Dry & Damaged Hair Care Routine - Part 2 - After

The second part of this post has to do with my routine after washing my hair (you can find what I do prior to that here). The products that I have been using lately are the following:

Product No 2 - Schwarzkopf Professional BC Oil Miracle Barbary Fig Oil Conditioning Milk 

My latest purchase and favourite. It is a rich leave-in conditioning milk for damaged, dry and brittle hair (sounds like mine!) which helps to replenish moisture into it. This product does great work to me! I use it on towel-dried hair and makes detangling much easier (women with bleached hair know what I mean!). I definitely want to try the shampoo and mask from this series! 

You can get it from Ariane (Greece) for €12.81 or allbeauty (UK) for €9.82

Product No 3 - Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique 

What can we say more about Kerastase? It it a well known, much loved and of high quality brand. This is a heat-activated leave-in blow drying milk for weak and damaged hair. It protects the hair again the heat (up to 180C). My hair feels smoother and firmer after using it and most importantly it is protected from the every day torture. The price is quite high but we're talking about Kerastase.

You can find it on Ariane (Greece) for €19.50 or allbeauty for € 21.72 or Lookfantastic (UK) for €25.

Do you use any of these? What is your favourite heat protector?
Stay tuned for the final part, the finishing touches!

Dry & Damaged Hair Care Routine - Part 1 - Before

The last couple of years I've been playing with blonde highlights and I'm constantly seeking the best products to minimize the damage. Bleaching has made my hair dry and prone to breakage and split ends. Blow-drying makes the situation even worse. 

I've collected all the products that have been using lately and divided this post into 3 parts because initially was too long. I'll start with what I do prior to washing my hair. 

Product No 1 - Coconut oil

I'm talking about pure, organic, cold-pressed coconut oil. It is amazing and has many uses (blog post on its versatility soon!), but here I'll talk about the stunning work that does on my hair. 

When in hurry, I use it on its own prior to showering. I dampen my hair, apply it all over, massage the roots and leave it for as long as I can. It sounds greasy, but due to its low molecular weight it is absorbed quite quickly as it penetrates the hair shaft and helps the hair seal moisture in it. Moreover, it contains lauric acid which is a natural antibacterial/antifungal ingredient that can help sensitive scalps. 

When I have more time to make a proper mask, I like to add some more ingredients:

• raw honey - full of vitamins, helps to get your hair softer and your scalp moisturised,
• castor oil - fatty acids and vitamin E helps hair to grow faster and roots get nourished. It also helps scalp fight dandruff and bacterial/fungal infections.

Here's the recipe (adjust the dosage depending on hair length and quality - mine is long and thick).

1/3 cup of organic raw virgin cold-pressed coconut oil 
1/3 cup of raw honey
1/2 tbsp castor oil
glass mixing bowl
pan

• Warm (not boil) the coconut oil (tends to solidify below 22 degrees Celsius) and the honey using bain-marrie
• Add the castor oil
• Detangle your hair and dampen it
• Apply the mixture and wear a towel or a shower cap
• Leave it for at least an hour
• Wash and give extra rinse
• Ta-daa! Amazing, softer, nourished, shiny hair!

My favourite coconut oil is Biona. You can find it on biotevma for €12.63 and €3 shipping cost (Greece) or on Amazon (UK ) in 400gr for £8.88 and 800gr for £13.45. 

Have you ever used coconut oil on your hair? What's your opinion? 
Stay tuned for the second part of my hair care routine!

ZOEVA Brushes - A new addiction

A few months ago, my sister brought me a much wanted gift from her short trip to Germany. Yes, I'm talking about ZOEVA brushes! ZOEVA is a successful German cosmetic brand whose founder Zoe Boikou is Greek (somehow we Greeks manage to thrive abroad). Its name comes from the words ZOE (life in Greek) and EVA (the first woman). I have been watching my favourite bloggers and vloggers using these brushes for quite some time now and I couldn't wait to lay my hands on them.

