Reviews and Other Stuff

Sephora Play! May 2017 Box

May 29, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hello! This month’s Sephora Play! Box has been pretty exciting with its “Beauty On The Rise” products. A couple of new and interesting brands, a cult-favorite, and some really unique formulations of products were included in my box. There’s a highlighter, a few lip products and another mysteriously featured scent. There’s even a hair care and skin care in there. Hmmm, this is definitely one of the most exciting box I have ever received. Oh, and also, the products didn’t come in a cute pouch this time, instead, it came in a cute transparent envelope marked with the words “Play” on it. A different take on the usual Sephora Play! pouch bags. Hmmm, Interesting…

1. Grande Lips Lip Plumper in Clear – Gone were the days when you can just purchase a Grande Latte, now you can definitely purchase a Grande Lips, Hahah! This clear lip gloss can be worn alone or under a lip product with the promise of plumping your lips with regular usage. It has hyaluronic acid to soften the lips as well. While I haven’t noticed the plumping effect, I did feel the stinging feeling on my lips once this product was applied, which is quite similar to Too Faced Lip Injection. I’m not really a fan of the tingly sensation on my lips, I feel like I’m having that bee-stung allergic lip reaction, but I do get the intention and effect of making the lips feel and look full.

2. Trèstique Highlight + Perfect Multipurpose Stick in Maldives Luminescent – I love this gel highlighter a lot, and I now love Trèstique. This multitasking product can be used to add a subtle or layered glow on the face, or it can be used as a shimmery eyeshadow. I like its soft smooth texture the Maldives Shade is just perfect for daily use.

3. Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub with Sea Salt – Don’t be mistaken by thinking that this product is a body scrub like I did, because I almost used it as one. That’s what happens if you don’t read the instruction. You will always fail the test. LOL. This is a product for the hair and it’s more like a shampoo, or should I say, a hair scrub. Designed for oily hair or dandruff-prone scalp, this hair care product smells divine. Slightly lemon-ish and slightly perfumey, this feels really good on the hair and the scalp. Best of all, it didn’t leave my hair dry and I like that this foams very well, making my hair feeling so clean. A little bit goes a long way and follow it with your favorite conditioner. I love this product much already.

4. Maison Margiela ‘Replica’ Beach Walk Eau de Toilette Spray – With bergamot, ylang ylang, pink pepper and cedarwood, this is a light musky scent. I’m normally not a fan of musky fragrances but this one is especially pleasing to the senses. It’s light enough for day time wear and even though it smells like a thousand jasmines, this scent is bearable enough for me and it’s not too heady.

5. Nudestix Magnetic Matte Lip Color in Greystone – Another new formula and new brand for me. It’s supposed to be a lip stain, a lip color, and a lip liner in one. The pigment is so rich in this interesting lip color. It’s also very long lasting that it almost didn’t budge when I first tried to take it off. Hmmm, it’s another surprise love for me, though I didn’t really like the Greystone shade, but I’ll be off looking for some wearable shades of this very very promising lip product.

6. Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser – Apparently a fave in the fashion industry, this greenish clay cleanser is meant to minimize pores and balance the skin. It smells slightly spicy and earthy at the same time, but not clayish at all. It also has a hint of neroli and is actually quite refreshing. It cleanses my face well, but it doesn’t lather much. I usually leave it on my face for one minute as instructed and complement it with another face cleanser whenever I feel like I needed more cleansing.

Bottom line, I enjoyed this month’s Sephora Play! box contents. Never knew I’d like Replica scents, while now I know that I’ll be on the lookout for other Christophe Robin and Sunday Riley Products. I have my eyes set on more shades of the Nudestix Lip Colors for sure and perhaps a full size of the Trèstique Hightlighter + Multupurpose Stick.

What’s your fave from this month’s Sephora Play! goodies?

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La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream Review

May 22, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Oh hey everybody! The brand that we’re gonna talk about needs no further introduction, except only that you could say the brand makes the cream of all creams, perhaps? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m implying and asking that because who doesn’t know La Mer and its miracle broth ingredient? It’s like a magic potion for the skin that everyone raves and swears by through time.

The original La Mer Cream or Crème de la Mer has come a long way than when it was first unveiled, especially in terms of texture. In fact, the entire La Mer brand has branched out into making products that are not just creams. But for this review, let’s start with the “almost equally” popular La Mer Soft Cream, plus a bit of comparison with the original cult-classic Crème de la Mer.

When I first decided to finally pull the trigger and try my hands into La Mer, I went into my local Nordstrom that has a La Mer counter. The lady at the counter had me try the Crème de la Mer first and told me to rub the cream between my palms or hands to warm it up because the cream is really really thick. Soo thick that you’re really gonna need the provided spatula in order to scoop it out. It was funny because I asked the La Mer lady if their creams have Spf (yeah, ignorant me) and she’s like “nope, just a classic cream” and then she proceeded to instruct me to rub the products more between my palms, and I was like “but I rubbed it already? And she be like “you gotta rub and rub and rub a dub dub” and I thought “how long do I have to do this? Is it supposed to be like this? I don’t have all day.” So, long story short, I was finally recommended something that can be easily spread on the face. The lady made me try the La Mer Soft Cream and I love it at first application. Sans rubbing.

Unlike the Crème de la Mer which is thick and time-consuming to apply, the La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream has a more luxurious soft creamy feel. Of course it still has the same scent and hydrating property as the Crème de la Mer but way easier to use. As someone with an oily-prone skin, this is my preferred La Mer cream as it doesn’t feel too heavy. Although I haven’t really tried the Gel Cream, but I would eventually. Who knows? My opinion might change later on and I’ll update you ASAP.

