Osmia Organics Detox Exfoliating Mask

In my last post I declared my undying admiration for anyone who has the quality of 'great skin' under the 2000-ish pixels of our wonderfully mega-cameras these days:  

[yes, you ms Kruger & your superfood-infused Goopy Gwynneth) 

That will get me discussing my own skin again. Shortly, I peeled and treated my skin from my 20s-acne pot-holed affected skin to a smoother canvas. Hence, not too unhappy about this result. However, larger pores are a hereditary condition and making them tinier & grime-free is a continuous & effortful task of mine. 

Enter OSMIA detox exfoliating mask 

I gotten ridiculously curious about this mask seeing it on my organic-orientated blogger-'sisters' like BeautyByBrittanie, NoMoreDirtyLooks & SeedtoSerum

 But the not-always-organic bloggers have been raving about this mask as well, like on Babble &  Taylor on MyLucidDreams. All of them are proud owners of gorgeous complexion so they must be on to something...

My order arrived in a beautiful Hummingbird * flower decorated box. I loved the personal note & some generous samples! And that for a company that has gotten quite famous already.

The samples consisted of their famous black soap and this gorgeous Calibration Serum.

It is actually an oil but really suitable for combination skin. I've been using it on my t-zone lately, and I really have less pimples/congestions there lately.

However, I'm not reviewing that one today. So let's direct the scope to the ingredients of the Detox Mask:

Chock-full of good & effective natural ingredients...I'm specifically chuffed about the raw manuka honey (an intensive detoxifyer & moisturizer at the same time) & the raw cocoa powder.

The pretty little mixing bowl is a part of their set: how handy:

Uhm, not putting any public face-mask pictures up: I'll save those for facebook but I'd like to show you how the mask looks when added a liquid to your choice: Thin & chocolat-y:

As for liquid of choice: the standard option is water, but I love to mix it with one of my toners or make a water-&-manuka-honey blend and mix it with the powder.

Verdict:

• thin mask which seems to reach the 'dirt' of the pores easier than a thicker mask
• slightly tightening but not drying (de-moisturizing) effect
• dries fast in 2 minutes: so effective for a quicker mask 

• smells delicious with a small hint of chocolate
• clearer & tighter pores afterwards
• my sensitive skin stayed rather calm (no redness etc) afterwards
• price: midrange (when you calculate shipping in) but will last about 3 months with regular (2 a 3 weekly) facials
• love the personal attention to the order & the generous samples to try out

Conclusion: The raves online are justified: this mask preforms well and does what it says.

Availability: on the Osmiaorganics website for $50.00

Givenchy Newbies

G is for Givenchy 

 I finally got my hands on the Givenchy portable compact foundation/highlighter Teint Couture:

I still like my La Prairie for on the road, but I've been hitting pan so I was eager to stock up on the latest Givenchy.

I just love the gwp I've received: a dinky sequin pouch with a Teint Matissime (love that one) and a Givenchy lipgloss.

Also, I'm still a superfan of their Le Rouge lipsticks. I couldn't resist picking up a trio-set during travelling. And for modernity sake- a superblurry & overfiltered instagram picture:

 

(Why go for a clear 2000 px photo when you can have misty #instagram)

Beige Plume 102 is everything I always wanted a nude lipstick to be: absolute Brigitte Bardot kitten-ness. About 99.9% of any beige/nude lipsticks either washes me out or I get the dreaded 'born-with-no-lips'-look that happens when you are not a part of the Angelina Jolie-poutiness crowd. My lips are more of the Diane Kruger or Gwyneth Paltrow variety, which is not that much: we have to work our eyes & hair a bit more.

Anyway, Diane Kruger is also wearing a nudish lipstick with a pink tone similar to Beige Plume: I guess some undetectable (but correcting) lippencil as well. A subtle lip makes her eyes stand out even more. I really like that hint of terracotta/orange above the moving eyelid (gotta try that one soon)

gah, any facialist that could make my closeups look like that can have my future unborn child

 Gwynneth is opting for a deeper beige/pink and a good amount of gloss: I just love putting my Rouge Bunny Rouge "Uncaged Tigress" on top of the Givenchy Beige Plume for a similar effect: the beige makes a good foil to make the 'Tigress' sparkle (or perhaps roar?).

I already had Rose Boudoir 204 and I do not mind a backup of this stunning rosy pink hue. As for Rose Tafettas: I like the peachy undertone and will have to search my stash if I have sisters or twins.

