Discovery Product #3 BioFresh Rose of Bulgaria Nourishing Hair Mask

I have enjoyed this mask for awhile, but never got around to blogging about it, partly because it was already just a mess- like all products are when you leave them in the shower!



This is one of the products my sister picked up for me when she went to Bulgaria a few months back. Never knew but when she went there, people told her that Bulgaria was quite famous for their rose valley. So, naturally, she picked up these wonderful all organic, paraben-free rose products.

This nourishing hair mask from Biofresh is made with rose water, rose oil, macadamia oil... and a whole bunch of other intensely nourishing products.

I use it like a conditioner because I find it does not weigh down my hair at all. And goodness, it makes your hair feel so strong and healthy, it's just wonderful. In effect, since it makes your hair healthy, it brings the shine back to your hair. In fact, I found it to be so nourishing for my hair that when I went to curl my hair after I dried it, it was so hard to curl it!

It's wonderful, really. And the price is quite doable, although I'm not quite sure where you can get it in the US. I use it for about 15 minutes after squeezing the water out of my hair. I'm sure you can leave it on for longer, as I have, and it again does not weigh down your hair.

Here's further deets from them:

Description: Nourishing mask specifically designed to meet the needs of dry, damaged and split ends, damaged as a result of external aggressive mechanical and chemical influences - discoloration, perm, strong brush sunlight. 

Active ingredients:- Macadamia oil that nourishes and restores damaged structure.- Natural rose water, incredibly rich in substances that promote regeneration and enhancing the security features of the hair.- Wheat extract and D-panthenol, restoring its natural softness, smoothness and shine.The mask is suitable for professional use.

Leave a Comment biofresh, discovery product, hair care, hair masks, rose

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Antipodes. Aura Manuka Honey Mask

This is rising to the level of a must-have, staple skincare for me. Again, if you've read my recent blogpost, you'll know that I am going through some severe skin journey. Sigh. But, that aside. Let me tell you about this amazing mask that has been saving me the past few weeks.

It is the Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask. I actually bought this months... I mean, months ago. But, after using it once or twice, I decided it really wasn't worth all the hype (amongst British bbloggers, mostly).

How wrong I was, because when I picked this up again a few weeks back, I was taken aback by how amazing the results were!

Antipodes is a New Zealand certified organic and natural skincare line. This Aura Manuka Honey Mask can be used all over the face after cleansing and dried, or as spot treatment. I prefer to use this as a proper mask.

The results of using this was most definitely all of the following: brightening, calming, hydrating, and spot treatment. All four results were really obvious.

This really creamy smell glides on beautifully on the face. It doesn't set like some clay masks, but remains somewhat cream-like. You can then rinse it off with warm water and voila!

Here's what it says on their website:

The facial mask delivers a deeply moisturizing, cleansing and anti-oxidizing treatment. Fragrances of vanilla pod and mandarin linger to bring peace and balance to your aura – meaning you’re tending both your skin and your spirit.
Elements of Beauty: Manuka honey remedies skin by attracting moisture, premium pohutukawa antiozidants treat skin, fragrant vanilla pod and mandarin pacify and balance your spirit
Daily Ritual: Smooth thick layers of this creamy mask over your face and neck twice weekly. Leave for 15 minutes and rinse with warm and pure water. Also ideal for treating spots and blemished as they may arise.

I highly recommend this mask! So in love with it :) And I will restock for sure.

Leave a Comment acne, antipodes, brightening, honey, mask, natural, organic, treatment

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ByTerry Soyeux Waterproof Mascara. The Best Curling Wand

Thick straight lashes. Add volumnizing mascara to that, and any curling efforts you've done will soon turn to nothing. I always go for lengthening mascaras because they are excellent for keeping the curls and non-clotting effects. I find that volumnizing mascaras really weigh down the curls to the lash.

However, I never found any mascara that actually kept the curls all day. I've finished all of my sample mascaras like: Benefit "They're Real" and Laura Mercier mascara. I've been a fan of the Giorgio Armani Lengthening Mascara, but I'm done with that too. So, I decided to begin trying a new kind of mascara that was waiting to be tested!

It's the ByTerry Soyeux Waterproof Mascara No.1 that I had bought from Space NK in their once-a-year 80% off sale. It's not available anymore because it is out of stock, but you can check it out here: click here. It's original price is about $40 but I got it for a mere $5.85! Crazy, and so I had to put it in the basket, you know? If you're wondering, this sale was in the beginning of this year.

