amber oil in this list, but that might be my lack of latin plantnames.

I find that Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme has more natural ingredients and the chemicals are limited to the ones that can be derived from plants. I also love the addition of soothing Peony flower extract. True, you will seldom use a conditioning mask close to the scalp as it weights down hair too much, but I really loved it in the shampoo version of Phytokeratine Extreme. 

-price-

Phyto Phytokeratine Extreme mask retails for €35.90 for 200ml over here. Philip B Russian Amber conditioning cream retails for a whopping $150 for 178 ml.

-results-

 I have been using the sample mask recently, but it really is a heavy duty performer. I love it on my dryer strands and it does feel silky, smooth, shiny and well-conditioned afterwards. For healthy stands I find it a bit too heavy: the hairs around my face felt limp for being oversaturised.
*
I cannot tell too much about the long-term results but I am happy to have found a rather natural alternative on adding keratine to my hair. I still depend on my pricey Alterna Fill & Fix mask for my protein fix, but that is an additional step in restoring my hair. Overal,  Phytokeratine Extreme Mask is a well-scented alternative and feels a lot like Philip B Creme conditioner.

Hence, for budgetizing on beauty there are a variety of options to find a good alternative for your (over)pricey treat.

Hair-mail

I feel kinda 'America's Next Top Model' by announcing in that skinny-perky way: "Tyra Mail". A slight alteration on this theme is that it's "hair-mail".

"Hello Hair" is a handy, portable treatment based on coconut-oils. The difference is in the fact it is creamy instead of solid and a slightly lighter consistency. 

I feel it rinses out easier: pure coconut oil needs several sessions to really be clean whereas this one is clean in one wash. I still think it penetrates as effectively as pure coconut oil. Moreover, it smells nice (either neutral or a scent of your choice) instead of cooking. I cook a lot in coconut oil so I often feel like a hot dish when going for the pure version treatment.

I also love the portable size. This is the perfect treatment to carry around during beachy holidays. I can see myself carrying around on the beach to protect my hair before swimming. Or in the evening as a potent treatment.

The only con will be a higher price compared to pure coconut oil, but the Aussie $ is favorable right now. Or perhaps the wait, but actually I just love the idea of old-fashion mail from Down Under country. Especially in perky turquoise envelopes. 

I bought it from HelloHair.com.au and it has a lot more than just coconut oil with added Almond, Argan, Castor oils and more. And sometimes a lot of effective oils is what a dry mop of hair needs.

December '13 Empties

I first want to make a special mention to my Lavshuca Moist Melting Rouge PK 6 that I totally lip-pencilled out!

I once compared this sweetie with Chanel Flirt (see here): I still have Flirt but I used this one totally. It might be that I am too careful with an expensive lipstick but I just luuuurve Lashuca's formulas and thin-to-bring-on-the-road size.

The other empties: the Hair-department:

The yellow Le Petite Marseillais hair conditioner with honey has actually been bought in Marseille (South of France)! It is one of their easy-to-find beauty line [think supermarkets] that smells wonderful and performs really well, also on my older (reaaaally damaged) hair. I'd sure repurchase if I empty some other conditioners, and get my way to France, ofcourse.

*

Another hair conditioner that totally matches up with my newer hair has been Yarok Feed Your Volume travel size. It smells like fresh lemons & herbs, and it does give tons of body. It's really nice when your hair doesn't have that much damage (think top half & shorter 'dos). Even better, it is a bliss for people who have scalp-sensitivities and skin sensitivities as it is so natural and un-irritating. Cons: expensive.

*

 Lush Marilyn is a hairmask for blonder or highlighted hair, but also wonderful for brunettes/redheads who like a fresh, lemony scent and a thinner mask that still moisturizes enough. Most Lush products have gone quite expensive over the years; this one is still quite close to its original price.

*

 Swell Advanced Root Nutrient Complex (spray in front) needs a more detailed review than just me saying: 'love it'. It's a spray that reminds me of Phylia de M Connect & Yarok hairmousse in one. My hair is quite thick again after the treatments in 2013, but I like that Texas hair glamour these days so volume you go in an organic/natural way.

