July Empties

It's that time of the month again! I enjoy writing about my empties as I can finally get rid of all the finished products, but I also like to look at what I've used throughout the month and see if there's something I want to repurchase. It's also a good way to see how much is used up, because sometimes it feels like products last for ages and I can never finish them, but then the month goes by and my empties bag is filled to the top.

Since masks take up the most space in my empties bag this month, I'll start with them. I've discovered Leaders (link) sheet masks. The brand has a huge variety of face masks, but the ones I fell in love with are from 7 Wonders line. They run for $6 each, but I found Mediterranean Olive Brightening Mask (link) and Tundra Cranberry Anti-Aging Mask (link) at Iherb.com for $2.50 each. On my recent trip to TJ Maxx I found Leaders 7 Wonders line masks in boxes of 10 for $7.99! I love these masks, so I couldn't pass the deal and got 3 different boxes (Kalahari Melon Moisturizing Mask is one of them). Funny how I'm not into olive skincare, but I think Brightening Mask is my favorite of the bunch though I don't see much difference among them and I enjoy using all. These masks are super thin, they apply to the face well and stay on without falling/sliding off. I've read some reviews online saying that the masks are very thick, inconvenient, don't stay on, people see no results, but I think I know the reason for all this. Each mask has 2 protective layers, so you have to peel on layer, put the mask on your face and then peel the second protective layer. The mask is very thin and feels like second skin. They are packed with serum and so much of it is left in the packaging that I use that extra on my neck, chest, arms and legs. There's plenty for all that! The mask is comfortable to move in, so once I put it on, I leave it for an hour or so until the mask almost dries out. At least that's how it feels when I touch my face, but when I remove the sheet mask, my face is not dry and it still has serum left on it. It leaves skin firm, plump, hydrated, bright. It's really one of my favorite facial masks of all time.

Another favorite brand of mine for sheet masks is Biobelle. I got their masks for review and loved them so much that I purchased a bunch of them afterwards. During July I used up 2 Purifying Black Lace Hydrogel #Glam Masks (link), #HappyHour Sheet Mask (link) and #Decadence Sheet Mask (link). I like them all equally, but I see different results with them. While regular sheet masks from Biobelle mostly give me that plump, soft, hydrated, healthy face, the hydrogel one is the one that in addition to all that gives the most glow-from-within to the skin. #Glam mask is also the hardest to use out of them as it has two parts and it very slippery. Once I have hydrogel mask on, I like to relax for a little while and not move so it would start drying a little as otherwise it keeps moving/sliding on the face. When it stays on the face and dries for a bit, the mask doesn't move around anymore and I can talk or do other things around the house without a problem. Like with most masks, I like to leave it on well past the recommended time. I keep it for about an hour and when I remove it at that time I can feel that the mask for thinner and I can feel the texture of the lace.              

Next pile of face masks has more variety. I've used up Origins Ritualitea Feeling Rosy mask (link). I like the full size packaging, the idea, but I'm not crazy about any mask from this line. I'm also somewhat bothered by their scents too. This mask was ok, but nothing to make me run and buy full size.

I like Andalou as a brand and I've repurchase their skin care and hair care products many times, but I wasn't impressed with sheet masks. Iherb.com has all 4 varieties available (link), and when my order came in I got a package of 2 Instant Hydration masks (link) for the price of 1. That was a nice surprise, but that's the only good thing about the masks. First, I don't like the fit. The masks are not cut right for my face (eye and lip openings are too small), so I tear nose part between the eyes, sides of the eye and lip part to fit me properly. Second, I don't see any big effect after using them, and more importantly there's some ingredient that bothers my skin. My skin feels some burning the moment I put the mask on and it's been the same with all of them (Soothing mask is the most comfortable one though). It stops in a couple of minutes, but I don't enjoy my masking with them.

