Brand Review: SqHair Bands + Discount Code

I'm very basic when it comes to hair and I don't like hair accessories or fancy hairdos. I will only use a hair band if I braid my hair or a clip/headband when keeping my hair away from the face when it's windy or when I'm having my morning/evening skincare routine. Keeping a headband on a counter is not always very convenient as it takes up so much space and carrying one in a handbag is almost unrealistic, so I was glad to come across SqHair Bands (link) that offers foldable headbands.

SqHairbands are slightly square shaped headbands that fold just like sunglasses do. This makes it extremely easy to store or carry around these headbands as they easily fit into a handbag, in the drawer or on the bathroom counter. Due to their shape they're not pressing into the head and are more comfortable to wear than regular headbands. They come in two sizes with Size 1 fitting most people. Size 2 should only be picked if you have very very thick hair.

The tips of these headbands are made from rubber, so the don't slip. They also resemble tips of glasses/sunglasses. Once you put SqHairband on, it's like wearing your sunglasses on top of your head (except that you don't have to worry about stretching the temples).

Another feature that makes SqHairbands better than sunglasses is that specially designed teeth help keep them in place and they don't slip off or move around like sunglasses often do. They can be worn just like regular headbands with your hair down or pulled in a pony tail or with any other hairdo that you prefer.

Each SqHairband comes with its own gift bag making them a great gift. I know it's still early to talk about Christmas, but these would be great stocking stuffers. It's also a nice way to store or transport your own headband.

SqHairbands come in a variety of colors and patterns. The Periwinkle one (link) that I've got comes with 2 rows of crystals, but you can get a plain one or one with 5 rows of crystals in the same color. The brand offers pretty much all the colors you can wish for. They also come in animals prints, tortoise, houndstooth and unique prints like the one I've got in Cracked Paint in Black (link) in the photo above.


If you're interested in getting SqHairband for yourself or as a gift, there's a coupon code BLONDIE that will save $3.99 with orders of $20 or more. I did receive the headbands complimentary for my review, but this is not a paid review and I don't get anything from sharing the code, so the only ones benefiting from the discount will be you.

June Empties

In my mind it's still just the beginning of the month, but the calendar says differently. June flew by so quickly! Wit each passing day my empties bag got fuller and fuller, so finally it's time to share them with you.

Let's start by looking at the masks, and the first ones are Origins Flower Fusion Orange and Raspberry sheet masks (link). I don't see much difference between the two (or any other sheet mask that I've tried from this line), but I like them a lot. These masks are very wet, but don't drip, they are also very comfortable on the face, feel a little cooling in the beginning, and they leave skin very soft, hydrated and plump. I would definitely repurchase any of them again.

I also liked using Origins Rituali Tea masks (link), but these I wouldn't buy again. I used up two single use masks. They come in a powder form and need to be mixed with water or any other liquid. I love the mousse texture that they have, they are easy to apply, feel a little tingling at times, but not in a bad way. However, once they become dry, some of mask pieces fall off of the face. It's nothing big, just like dusting, but it's inconvenient. Also, I get some red spots on my face after washing them off, so I'd rather stick with masks that don't irritate my skin at all.

I finally used my second Ellame Hydro Complex sheet mask* (link). It's a great hydrating mask that has so much serum that whatever is left in the packet can be used on the face, neck and chest after masking. The only thing that bugs me somewhat is that it has a little slime-y texture as I let my imagination work, but when I keep my mind on something else it doesn't bother me.

Another mask that I finished is Boscia Green Tea Oil-Control Mask (link). It's a peel-off mask that I've used in the past. It's an ok mask, and while I don't see much effect, I enjoy using it and it's great on those lazy evening when I don't want to go upstairs to wash off my mask. I like using detoxifying and deep cleaning masks (especially when the weather is hot).

I've received Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask (link) as GWP. It was a nice product, it felt cool on the face once applied, it felt comfortable, but I didn't notice any big difference in hydration. My skin felt nice afterwards, but not as nice as with some other face masks.

I think Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay (link) was part of mini sized mask set. I've had a sample (or maybe even mini size) of this mask before and I enjoyed it enough to want to use it again. However, after this one I think I've had enough and I will continue trying different masks. There's nothing bad that I could say about this mask, but it's also not a magical product. A little goes a long way, it feels nice on the skin,and doesn't irritate the skin. It also has tiny beads in it, so even after washing it off I could feel some of them on my face when applying other skincare products.

