Eye por Pai: Pai Echium & Argan Gentle Anti-ageing Eye cream

Winter eyes need different kind of care.

I was attended on my frailer state of eye-skin after a visit in one of my fave niche skin/perfume shops in Holland. I didn't go for eyecare but after the saleslady asked me for my preference of samples, she asked me several times if I really used an eyecream.

I did, but those remarks and the skin around my eyes in the mirror did seem quite dehydrated for sure.

I eventually went for a brand not available in the Netherlands (yet) based on a GWP and some good reviews. It helps that it's an organic brand, and I've been trying some other samples from them and liked them a lot.

When you take the bottle, the first thing you notice that it's small and thin. It looks like one of those lipstick/balm pencils that NARS has.

Generally, 10 ml is not that much, but the hygienic pump-system hands out the right amount of micro doses that is enough to cover around both eyes.

Pai Echium eyecream: rich, but absorbs easily

I really prefer these kind of sizes as I love to travel as the liquid goods rules only limits you to a certain amount of producs on airplanes.  Bulky jars, even though made of pretty glass, can be unhandy in that plastic satchel carrying around and these sizes are easy to put in. Sample satchets aren't always handy either: sometimes I don't use all the product inside but leaving them opened might get you that *cream/liquid/ect-in-your-plastic-satchel*-effect...bleeeeerg.

I took my Pai Echium on my last long-distant trip and I loved applying in generously and tapping it in for a while. These rituals can be soothing being in a place that is not that normal (to me, some people travel so much for their jobs)

Thus, the verdict:

• a rich, winter-proof eyecream that absorbs quickly
• both suitable for day & nighttime (on semi-mature skin)
• fragance free
• instant relief in dryness after application
• perfect for travel
• more rested appearance around eyes in the morning (after sleep)
• I do not have that many dark circles, so I cannot report on how it works in that field
• perfect doses of product after one pump for both eyes
• one bottle lasted me almost 2 months, with frequent application in a dryer, colder winter
• Last time I visited the niche/cosmetic shop, that same saleswoman didn't say anything about my eyes anymore (not that I had other cosmetics concerns, eg. hair, but that one was covered)
• mid-price range for about £21.60. 

Conclusion:

I really like this eyecream. The only reason I haven't repurchased it yet is because I'm still curious about the Barefoot Botanicals Rosa Fina eyecream that I have stocked up on, and had really high ratings in the beautybible tests.

Availability:
I bought mine on naturisimo.com (here) but it's also available on feelunique.com. Naturisimo is cheaper, though, and you have the choice between 5 samples of a generous range of products (here).
EDITED:
Thanks to a commenter: If you buy from their website www.paiskincare.com and spend more than £20, use the code GTG on checkout and you get a free full size Echium Eye Cream until February 4th.

Newbies

Goodie, I haven't planned any no-buy so I am glad I could stock up on some beauty items

1. Fairydrops Mascara in Long & Curl Always a good excuse to buy mascara as you have to replace them oftenly in order to keep the lashes fresh

2. L'oréal Professional hairmasks: Left is the Nature Re-Naitre and the turquoise one is their latest Pro-Keratin refill.

I will keep you updated how it works. I hope I don't chat too much about hairstuff but it's my thing at the time being ;-)

3. SpaceNK Sale haul:
WOWEEEEE,  the first surpise it that they deliver to Europe again and the sale was superduper excellent. I bought a Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in PK 375 based on Driveller's Kate swatches (here). And a Laura Mercier mini Palette from the Christmas 2012 range in Smokey Taupes.

Davines Alchemic Colour conditioner in Red

During autumn I always think I could be a gorgeous redhead but I never have the guts to take the real plunge. I have tried some colour-masks in the past, Christophe Robin Red was one of them, but they didn't make that much of a change. Enter Davines Alchemic colour conditoners: "Alchemic" sounds really promising.

The content of the jar looks like one of those Kool-Aid lemonade drinks that are widely available in the U.S, the Caribbean and Latin America too (?).

I always wonder why those drinks are so spiked with colourants whereas most Americans loved to be healthy and fit like their Hollywood starlets...then again, it's the contrast of the US and people have the right to drink their lemonade as colourful as they want.