I was very curious to try Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask (link), but I didn't see the magic. It's a very expensive mask ($25 for 1 sheet mask) and I see better results with my Leaders $2.50 mask. I liked the mesh for protective layer and a tab on the mask (it makes easier to separate it from outer layer), but the fit was wrong for me. I had to adjust eye area as they were cut too small for me. The masks sticks well to the face, but it feels a bit too thick to stay on well when moving, so I used a silicone mask cover on top to keep it in place. Tatcha mask did hydrate my skin, but like I said before, it wasn't something that other masks can't do.

I've used many face masks from Montagne Jeunesse in the past. I've used Passion Peel Off (link) and Black Seaweed Peel Off (link) masks before, but it was my first time trying Orange & Black Lave Exfoliator & Masque (link). I go back to this brand when I want some change, but it's not my must have. All of their masks are scented strong and I don't see clear difference among their results. The Passion mask is a little runny, the color is light, so sometimes it's hard to see see if enough is applied to the skin. The Seaweed one is thicker, but I wish there was more product in the package as it doesn't cover as opaque as I'd like to. However, both of them are good and peel off easily. Orange & Black Lava Exfoliator & Masque smells so yummy! Again, I didn't see any magic on my skin. The packaging contained so much product that it could probably last for 2-3 times, which is a bit annoying as there's no consistency (with peel off masks I felt like there's not enough product and the exfoliator-mask has way more than needed for single application).  

There are still two more masks that I haven't told about. I really don't see much difference in skin's firmness when using Glamglow GravityMud Firming Treatment (link). I like peel off mask, so I got this one for those lazy days/evenings when I want to apply a mask and forget about it. I enjoyed the metallic blue color, but it's too expensive for a mask that doesn't seem to do anything on my skin. I also didn't see clear results from Pacifica Future Youth Enzymatic Resurfacing Mask (link), which I got from a sample pack. I had this set on my wishlist for a while, but then decided I don't need it. However, when I found it at TJ Maxx, I had to have it. I'm glad I tried the set, but by now I'm pretty sure what works for me from Pacifica (hair masks and face washes). This mask is very light on the skin, it makes the skin soft, somewhat glowy, but I don't enjoy the whole masking process.

Since I love Pacifica face washes I decided to try Cactus Water Micellar Cleansing Tonic (link). I use micellar water or facial wipes to remove my mascara and then use regular facial cleanser/wash to get rid of the rest of the makeup. I liked this micellar alright, but it seemed that towards the end it wasn't working as good as in the beginning. Though I probably should blame my mascara for that as I've heard other people mentioning that this particular mascara is hard to remove. While it was good enough, I'm not going to get another one as it's not as good as my favorite micellar water from Melvita.

I've told about Laneige toner* (link) when I reviewed the brand. It's a nice thicker, more moisturizing toner, but I'm not thinking of repurchasing it. Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion (link) is a toner that I liked enough to think about getting full size bottle in the future. This toner seems to remove any excess makeup, dirt or anything from the skin without drying it. The face feels like a clean slate and I like that feeling.

I've received Origins Checks and Balances Face Wash (link) and Modern Friction Scrub (link) as part of GWP. The scrub was very gentle, but I'm not a big fan of face scrubs in general, so it's not something to interest me much. Though the face cleanser was really nice! It was gentle, creamy, removed makeup well, didn't dry the skin, but it washed the skin to a squeaky feeling.

I wasn't impressed with Arcona White Tea Purifying Cleanser (link). I had a sample size and it was so hard to get any product out (the pump didn't work well) and since it wasn't a great cleanser I didn't even bother to finish the sample. It felt like a very basic gel cleanser, it washed the makeup, but I felt that it's not leaving skin completely clean.

Tatcha The Water Cream (link) is a light, but powerful moisturizer. A little goes a long way and I loved how my skin felt with it. I would consider getting full size of it.

I have eye cream, face serum and face moisturizer from Caudalie Vine[Activ] line (link). I've purchased a mini kit that included the face oil as well, but I'm not too much into oils, so it's still unopened. All of these had that specific Caudalie scent that I don't mind, but I get tired of it quickly. The mini sizes lasted long and since the face serum is in lotion consistency, I used it as a moisturizer on top of other more watery serums. I still have one of these sets, so I'll use it, but Caudalie is just not my brand as their products don't excite me and feel very basic. I didn't see anything else besides hydration from this line.