Both the Crème de la Mer and the Moisturizing soft cream requires you to only apply a little bit due to their creamy consistency. However, you may still need to apply more of the Soft Cream.

For the price and packaging, I don’t know why but I was really kind of disappointed when I had my first ever La Mer Soft Cream, which I bought in small size at 0.5 oz for $85. I remember that I first thought there must be a mistake and I was probably given a sample. For that amount of money, the packaging is way too small. Much like a travel size that felt tiny with respect to the palm of my hands. For someone who likes to douse her face with moisturizers, I felt like I couldn’t really do this with La Mer’s, at least not for some time. I mean don’t get me wrong, but I’ve had creams this worth before yet they weren’t really that small, you know. It’s just disappointing. Oh well, I guess, La Mer is La Mer, they must have a desired or specific clientele that can truly afford this stuff. Buy why so small? It’s almost insulting. Yet still, La Mer remains popular and a cult-favorite. Simply because they always say that this cream works. PersonalIy, I really love the scent of this cream. It smells like a freshly-milled, unscented and unbleached soap. Something refreshing and pure. But why do I feel like I know this smell before? It smells like Nivea Creme.

Speaking of the cream’s effect and its miracle secret ingredient. I do notice that my face looks radiant, no dry patches, and just glowy. It also provides intense hydration on the skin and it seems to repair and sooth my skin problems fast, like swollen acnes and dark spots. I usually use the Soft Cream at night and it keeps my skin moist, though I find it to be too thick for the summer. I love the texture of this cream a lot and it feels luxurious on the face. As with its miracle broth and the whole sea kelp thing, it sounds a bit too magical for me. Overhyped? Perhaps. The La Mer Cream was created years ago, it’s classic and has a lot of following, so it probably works for a lot of people, especially to those who swear by it, but I also think that there’s a lot more creams out there that are newer and have revolutionary ingredients that are priced and sized reasonably.

The La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream is available here: Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-A-Porter and Selfridges.

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Kérastase Aura Botanica Review

May 17, 2017 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hey Friends! Let’s talk about hair care this time, shall we? I’m a longtime fan of Kérastase hair care products, especially the Bain Fluidealiste Smooth-in-Motion Shampoo & Conditioner, reviewed HERE. Those are really good at controlling frizz even on a hot and humid weather. Recently, I received an email advertisement of one of Kérastase new products, the all-natural Aura Botanica. It’s meant to be sulfate-free, no parabens and no silicones. The ingredients are handpicked and responsibly sourced, like Samoan Coconut and Moroccan Argan Oil. The goal is towards light and naturally glowy hair. Sounds really promising, especially the fact that it’s Sulfate-free since my hair has been processed before. It’s always good to use hair care products that are sans sulfates if your hair has been permed, rebonded, relaxed or even colored so as not to strip the hair of its treatments and keeping it revitalized.

My first impressions of the Kérastase Aura Botanica products were somewhat mixed. A lot of people liked it, while a lot were also a bit slightly critical about it. The scent is interesting in this hair care line. It’s smells like a floral musky perfume with some herbs. It’s not bad, in fact, it’s a unique change that sets it apart from the scents of most hair care products, but there could be a possibility that you might get bored or annoyed with the scent in the long run.

Packaging comes standard like most Kérastase hair products. They also come in travel sizes, though I wish they also come in pump containers for easy dispensing. Depending on the size, they can be pricey, but Kérastase is always like that. They usually send in some decent size samples to try as well.

For this review, I have the Kérastase Aura Botanica Shampoo and Conditioner.

Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire (80 ml: $24, 250 ml: $43) – Has natural micelles that removes dirt and impurities, leaving the hair lightweight, thoroughly cleaned, and nude to touch. No added oils or coating. Oh well, excited much, I find that I need to use a lot of this product in order to lather my hair well. It foams but not a lot. Pretty much the opposite of Kérastase Bain Fluidealiste Smooth-In-Motion shampoo. Also, my hair felt really dry after rinsing. It kinda felt like it was stripped of all natural oils. Thoroughly cleaned? Yeah, but just a bit too drying for me.

Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental (75 ml: $24, 200 ml: $45)– Meant to provide nutrition and controls frizz for that easy detangling due to its natural oil ingredients. For me, this conditioner is the game changer of the entire Aura Botanica line. It counteracts the dryness of the Bain Micellaire shampoo mentioned above. My hair felt well-moisturized but not heavy. It gives the right amount of volume and bounce, and it doesn’t leave it oily looking the next day. I definitely like this conditioner a lot.

Verdict: I kinda expected more from the Aura Botanica collection. Given its spectacular marketing, ingredients, and price, I thought it’s going to be really amazeballs. However, I love the effect that it did on my hair. True to its promise, my hair was not frizzy, it looked and felt clean, it didn’t feel oily nor heavy and I love the bouncy feeling that it gave to my hair. Yet, I wonder how much of it was partly because of the Soin Fondamental Conditioner? If you find the Bain Micellaire to be also too drying for you yet you still want a sulfate-free Kérastase shampoo, I suggest that you purchase the Bain Fluidealiste Smooth-In-Motion Shampoo and complement it with the Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental Conditioner, just like what I’m planning to do.

The Kérastase Aura Botanica Hair Care Line is available in http://www.kerastase.com

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