It's probably my 10th or so package of Promise Organic Coconut Facial Towelettes (link). They were my favorite ones until I found Ecocare Organic wipes that are the best of the best. Promice Organic wipes are nice and do the job, but after this many packs I'm just not a fan of the scent anymore. However, they're good at removing makeup, they're strong and don't tear, and one wipes is enough for my whole face.

The next 3 items are from organic skin care brand Inlight (link). I've tried line softener*, night balm* and foot & leg balm* - all of them can be purchased full size or in travel sizes, which is a great way to try out the products (link). They all have very natural, essential oil based scents, and all of these 3 products have balmy texture. While oils and natural butters theoretically work on all skin types, in the long run I tend to get clogged pores from them. My skin is normal towards dry, but it can get zits once in a while and in most cases I can easily tell what caused them. Mostly makeup or skincare products are to blame. I did try line softener and night cream on my face, but only a few times as I didn't want to take the risk. Line softener feels the lightest/softest in texture out of the trio, but none of them are hard to get out of the containers. These are the products that less is more, so even the samples lasted long. Since I didn't want to take any chances with applying them to the face, I used all of them on my legs. I did spray some facial toner before application, so the balms sank into the skin well and pretty quickly. It was a long lasting hydration, and the skin was super soft. I've been eyeing this brand for a while, but after trying the samples I realized that it's not for me or at least not for my face.

Origins A Perfect World spf20 eye cream (link) and spf40 face cream (link) are two other products that I've been wanting since they came out. I can't remember where I got the samples, but I'm glad I did before buying full size products. The eye cream has nice light texture, it applies easily, gets absorbed quickly and eye area feels hydrated. However, I noticed that sometimes my eyes get itchy and irritated, and I realized that it's because of this cream. I have sensitive eyes, but usually I never get a reaction from eye products unless they are highly fragranced or have spf. Even face products with spf make my eyes uncomfortable if they get too close to them. A Perfect World face cream was nice, light in texture, easy to apply and sink in. It gave enough hydration, but I don't feel anything special about it, so I'm not rushing to buy it in full size.

I've got a mini sized Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum (link), but tried it only a few times on my face. Like I said before, oils don't work on my face skin and this was in oil form. I was ready to get rid of it, but ended up using the serum on my legs.

Laneige Water Bank Essence* (link) is a beautiful serum that has lotion consistency. I used it both as a serum and as a moisturizer as it gave enough hydration for my skin. The only complaint is that it's highly fragranced. I have a review on the whole Laneige Hydrating Kit on my blog, so check it out if you're interested.  
  
I placed my first order in the end of February, but it was only June that I finally used The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (link) cream. I've heard different feedback about this cream, but for me it was great. The texture feels a little silicone-y though it's silicone free formula. It makes skin very soft, absorbs in an instant. It's one of those very basic, fragrance free, excitement free creams, but something made it special and my skin loved it. I would definitely repurchase it in the future. Besides, you can't go wrong with the price. The only downside is that it seems that it finished very quickly and barely lasted 3-4 weeks when used only at night time.

StriVectin SD Intensive Eye Concentrate For Wrinkles (link) is yet another product that I found in some goodie/GWP bag. Like most eye creams it lasted for a very very very long time and only a tiniest amount was needed for application. It was too silicone-y for my taste, but it was a nice cream for evening skin care routine. I think I used up whatever was left on my neck once I got bored of using it, so no way I would get it in full size.

While my skin can take more than needed glow/illumination, GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in Nude Glow (link) just didn't work for me. Instead of having a fresh glowy skin, I got oily looking skin. Plus the scent is too strong for me. So one use was one use too many, and it's going into the trash.

 

I color my hair blonde for as long as I can remember and I always use purple shampoos to keep yellow and brassy tones out of my hair. At first I've got a travel size and then full size of Original Mineral Conquer Blonde silver shampoo (link). This bottle lasted me a whole year. The shampoo does the job in keeping blonde hair blonde, but it is drying. If I left it in the hair for a little while, I would need extra leave-in conditioner or hydrating spray after washing my hair. The other thing that annoyed me all the time was that in some magical way the shampoo kept leaking. It has a cap on the top, but even after cleaning around it well, next time I touched the bottle the top was all covered in purple shampoo. This made it impossible to take on the trips. I even had to put it in a zip lock when I put the empty bottle into my empties pile as somehow whatever was left in the bottle leaked all over the bag. However, the best part of this shampoo was it's scent - it smelled just like lilacs!