I was not impressed by Clarins Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream (link). I don't like silicone-y feeling in creams and it's too frangranced. I'm currently using another cream from Clarins and it is also too scented.

I like The Ordinary products, so Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG eye serum (link) was no exception. I've purchased it in the end of February and I just finished it in July. One drop was all I needed for my undereyes. Since I've been using it for so long, I got a little bored of it, so the last couple milliliters I've used up as an eye mask (apply the product generously on a cotton pad and keep it under the eyes for 5+ minutes). I learned this trick from Instagram, and I must say I really enjoyed that. While I got tired of constant use of the same eye serum, I started missing it few days after finishing it, so I'm already thinking about repurchasing.

I've purchased Suntegrity Natural Moisturising Face Sunscreen and Primer (link) about a year ago thinking it would be a nice SPF product, but it was so heavily scented that I've used it only a couple of time. It's an expensive moisturizer, so I didn't want to throw it away and kept it just in case. Well, a year passed and I tried it again, but again I'm disappointed. I have other moisturizers with SPF that I prefer, so I never reach for Suntegrity. I see no point in keeping it any longer.    

I love black and red currant scent, so when I saw Kneipp Pomegranate & Cassis body lotion (link) I had to get it. It smells nice, but the scent doesn't linger for long. It's on the thinner side and I wish it was a bit thicker, but it's a good product. While it's light, it still hydrates skin. Though if you need extra hydration, this won't be a product for you.

Alba Botanica Acnedote face & body scrub (link) is my must have product. I've never tried it on my face, but I use it on my legs for many years now. The scrub is gentle, but does it's job and it doesn't mess up the bathtub (it has darker color). It's runny, so it's easy to squeeze out of the tube more than needed, but since I've been using it for so long, I do it automatically now.

I've also finished up Biesecker salt and sugar body scrubs* (link), but I'll tell more about them when I do a review on the whole brand. I did like these scrubs, but they're not as good as my Alba Botanica sugar scrub.

I've used many natural deodorants, but so far I've found only one that works well even on hot days. However, it's not always perfect, so when I needed 100% protection, I discovered Secret Clinical Strength Clear Gel deodorant (link). It keeps the underarms dry and stink-free even on the hottest days, so I'm really hooked on this product.

I loved the texture of Mojo Spa Body Meringue in Pear Berry* (link), which is a whipped, airy coconut oil based body moisturizer. It's not as oily as pure coconut oil, but it doesn't sink into my skin completely and leaves a beautiful glow and a bit of a barrier on the skin. That's why I used it on my legs and arms when I wore short sleeves and dresses. It has a pretty strong scent which lingered, so that's the only thing that bothered me.  

I've been looking at Umberto U Color Italian Demi Color Kit in color 11.8 Pearl Blonde (link) for a while. I've never used semi-permanent hair color, so I wasn't sure about it, but it also offered a really light shade which made me give in. Each box has 2 applications, but since I have long hair and I was using this product/shade for the first time, I used both packets. It didn't have a nasty smell, it was also very easy to use and I have a beautiful blonde shade. However, it's not as light as I'd like. When applying hair dye mixture to the hair and wiating for it to work, I'm used to seeing grey-ish/blue-ish mixture and this hair color was a bit orange-y, which made me feel alarmed, but the ends result didn't disappoint.

Recently I did a review on Less Is More and mentioned how much I love their Lindengloss shampoo* (link). It makes my hair perfect - shiny, full, soft, hydrated, but not too heavy, though not too dry as well. It's really one of my all time favorite shampoos and I'd love to repurchase it in the future. The only problem is that it's not currently available in the US. The sad part is that I ran out of it much sooner then I expected. I was planning to use it well into August, but my man came into my bathroom to borrow a shampoo and as if knowing which one I don't wanna share grabbed this one.