*

I bought my Kerastase Elixir Moringa Immortelle during summer 2012 and I just finished it. It needs little product and smoothes out with a fresh scent. I like the Elixirs but right now I'm on another hairoil/serum. I will come back to that one soon.

*

The Shu Uemura Muruto Volume Mask was discounted, and with another discount it was still expensive...hehe, but I was curious...I like it, but it smells quite chemical if you get more used to Yarok and other organic/natural products. Also, I believe the new natural/organic generation delivers just as well, or even better in terms of volume. Must be the herbs...

So let's talk organic/natural:

The black bottle on the left has been my Living Nature Tinted Moisturizer in Daylight. I'm really impressed by their tinted moisturizers, on par with the likes of Rouge Bunny Rouge & Omorovicza. I do think the difference between medium (Daylight) & Dawn Light (light) is a bit too much so I've been mixed both depending on my level [or absense] of selftan. It has macademia oil as its 3rd Lingredient and is 100% natural.

*

The white bottle in front is another S5 Serum sample in Renew. I like it but not as much as Nourish Relax serum.

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The sack is inner beauty, or one of my superfood additives [addictives] in the antioxidant-forming Acai Powder. I already repurchased this as it tastes berry-ish and I feel healthier on it.

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The empty candle has been my Neom Refresh with sicilian lemon: really zesty during sluggish mornings.

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I've discussed Tisserant Luxury Bath oil over here and will repurchase. 

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Last, and certainly not least, Manuka Honey 18+. It is not just inner beauty: I use it as a cleansing method (read over here how to), an additives to powder masks, and...duh, inner beauty. Oh, and you can double it up as the main ingredient of a hair lightening mixture that works without damage: more about that here and here.

Hold on for the last line-up of empties

 *
  Essence Nude Glam's are fantastic nude nailpolishes for their price. Repurchase for sure.
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I haven't used up the Merumaya Intensely Youthful Eyecream. I didn't like the Ayurvedic-based fragance which lingers on quite long. My sensitive skin wasn't too fond of the formula either.
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Talking about eyes, I really liked BeautyDIY Green Tea brightening Eye Roll On. Unfortunately it is not being sold on Sasa.com anymore. Also, Sasa has been quite inconsistent delivering to my adress so I will have to forget about that online shop.
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Kracie Naive has been a lovely oil-cleanser for some time. However, I will venture upon the organic market for a more unchemical oil cleanser.
*
The Clarisonic brush: Well, you gotta replace them after 3 months and I often want to do it earlier, but they are expensive so 3 months it is.
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I also didn't finish Max Factor False Lash Effect:  it gotten various raves but I found the formula dry and clumpy, and the brush too big for precise focus. Mascaras are often a personal preference so I'm glad it is not the most expensive type that I will throw away.
*
My Suqqu Eyebrow pen dried out a bit too fast: according to another blogger that is not normal from Suqqu. I gotten it from a non-official Suqqu seller so that might be it.

Those were quite some empties for December: I 'compensated' by buying too much new stuff, ofcourse. And you will see that on the blog again...

Using, Used, Gonna Use ft. Rodial Bumlift

In the trend of Cannes I thought I would give it a filmic title by featuring something.

Or actually I am really surprised I bought something called Bumlift.

USING:
1. Rodial Bumlift:
I almost finished a whole tube of this product. Rodial is quite expensive and it was the name and the hype that made me bought this. Actually, it was my grafity-obeying Gluteus Maximus : I prefer grafity-defying body and face parts so I thought it was time to bring in some revolt against my drooping glutes.

Ingredients:

So did this prep my glutes and thighs for the luring bikini season?

I was already quite satisfied with Vichy Aqua Destock but curiosity killed gravity so I splurged two times the price of the Vichy on Rodial. I'm not quite sure if it is worth it: my legs and behind are looking slightly perkier since using it, but I do not consider it to be worth more than my Vichy variety.

2. Duri Rejuvacote:
This is my second bottle. I loved it on my first bottle as it FINALLY gotten my nails strong and longer. When I stopped I gotten into nail-breakage Limbo again. Hence, it has its limits but I continue to use it as it gets me natural lenght for the time I am faithful to it.

USED:
3. Organix Repairing Awapuhi Ginger Mask
Oh dear, another hairmask! Yes, I found good reviews on this line at makeupalley and it's available in a brick-and-mortar shop close to me. It works really good in smoothing flyaways and is not too expensive.

