Reviews and Other Stuff

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture And Anti-Frizz Shampoo + Conditioner Review

Hey guys! I’ve got a new haircare brand to love and I’m excited to tell you about it. I’ve known about Alterna Haircare for quite some time since you always see their products being displayed in one of Sephora’s or Ulta’s counters. But for some reason, I just didn’t bother to explore this brand at all. I thought it might be just another one of those fad haircare brands that are pricey and will probably just fade away after a couple of years, only to be replaced by another fad haircare brand. Oh well, my point of view changed when I got a sample of their Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Shampoo and Conditioner which was inside my Sephora Play! Box and it was love at first wash. LOL.

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner review

 

I know I raved about my other two favorite haircare products before: The Living Proof No Frizz Haircare Line and the Kerastase Aura Botanica, both which I still use even to this day. However, I’d like to expand my choices and also look for some other alternatives just in case Sephora or Ulta will run out or stop carrying one of my favorite haircare products. Speaking of these two favorite hair products, as you notice, both of them are sulfate-free, paraben-free, phthalates-free, and I like my shampoo and conditioner that way. I like them with clean and natural ingredients that won’t weigh the hair down. I also love a hair product that works to tame those horrible frizzies. My hair tends to get oily fairly easily, so I prefer something that cleanses well and adds bounce. I’ve tried looking for a cheaper alternative before, like the L’oreal Everpure Sulfate-Free line but I couldn’t seem to love those. They made my hair really oily and heavy the next day and my hair didn’t look as shiny compared to using the stuff from Living Proof and Kerastase. Another thing I wanna point out is that it’s very important for me to have an easy access or easy reordering of my favorite haircare products, but that has been quite a challenge lately especially with Kerastase. If I don’t plan to reorder them on their website ahead of time, I would typically get them at my local hair salons. Oh well, that proved to be quite annoying because some salons will try to sell you some other stuff that you don’t really need, and I don’t like being bothered like that. I just want my favorite Kerastase stuff. Ya know what I mean? So yeah, I need to look for some other alternative haircare holy grails.

 

Ever since I stumbled into Alterna’s Caviar Haircare line, I feel like OMG, this is it! The smell and feel of their shampoo and conditioner kinda remind me of Kerastase and Living Proof, but they have a very interesting bunch of ingredients. First of all, they have caviar extracts from France and vitamins A, C, and D which they infused in this particular line, thus the name “Caviar Anti-Aging”. They also added a blend of seasilk to moisturize the hair. Second, their product’s style of packaging is really pretty and unique with an easy to twist bottle, although there’s one caveat with it which I’m gonna talk about in the next few paragraphs towards the end of this review. Lastly, you can find the Alterna Caviar line in just about any Sephora or Ulta locations everywhere, and lately, they added their new Anti-Frizz collection to this line as well.

 

Replenishing Moisture

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging replenishing moisture conditioner

 

Replenishing Moisture Shampoo (mini/1.35 oz: $10, 8.5 oz: $34, value size/16.5 oz: $52) – This shampoo doesn’t feel too thick and not too thin either, yet it seems very concentrated. It doesn’t lather immediately upon application and it needs to be mixed well with water, but once it starts to foam, then it cleanses thoroughly. You may need to rewash with this if your hair is extra oily or if it’s on the oily type. Personally, I find this to be a moisturizing shampoo and I like that it makes my hair smell fresh and clean without making it heavy.

 

Replenishing Moisture Conditioner (mini/1.35 oz: $10, 8.5 oz: $34, value/16.5 oz: $52) – This conditioner feels a bit thicker than most regular conditioners and it has a light sort of vinegar scent that washes off immediately and won’t really bother your nostrils. What I love about this conditioner is that I don’t need to use a lot of it and it keeps my hair feeling moisturized and relaxed. Unlike most regular conditioners where my hair tends to look and feel dry after a couple of hours and oily the next day, this particular Caviar Anti-Aging Conditioner from Alterna keeps my hair looking hydrated, healthy, and silky. It even keeps it that way the following day without looking like I drenched my hair in oil.

 

Anti-Frizz

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging anti-frizz shampoo review

 

Anti-Frizz Shampoo (8.5 oz: $34) – This particular shampoo feels a bit thicker than the Replenishing Moisture Shampoo above, and it lathers pretty well at first use. It also feels to be a lot more moisturizing and has a fruitier scent than the Anti-Aging shampoo above. I like this a lot and I also love the way it keeps moisture on my oily-prone hair, which actually didn’t get so oily lately because this particular shampoo sorta regulated it.

 

Anti-Frizz Conditioner (8.5 oz: $34) – This feels really thick, even a lot thicker than the Anti-Aging Replenishing Conditioner above and it’s pretty obvious why. This conditioner is meant to tame frizzies, combat hair dryness, and restore moisture not just for people with fine hair, but also for those with medium to thick hair. You don’t need a lot to actually use this product and it works really well so far. As we’re approaching the summer heat and humidity, I’ve noticed that I haven’t had any frizzy strands somehow, and mind you, my biggest hair problem is fighting those annoying frizzies. I will continue to use this as we dip into the coming high temperatures and see if this Anti-Frizz haircare line will live up to its promise. So far, I’m really loving this not just for its anti-frizz benefit, but also, I love the way my hair looks. It’s as if I straightened it and it looks really healthy and shiny. I have yet to try their Anti Frizz Blowout Butter which seems really good, but it’s on my wishlist so that hopefully I could put it to the test and update you guys soon.