I love Pacifica face washes, so of course I had to try other products too. I got Pacifica Coconut Damage Mask (link) for hair and I liked it. It's not my favorite scent, but the mask itself was good and really made my hair shiny, soft and tangle free. Many times I used it as a conditioner - I'd apply it to the hair and wash it out almost immediately. Like all other masks/conditioners I used it on the ends of my hair and up to half hair length.
 
It was that time of the year when I color my hair, so this time I tried Vidal Sassoon Salonist Permanent Hair Color in 10/1 Lightest Cool Blonde (link). Since I used this hair dye for the first time and because I have long hair, I used 2 packages. I really liked how simple the application was and how nice my hair felt afterwards. The color turned out just the way I wanted, the hair is very shiny and it didn't get dry, and so far the color seems to last well. It's a bummer that I can't find this brand/shade near me and have to order it online, but I will buy it again for sure.

In my What's In My Bag post I told that I constantly carry a travel sized hand cream with me. La Chatelaine hand cream in Passion Fruit (link) was one of them. The scent is amazing! The cream is just as great too - a small amount gives plenty long lasting hydration for hands. I've had probably 5 of these creams in different cents and only this one came out defective as the cap part just broke off one day. Since I couldn't carry it in my bag anymore and I didn't want to keep an open container even for use at home, I ended up using it as a body cream.

I've also used up another Molton Brown body wash (link). This time it was in Japanese Orange scent. I keep getting them in my GWP bags and I keep enjoying them. It's a nice, nicely smelling, non-drying shower gel. It's not my favorite, but it's not bad either.

Aubrey Organics shave cream in White Tea & Citrus (link) is a shaving cream that I keep coming back to. I've been using them even before the brand changed its packaging. This cream feels a little silicone-y and can clog razor blades, but running the razor under hot water right after shaving usually takes care of the problem. It is a lightly fragranced product.

Estelle & Thild Body Butter in Sparkling Citrus Bloom (link) is one of my all time favorite body moisturizers. It has a soft cream texture, a little bit goes a long way, it smells fantastic, it applies on the skin easily and sinks in quickly, it leaves skin hydrated. That's something that I will keep repurchasing.

With all the good stuff around there's one product that I regret buying - Organic Fiji Sugar Polish in Pineapple Coconut (link). The scent - yuck, the texture - yuck, the packaging - yuck. There's really nothing good that I can tell about this coconut oil and sugar based scrub. I've tried a few products from the brand in the past and I liked them, but when I received this body scrub it was hard as a rock and sugar and coconut oil parts were separated. To make things worse the protective tin foil was impossible to remove in some parts of the container, which made it impossible to heat the scrub in the microwave. It was so hard that I barely was able to get any product even with a knife, so I had to take an extra step and warm the container in hot water. Once heated it was ok to be mixed together, but the scrub would still harden up on the shelf in the shower. The smell was too overpowering and sickly sweet - I was ready to throw it in the trash after just smelling the product. I never got used to the smell. I also didn't like the texture as it left too much oiliness on my skin. I like when body scrubs leave a light film on the skin, but don't make skin oily and uncomfortable. It's also dangerous in the shower because so much oiliness makes tub greasy and can lead to slipping (which by th way happened to me when some oil was left on the side of the tub floor and I didn't notice it). No way I would buy it again.

Sensodine Pronamel Gentle Whitening (link) is just another toothpaste that I used up. I usually have a full size toothpaste tube, but I also get these travel sized ones to switch up. This particular toothpaste was good, left teeth clean, didn't taste too strong, and I would get it again.
    
I was very excited to try Keeko Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder (link), but it didn't stick in my routine. It's just too messy of a product/packaging. Good luck cleaning the counters/floor if this powder gets on any of them, and it does get spilled easily. The package is sealed tightly, but when opening I use too much power sometimes and some of the charcoal spills out. Also, I need to be extra careful when putting a toothbrush inside, because if it goes too deep in, it picks up powder on the handle too and then that powder gets everywhere. I did like this charcoal powder as a teeth product, but it's too messy to continue using. It has a couple different options when it comes to application, so I tried using it was a zit treatment. It was unsuccessful as once the paste dried out, the charcoal dust started falling off.