The 230 / Luxe Pencil (€7.80) is ideal for precise shading, covering up and smoothing edges in the eyelid crease or along the lash line. Thanks to its triangular shape and compact natural synthetic hair mix, it absorbs excess colour and applies it evenly and precisely. This is the perfect brush to create a sexy under-eye smoky look or smudging your eyeliner. Dupe to Sigma E30 pencil brush ($14-18).

The 227 / Soft Definer (€7.80)  enables soft and smooth blending with an ease of application. It provides every eye makeup with a super soft finish. It is perfect for blending and shading loose and mineral eye-shadows. This brush is a much cheaper dupe for MAC 217 (€22) but of equivalent quality.

The 126 / Luxe Cheek Finish (€14.80)  has a blend of exquisite natural and synthetic hair. It is perfect for a finishing touch, since its dome shaped flat head achieves a beautiful blending of the blush. 

I really liked these brushes and I would love to buy some more in the future, since they are great value for money even with the shipping cost (€7.50 for Greece). Have you tried any of them?

Diego Dalla Palma La Vie En Beige Eye Shadow Palette

I haven't written for a while since the economic and political situation in Greece is really critical. However I feel that I can't watch any more news so I it's time for a new blog post.

In my recent trip to Cyprus I bought some beauty products (more reviews soon) and among them is the La Vie En Beige palette from Diego Dalla Palma. Diego Dalla Palma is an Italian cosmetic brand that I wasn't familiar with and to tell you the truth I don't buy products from brands I don't know without doing a thorough research first. However, the fact that it is a nude eye shadow palette with four amazing matte and two satin colours was enough to convince me on the spot. I love matte colours especially during the winter and this palette has a very carefully selected colour combination.

The packaging is very practical, a white solid plastic compact case with the logo in the front, quite light and definitely very handy for travelling. It also has a large mirror, for on the run touch-ups. 

The colours in the palette are: 

1 matte mocha, 2 satin tobacco, 3 matte terracotta, 
4 matte apricot, 5 matte beige, 6 satin ivory. 

As you can see from the swatches the colours have a really good writing effect and I can promise you the duration is excellent (always use an eye primer). 

P.s. Bear in mind that I am super tanned :) 

Satin ivory is an excellent colour to highlight the area under your brows and the inner corners of your eyes and matte terracotta is an excellent transitional colour. Matte apricot can give great warmth and with matte mocha and satin tobacco you can create a very natural and sophisticated smokey look. 

I have been using this palette for the last 3 weeks and I am very satisfied with it. The combination of the colours will suit perfectly brown and green eyes. The shadows are silky and easy to blend and the pigmentation (which is higher in darker colours) is really good. For €6 per shadow (total €36) I think the price is quite normal. You can find the palette in Beautyline stores (Cyprus) or online at the official website of Diego Dalla Palma. 

Do you own any beauty products from Diego Dalla Palma? What's your favourite? 

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush VS beautyblender

I am a fan of a flawless skin base and my research for the best application tool was a never ending battle. Until I met F80 Flat Kabuki Brush from Sigma Beauty and beautyblender.

The F80 Flat Kabuki Brush has a flat top head with really dense and soft synthetic fibers. It is recommended for applying and blending liquid and cream products to flat areas of the face such as the forehead and cheeks.

I have used the F80 Flat Kabuki Brush quite a long time now and I have to say it does what it promises. It gives you that flawless finish without any streak marks or cakey patches. Instead of picking the liquid foundation with the brush, I usually apply small dots on my face and blend it with the F80. The dense bristles tend to absorb quite a lot of product and that way the waste is minimised. I totally love the finished result and the fact that I don't need a lot of time buffing it. The only downside is that F80 needs a little bit of extra time cleaning it due to its dense fibers. Remember to always let your brushes dry with the bristles down and never use a hairdryer. Just let them dry naturally.  