Gonna Use (kind of using now but needed this category to be filled)
4. Kanebo Coffret D'Or Rouge Essence RS-276
I bought this one to replace my beloved and almost finished Shine Drape Rouge. I'm slightly dissapointed that it is not the moisturizing quality as before: it is slightly waxier on the lips but I love the pinkish colour for it's neutral polishness. I'm surprised it is on the pinker side as I normally receive something rosier when I order a RS colour. Still, it's a pretty pink.
However, I think I will stick to the Chanel Coco Rouge Shine instead for the feel that is similar to my previous Shine Drape Rouge.

Last week's 'Meh'-product

L'oreal Professionel Serie Nature Masque Au Huile (to smooth flyaways)...

• smelled like weird herbal tea
• smoothing flyaways? Nope, still flying around (and the hair is still fluffy too)
• After finishing it up: messy hair and dryer than with my other masks

 Ok, my readers know I am often more elaborate on my category 'craptastic'. I have felt postive or neutral about any L'oreal Professionel Serie I've tried so far (reviews here) but this one was that craptastic that don't want to spend too much words on it.

Stupidly enough (or that I really wanted a miracle to happen) I finished it up.

Using, Used, Gonna use...

At the time posting this post it is actually more of Using...Used...Used, but let me continue:

Using: Lotree Luminious Moisture Tinted SPF30 PA++
This lotion functions as a moisture-adding and glow-enhancing step. Oilier skins or skins that are hydrated enough can use it as a moisturizer. At this time being, the temperature has risen and the extra SPF30 PA++ provides me protection.
When blending in with my Adesign foundation brush, it provides me a gorgeous glow with a tint of peach that has the correcting ability to brighten up a sallow complexion. Not something uncommon after this long winter period.

USED 1: Nude Pro-Genius Treatment oil (sample)
I liked this oil but not enough to purchase a larger sample. It smells slightly like macademia nut and has no essential oils or other fragance additives. That is perhaps the reason I will not purchase: Sometimes I prefer a facial oil to smell like an essential oil, e.g. Pukka Ayurveda Nourishing Face Oil smells like Rose Geranium, and an essential oil that speaks to you helps you to relax at nighttime when you are most likely to use a skin-oil.
I am still baffled that Nude skincare took out their brilliant and beloved Cellular Renewal Serum. According to Londonmakeupgirl they are reformulating it and will launch it on the market again, but why take the fantastic older version of the market?

Used 2: L'oreal Pro-Keratin Refill Mask
I have discussed it before over here and here. I am enthousiastic about it and feel it works in reconstructing my hair, but I am not really fond of the ozonic scent. I will repurchase it, ofcourse. 

L'óreal Professional Pro-Keratin Refill mask

A few weeks ago I received some new L'óreal Professional masks that I have been trying out. My pre-haircut hair was in a state of dryness & rebelliousness that needed some serious prepping&preening.

My favourite of the two, spoilers allowed,  has been their latest release: the Pro-keratin Refill Mask

Decorated in a fresh teal jar, it has been a frizz-soothing and somewhat hair-repairing mask. I say somewhat to keep it realistic, as real damaged hair is still difficult to repair completely, let's say almost impossible: Brazilian Keratin or Japanese Keratin treatments can smooth it for a couple of months, but the complete cure is often that dreaded rendez-vous with the scissors.

Ingredients:

What is really noticable it its texture: it is a pasty formulation that feels like a real treat on parched locks.

L'óreal Professional Pro-Keratin Refill mask: textured like a cake batter

Verdict:

• a fresh marine/ozonic scent that lingers 2 hours after washing
• thick texture
• that means you don't have to apply tons of it (frugal use)
• has become one of my favourite L'óreal Professional masks
• visible damage relief, both short term (after shower) as longer term (2 a 3 weeks of use)
• less fluffy frizz
• reasonably priced for around € 15 for 200 ml

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed this mask and reached for it even though I have a variety of other hairmasks (too many). This was based on the shorter & longer term effect (see verdict). In the meanwhile I have done the rendez-vous with the scissors because these things have to be done every now and then. However, I have been able to keep the lenght on the longer side and I'm sure I really had to go too short or deny the hairdresser's arguments a lot if I haven't been using this mask (and other treatments/supplements such as Phylia de [M] (here).