Givenchy is becoming more and more a favourite brand of mine. I am eyeing up their Mister Radiant primer/glowifyer. And ofcourse the limited Xmas edition of Le Rouge Rose Précieux that I tested last week (check it on MostlySunny here)

Apivita Nature's Haircolor in 9.3 Vanilla: Colour me Natural

Natural hairdyes, how do they live up to the 'chemical' standard? 

 I've tried Apivita's version and this review will look (elaborately/ high pic.ect) upon my experience:

I have lost my hair-virginity this year by experimenting with some L'oreal ombre. After that I went into some softer highlights and later the hairdresser's highlights.

Still, my initial intention into going into haircolour again is to get a softer frame by a more tweeked colour that surrounds the face. I spend a lot of time on the best makeup-colour for my face, why not on the colour of the hairs that surround it?

Initially, I wanted to go by natural dyes. I gotten into the more chemical versions as they are easier to get my hands on, and honestly, more people have tested them. Now it was time to try them and see if they match up to the 'chemicals'.

After last holiday I noticed my highlights had gone too bright and I had to make quite an effort to get frequent roots done. OR, I could lowlight my hair on top and get the 'Victoria's secret' Balayage idea that almost everyone of their catalogue has-> Win/Win -> less effort and more of a Model-'do.

Besides of the hair/total prettiness/etc: Want turquoise sportsbra!

Now I wanted lighter ends. Before I had some occasional highlights in there:

I wanted to go from a colour that is in group 8 to a 9 (like the highlight next to the box).

Before reviewing further I want to say I didn't do a full head of hair for the 1st time, only some strands at various places (bottom-hair (colourscale 8) and top (colourscale 7). I prefer to test out before I experiment: even if it cost me a package of dye, I prefer it than to do a full head and have the wrong colour that has to be expensively corrected by a professional colourist.

Result:

The Steps:

The total content of the box:

1. The haircolour cream in the tube

2. The developer in the bottle (ofcourse, mix 'n shake with 1)

3. The after treatment

4. Gloves: I go for my own hairdresser's gloves in a sturdy latex:

my own professional hairdresser's gloves

5. Instructions:

 

Quite similar as the 'regular' hairdyes.

Verdict:

In process: the application-fluid looked brown which gotten me slightly worried if they had put the wrong colour in the box. When rising out I did see some lightening.

Scent: sweetened artificial honey with some flower extract (still smell some typical developer element but faint)

Feel:  Non-stingy on the scalp.

Effect: It did a bit of brightening on the bottom (colour 8) of my hair but not the complete 9-vanilla colour as on the box, slightly more ashy. The box promised a colour-change for type 7 hairs as well, which I didn't really see

hairdye's promise

After Feel: My ends felt slightly dryer which might have to do I done 10 minutes more as I couldn't see any colour-change through the brown dye mid-process.

Any more remarks: The aftertreat sachet is really too small: I don't really have that much hair and it only could cover a bit of hair.

And?: Right now I prefer Phytocolor for a glossier and more obvious colour effect on the hair.

Conclusion:

Apvita Nature's Haircolour is a natural and non-irritant way to lighten your haircolour by 1 tint maximum.

Availability:

On the Apivita site for €15.80 and the UK-ers can buy it at Marks & Spencer.

Magazine freebies

The British Magazines have been spoiling their readers for the upcoming Xmas editions.

First, a Gilded shade from Kate Spade for Nails Inc that is included in GlamourUk magazine:

 

Marie Claire UK offers its readers a scrub in my favourite Rituals Fortune line (I reviewed the shower oil here):

Let's just stare at that Kate Spade by Nails Inc hue again:

There are more magazines that are offering gwp: I chose these first as my arm was getting overloaded by heavy magazines and their freebies already ; )

Face Tonic edition *roundup*

Sometimes I get into a certain hype of something, then I buy some (and some more), and then I think "do I have enough?". Answer: "I might have too much".

 Within this edition I bring you floral waters...I gotten into them during the summer, re-introduced by Tammy Fender and her blissfully calming Roman Chamomile Tonic that was a part of her sensitive set. After that I ventured on more types of facial waters within a cheaper range and more variety in the properties of the embedded flower/plant etc. 

