23 May 2013

Product Spotlight - amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

I know I just received this in my Birchbox, but I need to tell you all about this great product. I am a very simple girl and don't bother much with hair products other than the usual shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo and hairspray. I don't care much for styling products or even oils, though I've been fortunate to try a handful thanks to my monthly sample subscriptions.

Image Source: loveamika.com


Anyway, today I'm featuring amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask. Okay, so you're probably going, "Wait, are you saying this is a hair mask?" Why yes, yes I am. It's kind of a weird thought right? How does a "hair mask" work anyway? I guess it's a bit misguiding, but it really is just a deep conditioner. We use masks on our faces so why not our hair? It needs some TLC too!

If you aren't already aware, I have these blonde panels underneath on both sides of my head. I wanted to look like Narcissa Malfoy so I asked my hairdresser, who happens to be a fellow Potterhead, to dye my hair like hers to which she enthusiastically obliged. Anyway, it's been nearly a year since I've had my panels. Everytime I go back, I just get them re-done and dyed even "blonder" so you can imagine how dry and gross they feel. It also tends to tangle quite easily.

To add to that nightmare, my once pin straight, smooth, fine hair is now wavy (just a tad) and coarse. Okay it's not that coarse, but it's just not as healthy as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, my hair is still in relatively good condition since I don't do much with the rest of it. But since my hair is no longer a "virgin" it doesn't have that healthy, shiny quality anymore. If I let my hair air dry, this is what it looks like, more or less:


Basically, I transform into Hermione Granger except I don't have to drink polyjuice potion. Granted that picture was taken after I had taken out some braids for an up do I was trying out, but it pretty much looks like this anytime I let it air dry and don't put any product in. If I sleep with damp hair, it's just madness. I guess I shouldn't do that and always blow dry it right after I've washed it, but I get really lazy. So cut to last night, when I decided to wash my hair. I whipped out my amika sample that I received in my May Birchbox and prepared for battle. They suggest washing your hair as you usually do and then applying the mask after like a regular conditioner and leaving it in for 2 to 5 minutes and I did just that. The mask is enriched with obliphica oil, from seabuck thorn berries, as well Moroccan Argan oil and Vitamin C. It is supposed to restore your hair's natural moisture leaving it shiny and new again.

I don't remember the smell being too strong or being unpleasant. I actually don't even really remember what it smells like, haha! If it's not terrible or overbearing, it will never really bother me. Anyway, the texture doesn't feel any different from any other normal conditioner. I've been using Blue Malva conditioner and everytime I've used it, it just makes my hair feel brittle. I mean I guess I shouldn't use it all the time since I think it's only meant to tone down any brassiness in your hair. Oh well. After rinsing out the amika mask, I instantly felt a difference. It just felt smoother and healthier. I again slept with damp hair because it was nearly 10:30 when I got out of the shower. I just couldn't be bothered anymore.

I wasn't expecting any results so quickly, but to my surprise, I woke up to nice, soft, bouncy hair. I was running late this morning, but I managed to take some pictures. Check them out:




That my friends was my hair this morning with just a quick blow dry. No flat iron or anything. I am just beyond amazed at the results. I woke up, looked in the mirror and was in shock. I mean, look at how shiny and straight it is! It is neither frizzy, poofy nor dull. It feels soft, but not weighed down. The ends of my panels weren't tangled and there were no odd kinks left from sleeping with damp hair. I may be jumping the gun, but the amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask just might be my new favorite hair product. I can't wait to continue using it. I really hope it restores my damaged hair and repairs my split ends.

Birchbox May.2013 - Beauty Diaries

Were it not for the Amika conditioner, I think I would've chucked this month's box in the garbage. But since I'm not a Wendy Waster, I am going to give it a chance.



