Reviews and Other Stuff

Kรฉrastase Aura Botanica Review

Kรฉrastase Aura Botanica

 

Hey Friends! Letโ€™s talk about hair care this time, shall we? Iโ€™m a longtime fan of Kรฉrastase 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 Kรฉrastase new products, the all-natural Aura Botanica. Itโ€™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 itโ€™s Sulfate-free since my hair has been processed before. Itโ€™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.

 

Kรฉrastase Aura Botanica Review

 

My first impressions of the Kรฉrastase 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. Itโ€™s smells like a floral musky perfume with some herbs. Itโ€™s not bad, in fact, itโ€™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 Kรฉrastase 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 Kรฉrastase is always like that. They usually send in some decent size samples to try as well.

 

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

 

Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire

  • Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire (80 ml: $24, 250 ml: $43) โ€“ 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 Kรฉrastase 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.

 

kerastase Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental review

  • Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental (75 ml: $24, 200 ml: $45)โ€“ 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 doesnโ€™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 itโ€™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 didnโ€™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 Kรฉrastase 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 Iโ€™m planning to do.

 

Kรฉrastase Aura Botanica review

 

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

 

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Dior Lip Tattoo Review

Hello! This is going to be an exciting review because weโ€™re gonna be talking about Diorโ€™s latest lip sensation, the Dior Lip Tattoo or the Dior Addict Lip Tint ($30). Itโ€™s just been released recently and was sold out in Sephora for a few weeks. They might have restocked on a few colors now, but Iโ€™m pretty sure those wonโ€™t last. This is definitely a lipstick worth hoarding for. Itโ€™s meant to be a no-transfer weightless lip tint that stains the lips like a tattoo for at least 10 hours, according to Dior Beauty. It can be worn alone or can be used as a lip primer. That seems really promising, right?

 

Dior Lip Tattoo Review

 

First of all, I love the look of this Dior Lip Tattoo. The packaging is so cute and pretty. So Dior. It feels matte with the Dior brand embossed on one side of it. The brush applicator is small, precise and robust. When you first twist the cap, you could sense a menthol-vanilla-ish scent. Upon application, youโ€™ll notice a slight cooling effect on the lips and the formula is very fluid. Itโ€™s definitely not like your most matte liquid lipsticks. This one feels more like a liquid lip stain, to the tune of Giorgio Armaniโ€™s Lip Magnet, only slightly cheaper.

 

dior lip tint swatch

 

It may take a few more swipes before thereโ€™s enough coverage on your lips due to this productโ€™s liquid and slightly streaky nature. It kinda settles on the fine lines of your inner lips, but itโ€™s not sticky nor very drying like most matte liquid lipsticks. Though it may eventually slightly dry your lips after hours and hours of wearing it, but you can always top it with your favorite lip gloss or lip balm.

Dior Lip Tattoo swatches

Dior Lip Tattoo

 

 

 

Once the product settles, perhaps around 3-5 minutes, itโ€™ll definitely become transfer-proof, kiss-proof and bullet-proof, LOL. But yeah, itโ€™s true, the Dior Addict Lip Tattoo wonโ€™t budge. The effect is more like a lip stain or a very soft matte. Itโ€™s very long-lasting as well. I get a good 6-8 hours and beyond of wear on this. Taking it off can be a challenge because itโ€™s super staining that a waterproof makeup remover might struggle to get rid of it. But seriously, who wants to get rid of this lipstickโ€™s beautiful shade?

 

 


 

 

dior lip tattoo natural rosewood

  • Dior Lip Tattoo in 491 Natural Rosewood โ€“ Love the versatility of this shade. The muted dusty rose hue will definitely fit on everyoneโ€™s natural lip color and itโ€™s so great for everyday wear. This should definitely be the โ€œmy lips but betterโ€ kind of shade.