Here's a roundup of the ones I have:

1. Erica Rosewater:

 Erica is a Dutch brand that basically brings out simple organic products. It is made of a 100% Bulgarian Rosewater and it costs me under €2. Perhaps there are more bio-dynamical brands out there but for the purity it is simply a wonderful water that calms and is quite rejuvenating for the skin. I mix mine with OrangeBlossom water for a more diverse blend and sometimes I add some MSM powder to get an even effect in calming redness etc.

2. Erica Orange BlossomWater (Neroli)

Similar as the Rosewater only orangeblossom water has different properties and you can read several of the raves/benefits on MUA (here). I adore the scent as it is flowery-citrusy positive scent and it has adstringent qualities which works on the acne-prone parts of my face. It is still mild enough for the dryer parts. 

3.  Sana Hadanomy Mist

I have this one for more than a year and it has been a repurchase. It is supposed to have collagen inside and it is not as natural/organic as my other blends. However, I love the fact it is slightly 'tacky' or better say moisturizing and without scent at all. 

4.   Suti Peppermint Water

I got this one based on rave reviews and the fact that peppermint is known as the ultimate calming plant. Then again, I googled 100% peppermint water later and got cheaper options. I still love Suti and this blend is really refreshing on holidays or as a perk up during flying. I prefer to use the pure blend and not mix it with other waters.

5.  Melvita Eau Fraiche Micellair

Finally a more productive water: a micellair that removes makeup as well. This has also been a repurchase and I prefer it over Nuxe Micellair/Bioderma as it is natural, and effective cleanser and feels really soothing on the skin.

6.   Saniflore Aqua Magnifiqua

My original review is over here. I haven't been using it that much yet because I'm quite attached to my rosewater/neroli/MSM mixture but I still like its effectiveness on pores and congested skin. 

7. Saniflore Noble Chamomile

Original review here.  I decanted this in a tinier bottle on my lastest journey, but the passenger next to me was not so enchanted by the calming chamomile than I was. I still like it, but sometimes I prefer peppermint water for a less plant/dirt-like scent.

8. Kora by Miranda Kerr Energising Mist

I bought this one based on curiosity and the fact the model herself looks basically flawless. I am not too fond of the blend: somehow the citrusy note has too much of a herbal essence that I neither find soothing or energising. Also, the mister isn't really distributing the water evenly over the face.

 

So this is the collection of face tonics that I have right now. So do you like them and what types do you reach for?

Lierac Body-Slim firming Serum *for my potion-ality?*

Hello Lierac! Nice to meet up with your caffeine-infused (super?)powers:

There used to be a time when nobody could get a bikini during autumn or winter. Or 'nobody' is that part of the "ladies-who-cruise" that could happily hop to the designer stores or the likes of Michael Kors & others to pick up their ensemble: ofcourse, not the one people had seen them in during the summer season, quelle horreur!

 These days the 'cruise collections' & 'pre-summer-collections' (in freezing January!) and other alluring frilly clothes are around the corner for most of us. Similar to warm & sunny holiday destinations. It might be a positive thing but the thighs declare an official "sight of tediousness' for they cannot rest under oversized coats and boyfriend jeans yet (or ever): workouts, squads-'n-lunges and the anti-cellulite creams are in the game, again! 

My thighs too: I booked a last-minute flight for about 2 weeks in advance and noticed that mine could use some serious toning again. I am an afficionado of anti-cellulite creams during summer and Vichy had been my fave. However, for those two weeks I needed a higher dose of caffeine to kick-start those lazy legs into action/shape. Lierac has a whopping 10% Caffeine embedded, so I tried that one.

Lierac Body-Slim (Caffeine= the 2nd ingredient so quite potent!)

And the promise: Result after just 14 days!

There goes the question: did it help? 

*drumroll*

But first...A swatch of the orangy jelly *potion-ality*: 

 

The zingy feeling of the caffeine is noticable after application and massaging it in. It does take some massage, though.

I combined this jelly with some strenuous workout. I joined a bootcamp workout which has nothing to do with pleasure at all. (like Zumba can be)

The good thing is that my trainer looked like this

 Sometimes it is a positive thing to have a really cute trainer because you want to impress...Then again, I really did not want to do some squads because I know I would look "fat in that position"/"my makeup's gonna smudge!" bladibla...Then again, I told him I wanted similar abs as he does, which might need about 15 years of extra training...hehehe.

After two weeks I had lost about 0.75mm to 1 cm. It is not that much but at least my jeans felt a bit more comfortable.