I hated Pacifica Super Kale shampoo and conditioner (link). I like hair masks and face cleansers from this brand, but this duo was bad and I don't even wanna try other shampoo/conditioner lines. I liked kale face wash and the smell didn't bother me, but kale in the shampoo was not for me. I could have used to the smell if the products did something amazing to my hair, but they both were below average. If I don't even use them for brush washing, they must be really bad. The shampoo made my hair flat, tired, second-day looking. The conditioner was light and seemed to do nothing.  

I'm getting rid of 2 Everyday Minerals Plush mineral Brushes (link). One of them I've had for 6 years, the other one for 3 years. They are still ok, but not great. They started losing some hair, the hair gets tangled while washing the brushes, so I decided it's time to remove them from my brush collection.

Real Techniques makeup sponge (link) is in really bad shape, so it's time to throw it away. I've had it for a while, but didn't use since I've never been into liquid foundations (I tried, but never settled on any). Recently I started exploring liquid/cream foundations and BB/CC creams, so the first time playing around was using RT sponge. It has some cuts throughout the sponge and the tip is ripped off, so I decided to get a different sponge and this one goes to trash.

I had Kide Y Highlighter in Gold (link) for 2 years and I enjoyed the product a lot. It's supposed to be used up in 2 years from opening and since there's only a bit left and I have other highlighter's, I decided to trash this one. It gave an intense uniform shine, and if you're interested, you can check one of my old posts where I review it (link to review post).

I had a generous sample of Sulwhasoo cushion foundation (link), which I enjoyed. The color was on the darker side, but fit me, so I could test it and see what I think about it. The foundation applied easily and beautifully (I used a brush, I didn't like applying with the provided sponge), stayed on well and made the skin look naturally glowy. The thing that bothered me with this foundation (as well as with Amore Pacific cushion foundation) was the strong scent. If it wasn't so highly fragranced, I'd definitely consider getting a full size.

I regret purchasing Ilia Moondance finishing powder with SPF20 (link). On paper it sounds perfect - built-in brush for easy application, spf, compact packaging. Well, it wasn't as convenient to use as I expected. It was hard to control the amount of powder that got on the brush and due to packaging I needed something extra to swirl/tap the excess. The brush itself wasn't as soft as I wanted and it was on a smaller side. I ended up tapping the powder on a lid from a different product and applying it on my face with a bigger and softer brush. Since getting the powder out wasn't always easy, I ended up taking the Ilia brush off and that way shaking out as much of the powder as I needed. Besides, paying $34 for the tiny amount of 0.07 oz (2.3 g) is not worth it - I knew the amount when buying, but I didn't expect it to last for 2-3 weeks not on a daily use.  

I've used up yet another Sante Eyebrow Pencil in color 01 Blonde (link). I've talked about it before and I also have a review on it in my eyebrow product article. This is my favorite eyebrow pencil, which I've been using for over 3 years. I need to sharpen it at least every second use, so it lasts for about a month when using daily, but it's so worth it.

I haven't tried many things from Stila, but I was so impressed with Huge Extreme Lash Mascara (link). It made my lashes big, full, long and the effect was perfect from the first use to the last use. While using this mascara it got a bit thicker and there were some clumps of mascara on the wand, but I never had a problem with flaking or clumpiness on my lashes. I would repurchase this mascara in full size without a doubt.

I was expecting more from Giorgio Armani Black Ecstasy Mascara (link), but it gave me nice, just a bit above natural looking lashes. It wasn't bad, but not as good as I was expecting.

I wasn't impressed with Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara (link), which was also too natural looking for my liking.      

I received NYX Lip Cream in Istanbul (link) as part of GWP. I tried using it a couple of times, but it's just not a product that excites me. It feels light on the lips, but the color is not opaque/visible as I would like it to be. It might be also because this color is not 100% what I'd pick myself.

Another product that came as part of GWP is Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in Hi-Speed Sonnet (link). I've been eyeing this color for a while, so I was very happy to receive this huge sample size. However, the color doesn't really show up on my lips, it just gives glittery shine. While I'm ok with that, I can't get past the texture. This lip product is very sticky and even a thin coat doesn't feel nice. I tried using it, but it's just not for me.