Availability:
Dutch (& Belgian, German, Luxemburg) shoppers can get it over here. Other shoppers can find it on feelunique.com

Newbies

Goodie, I haven't planned any no-buy so I am glad I could stock up on some beauty items

1. Fairydrops Mascara in Long & Curl Always a good excuse to buy mascara as you have to replace them oftenly in order to keep the lashes fresh

2. L'oréal Professional hairmasks: Left is the Nature Re-Naitre and the turquoise one is their latest Pro-Keratin refill.

I will keep you updated how it works. I hope I don't chat too much about hairstuff but it's my thing at the time being ;-)

3. SpaceNK Sale haul:
WOWEEEEE,  the first surpise it that they deliver to Europe again and the sale was superduper excellent. I bought a Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in PK 375 based on Driveller's Kate swatches (here). And a Laura Mercier mini Palette from the Christmas 2012 range in Smokey Taupes.

Davines Alchemic Colour conditioner in Red

During autumn I always think I could be a gorgeous redhead but I never have the guts to take the real plunge. I have tried some colour-masks in the past, Christophe Robin Red was one of them, but they didn't make that much of a change. Enter Davines Alchemic colour conditoners: "Alchemic" sounds really promising.

The content of the jar looks like one of those Kool-Aid lemonade drinks that are widely available in the U.S, the Caribbean and Latin America too (?).

I always wonder why those drinks are so spiked with colourants whereas most Americans loved to be healthy and fit like their Hollywood starlets...then again, it's the contrast of the US and people have the right to drink their lemonade as colourful as they want.

To see how potent that is:

 Cool Aid lip stain from Paul Mitchell Academy and you can dye yarn with all Kool Aids (here)

What does this have to do with Davines? 

Oh, the colour it disposed on my hair was quite strong. That was something I really liked. On the other side, the colour was as chemically red as the what you saw in the jar.

I had Taylor Tomasi Hill- sorta red in my mind

 It didn't turn Rihanna-ish either but the colour was kinda too teenybopper for me!

It took about 4 session of shampooing to rinse the slightly cherry tone from my hair.

However, I loved how potent the colour-disposition is and might try another hue if I really want to see difference in colour.

As it is a hairmask I found the conditioning properties to be reasonable to good:

Kérastase Elixir K Ultime Mask

How was your Christmas?

I'm sure most of my readers have gotten busy with either tonging, straightening, curling or uncurling, and decided it looked better before all of the work, or were completely happy about it.

So your hair will need some post-Xmas and pre-NYE pampering? That is why I step in for this mini review of the Késastase Elixir K Ultime Oléo-Complexe Beautifying mask:.

♫"GOLD, always believe in your soul" (Spandau Ballet)

Most of you will know the cult-status of Kérastase, and their hairoil Elixir Ultime. I have reviewed the Rose Millenaire and the Moringa Immortelle, and used 2 of the original Elixir Ultime too. Right now their oils are among my favourite hairoils.

information in various languages

Even though I use the Kerastase Elixir Ultime hairoils, I still suffer from straw-hair syndrom that I oftenly have complained about.  I know that Kérastase makes one of the most recommended hairmask Masquintense (reviews MUA here) but I am not completely sold about this: it's quite silicony that does the job for 1 day, and the frizzy/fuzzy bunch appears almost at midnight a la Cinderella. So no long-term healing for my hair.

I prefer L'óreal's cheaper variety of L'óreal Professionel, especially the Nature line. But curiosity often takes over me and I'm a beautyblogger so there's my excuse.

But how will this specific new Kérastase mask perform?

The promise:

1. All Hair types 
2. Beautifying
3. No Parabens
4. Corn Germ, Camelia Argan and Pracaxi Oils 

beautiful golden packaging

Sounds good: I'm really enthousiastic of the pure form of Camelia Oil, and Argan Oil. About Pracaxi I found this information:

• oil from a tree that growns in the Amazon (Brazil)
• Pracaxi oil has one of the highest level of behenic acid among natural products.
  - promotes conditioning action to the hair;
  - promotes smooth feel to the hair and skin;
  - improves wet compatibility of hair and skin care products,
  
  - increases hair brightness
  source: organics-nature

Remember when a packaging says the ingredients are included: always look for the place where it is listed in the ingredients list. If it's one of the first ingredients there supposed to be plenty of it; if it last in range then there might be one micro-monocule embedded just for the sake of listing it.

