Josie Maran Argan Oil Review

Happy new year everyone! I didn't expect to take this rather long break since my last post, but I"ve gotten myself into the hospital at the start of the year and now I injured my hands and all that due to a silly accident. Chinese New Year is round the corner and preparation is going to be in full swing soon, as I'm writing today, I pray for a peaceful, healthy and joyful new year of the Horse!

Ever since I bid farewell to my beloved and trusted MoroccanOil hair treatment due to its questionable ingredients list, my hair could still use a bit of hydration/nutrients boost due to daily blow-drying, I decided to switch to something more straight and simple: Argan Oil. Argan Oil was listed as one of the ingredients in MoroccanOil hair treatment, and it's supposedly the 'element' in the MoroccanOil potion that truly delivers the goodness to hair ends. If Argan Oil is the thing that works, why do we need the silicone and dimethicone? Cut the crap in the potion!

Easy, Light and Weightless hair products - Mark Hill range for Boots!

Ya'all know I'm all about fuss-free hair. The typical HK weather is hot and humid, and my born-straight hair easily becomes a frizz-ball. Combs aren't my best friends since I am best known for carrying a next-to-nothing makeup bag (aka very minimal which consists of 2-3 items). So what could I do? I found my hair's best friend in Mark Hill for Boots range...

Sen by Kim Robinson hair care review

Last year, celebrity hair stylist Kim Robinson had launched a hair care line in collaboration with Sen, a brand marketing Chinese Herbal Science. It was not a novel idea to incorporate Chinese herbs into hair care products, so what makes this line by Kim so special?

The line consists of 3 categories, each catered for different hair types. Moisture & Repair for dry, damaged, weak hair; Sleek & Silky for straight frizzy hair; Color & Shine for color-treated and dull hair. My hair is thick, coarse at the ends so it definitely can use some hydration and nourishment.

These 3 lines of products are designed to be affordable to every woman who wishes to have professional-grade hair care at home. I find the product packaging really low-key and simplistic, because all the efforts in creating this product you see, had gone into the product formula and ingredients instead of the packaging.

I have put this trio to test for a while, and here are my thoughts: both the shampoo, conditioner, and hair treatment (call it hair mask if you will), are faintly scented with herbs and rose. The aroma was not obvious. Even if formulated without parabens, phthalates, synthetic colours, patrolatum surfactants, the shampoo manages to foam up well, and the density is just right. It lathers well, and leaves a gentle layer of protection upon rinsing, you can feel it because your hair feels so much smoother. I also found that blow-dry is quicker than usual. The Moisture & Repair line, pictured above, includes key ingredient of Angelica, which is known for anti-oxidant properties. The Sleek & Silky line, carries Coix Seed which is rich in amino acid; the Color & Shine line is infused with Peony, known for soothing and nourishing properties. Apart from the Chinese Herbal ingredients, all lines carry ingredients from Bamboo, Green Tea Extracts.

The hair mask offers deep hydration to the split ends and roots, I use it twice per week (and skip conditioner afterwards). I'm pleasantly surprised by the fact that the conditioner does not leave a soapy/slippery feeling as other conditioners do. I've tried conditioners that are extremely difficult to wash off completely, so I wasn't a religious user of conditioners in general. But with this conditioner, it's easier to manage. 

The range also offers a Scalp Massage Paddle Brush for massaging your hair, stimulating the roots and growth. Using this after blow-drying makes my hair baby soft.

The Sen by Kim Robinson range is exclusively sold at Watsons and Park n Shop supermarket, the price ($88) is slightly more than an average shampoo but not that much more to be honest, so I deem this a justifiable purchase!

MoroccanOil Intense Hydrating Mask Review

My love affair with MoroccanOil hasn't stopped just at the 100ml MoroccanOil hair treatment oil for sure, I find the use of hair masks is as essential as adding the oil to my next-to-minimal-or-nothing-at-all hair care routine. If you're a fuss-free person who can't be bothered about your hair, read on. Your hair will thank you.

The best things always came out of the blue

Two days ago, before I go for a shower, I get together the usual products which I was going to use during/after the shower, and this is what happened: these four product staples were all in aqua blue! Now, will you excuse me for the bad pun in the post title, that was completely random, but I decided a post would be on its way to introduce my shower time staples, and here we are. 