To see how potent that is:

 Cool Aid lip stain from Paul Mitchell Academy and you can dye yarn with all Kool Aids (here)

What does this have to do with Davines? 

Oh, the colour it disposed on my hair was quite strong. That was something I really liked. On the other side, the colour was as chemically red as the what you saw in the jar.

I had Taylor Tomasi Hill- sorta red in my mind

 It didn't turn Rihanna-ish either but the colour was kinda too teenybopper for me!

It took about 4 session of shampooing to rinse the slightly cherry tone from my hair.

However, I loved how potent the colour-disposition is and might try another hue if I really want to see difference in colour.

As it is a hairmask I found the conditioning properties to be reasonable to good:

Turquoise Gathering

Revlon Turquoise Tango | China Glaze Passion in the Pacific | Catrice Virgin Forest | [b] basic 471 | Topshop Lead

Last week I have been into turquoise nailpolishes :D.

Using, Used, Gonna Use

Goodie, the 3rd week in 2013 started and I am curious how all the resolutions and good intentions are holding up.

I have been using up quite some products so that part of the beauty-resolution has been going strong.

• Using: Kerastase Lait Vital conditioner: 

 I got a good deal on it and they get a high rating in the reviews. I personally think the scent is quite strong but the smoothing effect are good, but in Cinderella terms that I blog about every now and then. Right now it's not my favourite but I will use it up as it works good enough.

• Used: Casanera Bodylotion in Clémentine:

One of the generous freebies I got into my Casanera nightcream Precioza order (here). Gosh, it's thin and fluidy ánd delivers the right kind of moisture that even satisfied my winter skin. It penetrates rapidly, so you don't have to run around au nude/bathrobed/etc for hours before you can dress yourself. I LOVE the tangerine-esque scent that is fresh but not too strong, so it wouldn't interfere with your perfume of choice.

*I'm absolutely reconsidering a full-size of this one*

• Gonna Use: Topshop leather quilted pouchbag

Sorry, it's not that cosmetics-related but it's so cute and I'm looking forward carrying it around.

 Extra Used up:

 

• Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel

A wonderful exfoliating peel that doesn't need scrubbing but only to leave it on for a couple of minutes. It's infused with  papaya, Manuka honey, orange peel and apple serum and my skin looks brighter and smoother afterwards.

*Repurchase? Maybe, I still have to use up the Ren Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel, which is effective too*

Between greys

I'd like to show some more colours of that meowcosmetic haul I did lately.

meowcosmetcs greys & a postcard with Brigitte Bardot (l) & Jane Birkin (r)

And yes, I could have made a reference to the 5 shades of grey but I won't.

The swatches:  I love how these greys each have their own dimension and duo-toned hue.

1.  Ghost Stories Present: a whitish grey with a pink overcast
2. Holiday Wishes Holiday Spirits: a creamy taupe with rosegold glow
3. Midnight Clear Ancient Splendor: A mid grey with turquoise glimmer
4. Midnight Clear Song of Old: A true grey with pink flecks
5. Winter Spirits Sparkling: A steel grey with multicoloured sparkles

Celebrities and ageing:

I really love the iconic celebrities of the 1950s/60s and 70s. Moreover, I also like to look how each ages differently and what their lifestyle has to to with it.

Brigitte Bardot (the blonder one) has been tanning and smoking heavily through her life. I still like that she does her glamourous thing with the smokey eyes, bouffant hair and pouty lips that made her famous.

Brigitte Bardot: late 20s & mid 60s

Or a beauty like Jane Birkin. She also is 65 and I really admire she is not facelifted, but her neck still looks quite fresh and not-too-wrinkly for her age. Also, she hardly has any wrinkles around her mouth...

I admire both women and the lifestyle choices that they have made. Brigitte Bardot could have ended like Marilyn Monroe as she also attempted suicide in her life, but she made a complete lifestyle switch from Famous & Fabulous to Secluded & Sheltered.
As for Jane Birkin, her daughters have stepped into her mother's fabulosity and are really famous and iconic too (Lou Doullon). And having one of the most iconic bags named after you always helps. I think happiness shows too...I love Jane's smile and genuine glow.

So how do you think about ageing?