The beautyblender came to my hands lately and it has amazed me. I have watched so many youtubers using it so I had to try it myself. I bought the black one which is designed for professionals just because I like the colour more than pink (great reason).

   

Beautyblender sponges should be used damp with liquid products in order to absorb the excess product and dry with minerals and powders. Its egg shape has multiple uses, the round surface for tapping the liquid/cream products onto your face and the pointed one for under-eye concealer or the sides of your nose. In order to distribute the coverage evenly you can roll the sides of the beautyblender. If you have long nails you should be extra careful because it's very soft and you might tear it. Cleaning the beautyblender does not really differ from other brushes, just soak it in water, use a mild shampoo/brush cleanser and rinse. Let it dry naturally.
 
The final verdict. I love both of them! Achieving an airbrushed and flawless look is no more a privillege of professionals.They both deserve the investment and hype. You can find the F80 Flat Kabuki Brush on Sigmabeauty and the original beautyblender on Sephora or online on BeautyBay.

What's your favourite application tool? I'd love to know!

  

Is Fillerina the new at-home Botox? Oh, yes!

When my pharmacist called me and asked me to try an impressive innovative product I could never imagine that we were talking about THE product of the year. 

Labo, a Swiss company, has been conducting research towards finding a cosmetic method of filling the wrinkles through hyaluronic acid, for 5 years. Fillerina, introduced in 2012, is a filler treatment to be used in 14 days at the comfort of your own home.  I had the opportunity to try out this product and review it for you!

The kit contains:

• 14 doses (2ml) of Gel Filler
• 14 doses (2ml) of Nourishing Film
• 2 Precision Applicators (the ones that look like syringes)

and it is for external treatment.

Fillerina comes in three different grades to suit different skin needs:

• Grade 1 - for fine lines and minimal sagging of the oval of the face
• Grade 2 - for visible lines and moderate sagging 
• Grade 3- for deep lines and very noticeable sagging.

How it works: 

After cleansing your face thoroughly, you pump 2ml of the Gel Filler into the Precision Applicator and apply it on the wrinkles on your face, neck and eyes, and around your lips. You leave it there for about 10 minutes and then you gently pat the excessive product until it is absorbed. After that, you apply the Nourishing Film onto the skin by massaging it, making sure all the nourishing substances are taken in, leaving it smooth and hydrated. The amazing part is that the product contains six different types of hyaluronic acid, and not only does it fill your expression lines and wrinkles but it also plumps the areas in need of greater volume, such as your lips and cheekbones! To help the product function better and maximize the results, you are advised to drink 2 glasses of water prior use. 

My experience:

When the beauty expert applied the product on my face, I was a bit scared since it gave me a sense of tingling and slight burning especially around the eye and lip area. I was assured that it was normal and fortunately I didn't have any reactions, so it must have been the active ingredients working! A whole dose of the Precision Applicator was a bit too much for my face since even though I am almost 34 I don't have any wrinkles, just some fine expression lines - thank goodness! So, the excessive product, as it couldn't be absorbed, started "flaking off" and believe me, you don't want that look on day time. Thus, if your areas of application are not that many, you can go down to 1.5 ml in each dose or even lower (that way the product is going to last longer too!!). Moreover, I would advice you to use it at night, when we usually have more time to pamper ourselves anyway.

My verdict:

I was really impressed with the results. The fine lines around my eyes became noticeably smoother and my lips plumped up, with just one application. I believe that following a regular treatment, the results will be more permanent - after all the company promises a six-month lasting effect. So, with instant and effective long-lasting results, at the comfort of your own home and with no pain? Well, it seems to me it's worth the try! 

You can find Fillerina in selected pharmacies from €60 - €80 depending the grade. 

PS. I would like to apologise that I totally forgot to take step by step pictures of the process due to the excitement, so some of the pictures are from the web.

