Chanel Joues Contraste Power Blush Review

Pros:

Nice packaging and nuances.

Cons:

You can‘t use the brush that‘s part of  the packaging – it‘s pretty useless.

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I really like my Chanel rouge – the packing is sleek which is always a plus. But most importantly – they have some very nice nuances, which I haven‘t seen other brands have. The minuses are a few too though: 1. You have to re-apply this rouge several times a day since it doesn‘t really stay on for too long. 2. The brush is rubbish – so you have to get a new brush and carry it around with you – considering the price of the rouge this feels pretty annoying. The thing with the bad brush seems to be more of a rule for rouges then exception, but still I really don‘t think its too much to ask to get proper tools when you buy make-up this expensive.

Overall: 

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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Kiehl’s Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo Review

 

Pros:

You can recycle the bottle at your local Kiehl‘s counter and get samples in exchange for it.

Cons:

No shine or hydration – as was promised.

More:

So usually I shop my Kiehl‘s products in the US, since the tax difference makes them pretty overprices in Europe but ok reasonable in the US. But this one I got in Europe, desperate for a new shampoo for my dry hair. I think its true for most of us that our body in general needs more up-keeping in the beauty department during cold winter months: dry skin, dry hair…so I spend most of my annual beauty budget October – February – sheet masks, hair masks, fat body lotions and lip moisturisers – you name it.

This shampoo was bought in a bid to make my hair more hydrated and shiny – because no matter what I do – it always looks pretty dry and lifeless in these months. And since this shampoo promises exactly that (hydration and shine) and contains the right ingredients for it (avocado oil and olive fruit oil) – I awaited success. What did I get? Actually I noticed no real difference after I started to use this shampoo. Not at all. You might say maybe – you are not using the other magic ingredients needed for hair success (hair mask, regular hair cuts, hair oil, conditioner made for your hair type) – and the answer is YES I DO. I use all of the above and a bit more (leave-in conditioner, extra spray on oil for very dehydrated day, a varied diet). So my conclusion for this shampoo is – its pretty useless and I don‘t recommend it to any of you.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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The Body Shop Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask

Pros:

Good price.

Cons:

Doesn‘t have as much effect as I would wish for.

More:

I guess this is some kind of budget version of Kiehl‘s cilantro mask (read my review here) – promising to get rid of dirt from pollution and leave you with clearer skin. The cilantro mask has en extra plus: it‘s overnight and thus gives you skin loads of hydration. This matcha mask doesn‘t give your skin any hydration – it makes your skin tingle, and after your skin does indeed feel very clean. It doesn‘t really get rid of any impurities like blackheads. After use my skin feels very “clean and clear”. I think it‘s a good budget options, but I‘m not going to repurchase this mask again. It has a clay like consistency but does not leave my skin as clear as I would wish for.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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Dior Dreamskin – 1-minute Mask Review

Pros:

A quick fix – you only have to keep it on your skin for a few minutes (one minute not enough)!

Cons:

Your skin looks radiant but this is no miracle mask in any way.

More:

I‘m a huge fan of the DreamSkin corrector – which has helped me out with some great glow on many bad days – so wanted to see if this mask is just as efficient as the skin corrector. Turns out it‘s not. It‘s very easy to use – not sticky, easy to apply, nice light texture. I use mine several times a week because its very light. The result? Brighter skin and a nice glow, but nothing fantastic or long-lasting. I will not repurchase this mask again – but just got another bottle of their DreamSkin corrector and my skin is glowy all all day long.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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The Body Shop Nicaraguan Coffee Intense Awakening Mask Review

Pros:

Gives my skin a good energy boost in the morning.

Cons:

Don‘t see any impurities cleaned or my skin does‘t really look more refined after use.

More:

I had pretty hight expectations on this mask – the idea of having coffee on your skin sure should make you wake up quick – and I‘ve actually been using this mask on weekday mornings when I felt my skin really needed that extra push. My verdict: the mask is a bit sticky, but easy to remove. The smell is ok – but not super energising or boosting. My skin feels good after use but that is it. Body Shop promises A LOT with this mask – that it helps reduce the signs of fatigue so skin feels awakened, cleared of impurities and looks more radiant and pores look refined. This is all true but the effect is pretty bleak – but for this price I‘m still satisfied – even though I‘m most probably not going to re-purchase this mask again.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask Review

Pros:

Instant hydration.

Cons:

Expensive (at least if bought in Europe compared to the US)

More:

I think Kiehl’s is a brand with very uneven quality – I love their hair mask and coriander face mask. But their hand cream feels like a pharmacy balm which won‘t get absorbed, and their vitamin C serum – which I spent a fortune on – did absolutely nothing for me. But sometimes they really get it right – just like they did with this face mask – which I discovered at random. It feels like a regular face cream when you apply it – so not too thick. It gets absorbed very quickly – and it you see an instant result. Next day my skin looks extremely smooth, plumb and hydrated. Some overnight masks can be very rich causing sensitive skin like mine to break out – but this mask can be used several nights a week without any break-outs or feeling that you “overfeed” your skin with too much goodness.

An obvious minus with Kiehl’s and many other American brands is – that they are more expensive in Europe. The price in the US is completely ok but in Europe buying Kiehl’s is a bit of an extravagance.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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Revlon Eksperience Wave Remedy Anti Frizz Hair Cleanser Review

Pros:

Actually holds frizz down.

Cons:

You need a lot per use.

More:

I‘m currently on a bit of a break from my war on frizz – its been raining non-stop for 2 weeks in my part of the hood and I‘m exhausted from trying to keep my hair looking ok.  I have given up and am focusing all my love and selfcare on my face. But I still would like to recommend this shampoo which has been a good friend in my anti-frizz war (even though even this shampoo can‘t do anything when the rain pours down like it does right now). What I like about this shampoo is that its easy to use: easy to wash out of your hair, and doesn‘t make my scalp dry – which most other shampoos do. It also gives great subtle volume and most importantly – holds my frizz back from ruining my good hair days.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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Eucerin Aquaporin Active Cream Review

Pros:

Gives great hydration.

Cons:

No anti-wrinkle properties.

More:

This cream worked great for me – I have very dry skin, that likes to transform into oily skin (due to all the dryness) which causes huge break-outs. So my mission has been to find a cream which provides me with only moisture but no “fat”, and this cream does that for me.  It‘s very light in texture and can be used both during the winter and the summer, and I use it as a day and night cream (because I‘m on a budget).

This cream was one of my weapons when I decided to try to get rid of my break-outs/acne without medication. And it worked. I also used African black soap, the enzyme peel by Emma S and tea tree oil.

What are the minuses? The cream has no anti-wrinkle active ingredients, just pure hydration.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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Emma S Jasmine Facial Toner Review

Pros:

Keeps my skin hydrated whilst removing impurities.

Cons:

You need a lot per use.

More:

I‘m obsessed with facial toners – I still remember my first one – my skin never felt so clean. This toner smells lightly of jasmine and also contains cucumber (simplicity for the win). I really like how clean my skin feels after use (and I can see how much dirt and sun powder it gets off my face). Most importantly it doesn‘t dry out my skin, and leaves it feeling hydrated. A minus? You need pretty much per use, but the price is reasonable so it makes up for it.

Overall:

Value for money: 

Does what it promises: 

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