 

Dior Lip Tattoo natural berry

  • Dior Lip Tattoo in 771 Natural Berry โ€“ Gorgeous berry-plum shade. Also a very versatile yet very commanding shade. Donโ€™t be surprised if people will tell you that you look so Maj.ย ????

 

 

Dior Lip Tattoo Review

 

Final words. These lip products are really well-made. Youโ€™ll miss ยผ of your life if you wonโ€™t try it. Just kidding. But seriously, I do think that this is Diorโ€™s answer to the coveted Armani Lip Magnets. The nice thing is, with Dior, probably almost all the shades are crazily pigmented. But with the Armani ones, some of the lighter shades are not that pigmented. But I love the Armani a lot because those never dried my lips and theyโ€™re slightly thicker in consistency than Dior. Anyhow, whichever you prefer between the two, they wonโ€™t disappoint you.ย 

 

Dior Lip Tattoo lip tint review

 

The Dior Lip Tattoo is available in the following stores: Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Lord & Taylor & Macy’s.

 

Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend, โ€˜Till Thenโ€ฆ

 

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Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Makeup Primer Spf 30

I discovered a new favorite makeup primer lately. Itโ€™s so perfect and just what Iโ€™ve always wanted in a makeup primer. Is it lightweight? Check. Has Spf? Check. Does it smell good? Yep. Does it make your makeup last longer? Oh yeah! Vegan? Definitely. Organic? You bet. Is it from Coola? You guessed it right.

 

 

Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Makeup Primer Spf 30

 

Just like Nars and YSL beauty products, there isnโ€™t a Coola product that I didnโ€™t like. I love how thereโ€™s an element of care and thoughtfulness in their products. Theyโ€™re cruelty-free, vegan and organic. You can only hope that most products nowadays should be made like that, but nope. Fortunately, Coola is around and you know that youโ€™re getting a quality product with their sunscreens, primers and BB creams. This Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Makeup Primer Spf 30 is no different. Just like their Rosilliance BB Cream (reviewed HERE), this primer is simply amazing. Iโ€™m all about products that protect the skin, so anything with added Spf is a major plus for me, especially when I might have forgotten to apply either a moisturizer or a foundation. With that, a good primer with Spf add-on is a health saver. Unfortunately, thatโ€™s kinda hard to come by. Even the most popular brand of makeup primers doesnโ€™t even add any Spf to most of their products.

 

Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Makeup Primer Spf 30

Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Makeup Primer Spf 30 review

 

What I like a lot about this transparent Dawn Patrol Makeup Primer is the scent. Most primers smell like silicon, but this one smells like Honeysuckle, Iris, and Lily. Slightly grassy too. The scent is never boring and the texture is silky smooth. A lot smoother than Smashboxโ€™s. It feels very lightweight and hydrating at the same time. I love that it blurs my pores and it makes my foundation look even smoother. It may have a very slight silicon feel to it, but it doesnโ€™t pill and it doesnโ€™t irritate the skin. I swear, this is probably the best makeup primer Iโ€™ve ever tried. You will never notice the smell of sunscreen in this.

 

Coola Dawn Patrol Classic Makeup Primer Spf 30

 

Another thing I enjoyed is that for 1 oz bottle at $42, youโ€™ll get a lot of product in its glass packaging. Love the pump release for mess-free application. This will definitely last a long time and is a good investment if youโ€™re a fan of makeup primers like me. On top of that, this is such a time-saver if youโ€™re prone to skipping steps in your makeup application. Would I say that this is better than the classic Smashbox Photofinish Primer? Hmmm, letโ€™s seeโ€ฆ With the nice scent, smooth texture, practical sleek packaging, and added Spf, oh yeah, this is definitely a winner, no doubt.

 

coola makeup primer

 

The Coola Dawn Patrol Makeup Primer Spf 30 is available at Sephora and Ulta.

 

(Disclosure: Product sample provided by Coola. The reviews, photos, and opinions herein are solely mine)

 

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