Possible Dupe for Rimmel Apocalypse Lip Lacquers

ATTENTION: If you currently reside in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Spain and you have been wanting to try the Rimmel Apocalypse Lip Lacquers, the Manhattan Lip Lacquers may be a dupe. Though I have not tried them myself, both brands are owned by Coty and have nearly identical packaging, so I think there is a good chance that the formulas are similar or even identical as well.

The line contains 4 permanent colors and 4 limited edition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.manhattan.de/en/products/lips/product/Productline/list/lip-lacquer-le/

Review: Hydrating Moroccan Argan Oil Creamy Oil Body Lotion

13 fl. oz./385 mL

Ulta: $6.99

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod4190131

Found on OrganixHair.com

This “lavish creamy oil body lotion” is described as having “an exclusive moisture lock system” made up of Moroccan argan oil (“to restore skin’s elasticity”), sugar cane and willow bark (“to soften, giving a radiant glow” and “promote cellular turnover” ), and finally rice milk and bamboo extract (“to make skin supple and touchable all over”). The “moisture lock system” uses a PCA complex (whatever that is- a quick Google search did not clarify anything) that apparently draws moisture in, and a ceramide complex (stuff that resembles the natural lipid barrier of the skin) to lock in the moisture. The argan oil is supposed to be a dry oil, meaning that it sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.

Ingredients

Water, Disodium Laureth Sulfocuccinate, Socium C14-16 Olefine Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide DEA, Glycerin, Clycol Distearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Saccarum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Cocamide MEA, Laureth-10, Polyquaternium-11, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Milk, Hydrolyzed Collagen (Collagen Peptides), Paullinia Cupana (Cuarana) Extract, PCA, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Ceramide 3, Argania Spinoza (Argan) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Extract, Paullinia Cupana (Guarana) Extract, Lycium Barbarum (Goji Berry) Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexlglycerin, Parfum.

This stuff is amazing. It lives up to basically every claim that was thrown my way. Moisturizing? Very. Makes skin supple? Yup. Sinks in quickly? Yeah, pretty much. Gives skin a radiant glow? Actually, yes.

So yeah this lotion was moisturizing, but that doesn’t necessarily set it apart from the other good moisturizers out there. What does stand out, though, is that one bit about glowing skin. It sounds gimmicky, but to my astonishment it proved to be actually true. What happens is you apply the product, and it sinks in fairly quickly, but leaves this sheen on your skin. I think it might be the combination of the ceramide complex and the argan oil, but damn it is great. It doesn’t necessarily hide imperfections like say a tinted product might, but it certainly does minimize the appearance of discoloration and cellulite. So as it is winter right now, my legs are very pasty and more than a little bit infested with cellulite. This lotion makes them look so so much better. I cannot wait to see what this does when I have a tan! This doesn’t to my knowledge reduce cellulite necessarily, though- just diminishes appearance. I don’t know how they do it but I absolutely love it.

The sheen is a layer of moisture and definitely feels it, but it isn’t like those products where it takes forever to sink in and you feel sticky. It doesn’t bother me at all, it doesn’t stick to my clothes or anything, but I might see some people that are really sensitive to that sort of thing not loving it.

Something that the description doesn’t mention, though, is the scent. I personally love the smell, it’s sort of sweet and floral (it’s the same smell from the conditioner– it’s probably standard for the line), but it is pretty strong so again this might be a turn off for some people.

Overall, though, this is an outstanding product if the slight sheen and the smell don’t bother you. I will definitely be repurchasing this when it finishes and cannot wait to use it in summer!

Rating: A+

Brands Removed from the Safe List

Algenist

Biore (Kao Brands)

Calvin Klein (Coty)

Chloe (Coty)

Curel (Kao Brands)

Davidoff (Coty)

H2o+

Jil Sander (Coty Inc.)

OPI (Coty)

Salvatore Ferragamo (Estee Lauder)

Paco Rabanne (Puig)

Review: Avalon Organics Awapuhi Mango Deep Moisturizing Conditioner

14 fl oz (400 ml)

AvalonOrganics.com: $10.99

http://www.avalonorganics.com/awapuhi-mango-therapy-deep-moisturizing-conditioner

Found on AvalonOrganics.com

According to Avalon Organics, this conditioner  is “fortified with awapuhi, mango, calendula, and wheat protein for soft, vibrantly rehydrated and manageable hair”. It supposedly “infuses dry, brittle hair with intense hydration” and “conditions without stripping moisture”, while it “restores a health moisture balance in the hair and scalp” and “strengthens to protect ends without weighing hair down”. It is pH balanced and contains 70% organic content, without the use of synthetic fragrances, phthalates, harsh sulfates, or parabens.