 

alterna haircare caviar anti-aging shampoo and conditioner

 

I truly recommend that you give these Caviar Anti-Aging and Anti-Frizz Shampoo + Conditioner a try. I think they’re awesome, even though they can be pricey, but they also come in a travel size. The only thing that bothers me about these is their packaging. I appreciate their unique twist and squeeze type of bottle which looks luxe, pretty, and almost spill-proof, but for that same reason, they’re also a challenge to dispense, especially for the conditioners because they have such thick consistency. So halfway throughout your usage, you’re basically going to be squeezing and squeezing the bottle until it releases the product. Then imagine doing that with slippery foamy hands. It can be quite annoying. What I usually do is, I just keep the bottle close and turn it upside down – ready for the next use. Oh well, I hope Alterna will improve their packaging soon.

 

alterna review

 

To sum it up. I think the Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture line is great for anyone who needs to restore or keep moisture in their hair and for those who tends to have oily hair that needs to be regulated. They’re great as everyday hydrating haircare products. On the other hand, the Anti-Frizz collection is great for those hot and humid months when you want your hair to behave, and it’ll work for just about any hair type, not just for medium to thick hair.

 

Have you tried these already? What are your favorite hair care products? Any recs for frizzies?

 

The Alterna Haircare is currently available at Sephora, Dermstore, Ulta, Nordstrom, QVC, Zulily and Saks Fifth Avenue

 

Sephora Play! September 2017

Hi guys! I received my Sephora Play! Box and as usual, mine always arrive close to the end of the month. But it’s ok, it’s better to be almost late than not sharing the contents of my box at all. I wonder what you guys have for this month’s contents. I know Sephora calls them their “Fall-ready” beauties, which is timely because we are now officially in the Fall, which means lots of pumpkins, pumpkin cakes, and pumpkin pies. Oh my, I’m excited much for Thanksgiving already, LOL.

 

sephora play box review

 

Anyhow, I’m not really impressed with my box this month. I think a lot of the products are kinda repeated or has been one of Sephora’s Rewards Bazaar a few weeks ago. I wish there were new or never-been-heard-before stuff because that would have been more fun. But I’m also glad that some stuff are repeated because there are products that I really like and would love to try them again or would like them in travel sizes.

 

So far, the contents of my box are pretty diverse even though it’s a bit more focused on skin care. There’s also a haircare sample, a Fall-shade lipstick, and stuff for the eyes.

 

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb

 

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel in Deep (Mini: $12, 0.1 oz: $24) – I’ve used this before and while it does work to make your brows look more prominent and very volumized, it can somehow only work wonders if you already have enough eyebrows. In my case, I have quite a sparse eyebrow situation, so the brush of this tends to stick and stain my skin apart from adhering and volumizing my brow strands, thus making it look unnatural. It also emphasized my already sparse brows because this is basically a brow gel with a tint, and not necessarily volumizing.

Algenist Power Recharging Night Pressed Serum (2 oz: $95) – This is a super concentrated serum that feels like a hydrating cream at first, then it melts into the skin easily and it’s really moisturizing. It also has a nice vanilla scent that’s common to most Algenist products, not to mention the famous Alguronic Acid which is also incorporated in their creams, serums, etc.

Belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb (0.84 oz: $22, 1.68 oz: $38) – I received this cream in my previous Sephora Play box a couple of months ago, and have also received a sample of this a couple of times. This has always been a wonderful cream to have and I’m even planning to purchase this in full size. It’s a very hydrating and cooling gel cream that smells divine, like a fresh blend of herbs and citrus. It hydrates the skin very well no matter what skin type you may be. It’s even better for oily skin gals because it’s oil-free and very lightweight. This cream will give you a spa-like experience whenever you use it.

 

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

 

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hr Wear Waterproof in Black Lace (0.04 oz: $10) – This matte black shade of eyeliner from Sephora is definitely long lasting and can only be removed by a good waterproof makeup-remover. It glides well on the lids and it didn’t smudge on me. On top of that, it’s also very affordable.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo & Conditioner (Shampoo- 2 oz: $12, 8.5 oz: $31. Conditioner- 2 oz: $13, 6.7 oz: $34) – A sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner with six essential oils that nourish all hair types, even the ones that are color and chemically-treated. They have such a yummy fruity scent and they feel rich and creamy, yet they don’t weight the hair down. I love that the shampoo lathers well, making my hair feeling thoroughly cleaned plus my frizz looking tamed.

Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Amulet (0.17 oz: $18) – Reviewed and swatched HERE. I love the shade of Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipsticks, especially the matte ones, and this Amulet color is really pretty and perfect for Fall. It has micro sparkles that won’t make the lips look flat, while it mattifies on the lips at the same time. What I don’t like about this is the way the lipstick sets on my lips. It doesn’t really settle completely, instead, it feels kinda sticky, which makes me feel a bit uneasy whenever I use it.

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel in Deep

Of all the contents in this month’s Sephora Play! box, I think I like the Algenist Power Recharging Serum, the Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb as always, and the BB Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo & Conditioner.

 

sephora play september 2017 review

 

How was your box’s contents this month? did you like it?

 

X.O.X.O

L.

 

Follow on Instagram: @reviewsandotherstuff