 How did my mask work?

I always like the Ufo-shaped form of Kerastase Masks...Must be the Majan proficy

Golden particules are infused in the mask:

Verdict:

• Beautifying? Yes, the golden sparkles makes the (healthy/normal) parts of the hair appear more radiant and glossy
• That also means that on the dry and damaged parts the effect is less effective, but still smoothing.
• Luxurious feel: Packaging/product
• Scent: Delicious! Like an high end perfume that is the same as the original Kérastase Elixir Ultime oil.

• All Hair Types? perhaps, but in my opinion it's lacks extra moisture that suits dry to really dry hair or damaged hair
• Hence, suitable for normal, slightly dry, combination, and slightly greasy hair that needs a bit of extra glow.
• Similar as the other Kérastases: Cinderella effect on dry/damaged hair: the beautifying effect last 1 to 2 days until the straw-factor returns.
• In my opinion: no longterm reparation/cure of the hair
• Expensive

Conclusion:

This is a mask that I refer to as a Upper Manhattan mask that would suit the gorgeously impeccable Olivia Palermo and other superglossy maned beauties that just need the extra gloss to outgloss their other Uptown girlfriends. The luxury factor is really high with the golden packaging and the golden sparkled mask, and the scent is delicious. If your hair needs real healing, something that solves your dryness or frizziness, or a in-between fix between hair-trims to remove spit ends, go for another mask. There are cheaper and more effective options that deliver real moisture or locks in keratines.

Available: eg on feelunique (on sale for still-lotsa-cash)

Finished Finesse

On the things I used up lately:

1. Shills Oxygen Mask:

This Korean copycat brand probably has been staring too much at Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energysing Mask because the concept is almost the same. But that was the reason I bought this one, as I like the Bliss Oxygen mask but I wasn't too fond of the price. Shills retails around $13 whereas Bliss is $54.

I have been having this mask in my beauty-cabinet since buying a lot of Shills from sasa.com. Lately I have been using it more and I like it as much as the Bliss: it's easy, its fun (when the foamy bit starts to work) and it's fast (also 3 minutes). It might be coincidence, but if I use this the night before I can see my skin being clearer and more radiant the next day.

I would repurchase: too bad it isn't on sasa anymore.
 
2.  Vapour Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation 120.

I am quite happy with the sample of the concealor I got in 020 (here), so trying out this *raved about* foundation was the next step.

It wasn't all perfect. First, as you can see, the colour has been quite dark. I didn't expected that as the colour beneath it, 115, claimed to be for fair skin, and this one for medium. It looks more like a medium-dark to me.  I thought the 120 would match the 020 concealer number? Secondly, the shimmer is too high for the whole face. Remember Mac Strobe cream? Only this over the whole face mixed with some foundation.

I guess this foundation will work for some people, but I prefer focused dewiness over total shimmer in a foundation.

3. L'Oreal Professionel Age Densiforce Omega 6 hairmask.

Another hairmask, and another one from L'Óreal Professionel.

I like this mask a lot, only the chemical rice-based scent will keep me from repurchasing it.

The beauty of this hairmask is that it is actually as thin as the usual conditioner, but works enough to qualify as a hairmask. As it targets for ageing hair, often thinner hair, the lighter consistency means it bring in more volume than the average hairmask. My hair was somewhat bouncier and with more volume than the average mask, without compromising too much on the moisturizing/repairing factor.

Right now I prefer the L'Óreal Professional Nature Mask Omega I reviewed here, because it gives my slightly damaged hair more moisture (although this one is better in volumising), and the scent of that one is so much better.

L'óreal Professionel Série Nature Mask with Macadamia

I got familiar with the L'óreal Professionel Serie expert line thanks to the many positive reviews on their intensive repair mask. That one is basically a cheaper version of the Kerastase Masquintense, and has a great cult-status these days.

