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+

Product Smackdown: Color Enhancing Conditioners for Brunettes

In one of my LBTs (see post here), I mentioned a conditioner from John Frieda that was supposed to enhance the color of brown hair. I really did like it, hence having it in a favorites post, but since then I have tried a couple more and have a little more experience in the world of color enhancing conditioners. In this post, I will be evaluating my original favorite, John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Hydration Conditioner, Guhl Farbglanz Braun Balsam-Spülung (“Color Shine Brunette Hydration Conditioner”), and the Lee Stafford Blinding Brunette Condtioner. I love this kind of conditioner because they really make my hair color look nice. Without them, my color can be a little blah. I must also say that I actually like all of these conditioners, but I do have one favorite. One thing to take note of, though, if you do decide to use one: if a glob lands on the floor of the shower, wash it off right away or it might stain. It goes away eventually, but still isn’t that fabulous.

 

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Hydration Conditioner: ~€7/250ml (dm, Rossman)

Guhl Farbglanz Braun Balsam-Spülung: ~€3-4 (dm, Rossman)

Lee Stafford Blinding Brunette Conditioner: ~₤5-8/25 ml (Boots)

http://www.johnfrieda.de/haarpflege-produkte/brilliant-brunette/bb-hydration-conditioner

http://www.guhl.de/kollektionen/farbglanz-braun/#reflect_p03

http://www.leestafford.com/en/products/blinding-brunette/blinding-brunette-conditioner#.UQJvGxzNpYB

Found on John Frieda website

Found on Guhl web

 

Found on Lee Stafford website

 

	John Frieda	Guhl	Lee Stafford
Features (as found on brand websites)	Restores moisture and shine to dull, dry hair Unlocks color nuances in hair without needing to get it colored Made with crushed pearls and tea leaf extract	Gives hair strength and shine whilst intensifying color Noticeable flexibility Extra-easy combability With walnut extract	Adds moisture and shine Enhances brown tones UV protection Made with walnut and henna for color and moringa seed extract for shine
Price	2nd place	1st place	3rd place
Moisturizing, shine, and softening capabilities (as decided by me)	Good, made my hair nicely soft and shiny. For all conditioners, I would put it at the higher end of average.   3rd place	Good, made my hair nicely soft and shiny. For all conditioners, I would put it at the higher end of average. Slightly better than other two. 1st place	Good, made my hair nicely soft and shiny. For all conditioners, I would put it at the higher end of average. Slightly better than John Frieda. 2nd place
Color renewal capabilities (as decided by me)	Good, brought out the brown tones well.   2nd place (tie)	Really good, made my hair color fresh and bright, almost like I had just colored it. 1st place	Good, brought out the brown tones well.   2nd place (tie)
Scent	Pleasant, traditional conditioner scent but a little more chocolaty.   3rd place	Pleasant, very similar to John Frieda.     2nd place	LOVE, traditional Lee Stafford scent. It was funny because I hated it in the heat defense spray, but loved it here. 1st place
Packaging	OK, easy(ish) to get water in after you can’t squeeze product out. Not clear, though, or as sturdy as the Guhl one. Also has sharp corners.     3rd place	OK, it’s sturdy (good for travel), but is a bit harder to get out especially when getting to the end. Also it’s smaller, so you have to buy it more often. Relatively easy to get water in. Rounded corners 2nd place	Very good, first of all it’s pink. Next, it’s ombre. ‘K. Also, it is transparent so you can see how much you have left. Not as sturdy as Guhl one, and has sharp corners.   1st place
OVERALL RANK	3rd place	1st place	2nd place

As I explained before, I actually like all these products, but I prefer the Guhl one over the others because it has the best color renewal and moisturizing capabilities. It is also a bit cheaper than the others. The Lee Stafford one is a close second, I LOVE the packaging and scent, but in addition to being not quite as good for color and moisture as the Guhl one, it is really hard to find. I bought mine in Hungary at Douglas on the Vaci Ut, if that helps anyone… But really if you see any one of these, I would really recommend picking them up, they are really fabulous.

 

Review: ELF Mineral Infused Mascara

8g

ELF US: $3

ELF UK: ₤3.75

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/eyes/mascara/mineral_infused_mascara

http://eyeslipsface.co.uk/en/restofworld/mascara/mineral-infused-mascara/invt/81411/

Found on eyeslipsface.co.uk

This mascara is advertised  as creating “fuller, healthier looking lashes” and add definition while still volumnising. The mascara is supposed to be long-wearing and clump-resistant. The brush is made of silicone, and has even sized bristles placed relatively close together and a tip that tapers off.

Ingredients:

Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, PVP, Triethanolamine, Triacontanyl PVP, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate.

I love this mascara! It gives my lashes the most amazing doll-like effect, it separates them and lengthens them nicely. It does NOT stick my eyelashes together so it looks like I have about 5 total, which I do enjoy. The formula is nice and black, and doesn’t clump, flake , run, smudge, or anything on me, but isn’t too hard to get off when I want it off. The packaging is really nice and sleek, as with many ELF Studio or Mineral products it doesn’t look or feel cheap. This is one of my favorite mascaras and yes, it is 3 dollars. 3. You really cannot get much better than that. I would highly recommend this product and would definitely repurchase it!

Rating: A+

Review: The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Condtioner

60 ml/250 ml/400 ml

The Body Shop UK: £2/£4/£6

The Body Shop DE: 3€/6€/9€

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/hair/conditioner/rainforest-balance-conditioner.aspx

http://www.thebodyshop.de/haarpflege/conditioner/ausgleichende-pflegespuelung.aspx

Does not contain parabens, silicones, or colorants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Body Shop Rainforest Balance Conditioner is a conditioner specially formulated for oily hair. It is made with pracaxi oil, white nettle, seaweed, and aloe vera. It claims that it “lightly conditions to reduce excess oils for hair that looks clean and fresh all day without weighing it down. Like it’s matching shampoo, it has a very thick consistency.

Ingredients

Aqua, Kaolin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Distearoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Parfum, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Propylene Glycol, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Alcohol, Citric Acid, Lamium Album Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol.

This was a really disappointing product for me because I really like the shampoo that goes with it. It just did nothing. First of all, it had a strange consistency, thicker than normal conditioner with a weird almost gritty texture. It kind of felt like a mud mask in conditioner form. It didn’t condition my hair at all. On top of that, it smelled like a mix of the afore-mentioned mud mask and a chlorinated pool. Yeah, not really a good smell, and especially not a comforting smell for something you are putting on your hair! Luckily the smell doesn’t linger, so you didn’t walk around smelling like pool for the entire day.

There really isn’t much to say about this product. It didn’t work. It smelled bad. End of story. A really disappointment, I must say. Don’t waste your money! The price may have been well worth it for the shampoo, but for this it is really too much.

Rating: D