I've recently gone on an organic skin-care kick. I have extremely acne-prone, extremely sensitive combination skin. I've tried everything under the sun to help keep my high maintenance skin happy, and most all of them are chock-full of chemicals, most of which irritated and/or dried out me out. I figure that since I've gone the chemical route, I'll try the organic road.
While I was at home over the summer, I stopped by the local Elephant Pharmacy (these stores are fabulous, by the way -- like a Whole Foods without the food, and cheaper to boot!) and asked around after a cleanser that would help control sebum in my T-Zone without drying out my cheeks, keep my breakouts to a minimum, generally not irritate my skin, and not cost over $25. Picky, yes, but I've learned to be.
The SA took me all over the store, before finally asking a colleague's advice. The new SA lead me straight to the MyChelle skin care line. She recommended the Cranberry Cleanser, saying that she had been using it herself. Her skin was nice, but she promised me instant gratification, saying that cleanser would work quickly, keeping my skin clear and shine-free. I bought it with the guarantee that if it didn't, I could return it.
True to her word, within days, my skin was infinitely better -- not perfect, but great nonetheless. I wasn't oily, nor was I breaking out everyday. Plus, my skin was soft and smooth everywhere, not slick in the T-Zone and super-dry in the cheeks. Even more plusses: you only need the tiniest amount to cleanse the whole face, so it lasts months and it's inexpensive enough to be considered a bargain. I also didn't need any additional exfoliant; the cleanser was strong enough to keep my dead skin sloughed off.
I rarely ever re-purchase skin care product, simply because nothing works to the point of me wanting to stock up. MyChelle Cranberry Cleanser was the exception. Right before I returned to Hawaii, I bought another 4 ounce bottle.
The bottle does suggest that after the skin is nice and clear and no longer over-producing sebum, you should switch over to another of their cleansers. I didn't pay any attention, thinking that it was a gimmick to get you to buy more of their products. Sure they work, but I don't want a million little bottles lying around because they told me to buy more for whatever reason.
However, after going through one bottle, I've noticed my skin is considerably drier. Not necessarily tighter feeling, but my skin is dry to the touch and flaking quite a bit around the chin and mouth.
I've since given my beloved cleanser a break, and moved onto something gentler. The fact that it eventually dried out my skin doesn't give me enough cause to give it a bad review. Still highly recommended, especially if you break out with some frequency and/or have oily skin.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Lush Bath Bomb: Haagenbath
Until recently, I was pretty anti-bath. I'm not morally opposed to baths in any way; it's just that the work needed to have a bath -- cleaning the tub, trying to find the perfect water temperature, getting the right amount of bubble bath or bath salts -- never seemed worth it.
My cousin introduced me to Lush a couple of years ago, but I didn't really get into their products until just recently. A lot of their stuff seemed a bit ... useless, really, like body butters. I'm still not sure what their purpose is. Are they super-moisturising soaps? Lotions? See my point? They don't explain the vast majority of their product well enough to entice me to try them. Plus, they're exorbitantly expensive.
I once worked in a soap shop similar to Lush. We didn't have that whole "organic, good for you, good for the Earth" slogan going for us, but the idea was similar: handmade soaps and bath products that needed to be cut and weighed. I figured that since the stuff sold at my old store was useless crap, that Lush's would be as well.
I'm the first to admit that I was wrong.
Mostly.
Lush is like any other cosmetic brand: some products are overpriced, but work; others are overpriced and don't work; and still others are amazing, and thus worth the money.
I've tried a number of their products, and always checked the reviews on their website before purchasing. After trying my purchases, I would post my own reactions there, as well. Now, I figure since I have this blog lying around, I may as well use it for Lush reviews.
Bath Bombs are easily Lush's most frivolous product. Hunks of moisturiser, dye, and scent that you drop into water and watch float and fizz around the bath feels exactly like putting $5 into a shredder.
Many of the bath bombs claim to have special aromatheraputic qualities, and I've made my feelings about aromatherapy known in the past. A lot have other little "goodies" that are just plain ridiculous, and make me think that they're being catered to little children. Case in point: their Butterfly bomb, which has gauze butterflies hidden inside.
However, I've been taking baths more often, since we now have a seperate bath and shower stall, and I've realised that baths help me relax and soothe my chronic back and leg pain. Sure, I still have to work to run a bath, but right now, the ends justify the means.
Given that I've been taking baths with some regularity, I started purchasing Lush's Bath Bombs, just to see if they're worth having around.