This Natural Dentist mouth rinse (link) tastes so yummy, and it does the job. I've been using it for over 6 years and I will continue repurchasing it.

I've used up 3 fragrance samples, and only Dior Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet (link) stood out for me though I'm still undecided if I want a full size bottle.

I'm getting rid of 4 Zoya lipsticks: Cameron, Wren, Velvet Red and Maxwell (link). I've been wanting to try them for the longest time and when Zoya had a promotion giving 4 lipsticks for free with $15 shipping, I went for it. There's nothing wrong with the lipsticks in terms of texture, application, staying power or color, but I just don't use the two lighter shades. As for the darker shades, they are beautiful! They apply evenly and stay on the lips for a long long time. However, they are the ones that are hard to apply nicely and they stain, so even if a tiniest mistake is done, it takes forever to fix the lip look. With the amount of lip products I have, I decided to get rid of these. Since they are barely used/tried, I'm going to give them to a family member as I feel bad throwing away perfectly good lipsticks.

Burt's Bees lipsticks are one of my favorite natural lipsticks. The one I used up is in color 510 Iced Iris. It was nice on the lips, but didn't apply as smoothly as my other favorite shade Tulip Tide, so they might have different texture in the line. I'm trying to go through a couple lip products in my collection before I get anything new, but this is something that's going to come back to my makeup bag sooner or later.

I received NYX Matte Lipstick in MLS28 Couture Mode (link) as part of GWP. I don't like the taste, I don't like the texture, and it's not my color, so not even trying to use it. It's going to go to a family member who likes it.

I'm not a blush person, but I keep getting one, so no surprise that Lavera Mineral Blush in color 01 Charming Rose (link) is going to trash after 2 year of using (not using). The blush had a pretty strong, but very pleasant scent, which faded after about a year and a half. It was also a very beautiful universal color, but I just barely use any blush, so this expired before I even hit the pan. The texture is on the harder side, but it was easy to pick up and the pigmentation was good.
  



* marks PR samples received complimentary

 

Brand Review: MooGoo

MooGoo (link) is an Australian brand that makes natural and gentle products for kids and adults. It also offers a lot of products to accommodate skin problems (eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea and others). I have a very special place in my heart for MooGoo products as I've wanted to try them for the longest time, and I finally had a chance almost two years ago when I wrote my first review about them. If you're interested to see what I tried then, here's a link to the review. Years later I'm still here and I'm still thinking about MooGoo. Recently I got a package from this brand, so I've been testing a couple of the items that I'm going to tell about today. Spoiler alert: I still love the brand.  

The first product that I've tested is Protein Shot Leave-In Conditioner* (link). It comes in two sizes: 50g/1.7oz and 100g/3.4oz. The bigger one that I have has a pump, so it's easy to get the right amount out (the smaller size comes in a squeeze tube). Since one pump is enough for my ends, this product should last a while. The consistency is not too thick, but holds its form, and it feels like gel-y cream, maybe even a bit silicone-y even though it's a silicone-free product. It doesn't make the hair heavy, it makes the hair soft and hydrated, easy to brush. The only con with the product is that the pump seems to not work properly after the first pump - it feels like it needs time to get back in place or something for next use.

That's not a problem when I use this product as intended, but it's a bit inconvenient when I use this leave-in conditioner as an overnight mask for my hair. While it's not mentioned in the directions, I like to find multiple uses for products, so I tested this conditioner as a mask by applying a couple of pumps of the product to the ends and half length of my hair, braiding it and leaving overnight. Surprisingly my hair wasn't too greasy or too heavy in the morning. The moment the water touched my hair, it was silky smooth and soft. I went through my regular shampoo and conditioner routine, but afterwards I didn't need to apply any other product. Protein Shot leave-in conditioner acted as hair food, and I loved the result.    

I was very excited to try Post Hair Removal Cream* (link), which is supposed to help sooth freshly shaved, waxed or lasered skin. It should also prevent ingrown hair. The texture of this cream is more of a lotion than a cream. A little goes a long way, and it applies and absorbs into the skin easily. The smell is very light, neutral, a little bit nutty, so I think it would work for anyone who's sensitive to scents. My skin doesn't get ingrown hair often, but it is sensitive and since I don't go a day without moisturizing my body, this cream really helps to do that without irritating the skin when it's most sensitive. It makes the skin very soft, hydrated, but it doesn't leave any residue. I enjoy using it so much that I'll apply it to my arms as well even though I don't shave them.    