I enjoyed my sample of Benefit They're Real! Double The Lip Lipstick & Liner In One in color Lusty Rose (link). It seemed like a basic rosy color, but I got my share of compliments wearing it. I would repurchase this in full size even though it wasn't completely as described and I had some trouble with the product and packaging. The cap got a crack in it within the first couple uses, but I'm sure this wouldn't happen with a full size product. This lipstick is supposed to be a line and lipstick in one, but the liner part was too thick and too close to the lipstick color, so the difference didn't really show up on my lips. It might be different with other shades. It's also supposed to make lips look fuller, but I think the effect was completely opposite and made my lips look a little smaller than they are. Lastly, when I had just a little bit of the product left, the liner part separate from the lipstick part, but since they both stayed in the tube, I was able to finish using it.

I liked the color of Clinique Pop Lacquer Lip Color & Primer in color 04 Sweetie Pop (link), but the sample was not user friendly. The tube was so small that is wasn't comfortable to hold and use the wand. It also seemed to take only a tiny amount of the product, so I had to re-dip the wand a few times and it wasn't worth it.

I've received Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in color So Marilyn (link), but I'm not keeping it. The biggest reason for that is that it looks too brown/brick red on my lips and that's not a color that I like. Moreover, it's one of the lipsticks that don't apply nicely to the lip corners and require additional effort, which I don't wanna do.




* marks PR samples received complimentary  

Brand Review: Timeless Skin Care

I've heard great things about Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamim C + E Ferulic Acid Serum from this brand (still in my wishlist), and that's how I came across this brand. However, today I'm reviewing two different products.

I've been using Coenzyme Q10 Serum* (link) each night as part of my regular evening skincare routine. This serum has a lot of good ingredients that help skin fight with wrinkles, hydrate it, helps build collagen and elastin. It has a light yellow color, it's runny, but not completely watery, and I can't detect any specific scent with it. In my skincare I use a lot of anti-aging products, but I do that as a preventative step, so it's hard to comment how products would work on the skin with certain problems. I'm using this serum for hydrating and moisturizing properties, and I do see that my skin is soft, plump and even.

The second product that I use from this brand is Hyaluronic Acid Serum 100% Pure* (link). This one I use both morning and night. It has a clear, watery texture and no scent. It absorbs to the skin quickly. I've recently finished hyaluronic acid serum from The Ordinary, which was stickier compared to Timeless HA serum. I'm really enjoying this product for the moisturizing benefits, and it is also easy to use under any product, because it's not sticky.

Not sure how well both serums will show up in the photo, but I have Hyaluronic Acid on the left (it looks just like water) and Coenzyme Q10 serum on the right.



* marks PR samples received complimentary

My Perfume Collection

Just like with most beauty items, I tend to fluctuate with my perfume collection. Sometimes it grows big, sometimes it gets so small that I have only 1-2 fragrances, but usually this is something that is under control most of the time. I'm very picky with my scents, so I buy only the ones that I really really love. I also don't "save" my favorite perfume for special occasions and I use all of them depending on my mood.

I'm also very picky with my samples, and usually test them on paper before spraying on myself. If they don't pass the paper test, I don't even try them.

Dzintars Rue Pergolese (link) was my very first perfume that I remember. I do remember smelling my mother's perfumes, but Rue Pergolese was the one that dad got me and it was my own fragrance. The memories of the scent and of that moment when dad took me shopping were so strong and warm that I hunted down and got this fragrance a couple of years ago. When I smelled it for the first time after such a long time (probably 20+ years), it wasn't what is smelled like in my memories. Though I keep this perfume on my counter as a very special memory.

I always use whatever I feel like using at the moment, so I don't have "summer/winder/day/night" perfumes, but if I did, these two would probably be warmer weather scents. I've been using Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue (link) for over 10 years and I still love it. Some people would argue that it's a boring fragrance, but not for me. It's truly "my scent" and I'm not bored of it. D&G comes out with different Light Blue variations each year, but there's been only one that I liked enough to get a bottle of.