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Arcaya Dermapur Serum & Hyaluron Ampoules

I am one of those people, who no matter how much I love being pampered at a beauty center, I don't do it that often. I have always tried to find quality skincare products to cover this and believe me Arcaya can surely substitute for your missed spa facial treatments! 

Their Dermapur Serum, provides a deep cleansing and purification thanks to its unique biological enzymes. I have been using it for about a month now and I can definitely claim that it does work! I have been suffering from blocked pores and black pimples pretty much all over my life and it's the first time I have seen them diminishing.

I use it 3-4 times a week on a clean and dry skin. I apply the content of one pipette mostly on my T-zone and massage it gently, avoiding the eye area. (If you have an oily skin you may use 2-3 pipettes).  I leave for 5-10 minutes (sometimes more doing housework) and then wash it away without rubbing my face. My pharmacist told me that I might get some tingling but I've never felt it. The amazing part is that the pore contents get flushed out and your skin is super clean and ready to absorb your serum and cream. The whole experience is incredible, you get the feeling of a professional deep enzyme cleansing in the comfort of your own home with amazing results, in less time and at a very good price! So, it's undeniably a win-win! 

I purchased the Dermapur Serum in a limited edition promotion package with a kit of 5 different Ampoules 2ml each and a €5 off coupon for my next purchase. The kit contains a Crystal ampoule for a firming effect that can immediately erase sings of aging, a Caviar ampoule for demanding and mature skin, an Hyaluron ampoule for deep hydration, a Quick Lift ampoule for immediately visible and tangible lifting of the facial contours and a Multi-Vitamin ampoule for intensive immune protection of the skin. 
(In the photo down below the Caviar ampoule is missing.)

I immediately tried the Hyaluron ampoule since my skin was quite dehydrated from the harsh weather conditions, and was in need for something drastic. I use it everyday and apply it like a serum before my moisturiser. It claims to store moisture and prevent loss of fluide, which enables rapid and sustained firming of the skin and optically "fill in" wrinkles and lines for immediately visible success. At first I was disappointed as I didn't quite feel my skin hydrated. I thought after applying it I would have a sense of freshness and moist on my skin. However after a few days my skin looked brighter, smoother and plumped up. After using the samples I purchased the Hyaluron ampoules and it has become a must-have in my daily beauty ritual. 

You can find the Arcaya products in Greece distributed by Neobeauty Cosmetics in selected pharmacies at a very good price. The Dermapur Serum costs about €20 (try to find the promotion kit to get the €5 off your next purchase!) and the Hyaluron ampoules about €28. 

I can't wait to read your comments on these amazing products!

My La Roche Posay sensitive eyes favourites

Three years ago, I decided to wear - for the first time in my life - a pair of lashes. At the same time I wore a friend's mascara (please don't do that since mascara brushes carry lots of germs). The result? From the next day I suffered from a major allergic reaction that resulted in losing 5-6 lashes from each eye everyday. 

There is no point to reveal the brands of the products since I don't think that it will do any good. It might have been the mascara, or the glue or the lashes themselves or the combination of all of them..Who knows? The point is that I was devastated.. I started avoiding make-up around the eye area - not only mascara, but eye shadows and eye liner as well, since even with gentle demaquillage the result was the same. This situation lasted more or less six months..The process was difficult, however I discovered some really great products that I still use till now in fear of happening again. 

I'll start with the products discovered recently and soon a second post will come. I was in need for a really gentle eye make-up remover for quite a long time and believe me, I tried quite a few. Eventually my eyes laid on La Roche Posay Toleriane Eye Make-Up Remover.

It comes in 30 sterile single doses of 5ml (how handy for travelling!) and each dose is enough to do both eyes. It is designed for intolerant and very sensitive eyes and is even suitable for contact lens users. It has no perfume, no preservatives and no parabens. I use it every time I want to take off my eye make-up. I soak two cotton pads and then press them onto my closed eyelids and leave them there for about 30 seconds. I find this softens the mascara and "absorbs" the excessive make-up. Then I pat them and wipe them gently without rubbing and ta-da! The make-up and most important the mascara, is gone! 