In my earlier judgement of the bombs, I forgot one huge variable: the fact that I'm easily amused. No really, watching the bomb bump around the tub, fizzing madly is actually kind of mesmerising.
One of my favourite bombs was "Ne Worry Pas". The idea behind it was kind of shlocky: a little hole was drilled into the top, and you were supposed to whisper your troubles into the little hole -- called a "grotto" -- and watch the worries melt away with the little white ball. Are you rolling your eyes, too? Regardless, the scent was heavenly: soft, a little sweet and powdery with hints of citrus. The bath water turned a beautiful milky blue-grey from the dye in the ball.
I would buy multiples, and when stressed and unable to sleep, I'd drop a "Nes Worry Pas" into the bath and slip away, just like advertised.
I use the past tense because, for some unimaginable reason, Lush has decided to discontinue my favourite bath bomb. They've replaced it, along with other beloved bombs, with some truly inane ideas. One was the aforementioned "Butterfly", another is "Champagne Supernova" ()(which, in a genius move, releases confetti into the bath -- that's right, little soggy bits of paper into the water), and "Sugar Rush", which reeks of Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Another replacement is "Haagenbath", which is meant to evoke mint chocolate chip ice cream. I read the reviews with a jaundiced eye, but, for the most part, they were startlingly good.
Still bitter about the discontinuation of my beloved "Ne Worry Pas", I stopped by Lush to stock up before they ran out. While there, I was informed of their new "Naked" sale, and picked up a "Haagenbath" for free.
After marathon studying for my Physical Anthropology mid-term last night, I had a raging headache and my back was in screaming pain. Exhausted, but unable to rest, I decided to give the usurper "Haagenbath" a try.
I have to admit, I'm impressed. I was geared to hate it, but it was actually a pleasant bathing experience. I was unsure about a spearmint scented bath; I was worried that it'd be like dipping into a tub of Vicks.
Thankfully, I was wrong. This bomb has been shortlisted for one of my all-time favourites. The spearmint is not at all overpowering; on the contrary, it's light enough to be slightly sweet and very refreshing, but still strong enough to be noticed.
The bomb turns the bath water an unabashedly girly, frothy Barbie-pink. It also deposits about a ton and a half of cocoa butter, which is ... well, it really freaked me out when I first saw it. In keeping with the "mint chocolate-chip ice cream" idea, the bits of cocoa butter are actually chocolate brown -- it made me think that they actually had put bits of real chocolate into their bomb. Well, they hadn't, but there was so much moisturiser in the bomb that it made getting out of the bath a health hazard.
I highly recommend halving the bomb if you purchase one. The scent is nice and strong, and you'll still have more than enough moisturiser to keep your skin baby-soft.
Frivolity aside, Lush's bath bombs are delightful. Think of them as indulgences to heap upon your indulgences.
My cousin introduced me to Lush a couple of years ago, but I didn't really get into their products until just recently. A lot of their stuff seemed a bit ... useless, really, like body butters. I'm still not sure what their purpose is. Are they super-moisturising soaps? Lotions? See my point? They don't explain the vast majority of their product well enough to entice me to try them. Plus, they're exorbitantly expensive.
I once worked in a soap shop similar to Lush. We didn't have that whole "organic, good for you, good for the Earth" slogan going for us, but the idea was similar: handmade soaps and bath products that needed to be cut and weighed. I figured that since the stuff sold at my old store was useless crap, that Lush's would be as well.
I'm the first to admit that I was wrong.
Mostly.
Lush is like any other cosmetic brand: some products are overpriced, but work; others are overpriced and don't work; and still others are amazing, and thus worth the money.
I've tried a number of their products, and always checked the reviews on their website before purchasing. After trying my purchases, I would post my own reactions there, as well. Now, I figure since I have this blog lying around, I may as well use it for Lush reviews.
Bath Bombs are easily Lush's most frivolous product. Hunks of moisturiser, dye, and scent that you drop into water and watch float and fizz around the bath feels exactly like putting $5 into a shredder.
Many of the bath bombs claim to have special aromatheraputic qualities, and I've made my feelings about aromatherapy known in the past. A lot have other little "goodies" that are just plain ridiculous, and make me think that they're being catered to little children. Case in point: their Butterfly bomb, which has gauze butterflies hidden inside.
However, I've been taking baths more often, since we now have a seperate bath and shower stall, and I've realised that baths help me relax and soothe my chronic back and leg pain. Sure, I still have to work to run a bath, but right now, the ends justify the means.
Given that I've been taking baths with some regularity, I started purchasing Lush's Bath Bombs, just to see if they're worth having around.