Attempting to curb my HAUL-iday madness - the very first Empties Post

Happy Holidays my lovlies! I was inspired the other day to do an Empties Post (after reading Beauty Reductionista's blog, Rouge Deluxe's, and many others), startled at the rate my beauty stash is growing, I decided a curb on the haul-iday madness (pardon me for the pun). Holiday is a a very good / bad time for good deals, depending on how you see it. Most brands would release value-saving makeup / skincare sets which entices you to buy because the sets are such a bargain. My soul fell weak in front of these holiday deals. That was when I embarked on keeping product empties on a monthly basis, and do a short review of each of them.

5 reasons I'm in LOVE with MoroccanOil //愛上MoroccanOil 的 5大理由

I'm a fuss-free person and the same goes with the way I care about my hair, I asked for a fuss-free style of cut so that I don't have to blow dry or style each morning JUST BECAUSE I don't have the time to. In simple words, I don't care for my hair besides the washing bit and drying bit. Let me repeat, my hair was the last thing I care in the world since I was a kid. UNTIL...I met my bottle of MoroccanOil that completely changed the way I look at my hair.

(my hubby would probably get jealous when he reads this title but oh well, LOL)

每談及頭髮護理, 我坦認是個很懶的人. 因為很忙的關係, 除了洗頭及吹頭外, 平時並不會打理, gel 頭. 直至我認識了生命裡的第一支 MoroccanOil, 它令我對頭髮護理完全改觀.

(啊有人看到這個標題會很妒忌, 哈哈)

Essential Ultra Honey & Shea Butter Hair Mask Review & GIVEAWAY news//Essential 高純度蜂蜜髮膜試用, GIVEAWAY

As promised, here's a detailed review of another product from the January Favourites post. About 2 months ago I bought this jar of hair mask home and started to sniff it whenever I am in the shower XD Okay, I sniff it only 2-3 times per week. This hair mask came out with Essential Shampoo and Conditioner range, and has a sister (a yellow jar). If I remember correctly, the yellow jar is for adding 'volume' to your hair while this pink jar is for 'airy-ness', if that makes sense! Since I hate the feeling of greasy hair weighing down on my head, I thought I'd give this a try given the accessible price.

兩個月前買下這個頭髮專用既mask, 挺喜歡. 除了這瓶粉紅色的, 還有一瓶是黃色的, 我見佢寫住可以令頭髮輕盈d, 本人最討厭頭髮"癡立立"同好重的感覺, 所以便決定試試. 每星期用2-3次, d頭髮滑了很多.

The hair mask is said to have shea butter and honey in it, trust me this stuff smells ah-mazing. Directions for application: After cleansing hair with shampoo, apply a liberal amount on your hair (best to focus on the last 15cm of your hair ends since they're places which suffer the most damage), you can slowly massage your hair and your scalp, or you can wait for 5 mins and rinse thoroughly.

佢寫住有高純度蜂蜜同乳木果, 洗完頭之後, 搽適當的分量(集中係近髮尾的15cm為佳), 可以按摩5分鐘, 或者等5分鐘, 之後就可以過水清洗.

A peek at the inside of the jar:

看看裡面:
Texture: Spreads easily, lathers easily

Quality: Leaves hair feeling soft and light

Price: Very affordable, this jar of 200g would last me 5-6 months I believe (2-3 uses per week)

Ease of use: Simple, it's like using a conditioner really, but use this 2 times per week only

Scent: Smells like honey, ah-mazing!

Packaging: You might accidentally get some water in if you dip it with your finger, but I'd always dry my fingers before dipping them in and get the product. I like the jar, not bad. Would prefer this jar over a spray bottle...

Repurchase: Yes, unless I can find a cheaper alternative for this, which I believe there isn't =.=

Verdict: This is an extremely decent product, both quality and packaging wise. I can't think of a reason why you shouldn't try this one really. It's easy to use, makes my hair baby soft, and it smells heavenly.

質感: 容易塗抹, 容易清洗

產品質素/表現: 令頭髮滑左, 質感變得輕盈

價錢: 估計一jar可以用到5-6個月

使用難度: 很容易, 好似用護髮素咁易, 每星期2次

香味: 蜜糖味

包裝: 盡量避免瓶內接觸水分, 用之前抹乾手吧

回購: 會的, 除非發現更平的選擇吧

總評: 整體來說非常好的product, 無論價錢或產品方面上. 令頭髮變回柔軟, 蜜糖味頗討好.

Monthly Favourites (Jan 2011) //每月至愛產品

I've been terribly sick for days, spent 3 whole days in bed and ate @#$%^&* kinds of medicine, am still recovering. I apologize for lagging behind the comments and stuff :( I realized that Chinese New Year is just around the corner, so I better get this post published, lol. I'll introduce these darlings which I have been using religiously in January.