As for the thighs:

thighs: "darn, that was too much squatting, want coconut water!"

I normally wouldn't do a photo like this but since whole twitter and every celebrity does this, thank you Rihanna & Nicky M. I wouldn't be like a real virtual human anyway: pun & oxymoronish  idea intended. Or the modern version of cogito ergo sum is Instagram corpus meum, ergo sum ="I instagram my body, therefore I am!".

Now my thighs will have some rest until I have to worry about the Christmas LBD again! It is either that or I have to spend on a new LBD.

Pros:

• high(est) amount of scientifically proved effective Caffeine (10%)
• smells fresh & zesty
• thighs look firmer & booty appears less bumpy after 2 weeks
• almost 1 cm loss of hips and each thigh about 0.75 cm
• not that time-consuming: takes 3 minutes massage each time.

Cons:

• expensive: I went through a whole tube in just 2 weeks (150 ml/2.7 fl.oz is not that much)
• Results are similar as the cheaper Vichy Destock
• more difficult to get than Vichy/Clarins etc.
• Not that much result for all that massaging/training and juices/superfood: I expected 1.5 cm at least.

Conclusion:

Wonderful to kickstart yourself into a slightly slimmer you in a short amount of time. However, it will probably not do that much on itself so keep your diet/training in synch for results.

Availability:

Sasa has a rather good price on it for $33.60 (here)

Last Week's Cosmetics

Let me share some of last week purchases, samples and re-finds:

Clockwise:

 *

The Essence nailpolish is one those sparkly multicoloured glitters in purple hues: perhaps that's why it is called "Only Purple Matters".

 *

Mac Dainty Mineralize blush has been last week's rediscovery.

*

I bought Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick 'In Love with Ginger' after testing various orangy reds, ranging from Givenchy Le Rouge Carmin Escarpin, L'Oreal Perfect red and Chanel Rouge Coco. My actual favourite has been the Givenchy but pricewise I think I'd rather save on a colour that is not a staple of mine.

*

The Kanebo Sensai Cleansing Essence has been a free sample: I haven't used Kanebo for a while and I hope that my organically infused skin is up to the more chemical concoctions of Kanebo.

Rituals Fortune shower Oil

I feel it is time for a good old review with too much talk and with a bit of sense.

I like Rituals as it is one of the few Dutch Cosmetic brands that gotten big outside Holland. They started out in 2000 and I loved them instantly. They had this Eastern (sorry about being vague) holistic feel with shops that were/are decorated in rustic colours & with wash-n-water departments to try out your products immediately.

I have liked washing oils a lot and an because I have been into various Japanese products that work with this concept. Face-oil cleansers came first and the body followed up. I have tried l'Occitane Almond cleansing oil for body too. They often feel much softer on the skin during winter-showers.

I feel like this person in the shower:

Hehehe, not really but I loved the oiled up quality of her skin. Actually with the studs on her back she reminds me of that Aston Kucher "Dude, Where's My Car?" movie.

Storyline: Geeky Aston & friend meet a supergorgeous woman and get into a night partying with other model-types. They turned out to be aliens. (Youtub)

 

I like how this film

1. has a pre-Demi-divorced Aston in it...cuuuuute
2. plays with the idea that women who are "too pretty", "too tall", "size 0" etc cannot be human.
3. hilarious in that 2000-something kinda way.

My shower-oil is actually aimed at making you feel human again:

Laughing Buddha: Bringer of Happiness. Symbol of good luck and Prosperity

 It works as simple as the face oils for cleansing:

1. Put the oil on either dry or wet skin 
   
2. Add water
3. Lather into a milky cleansing substance
   

4. Rinse

Verdict:

• Scent: a high fraganced, slightly artificial orange with the hint of a Cedar note
• Scent: Thus a wonderful concoction to get going in the morning (awakening orange) but feel warmer as well (Cedar)
• Substance: Thinner, slightly runny (dry) oil
• Substance: A little goes a longer way
• Afterfeel: more moisturizing than shower-gels etc
• Afterfeel: fragance stays on for quite long
• Price:  Quite affordable for € 8.50 for 200 ml/6.7 fl.oz

Conclusion: Affordable way to cleanse yourself in a Haute-Spa way but try before to see it the fragance agrees with you.

Availability: At the rituals site (here) for € 8.50 for 200 ml