Yours Organically: Casanera (Preziosa)

I've had a beautyblog déjà vu moment! I ordered from a French beautysite without the English translations that almost every grande beautywebsite has these days!This time from the organic Casanera in Corsica (France).

Ever since starting my blog I have developed a curiosity for ordering from sites that I do not really speak the language that well. Eg, I wanted to try Embryolisse before it was openly sold outside France & still that niche product used "among models & visagists during fashionweeks" (tutorial here of how to order, though not necessary anymore).

Casanera's website:

Now I read this ultimate enabling and "ordering-experimental-enabling" review on Intothegloss about Casenera ( here). I googled for it and found a delightfully French site without any translations:

And I ordered the right thing :

So that stamp on the website:

is on their nightcream too:

I was really surpised by the sleekness of this organic brand and the wealth of detail: 

And those two transparent bottles: FREEBIES! ♥ ♥

Their claims:

 
Ok, I am not going to translate it all but it contains borage, prickly pear, rosehip evening primrose that are known for their anti-ageing and regenerationg properties. The cream is rich of vitamins, minerals and antioxydants that improves the cellular turnaround of the skin. The <Crema Prezioza> is highly suitable as a nightcream because of its rich and creamy texture. 

the expiry date clearly listed

Hygienic factor: a spatula included:

The cream is a creamish grey, aromatically scented and of a thicker texture that emolifies after blending in for 10 seconds:

• a thick, mudlike paste that turns emolient (read: watery/lotion) when in contact with warm skin
• colour: creamlike grey
• warm up a tiny bit on your hands
• delicious aromatherapeutic scent (I detect Rose Geranium)
  
• should be used over their Oilu Preziosa, but that one was out of stock so I use it 1. alone 2. over my Darphin Tangerine oil
• skins stays slightly moist/sticky and it feels a bit like a overnight mask
• thus, more of a nightcream, after-ski cream or for dry to really dry skintypes at daytime
• Not sure if really oily skintypes would like this
• waking up with rested, clear and plumper skin: but need the oil underneath every now and then to combat some dryer spots

This is not a full review yet: I only tried it for a week so I will update after a month or more.

Their website is casanera.fr  and their Crema Preziosa is here 
(they only ship to most European countries so the American lasses might reconnect with their friends in Europe again and ask them to order it for them)

Using... Used... Gonna Use

One of my beauty resolutions is actually using up things...it's going all right. 

I will start off with the Using category:

• Using: Sunday Riley Good Genes treatment 

 Marketed as both a serum for 5 days a week or as a mask which has some potent Lactic Acid for that bit of exfoliating

Right now I find it a bit strong (read: stingy) for my delicate skin. I think I will alternate it and use it as a mask.

Talking about masks?

• Used: Glamglow mud mask (sample)

Although I love my sheetmasks, I really like the deep cleansing effect I will get from a mudmask. I have tried a variety from BeautyDIY Glacier Ice mudmask to Fango's various types, and I especially love them in summer when I pile up the sunscreen.

Glamglow has been marketed as the "Hollywood Mask" and the name already suggest "Glamour".

I really liked using this...as you can see from that picture above, it's that mudmasky green colour that would make Kermit envious. Also, it has some grains in it that become effective when you rinse off the mask in scrubbing motions.

Is it more fabulous than my other mudmasks? Not really, but I already have a really good stash. The Borghese Mudmasks each target a different aim, eg whitening or cleansing and are really effective for each cause. The Beauty DIY Glacier Mud is also so gorgeous as you only need a thin layer and it dries so fast. Moreover, Glacier Mud has a variety of minerals that really have an effect on the skin, besides the wonderful cleansing effect.

in the Clay department: Borgese & BeautyDIY

Still, I like it and it gets a 2-in-one action by cleansing(tingling) and scrubbing.

• Gonna Use: My gmarket diary

 

Wow, I purchased this one 1 1/2 year ago when I still was quite attached to Gmarket. I ordered a couple of their agendas then (eg this Alice in Wonderland) and forgot about this one untill I found it again. 

Most of Gmarket (Korean) agendas do not have fixed dates but only days of the week, so you can start and finish your agenda whenever you want.