Bear in mind that the skin around the eye area is very delicate and by rubbing it may result in premature aging of the area! (This is so going to happen someday we don't want to have our hands on it too!!) The only thing that might keep some of you off is that it isn't suitable for waterproof make-up. I bought it from pharmacydiscount.gr for €8.29.

So, not only had I a problem in choosing an eye make-up remover but a mascara too. When La Roche Posay announced a couple of years ago a new mascara for sensitive eyes I knew I had to buy it. Since then, Respectissime Ultra Doux became a must-have in my cosmetic bag. 

Its 94.8% natural formula fulfils the needs of utra-sensitive eyes for absolute tolerance and safety. It is enriched in Argan oil and Shea butter which leaves lashes soft and nourished. It is a great mascara for a morning look since the slim brush defines every single lash there - even the tiny ones - giving you a natural result without overloading clumps. Its thin buttery formula gives you the opportunity to build-up more coats that will add more length than volume. 

I adore the fact that even when it dries the feeling is still soft and comfortable. Moreover, it goes off super easy without any fuss! The only thing I don't like is that the wand is quite long which is not that handy for me and that it is only 5.9 ml. It cost me €12,81 from pharmacydiscount.gr .

I definitely recommend these products for anyone in need of a gentle eye make-up remover and a natural ingredients mascara. Both these products work and would suit anybody, not just people with sensitive eyes.

Have you tried them yet?

Apivita Natural Serums - A must have!

Apivita Natural Serums - A must have!

Well, I have these beauties in my hands for some time now but I really want to try skincare products at least a couple of months before I review them. I bought them in sets of two at a very good price. 

I used only three of them since I feel my face is not in need of a firming effect yet, so I gave the brown bottle (lifting serum with royal jelly and vitamin A) to my mother. For the last couple of months I have been using the green one (radiance) in the mornings just before my moisturizer, the blue one (hydration) at nights before my night cream and the red one (line reducer) twice a day on my eyes and a couple of fine expression lines. 

My verdict? LOVE LOVE LOVE! Where should I start? From the packaging that gives you the feeling of a very luxurious product before you even open it? From the fact that they're so lightly fragrant, all three of them smell so fresh (my favourite is the green one!). From the texture which feels so soft on the skin? Apivita has produced miracles in a bottle! 

The one in the green bottle is a natural serum for radiance with bilberry, vitamin C and consists of 96% natural ingredients. It reduces any discolorations, brightens and improves the overall homogeneity of your skin. It also provides the skin with powerful antioxidant protection and maintains the vitality of the cells. It is my favourite since my skin feels and looks so healthy and fresh every time I wear it! Secret tip? Mix 1-2 drops with your foundation before you apply it for a more luminous and dewy effect! 

The natural serum in the blue bottle is for hydration, with aloe and hyaluronic acid. With 98% natural ingredients in its consistency, it hydrates your skin in depth in all layers. It promises to immediately increase the moisture on the skin up to 63% and maintain the hydration for 24 hrs. In my case however, I feel that I needed to re-apply a few drops in the morning after my cleansing routine, especially on those really cold days. 

The red bottle is a line reducer that offers anti-wrinkle protection thanks to resveratrol, vitamin E and 94% natural ingredients. It enhances the youthfulness of the skin, offers antioxidant protection and reduces the depth of the wrinkles. Having sensitive skin and some fine lines from the contractions of muscles, I feel this serum activated all the mechanisms towards a more rejuvenated appearance. 

A considerable advantage is that all Apivita's natural serums are free of parabens, silicons, propylene glycol, mineral oils, phthalates and are dermatologically tested. 

Overall, I believe Apivita's natural serums helped my skin stay healthy after the excessive sun exposure, the poor nutrition, the high stress levels I have been experiencing lately and the harsh weather conditions during the cold winter months. So it's a major YES from me!

Have you tried any of them?