Bvlgari Omnia Paraiba (link) is my very recent addition. I tested this perfume last year and I wasn't convinced that I need a full bottle. However, when I saw Macy's having a great deal on this scent, I had to have it. I like it a lot, I'm enjoying using it, but I don't think I would repurchase it due to a very poor staying power.

Generally Estee Lauder fragrances are not for me, but I fell in love with Sensuous Nude (link). It's a scent that I'm attracted to very much, but I don't wear it too often and I'm not into powdery perfumes, so I got the smallest size. I'm not going to repurchase it, but so far I've been enjoying each spray of it.

I was obsessed with Calvin Klein Deep Euphoria (link) from the moment I tested this perfume in the store, so I ha to get it right away. I still like it a lot, but I'm not as crazy anymore. It's only a second Euphoria edition that I like and I'm not into CK perfumes in general, so it was a nice surprise.

The fragrance that I've repurchased is Byredo Bal d'Afrique (link). Well, the one I have now is a hair perfume, but I use it like a regular perfume. When I finished my Bal d'Afrique EDP bottle I knew I will repurchase it in the future. I didn't want to do that right away, but I kept thinking about the scent, so I got hair perfume to keep as a scent reminder. Who knew that it wears and lasts well on the clothes!

I've tried all Derek Lam 10 Crosby scents, but only Blackout (link) stood out for me. Yet I didn't purchase it as it came only in big bottles and it was one of the perfumes that I wanted to have only a small amount as I knew I will use rarely. While I was debating what to do, the brand came out with 0.34oz spray bottles, and I grabbed one without thinking. I can't stand rollerballs, so the fact that this came in a spray bottle was amazing.    

What's in My Shower?

I think it's human nature to be curious about what's in somebody's bag, closet, drawer, medicine cabinet, etc. Since I have a few products that I want to share my opinion about, but I don't want to write separate reviews for each of them, I'm going to let you peek into my bathroom and I will tell about the products I use.

Let me start with my favorite shampoo at the moment. It's Lindengloss Shampoo* (link) from an Austrian brand called Less Is More. As you can see from the photo, I've used quite a lot of it already. I can easily see how the bottle is getting emptier after each use which doesn't often happen with other shampoos. I've gone through half of the bottle in a month using it 2-3 times a week. I always shampoo twice, so if you don't do that it should last longer. My hair is long and fine, and this shampoo is amazing on my hair. It leaves hair soft, light, shiny, hydrated (but not heavy/greasy feeling) and the effect lasts through the next day. It's one of those shampoos that I don't have to worry about and I can always trust knowing that my hair will look great every time I use it. I also use Lindengloss Conditioner* (link), which I like, but I'm not as crazy about as I am about the shampoo. The conditioner is on the lighter side, it does the job making hair soft, untangled, manageable, shiny. It doesn't leave any residue or overload hair to make it heavy. It lasts longer than shampoo, so I still have pretty much the whole bottle of it. Besides, I like to mix and match in the shower, so I often use different conditioners.

I buy some of my favorite makeup and haircare products from European websites, so when I was shopping in one of them, I decided to try Sante Goji & Melon Volume Shampoo (link). I was attracted by ingredients and I was hoping for an amazing scent, but it doesn't smell the way I expected (it's light, nice, but nothing special or not melon-y). It's not a great product as well as I don't see extra volume while using this shampoo. I usually use this for my first shampooing. When used by itself this shampoo doesn't give me the result I want. After using this shampoo my hair is nice, not dry, but I don't see additional volume and my hair feels a little weighted down. The hair looks nice the first day, but I need to wash it next day.

I've told about Rare Elements shampoo and conditioner* (link) in the past - LINK ARTICLE HERE. My opinion didn't change with time and I still love both products. While both of the products are quite light, they hydrate and nourish the hair, which can can make hair feel heavier, so I only use them 1-2 times a week. I don't need additional leave in conditioner or spray for my hair and ends when I use Rare Elements. The hair is left soft, manageable, shiny and full of life.