Moreover, don't you think the "Plans of the Week" are cute? I am going to schedule in "Falling in Love" & "Beautiful Travel" soon.

Poor Burberry

Beauty resolution 1: Keep your posh compact powders as posh as you can: 

 

Or, I'm delighted to have hit pan with my Burberry compact foundation, however, my poor portable has gotten it's mirror cracked. 

Phylia [de M.] Connect

Sometimes you get that moment that you actually hope that a new product is not going to work: actually, you have spend money on it, so you really hope it is going to work...unless it's quite the cash and you are actually like: "ehm, if it is going to work it will get expensive in the longer run".

Enter Phylia [de M.] Connect...

It's main goal is to create thicker & healthier hair: that's my goal too. I have been suffering from some temporary hairloss: it is not the complete version of aloclepedia, but one side of my head has gotten a bit balder. Also, my healthy ends gotten really strawlike lately for some unknown reason: I didn't dyed it; I haven't changed regions (so no change of water hardness) and I get the total spectrum of vitamins, and even more so. Also, I pamper my hair with some high-end goodies so that isn't the case.

So when all doesn't work that well, then this sounds really good:

 Based on Fulvic acid, the "newest and bestest wonderpotion" on the market lately...(not anyone's quote but my daftest interpretation of the overwhelming-proof-of-scientific-tests-being-done)

The conclusion for now is that it has given me enough effect to buy a second bottle.

I actually do not have *BEFORE* and *AFTER* hair to show and I kinda wish I had. On the other hand, my *Before* hair was quite horrible and my *After* hair is not-so-good...that is a slight improvement on the scale of bad-hairness but still enough not to 'flaunt' it online in a close up. (edit: made the picture and will show the difference *hopefully* after I finished bottle 2).

The "think of your hair as a plant"-philosophy of trichonomy:

(uhoh, I'm not really a plant-person)

I hope to go from my current state of not-so-good to BETTER. Even getting hopes up to reach the GOOD stage! (but I won't press it for the time being).

If you like to read some more on Phylia de M and their main wonder ingredient Fulvic acid, go to phyliahair.com to see what it is about, and also a ton of information to be found over here, here  and some on this site. I might feature some of it when I finished this bottle.

I had a code for a surprise gift from the site I bought it from. It is a wonderful Goat Milk soap:

It's a nice gift: I used to buy various goat milks from (American) etailers and I recognize the soft & soothing properties when using it.

Phylia [de M.] Connect is available for a whopping £45.00 on Victoriahealth.com and if you click via beautybible you will get 5% off.

Mauve-ing into 2013

I have reached for a whole spectrum of mauves lately: holographic mauves, sparkly, matte, red-toned, pinkish and purplish...

Bottom exposure: (how cheeky)

Opi My Big Break | Opi Merryberry Mauve | MAC Violet Femme | Orly Minds Eye | Colour Club Uptown Girl

So have you been reaching for a particular nailpolish in the first week of 2013? Or were your nails on a break after high Nail-tenance Holiday season?

Mineralize Me

"Puuurty mineral colours" 

A couple of years ago I experimented a lot with mineral makeup and ordered heaps and heaps from their etailers.  I still have loads I have sampled quite orderly (colourwise) in maps and toolboxes, but I really wanted to order some again.

Meowcosmetics has always been a favourite of me as they make one of the better bronzers I have come across (Sunsplashers).

Meowcosmetics Sunsplasher

I ordered a small jar of that one again and sampled some of their "End of Days" collection...That was limited edition: either the world would end or the collection would stop...we all know it's been the last one.

 Some greens of the various Christmas lines:

And some purples with some blushes from the Sugarplum collection:

(I will swatch them soon)

Phyrra has some awesome swatches (here) and is quite specialised in mineral makeup and I've seen DrivellerKate experimenting with Fyrinae mineral makeup and liking it (here).

Mineral makeup eyeshadows can be quite stunning and often samples are quite cheap, eg Meowcosmetic being $1, which makes it fun to experiment. I am unbiased when it comes to mineral makeup etailers so I'd say to read the specialised blogs on it and ordering some samples yourself to find what you like. 

Slight remark: they are not for the really messy types or, the opposite, the A-type personalities that need really clean sorts of pressed palettes.