In my earlier judgement of the bombs, I forgot one huge variable: the fact that I'm easily amused. No really, watching the bomb bump around the tub, fizzing madly is actually kind of mesmerising.
One of my favourite bombs was "Ne Worry Pas". The idea behind it was kind of shlocky: a little hole was drilled into the top, and you were supposed to whisper your troubles into the little hole -- called a "grotto" -- and watch the worries melt away with the little white ball. Are you rolling your eyes, too? Regardless, the scent was heavenly: soft, a little sweet and powdery with hints of citrus. The bath water turned a beautiful milky blue-grey from the dye in the ball.
I would buy multiples, and when stressed and unable to sleep, I'd drop a "Nes Worry Pas" into the bath and slip away, just like advertised.
I use the past tense because, for some unimaginable reason, Lush has decided to discontinue my favourite bath bomb. They've replaced it, along with other beloved bombs, with some truly inane ideas. One was the aforementioned "Butterfly", another is "Champagne Supernova" ()(which, in a genius move, releases confetti into the bath -- that's right, little soggy bits of paper into the water), and "Sugar Rush", which reeks of Fruity Pebbles cereal.
Another replacement is "Haagenbath", which is meant to evoke mint chocolate chip ice cream. I read the reviews with a jaundiced eye, but, for the most part, they were startlingly good.
Still bitter about the discontinuation of my beloved "Ne Worry Pas", I stopped by Lush to stock up before they ran out. While there, I was informed of their new "Naked" sale, and picked up a "Haagenbath" for free.
After marathon studying for my Physical Anthropology mid-term last night, I had a raging headache and my back was in screaming pain. Exhausted, but unable to rest, I decided to give the usurper "Haagenbath" a try.
I have to admit, I'm impressed. I was geared to hate it, but it was actually a pleasant bathing experience. I was unsure about a spearmint scented bath; I was worried that it'd be like dipping into a tub of Vicks.
Thankfully, I was wrong. This bomb has been shortlisted for one of my all-time favourites. The spearmint is not at all overpowering; on the contrary, it's light enough to be slightly sweet and very refreshing, but still strong enough to be noticed.
The bomb turns the bath water an unabashedly girly, frothy Barbie-pink. It also deposits about a ton and a half of cocoa butter, which is ... well, it really freaked me out when I first saw it. In keeping with the "mint chocolate-chip ice cream" idea, the bits of cocoa butter are actually chocolate brown -- it made me think that they actually had put bits of real chocolate into their bomb. Well, they hadn't, but there was so much moisturiser in the bomb that it made getting out of the bath a health hazard.
I highly recommend halving the bomb if you purchase one. The scent is nice and strong, and you'll still have more than enough moisturiser to keep your skin baby-soft.
Frivolity aside, Lush's bath bombs are delightful. Think of them as indulgences to heap upon your indulgences.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Breathe Deep Nourishment Body Cream
Bath and Body Works products tend to be a little hit, a little miss. Generally, the wide variety of scents ensures that someone will find a product pleasing to the nose, but the products themselves tend to be more on the Target side of quality, rather than L’Occitane. Gladly, prices tend to reflect this, making shopping at B&BW stores a guilt-free experience that serves to reinforce the adage “you get what you pay for.”
The "deep nourishment" comes from shea butter and a blend of oat extracts (which popular natural drugstore brand Aveeno uses frequently in their products) and antioxidants. Whether this "nourishing blend" actually improves skin beyond hydration, I can not attest to -- I've only been using the product a couple of days.
However, the cream is incredibly thick and hydrating. The texture is somewhat odd; it feels a bit like butter that's just been taken from the fridge. It's incredibly dense in the pot, almost to the point where I have to dig my fingers into the pot in order to retrieve any cream, rather than just running my finger along the edges. Thankfully, like butter, it melts -- as soon as it hits the skin, it sinks right in.
Breathe Calm: Deep Nourishment Body Cream feels absolutely wonderful on and the fragrance is soothing and pleasant. An added bonus: it is incredibly long-lasting! You only need the tiniest bit of this fabulously rich cream for maximum hydration.
Available at Bath and Bodyworks, retail stores and online.
Manderz
However, over the past few years, B&BW has sought to add more quality to their vast quantity of body care products. Stores have grown to accommodate tons of the hippest names in the body care industry: Fredrick Fekkai hair products; C.O. Bigelow Chemists, favoured New York "apothecary"; Mustela, the European answer to Johnson & Johnson, among others.