Ingredients: 

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (1), Aqua (Water), Glyceryl Stearate SE, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (1), Cetyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil (1), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) (1), Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (1), Myrocarpus Fastigiatus, Myroxylon Pereirae (Balsam Peru) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (1), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract (1), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (1), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract (1), Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract (1), Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (1), Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract (1)(2), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Sorbitol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vanillin, Alcohol (1), Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool

(1) Certified Organic Ingredient (2) Awapuhi Extract

The thing that most bothered me about this product was its claims about its “deep moisturizing” properties. This couldn’t be further from the truth. This product doesn’t even live up to the title of “conditioner”, let alone “deep conditioner”. This literally did nothing for my hair. The product was so thin, even with huge amounts it would almost dissolve away into nothing as soon as it got on my hair. When I would get out, my hair would be just as dry and brittle before I got in. I had to use more liberal amounts of serum to compensate, so that my hair maintained some level of moisture. I guess on the bright side, it didn’t do anything detrimental to my hair, like weigh it down or make it greasy.

It smells interesting, there are some traces of the mango and ginger (awapuhi is a kind of ginger, apparently- I didn’t know that!), but the smell is more herby. I personally didn’t love it, it made me feel slightly nauseous, but honestly it doesn’t stick in your hair so its manageable. It was also not as bad as other conditioner smells, like the Organix Macademia Oil one (read my review here) or the one I am currently using by Nature’s Gate (review coming).

Another thing I noticed was the number of different kinds of alcohols in the conditioner, there are 4 separate kinds. I honestly cannot say what effect this has on hair, but this may be one of the contributing factors to the product’s poor performance.

Overall I was pretty disappointed with this product, especially considering the price and the other cool ingredients.

Rating: F

New Brands Added to the Safe List

Antipodes

Baylis & Harding

Bourjois

Bulldog Natural Skincare {P} {B}

C. Booth (Freeman Beauty)

Cowshed

Ellin Lavar Textures (Freeman Beauty)

Ellis Faas

Eve Lom

Formula 10.0.6

Freeman Beauty {P}

Fresh

Joico

L’Anza

Macademia Natural Oils

Mally Beauty

Nails Inc. (now confirmed by email)

Not Your Mother’s

NUXE

Psssst! (Freeman Beauty)

Qtica (Zoya)

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics {P}

Review: Cattier Paris Rosee Florale Soothing Beauty Lotion

200 ml/6.76 fl oz

Douglas: € 10.95

Beautorium.com: $23 (USD)

http://www.douglas.fr/douglas/Soins-Visage-Nettoyant-Cattier-Soins-démaquillants-nettoyants-Rosée-florale_productbrand_3000052568.html

http://www.douglas.de/douglas/Pflege-Gesicht-Reinigung-Cattier-Gesichtsreinigung-Rosée-Florale_productbrand_3000052568.html

http://www.beautorium.com/natural-organic-face-care-114/toners-124/cattier-rosee-florale-soothing-beauty-lotion-513.html

Found on Cattier-Paris.com

This product is an alcohol-free liquid toner (NOT lotion, at least in the English sense) that “completes cleansing and gently awakens the radiance of the complexion”. It is “enriched with organic rose and camomile waters and organic calendula extract” and “soothes, refreshes and softens the epidermis”, using “moisturising and nourishing wheat proteins [to] tone and firm the skin”. Cattier claims it is suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients:

Aqua, Rosa Damascena Flower Water*, Glycerin, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water*, Calendula Officinalis Extract*, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Limonene, Linalool. *from certified organic sources

I originally bought this as a possible substitute to the more expensive (and also now shown to be not so cruelty free!) Caudelie Eau de Beaute. Unfortunately the mist was not fine enough nor the liquid essential oil-rich enough to be used in the same was as the beauty water, but it did prove to be an excellent toner. I have combination skin that can lean more oily or more dry, and this product can accommodate both quite well. I cannot comment on its effectiveness with either of the extremes, though. The toner is soothing but still thorough; it removes dirt and makeup residue left after cleansing and leaves the skin clean but comfortable. It also calms skin, reducing redness considerably afterI wax my upper lip. As for brightening, it does help some in this regard; my skin can tend to get rather dull and while using this I did notice some brightening.

For application, I typically spray this on a cotton pad and then wipe my face, rather than spraying it directly on my face.

The only thing I really don’t like is the price for us North Americans (on beautorium.com). $23 is kind of steep, and I don’t really like spending that much when there are other good toners for cheaper. At the European prices, though, I would not hesitate to buy it. It is really difficult to find carriers because the Cattier website has virtually no information regarding the matter, but I know that the German and French Douglas carries it online at least (I think the larger shops should carry it, in Germany at least). Beutorium.com ships to  the US and Canada.

Overall I would highly recommend this product if you can pick it up at European prices. If you are ever in France or Germany (or anywhere you can find that carries it cheap) check it out! I will also keep hunting for an alternative to the Caudelie Beauty Water for y’all 🙂

Rating: A

Baby Steps for China, or Lilla May Get to Use Estee Lauder Again

According to CNN’s article China may be relaxing some of its regulations regarding animal testing. The law would allow domestic Chinese brands to forgo the mandatory animal testing as long as they ran other risk and safety checks. International brands selling to the Chinese market would still be subject to the regulations, but the “document indicated that China would gradually ease regulations on animal testing”. So unfortunately no MAC or Bobbi Brown just yet, but maybe in a couple of years we may just get lucky!