Amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask

Photo Credit - Amika

The fresh scented hair mask is packed with Sea Buckthorn Berry, antioxidants, vitamins, healthy fatty acids, omega vitamins and free parabens and sulfates. It is also safe for color treated hair. The mask promises to provide intense conditioning, replenishing, moisturizes, and repair for all hair types. I use it once a week and it left my hair soft, shiny, and easily manageable. Overall, I really like this hair mask and I will definitely buy this again.

Burt’s Bees Replenishing Lip Balm

Photo Credit - Burt's Bees

Pomegranates has always been one of my favorite fruits to indulge in. Whether it was enjoy it as a late afternoon snack,  imbibe as martini or mixed in with my favorite skin care products. I already been a fan of Burt Bee’s and I thought I should take the dive and buy it. The lip balm is packed with nourishing pomegranate oil. It promises to replenish and revitalize your lips. The scent did smell a bit like pomegranates,  but I wasn’t overly fond of it. It leaves a slight pinkish tint but it isn’t very noticeable. The lip balm goes on smoothly and does soften my lips but it doesn’t last very long. I notice I reach for some every hour or so.  Overall, it is a mediocre lip balm but I would buy it again if it was on sale only because I love pommies.

Brazilian Peel

 

Photo Credit - Sephora

The idea of getting professional results from a peel at home is a blessing for those with a limited budget and time on their hands. The peel is formulated with glycolic acid, the patented Q-Mag Neutralizer and Acai. The product promises to tone, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, blemish, correct uneven skin tone, and improve complexion. To apply the peel, open the lock and squeeze the two syringes into your palm and mixed the two peels together. All was going well, until the white serum wasn’t mixing very well.  It’s consistency was like that of glue and it in turn very difficult to mix with the clear gel. In the end, I gave up and applied the whole thing to my face while the white serum was in solid form.  The messy concoction ending up burning so badly that I had washed it off 2 minutes later. My face felt tight and still burned even after washing off everything.  I don’t think I had it on long enough to notice anything but I like to believe my skin looks a bit more radiant after living through the burning sensation.

Alterna Bamboo Color Care UV+ Fade Proof Fluide

Photo Credit - Sephora

The orange scented leave in fluid weightlessly protects  with a UVA/UVB barrier against fading, while making hair shiny and vibrant. While I can’t say for certain about the UVA/UVB filters really work or is just hype – my hair felt shinier and brighter. The spray is packed with organic bamboo and kalahri melon extracts. It is formulated without any GMOs, phthalates, synthetic dyes, sulfates, sodium chloride, gluten, TEA, DEA or parabens. It didn’t leave my hair sticky or greasy like the other hair products I have used.

Julep Nail Polish - Lucy

Two Coats

This was one coat

Three coats, to give a better picture how it looks

I love this sophisticated dark burgundy creme color. Unlike Meryl, Lucy doesn't take forever to try. I was actually able to apply the first coat and having it dried before applying the second. The color also didn't chip as fast. I got almost 3 days before I noticed a flake and that was without a top coat. But I  noticed the second time using it, I only managed to get two days without chips. I would recommend using at least two coats as the product does streak a bit and a bit runny [as you can tell from my photos] so don't forget to rub off the excess on the bottle top. But with three coats, the color and coverage was even and beautiful.

NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil - New Lover

This velvety lip pencil imparts a glossy sheen and leaving lips buttery soft. The  creamy lip pencil is packed with vitamin E, hyaluronic spheres, and phytosterol esther. The lip pencil left a soft strawberry color with gold flecks. While I like the color, it is hardly noticeable against my natural lip color. Overall, I like the soft wash of long lasting color and how soft my lips felt. Applying the lip pencil felt like apply lip butter but not as greasy and not sticky. A word of caution, I was using this during the summer, so try not to sharpen to much product otherwise the tip breaks off easy or melts a bit.

Burt's Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals

Photo Credit -  Burt's Bees

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to take better care of myself [yes, in the middle of August I still didn’t accomplish it]. The first part was hauling my lazy butt off the couch and on to the treadmill [still didn’t do it]. Of course, being inactive for a majority of my life -- my muscles were sore and achy. I read really good reviews for these bath crystals and I decided to give these a shot. These natural sea salts are imbued with essential lemon and eucalyptus oils that help melt stress and release lactic acids that build up during physical activity. After soaking in the crystals, my skin felt softer, smoother and I felt a bit more relaxed and refreshed. I can’t believe I am saying this but I can’t wait to another session on the treadmill. Okay, I just want to relax in another bath with these crystals -- we all need a little “me time”  :)

Cosmopolitan May 2013

How to Wear Tricky Trends-

“Polka Dots

1. Too much volume or extra detail will leave you looking like a Disney character. Stick a simple silhouettes.

2. On their own, polka dots look crisp. Mix with another print for a more indie style, but be sure to keep everything on the same scale.

Crop tops

1. The shape is attention grabbing enough. Stick to black and white to avoid going over the top.

2. Show just a sliver of midriff, and pair your short top with a long, high-waisted bottom.

Peekaboo Shoe

1. Clean and well-pedicured toes are a must

2. When wet, plastic shoes can be slippery and more than a little uncomfortable, so save them for cooler days when you are less likely to sweat.

Metal Belts

1. Choose how bold you want to be - tiptoe into the trend with a narrow width, or make a statement with a wider belt.

2. Keep your accessories to a minimum -  a hard clutch and a sleek pair of heels are all you need to complete your look.”

$10 Beauty Buys -

Photo Source - Drugstore, OPI Lacquer in Pink Yet Lavender

 

Photo Source - Target, Champneys Citrus Blush Body Oil

Photo Source - Pacifica, Pacifica Mexican Cocoa Solid Perfume

Tips on How to get a Spring Face -

“Cleanse...twice!  Standard at spas: a double cleanse. Take off makeup with a wipe, then suds up. A power brush deep-cleans.

Peel Pores Used twice a week, at-home peels are a great alternative to pro extractions. Look for glycolic acid - awesome at dejunking pores.

Make Time for a Mask - So underutilized, mask are a complexion game changer. Wear one once a week while clearing your DVR queue”