I couldn't go doing a second review on MooGoo without trying their legendary Skin Milk Udder Cream* (link). This cream can be used both on the face and on the body. So far I've only tried it as a body moisturizer, and I love it. It has a thicker consistency than Post Hair Removal Cream, but both products feel very similar to me. Skin Milk Udder Cream also has a very subtle, a little nutty scent that should be ok even if you're bothered by smells. While it has a thicker texture, it still glides on the skin easily and sinks in quickly without leaving any stickiness or oiliness. The skin feels amazingly hydrated, plump and very soft. I hydrate my skin a lot, so I can't complain about softness in general, but with MooGoo creams I get that extra long lasting moisture feeling where I touch my skin at the end of the day and I still smile.  

I'm adding these photos for texture comparison (L to R): Protein Shot Leave-In Conditioner, Post Hair Removal Cream, Skin Milk Udder Cream.




* marks PR samples received complimentary

Brand Review: Natura Siberica

I've known about Natura Siberica (link) for many years and I've heard people say only the best things about it, but until now I haven't tried anything myself. It's a Russian brand that offers very affordable certified organic skin, body and hair care products. Natura Siberica uses a lot of herbs and plants and transfers their best benefits to its products.

I don't usually pay too much attention when it comes to shower gels, but Oblepikha Shower Gel* (link) right away became my favorite Natura Siberica product out of the three that I've tried. This shower gel smells amazing! It has seabuckthorn oil, and that's exactly what the scent it - a little sweet, a little sour, a little fresh. The bottle is slim making it easy to store in the shower and a pump makes dispensing the product quick and convenient. A little goes a long way when used with a sponge, but if you decide to skip the sponge, you'll need a little more of the product. This shower gel feels nice and hydrating on the skin, it applies smoothly, doesn't leave oiliness or any residue, doesn't dry out the skin, and the skin feels moist and comfortable after the shower. It's like an extra step, like a body serum before applying the moisturizer.

Another product that I've tried and was pleasantly surprised with is Cleansing Foaming Mousse* (link). From my skincare experience I know that in most cases foam and gel cleansers dry out skin, and should be avoided by those who have dry skin. I've only encountered one foamy cleanser that I was using daily and didn't experience drying of the skin. Natura Siberica's cleansing foaming mousse is the second product of that kind. As you can see from the photo this cleanser comes out as a foam, but it's a thinner texture and doesn't hold the form well once touched. 1-2 pumps is enough to wash the whole face, and the skin is left clean. I couldn't detect any scent, so it's a very neutral product. The face doesn't feel dry or uncomfortable in the end, but while washing the face this cleanser makes skin feel almost squeaky clean. I've used it a few days in a row and it didn't dry out my skin. Though I always have a couple of face washes and keep switching every few days.

 

Lastly I've tried Rich Siberian White Body Butter* (link). It comes in a tube, so while the texture is rich and holds its form, it's also soft/thin enough to be squeezed out of the container. When it comes to body butters this is exactly what I prefer. The other benefit of not too thick body moisturizer is that it can be used all year round and it's not too heavy for warm weather. It applies easily, sinks in quickly and leaves the skin feeling hydrated for a long long time. This body butter is almost scentless which makes if perfect for anyone who's sensitive to smells.



* marks PR samples received complimentary

What's In My Bag?

Just like most girls I carry half of my life in my handbag, so I decided to show what is in my bag. I'm not going to tell about notepads, pens, external battery for my phone, Tylenol, etc., but instead I'll concentrate on beauty related items. Some things I carry in my bag no matter if it's a small clutch or a large shoulder bag, and others I only carry if I might need them or if I have room for them. So let's go ahead and take a peak into the inside of my bag!

I've mentioned in other articles that I have sensitive eyes, so carrying sunglasses is a must for me. Since I can't always apply sunscreen around my eyes big shades protect delicate eye area from harmful UV rays. Carrying individually wrapped lens wipes comes naturally for me, but if I run out of them, water and soap work just as fine (but not as convenient while on the go). Regular tissues, nail file, and hand sanitizer are those small, but very helpful items.