Product List:
  • Isaac Mizrahi FABULOUS Eu de Parfum - I'm not that into perfume since I have the ones I like and I stick to it. And honestly, I've had it up to here with the Birchbox perfume samples. I'm not keeping this.
  • Coola Classic SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturize for Face - I will probably give this a try because I really like skincare products that are made with natural ingredients. It doesn't seem to be certified organic (which doesn't matter to me that much), but it does say "organic suncare" so it probably has some good stuff in it. And the fact that it's cucumber is tempting because I want to know how this will feel on my skin.
  • Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Black - This is like my 8th black eyeliner sample. Give me another color!
  • amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask - I've been dying to get my hands on ANY amika hair products and I'm glad I finally got one. My blonde panels are so dry and sad and need some TLC. Very excited to start using this.
  • Marvis Toothpaste in Classic Strong Mint - No.
  • Pilot Acroball PureWhite Pen - I guess this goes with the beauty diaries theme. The box came with a card that you're supposed to fill in, kind of like a mad libs thing. I wasn't into so I threw it away haha. But I'm keeping the pen. It's gel ink and it's the only type of pen I will write with.

21 May 2013

Ipsy Glam Bag May.2013 - Spring Fling

Heya! I am back from that random 2 week hiatus. I'm going to ease into blogging again with my monthly samples. This month's Ipsy Glam Bag is all about Spring... though it's nearly summer.


Product List:
  • Pacifica Bronzing Body Butter - I'm sure this is lovely as my last Pacifica lotion sample was amazing. However, since I'm not really into tanning (and already have tanning towelettes), this will be going to my lovely mother for our quarterly care package exchange.
  • Yaby Concealer Refill in Buff - Don't mind if I do. I have a ton of little concealers already, but I'm always down to try something new.
  • Zoya Nail Polish in Blu - This month's bag was very much hyped due to the fact that Ipsy was going to provide a full sized bottle of a Zoya nail polish. Zoya, by the way, is an excellent brand and I do highly recommend their nail polishes. This color is not exactly my style (and seriously I JUST bought an Essie one similar to this), but you will NEVER find me complaining about getting free nail polish.
  • Mirabella Lip Lustre Liner in Hypnotic - Going to mother. I'm sure it's fine, but I'm not a lip liner collector. In fact, I hardly ever use them.
  • Juice Beauty Reflecting Gloss in Pink - Juice Beauty is quickly becoming one of my favorite brands. This lipgloss is brilliant. In the words of another Juice Beauty Babe, "it's silky, not sticky." It also smells like candy which is a huge plus! I'll do a swatch soon.

This month's bag was pretty good. I'm a satisfied customer. Also, the bag is nice. I love the colors!

02 May 2013

Swatches - Topshop Lippies 2

I am spoiled, I really am. My mum mom is the best. Last month she sent me a package full of goodies, which included two Topshop lipsticks, a Topshop lip crayon, a sharpener, 2 Sleek BB Creams and a pair of black flats from Primark (I know I'm ridiculous). She loves me :)


The swatches I'm providing today are for the Topshop PH Reactive Lip Tint in Jewel (left) and the Topshop Matte Finish Moisturising Lipstick in All About Me (right).

Topshop PH Reactive Lip Tint in Jewel

The lip tint is supposed to adjust to an orange shade the best suits the color of your lips. Maybe I just didn't put on enough, but it didn't add a lot of tint to make it noticeable. The weird thing though is that when I wiped it off, it came out pink. Anyway, despite all of that, I actually really like it. I'm not one to always wear bold lips on a daily basis. I like to keep it very simple every now and then.

Topshop Matte Finish Moisturising Lipstick in All About Me

It's oh so very very pink and oh so very creamy. I was not disappointed. Seriously, they need to start selling Topshop make-up here in San Diego. The people* need to know about this stuff!

Alright, I've got a couple more on the way. Come back soon!


*people = mainly like my friends and stuff...

01 May 2013

Swatch - Covergirl LipPerfection Lipcolor in Divine

Hey! I am back with another lipstick swatch. Did you miss it? I kind of did :)



Today's swatch features Covergirl's LipPerfection Lipcolor in Divine. My friend Laura posted a picture of herself not too long ago and she was wearing this lipstick and just HAD to ask what it was. She pointed me in the direction of Covergirl, which is kind of unfamiliar territory to me. I don't use any Covergirl products simply because in the past they haven't been all that impressive (although I'm hearing marvelous things about the 3-in-1 foundation). However, since this looked so fab on Laura, I wanted to give it shot.


It's a lot more pink than I thought it was going to be and I thought it was going to be more like Sleek's Exxxagerate, but I actually don't mind. I don't have a shade like this at all.

There are a couple more swatches coming your way, which includes a mini Topshop haul. Stay tuned.




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