So I wanted to venture further because they have really appealing products, and found not that many reviews online. That left space for me and my hair-curiosity to buy one of the masks from their Série Nature line. 

The Série nature line is a part of their Professionel line, only on a more natural base without parabens & silicones. 

from the Lóreal Professionel website

It still has some chemical-based elements inside and smells like one of those chemical cococted Macademia scents too: but it's a step forward to a more natural care.

clearly stated: No Parabens & Silicones

 The mask has a mid-creamy consistency that is neither runny nor really past-like:

Verdict:

• I used it up and liked it. My hair is in a state of blah-dryness now and it helps to make it look slightly healthy until the next wash. Perhaps people who have dry/damaged hair know this too that after a wash & deep-condition the hair good until you have to wash it again: then the dryness seems to reappear.
•  It smells ok: a bit chemical but still somewhat like macadamia.
• I do not notice the lack of silicones as a positive thing: sometimes my hair needs silicones to appear to look healthy but it didn't need that and I think I prefer to stay without the silicones if my hair looks just as healthy without them, or perhaps even get healthier in the long run because real ingredients are used instead of masking silicones.
• Long term: Not a real verdict yet. I used up the whole jar and switched to another L'óreal Professionel Mask Age Densiforce (against ageing hair...yes, now we have to take care of that too). I think I already prefer the Nature Mask with Macadamia, although the Age is quite ok too.
• I love the price: it's around €12 if you order it online so that makes it about drugstore prices with a better value and quality.

Availability: It's for sale at feelunique for €16.38 and in the Netherlands it's available at haar-producten.nl

Things I finished...up...

Hey, I've finished up some-things !

Before doing my beautyblogger's job to add new makeup/cosmetic collections to my beauty-closet, I decided to try and finish up some things.

1. Christophe Robin Shade Variation Mask in Chic Red

Bijschrift toevoegen

Actually, I prefer the French name Rouge Vénitien that stands for Venetian Red...it sounds more sultry and Italian.

So, didn't we see this before? Yes, you have, only I reviewed the Warm Chestnut shade (here)

I have been using this one continuously for 3 a 4 weeks and it has improved the state of my hair. I used it as a conditioner and you have to see it more as a conditioner than a mask, but still good enough to make hair-improvements.

As for the colour, I thought nothing RED was going on, untill my boyfriend noticed me that my hair looked like a blondish red on top of my head. I have lighter hair there, so I kind of had a deep strawberry blonde thing going on....Wow, I always wanted to be a strawberry blonde without too much maintainance. Now I should only draw in some freckles with an eyebrow pencil and I'm good to go.

But seriously, I loved the scent and I will probably repurchase this when I finish up it's sister the Chestnut Brown.

2. Sophyto Omega Daily Moisturizer sample

I like my organic skincare for the fact that it has fewer additionals to upset a sensitive/reactive skin. I do use some more chemical based products too, but for comfort I often go for the organic varieties. And it's winter again so the skin is just more reactive.

This has been a lovely and neutral moisturizer that is more a basic than a product that would target specific aims (anti-ageing/depigmentation/etc). It is the kind of moisturizer that leaves the skin slightly mat and not with that sheen that some product have, which makes it attractive for people with oily/combination skin.

My only gripe was its scent: It smells like Omega capsules (the ones that still smell) and therefore I am still on par if I would go fullsize. I am testing some other organic skincare too at the moment, and that one is rose-scented and scentwise a bit better.

3. Själ Serum 1 liquid vitamin lift

Let's go a bit Swedish with Själ. I received this sample by choosing it myself with my last Zuneta order.

I haven't been using it long enough to say something about the results but I found the texture to be incredibly watery. In Asian skincare it would be seen as one of those water/toner products with additives against a certain skin-problem. I am not too sure about it. Still, during the time of usage it didn't irritate me and it smelled neutral.

4. Rouge Bunny Rouge Sketches on Water Tinted Moisturizer

You know you really love your sample when you treat it like your own baby and scrape the last tiny bit out of the jar: it's exactly with this tinted moisturizer.

Somewhat a smidge too light for my skintone at the moment, but so foolproof for days you want people to think you are not wearing foundation but actually are having a good skin day!

That will be a purchase in the full size, soon....

Anything you finished up lately?