B&BW has been one of my favourite stops for cheap lotions and creams. I'm something of a lotion fanatic. I've been known to hoard half-full bottles and pots of varying scents and thicknesses -- gladly enough though, I've been known to use them all, however sporadically.
I'm also a rather enthusiastic proponent of aromatherapy; whether it really works or not depends on how willing one is to believe that sniffing lavender will make you feel tranquil, or grapefruit more awake.
Naturally, I was intrigued by Breathe, one of the many brands that has married aromatherapy and body creams. I picked up one of their Deep Nourishment Body Creams, touted as "calm", and scented with "tranquil lotus blossom".
The scent is simply lovely -- there is no other adjective that describes it. The "tranquil lotus blossom" fragrance is floral, but light and slightly powdery and sweet. It's unabashedly feminine, but the sweetness is far from cloying (really, it's just a hint) and the floral is equally far from being overwhelming. It is truly a relaxing scent. Breathe Calm doesn't have the longest lasting fragrance, however, which might be a problem for some.
The "deep nourishment" comes from shea butter and a blend of oat extracts (which popular natural drugstore brand Aveeno uses frequently in their products) and antioxidants. Whether this "nourishing blend" actually improves skin beyond hydration, I can not attest to -- I've only been using the product a couple of days.
However, the cream is incredibly thick and hydrating. The texture is somewhat odd; it feels a bit like butter that's just been taken from the fridge. It's incredibly dense in the pot, almost to the point where I have to dig my fingers into the pot in order to retrieve any cream, rather than just running my finger along the edges. Thankfully, like butter, it melts -- as soon as it hits the skin, it sinks right in.
Breathe Calm: Deep Nourishment Body Cream feels absolutely wonderful on and the fragrance is soothing and pleasant. An added bonus: it is incredibly long-lasting! You only need the tiniest bit of this fabulously rich cream for maximum hydration.
Available at Bath and Bodyworks, retail stores and online.
Manderz
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Johnson's Softlotion: 24 hour Moisturizer
Johnson & Johnson is known for its amazing baby products. I admit, I'm one of the many who scoured the baby aisle, buying products made for infants instead of the lotions and oils made for adults. J&J have mastered the art of super-light, perfect-for-sensitive-skin-yet-yields-amazing-results beauty product. Thankfully, they're transferred this art to their "adult" line.
I purchased the small size of Johnson's Softlotion 24 hour Moisturizer while looking for a new purse-size hand lotion. Living in Hawaii, there are few places for me to find really lovely lotions; I tend toward the more expensive, more foreign, lesser-name brands, which are pretty much non-existent here. I tend to view drugstore brands with some trepidation: from experience, you get what you pay for. Cheap prices usually equals cheap product.
Johnson's Softlotion 24 hour Moisture lotion is the exception to the drugstore rule.
Personally, I think the smell is wonderful: a light, sweet, cherry-vanilla. It fades quickly enough, so it isn't cloying, but I can see how this would be a problem for some.
The texture is quite nice. It's lighter than I'm used to, since I've been using creams rather than lotions. It's not sticky at all, which is an issue that I had with creams, especially those that are for very dry skin. Despite the lightness, it moisturises incredibly well -- if not for 24 hours, then long enough that you'd notice that you're putting less and less lotion on during the day.
This is a wonderful summer lotion option: it's light and incredibly softening; it's not at all sticky or greasy. All in all, highly recommended. I have a new favourite everyday hand lotion.
Manderz
Welcome to PrettyUp!
Test post!
I've developed an unhealthy obsession with bath and beauty products as of late. Normally this wouldn't be too big of an issue, but I rather enjoy reviewing the things I try: partially because I have a crap memory and am usually found contemplating things that I know aren't any good (I'm allergic to Burt's Bees, yet I keep having to convince myself not to buy their products); and partially because I'm afflicted by the notion that since I have a lot of things to say, that these things are important.
Either way, this serves as a place for me to write down all my thoughts about various beauty products. I'll probably put up a real review sometime soon.
Manderz
I've developed an unhealthy obsession with bath and beauty products as of late. Normally this wouldn't be too big of an issue, but I rather enjoy reviewing the things I try: partially because I have a crap memory and am usually found contemplating things that I know aren't any good (I'm allergic to Burt's Bees, yet I keep having to convince myself not to buy their products); and partially because I'm afflicted by the notion that since I have a lot of things to say, that these things are important.
Either way, this serves as a place for me to write down all my thoughts about various beauty products. I'll probably put up a real review sometime soon.
Manderz
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