It's been a little over a month since I finished my blue shampoo and I needed something new. After reading a lot of reviews I decided to get Oribe Bright Blonde shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo (link) is dark in color, doesn't stain hands, and the water is light in color when it washes from the hair, so it makes me think that most of the pigment is transfered to the hair. However, I don't really see much effect on the hair when using it a couple of times a week. To be honest, I've started testing Matrix Brass Off shampoo and after only 2 times it gave me a more visible result than Oribe. Bright Blonde conditioner (link) is lighter in color than the shampoo. I apply shampoo throughout all length of the hair, except the ends where I apply the conditioner and leave both products for a few minutes. Like I mentioned before, I really don't see much difference, but at least they don't dry out my hair. I'll keep on testing a couple of other product to keep brassy/yellow tones out of my hair, but I will use Oribe as well though I wouldn't buy them again.

I'm still using Natura Siberica shower gel* (link) that I've reviewed HERE. It's an amazing product and each time I use it I enjoy my shower time a little more. This shower gel smells fantastic and leaves skin hydrated and soft.

EOS shave cream in Tropical Fruit scent (link) smells a little too sweet and strong for my taste, but it doesn't bother me. I've used EOS in the past, and I like this product just as much when using now. The cream applies to the skin nicely, it doesn't dry the skin, it doesn't clog the razor and a little goes a long way.

I'm not a big fan of Alba Botanica brand. I have some of my must have products from the brand, but I'm not interested in trying any new ones or giving second chances to the ones I didn't like in the past. So even though I've heard good feedback about Alba Botanica body scrubs, I wasn't interested in getting them until I recently saw them on sale at Whole Foods. They only had Sugar Cane (link) and Sea Salt (link) and I got both. The sugar one is very gentle, has fine sugar particles that are very uniform in texture (not like most sugar scrubs where sugar is mixed into the oil) and feels like a smooth paste when using it. It smells sweet, but not too strong and not sickening sweet. I was skeptical before I got it, but now I'm sure I will keep repurchasing it as it's amazing. The salt scrub smells wonderful, but it is different in texture. It has bigger salt pieces mixed with oil, so it had to be mixed before first use as oil was separated on top. I've never had to mix it again when using it afterwards. While it's a nice scrub for feet, it's too harsh on my body. I've tried using it on my body, but it didn't work due to bigger salt particles which scratch the skin. It also leaves oily film on the skin. When using on my feet I don't notice any film and my feet feel smooth, soft and hydrated afterwards. While I like it as a foot scrub, I don't think I will repurchase salt scrub in the future.

I lost count of how many Acnedote face & body scrubs (link) I've gone through. I've never tried it on my face, and I only use it for my legs. It's gentle, it doesn't dry out the skin and it feels nice. While the scrub is dark, it doesn't leave a mess in the shower and is easy to wash off.



* marks PR samples received complimentary

Leonor Greyl Treatment Before Shampoo Review

When it comes to beauty I'm not into oil based products, so I'm not sure why I picked out Leonor Greyl pre-shampoo treatment (link) as my first item to get from this brand. L'Huile de Leonor Greyl is basically a mix of different oils, which is meant to be used before shampooing or as protection from the sun.

The outer box is made from thin-ish cardboard and it's very simple in design. It looks more like a box that would be for a tester, not a regular product. However, I don't mind that, because while cute packaging is attractive, all of it gets in the trash the moment I get a product.

The bottle itself is made of heavy glass and feels really high end, except for the cheap looking plastic cap. Again, that white cap makes the product look like a tester on a shelf. If you look at the photo below, you will see that some of the writing from the bottle has already started peeling - it's been after only a couple of uses, so it's quite disappointing. It might be just me, but it just doesn't go with a $59 oil.