I'm a little obsessed with fresh breath and clean teeth, so I carry a few dental hygiene things in my bag. No matter for how short or long I leave the house or if I carry a tiny purse or a big handbag, I always always make sure I have dental floss with me. Even when I don't have a lot of space I can still toss in a couple of Radius individually wrapped floss sachets (link). If my bag has room I carry regular floss - the ones I get from my dentist is a great compact option. I also carry a couple of single use Colgate toothbrushes (link) that make life easier as I don't have to carry a separate toothpaste and toothbrush. Last, but not the least is Moondani natural breath mist* (link), which comes in a tiny bottle that is compact enough to carry even in the smallest handbags. It has a very pleasant minty taste that's not too strong. While it's a very little bottle, it lasts long enough, and most importantly it does the job. I'l use a couple sprays to refresh my breath or I'll spray it in my mouth, take a sip of water and use it as a mouthwash. It tastes and feels as if I've just used a regular mouthwash or brushed my teeth.

Another very important item is a lip balm. Currently I carry Eco Lips lip balm (link to different flavor), but I'm not picky with what is in my bag as I just want to have something to apply to my lips in case they dry out. Besides, lip balm can be used as cuticle oil, flyaway hair tamer or moisturizer for any body part in case of emergency. A travel sized hand cream is also very handy, and I don't leave the house without one. I've got a bunch of mini hand creams from La Chatelaine (link), but I also love the ones sold by Whole Foods (their house brand).

I'm not into makeup touch ups, so I don't carry a cosmetics bag with me. I'll only grab whichever lip product I use that day so I could reapply later. I'll carry my foundation only if I leave for a long time or if the weather is hot, because otherwise I know that I'll have no problems with my makeup staying on all day.

These next items I constantly carry in my large bags, but if I use some smaller purse I will pack only what I really need at that time (e.g. a brush). I always have an assortment of clips/hair ties/pins as I mostly wear my hair down and I want to be ready to tame my hair if it gets windy, if we decide to throw a ball, etc. Though most times I end up giving them away to somebody in need. I also carry a brush to keep my hair looking perfect all the time and Denman D80M hair brush (link) is great for detangling and taming the hair. I also carry SqHair headband* (link), which is a hinged headband that is easy to fold and store/carry around. I think it's a very unique product, so I'm going to tell about it in a separate review article.

Lastly come summer items (with exception to a cuticle pen). I have plenty of face mists/toners, so I like to carry one around and refresh my face. While I prefer smaller bottles, I'm out of all smaller ones right now, so currently I use Algenist facial mist (link). I also carry a sample of Garden Goddess sunscreen* (link to mini size). I used to carry a mini sized sunscreen, but now I switched to a sample size as I rarely end up in the sun without planning it, and when I plan I grab a full size bottle or apply it at home. Ultima electrolyte powder (link) comes in handy with all hot weather around. It helps to replenish the body and makes water taste better. One thing is a little random, but I like to keep it in my bag as I use it more often than when keeping it at home, and it's Wilco jojoba oil nail care pen* (link). I'm not a fan of cuticle products as most of them are too messy for my taste, but this pen is amazing. It's easy to use, it releases just the right amount of oil to be applied on the cuticle, and it doesn't drip/run off the skin, so there's no worry about staining clothes or other things around.




* marks PR samples received complimentary      

Brand Review: C.Lavie

I came across C.Lavie brand quite accidentally, but I'm very happy that I've discovered it. It's a 100% natural ingredient French brand that offers 3 skin care products: eye cream, face serum, face cream. Also all of the products have Ecocert certification. They're available in the USA through The Detox Market only. I've tested all of them for a while, and today I'll share my opinion on them.

The Eye Contour .11*: First, let me mention how I love C.Lavie packaging. The outer boxes are pretty colorful and fun, but the product bottles are very minimal and classy. They all have the same while glass bottle and white cap. They do look very high end. There's also an insert inside each box that tells about the product, how to use it and when to use it. While this eye cream is called "cream", it has a clear gel like texture. It has medium thickness and applies to the skin easily. It absorbs quickly, makes the skin feel comfortable, and it doesn't interfere with makeup application. This eye contour is good to use not only under the eye, but above it as well. One pump is enough for both eyes, so the bottle should last for a long time.