大病了一場，在床上渡過三日三夜，嚴重跟不上blog同comments, 真的對不起. 我剛醒起還有數天便過農曆新年了, 都是趕快出埋post佢先 ^_^ 今次介紹既係本人今個月至愛用既產品 :D

1) DollyWink Pencil Liner in Brown:

Bought this at around $10 Euros. Application is effortless and smooth, high pigmentation and no serious smudging problem. I love the fact that it's deep brown so it looks very flattering on the eyes (versus the dramatic black...). Its quality is on par with Urban Decay 24/7 Liners! (full review to come later :))

DollyWink深啡色眼線鉛筆:

以$99左右購入. 劃得非常順暢, 我喜歡它深啡色, 比黑色自然很多. 上色度高, 沒有嚴重脫色問題. 個人覺得質量可以媲美Urban Decay 24/7 系列的眼線筆! (詳細評語容後再post :))

2) Chacott loose settling powder in #763 Translucent

I've seen this powder appearing over and over again in Japanese magazines, and was finally able to locate a shop that sells this in store. What should I say? After trying this, I don't want to look at any other loose powder (just kidding lol). Chacott is a company that makes stage cosmetics for ballet school and the quality of this loose powder is superb, the powder is finely milled. It controls oil decently and keeps my makeup fresh throughout the day. (full review to come later)

Chacott 定妝碎粉 (#763 透明色)

經常在日本雜誌看到的妝品, 終於比我找到在那裡有得買了. 只要試過之後, 其他碎粉都看不上眼了 (說笑). Chacott幫一間芭蕾舞學校設計的舞台化妝, 呢隻碎粉品質非常高, 質感細滑, 控油一流, 個妝真係可以保持到好耐. (詳細評語容後再post :))

3) LUSH Angels On Bare Skin Face Cleanser (潔面)

If you don't mind the herbal scent, this is a superb cleanser and exfoliator for face! I've been using it religiously ever since I bought it. It made my face feel so refreshing after I use it. There are lavender particles in it and it helps to exfoliate too! (full review here)

如果你不介意香草味的話 (註: 不是薄荷味), 呢隻洗面膏係好好既選擇. 裡面有薰衣草同玫瑰粒子, 洗面之餘可以做埋磨砂. 每次洗完面都覺得好fresh, 自從買了它回家便一直使用了. (詳細評語)

4) Essential Ultra Honey & Shea Butter Hair Mask (Nuance Airy)

This hair mask is the best buy of the month, lol. It's affordable and smells like honey. I've been using it for numerous times since I bought it 2 weeks ago, it makes my hair baby soft :) I've been doing lots of blow-drying to my hair recently and this is a perfect product to repair damaged bits. (full review HERE)

這瓶 hair mask超抵買, 平之餘好好用. 前排經常性吹頭, D頭髮好粗糙好乾. 買了這個 hair mask兩星期後我 keep 住用, 頭髮變返柔順, 軟滑, 聞落仲好香! (詳細評語)

5) Orbis Foam Esthe Pack (warm foam mask) 暖暖泡沫面膜

I got this when Stellar and I went to shopping in our last beauty blogger meetup in December. I have been a loyal user of Orbis skincare and I can't believe I discover this gem so late! The mask comes in a metal bottle, with an airtight pump on top. The foam is white and when applying it on your face you'll feel a tiny warming sensation. It's like mousse. This product leaves my face VELVETY SMOOTH!!! The best part? Only 5 minutes is needed, lol. (full review HERE)

去年十二月和Stellar的beauty blogger meetup時買的. 我用了 Orbis的Skincare已經三年有多, 很難相信現在才發現它!!! 嘎出黎既泡沫有點像mousse的質地, 上面後有暖暖的感覺, 用完皮膚好似絨布咁滑. 只需 5分鐘乍~ (詳細post請按此)

6) Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation//植川秀粉底液

This liquid foundation has medium coverage and is scented. It blends well and is perfect for winter.

這支粉底液遮瑕度OK, 容易推開, 冬天用至岩.

7) MAC Viva Glam x Lady Gaga lipstick // MAC Viva Glam x Lady Gaga唇膏

Gives my lips the perfect pink. I was worried that the nude and pale pink would wash me out, but I found it works eventually. I can't live without it now.

完美的粉紅色. 起初擔心會令我變得面無血色, 後來慢慢work了, 現在沒有了它便不行了.

What are your favourite products this month? Please share :)!

今個月你又愛用甚麼產品呢? :)