This pre-shampoo treatment can be used right before washing the hair or it can be left in the hair for a couple of hours or overnight. I tried both ways, and both ways give me the same end result. If I leave the oil in my hair overnight I can tell right away that I don't need any additional conditioners or detanglers in my hair after washing it. If I apply the oil just before shampooing my hair doesn't feel too slippery, but it dries perfectly without additional products in it. So in the end hair looks just as great no matter if I keep the treatment overnight or just for a couple of minutes. Another use for this treatment is to use it before bathing and sun exposure, but I didn't try it that way as it's not how I would use oils in general.

Since it's an oil based treatment, it has solid state in cooler temperatures. Running hot water over the bottle helps to liquefy it. The oil has flowery scent, which I can smell in my hair even after washing it. I guess it's because I'm not into floral scents, so I'm more sensitive in detecting it. That only bothered me the first time, but now I tolerate the smell as it's subtle enough.


Overall I'm happy with my purchase and I will try other products from Leonor Greyl, but I don't think I'll repurchase this oil treatment..      

Brand Review: Goldwell

Quite a while ago I got a package with 5 Goldwell hair products* (link) and in order to give a fair review I've been trying them since then. Goldwell offers a huge variety salon quality hair care and hair coloring products. The brand has different lines of products to address specific needs (for frizzy, colored, curly hair, etc.).

I color my hair, so a good conditioner or a hair mask to hydrate the ends of my hair is a must whenever I wash my hair. I love that Intensive Smoothing Mask (link) comes with a spatula. I used this mask both as a conditioner (applying to the hair and washing right away) and as a mask (applying to the hair and leaving for a few minutes), and I like both ways equally. Just like with any such products, I apply it to the ends and halfway through my hair without going too high. It's really a salon quality mask where less is more, so don't apply too much as you'll waste the product. The mask makes hair extra smooth, soft and easy to brush. I consider my ends dry, but after using this mask I don't need any other hair product on my hair. I tried using my regular products after the mask and it was too much, hair felt unclean and overweight. The mask has a strong scent, which is not unpleasant, but I can smell it long after I wash my hair, so after a while it gets annoying.

      

Another product that I'm enjoying a lot is Restorative Balm (link). It's a leave-in product that can be applied on damp or dry hair. I'm not a fan of applying such products to dry hair in general, so I didn't use it that way. I always apply a couple pumps of this balm to towel dried hair concentrating on the ends and then going through all hair with whatever is left on my hands. Again, don't forget that a little goes a long way and you can always apply more if needed. The texture is light, lotion-like. The balm detangles my hair, makes it very soft and shiny. It is quite fragranced, but the smell doesn't irritate me and doesn't linger for too long (or my nose just doesn't detect it anymore).

    

Next I have two blow-dry sprays: Volume Blow-Dry Spray (link) and Color Protective Blow-Dry Spray (link). The Volume spray has a uniform texture, and Color Protective spray needs to be shaken before each use as the liquid separates. To tell the truth, I don't see much difference when using these two. They are ok sprays, but it's easy to overuse them and then the hair is left a sticky mess. I can use them if I spray just a little bit, but I don't see any magic and I get a feeling that my hair gets more greasy, worn, limp faster and there's no way I can go 2 days without washing my hair. In fact, I want to wash my hair the same afternoon/evening. I also don't like the scent of these sprays as they smell too chemical-y, like a cheap hair salon or old hairspray.

Lastly, I have Color Gentle Dry Shampoo (link). I'm not big on dry shampoos in general as I always prefer washing my hair the regular way. I will use dry shampoo once in a while on my second day hair to refresh it before braiding or putting it into a pony tail. I don't like the way most dry shampoos feel in my hair, and this was no exception. It sprays in a very tiny mist, it doesn't leave any white cast on the hair, but that's about all the good things that I have to say about it. The shampoo feels unnatural in the hair and it leaves residue. The hair is left feeling dry - it doesn't feel dry to the touch, but it is very unpleasant to touch or brush my hair. Besides, I really don't see any long lasting results. For a few minutes it seems like this dry shampoo did an awesome job, and then the hair goes flat and looks almost worse than it was before. The scent is too fragranced and clings around for too long.



* marks PR samples received complimentary