The Serum .21*: Before getting full size bottles, I tried samples of each of the products. I can't remember if they only had numbers (.11, .19, .21) or if they had names as well, but without much thinking I applied them according to the number, and was surprised that a serum was thicker than a cream. Only then I realized my mistake and wrong order. Again, the serum has an insert telling how and when to use it. It's a brightening serum that not only brightens the skin, but also evens it out, reduces inflammation, boosts elasticity. This serum has a light tint and light reflecting particles, so it illuminates the skin and gives it a healthy glow. While I love this feature, I only use it during the day as I'm worried about staining my sheets (and there's not much reason to be glow-y at night). The texture is lotion like, not runny or watery, so with summer and hot weather already here I often use this serum as both a serum and a moisturizer as it gives enough hydration for my skin. My face feels light and comfortable when using it.

                  

The Cream .19*: I think the cream is a C.Lavie product that I've heard the best reviews about. It's rich in oils, provides and locks in moisture for the skin. The cream has the thickest consistency out of the trio, but it applies to the skin easily. Just like eye cream and face serum, face cream has a very light, natural, almost undetectable scent. It feels nice and comfortable on the skin, but for me it doesn't fully sink into the skin. Even a couple of hours after the application I can still feel the product sitting on my face. It doesn't interfere with my makeup application, but I have to be careful not to rub my face as makeup will roll off a bit. Because of this, I'd prefer using this cream in the evening or on the days when I'm makeup free. I've also got a few zits on my face while testing this cream, so I think it was just too heavy for me or too many products were used. With this hot and humid summer weather I think it was just too much for my skin as it doesn't require so much hydration. Since using eye cream and face serum gives me enough moisture, I think I'll continue doing that until the weather cools down and then introduce face cream to my skincare routine.    

I'm including these two photos to show the texture of the products. Like I mentioned in the beginning I'm very happy that I got to try out C.Lavie. I love the combination of eye cream and face serum, and hopefully face cream works out for me in fall and winter.  



* marks PR samples received complimentary

Brand Review: Laneige

With so many people getting into Korean skincare, I was curious to try it out myself, and today I'll review Laneige Hydrating Trial Kit* (link), which includes moisturizing foam cleanser, toner, essence, moisturizing cream and sleeping mask. I'm using this set as part of my nightime skin care regime. I'm happy with all the products though I prefer some more than the others. I also love the size of each item as they're small enough for taking when traveling, but big enough to get a good opinion about each item before committing to full size products.

Moisturizing Foam Cleanser: Even though it says it's moisturizing, I've only used this cleanser a couple times, because I feel that it might dry out my skin. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't want to take the risk. This cleanser feels nice on the skin and it's more creamy than foamy once it mixes with water. It removes all makeup and the skin is left very clean, almost squeaky clean though not as dry as when using regular foam or clay cleansers. However, I think that in the long run it might be too much for everyday use and it could dry out the skin, so I use it in combination with other face washes.

Power Essential Skin Toner: This toner has a thicker consistency, and feels almost like a facial serum. The bottle has a small hole, so I have to shake it to get the toner out on a cotton pad, but I wouldn't call it a con. It feels very nice when being applied to the skin, so I use it both in the morning and in the evening. That's why I'll probably run out of it before I finish any other product from this set, but that's normal as I usually don't finish the products at the same time no matter if it's a mini set or full size hair shampoo and conditioner.

Water Bank Essence: This serum is very light, but not watery. It's also very moisturizing and many times I'll apply my other thinner serum underneath and leave it as is without any additional cream on top. My skin feels very soft, plump and comfortable when wearing this essence.

  

Water Bank Moisture Cream and Water Sleeping Mask: I decided to introduce both products together so I could compare them side by side. The product on the left is a moisturizing cream, which is thicker than a sleeping mask. Moisturizing cream applies and absorbs to the skin easily and quickly making the skin feel soft, full, hydrated. I apply it most of the nights unless I use Laneige and another serum, in which case I use Laneige essence as a moisturizer. The sleeping mask has a lighter, more gel like texture and feels more watery/lighter on the skin. It's supposed to be used only a couple times a week by applying it in the evening and leaving through the night. I didn't use it long enough to see long term results, but I didn't notice anything different after a few times that I had it on. It does hydrate my skin, but it doesn't feel/look any different from when I would use a regular moisturizer. Maybe that's also because my skin is not dry currently, and it would feel different for someone who needs extra moisture in his/her skin.

So my favorite products are face toner, serum (essence) and sleeping mask. I think they would be enough for warm weather skin care as the serum gives enough hydration for my skin, and for whenever I want an extra kick, I could use the sleeping mask.    



* marks PR samples received complimentary