This literally keeps the lashes curled all day, and I'm talking all day. I take pictures and sometimes I am surprised to see the flirty lash look still on at the end of the day! It's pretty amazing since I had nothing that kept it on this well and this long.

It's also waterproof, so if you're one for those, this is great. I have to say though, that I loathe waterproof because it is such a pain to take off. Also, eye makeup doesn't budge on my eyes so I don't find waterproof necessary.

This mascara is also great for lengthening. I can't say it does a lot of volumnizing because the bristles don't get every single lashes. But,  the effect of lengthening is good enough for me!

I don't know if I'd repurchase this (let alone, is it still available?) for a heft price of $40 because though it's great for curling, I mean... $40 is quite a lot. But, if I ever do find it on sale again, for $6 then why of course! 

Do you have any recommendations for the best curling and keep 'em curled all day mascaras (that don't cost $40)? x

Leave a Comment byterry, mascara, space nk, spacenk, waterproof

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NEOM luxury organics candle.

I have been wanting a NEOM Luxury Organics 3-wick candle for the longest time, even before it took the beauty world by the storm. I first saw it on Tanya Burr's blog a way back when she first mentioned it. It seems that thereafter, people started talking on and on about them! Unfortunately, it was no way available to the US during that time. A patient 2-year waiting and finally, they ship to the US! Ever since I got a whole slew of their products, I have been using them endlessly, only falling in love with them a little bit more each time I use them.

What I love so much about NEOM candles, especially, and what they pride themselves for is that unlike most other candles, their candles do not burn with that black soot adding up on the rims and sides of the candle. It is made of pure essential oils and 100% natural vegetable wax. They burn cleanly and evenly. And because the scents are made of aromatherapy essential oils, they have a curing and healing effect on you!

I feel no concern when burning these candles. They are just marvelous.

The scent I am currently enjoying and loving is Refresh which is the smell of real Lemon, a fresh, juicy, non-synthetic version. It is coupled with clean Basil and it is meant to energize and enliven the body. It is said to be a perfect morning or pre-night out "pick me up". Perfect also for those overworked and over tired groggy sore-throat kind of days!

I can't say anything better about them because they are just marvelous. I do actually prefer NEOM candles over any other luxury candles because seriously, you feel the effect of aromatherapy and the way it burns, it just brings peace into this little life of mine.

They burn beautifully and you know how burning unnatural wax is quite harmful and not so great to your health? Well, you don't need to worry about that! When it burns you can see it burn like oil and I especially love the 3-wick home candles because it just looks prettier and the scent is that much stronger!

And guess what, Catherine Middleton herself is said to love NEOM products! That of course, makes everything better :)

Leave a Comment aromatherapy, candle, candles, essential oils, lemon, neom, organic

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The Topshelf.

Ever wondered what my Topshelf actually looks like? It's actually a double-Topshelf since a glass separates what's actually on top and what is displayed below. You can see some of my favorite items that I in fact frequently talk about. Fragrances are of course, a must. Need I mention Diptyque as my all-time favorite? Watch. It takes the largest and center position of it all! I have a few candles placed here and there, ones especially from Cire Trudon, Diptyque, Tocca, and Neom. I have a glass mirror box on the left side, holding some of my favorite jewelries from Catbird.

Below my glass cover are assortments of unopened boxes and opened treats that I like to leave on for display. A new collection piece is the Larsson & Jennings watch that I am absolutely loving right now. I also have a few grab-and-go essentials like my Tangle-Teasers and hair-curl things for quick fixes.

All of my makeup is stored in the drawers right below this topshelf. As for skincare, that's stored in another compartment. If you want to see a gist of the setup, you can watch My Makeup Collection video if you'd like! Here, I'm linking it down below:

Do you recognize any of the items?

2 comments byredo parfums, catbird, catbirdnyc, chanel, cire trudon, diptyque, jo malone, larsson and jennings, larssonjennings, this works, tocca, topshelf

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My Beauty Picks #3

I've decided. I'm going to call the "Recent/Current Favorites" posts I used to do, "My Beauty Picks" instead. That being said:

Recently, I have been loving a few oldies but goodies, and some new things I haven't featured a lot on my blog yet.

So here it is: Watch this video --> My Beauty Picks #3

Products mentioned in the video:

Nars "And God created the Woman"
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2013/10/and-god-created-woman.html

Nars Sin blush
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2012/11/plum-up-cheeks.html

Nars Laguna Bronzer

This Works Tinted Moisturizer
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2013/03/creating-solid-no-wait-flawless-base.html

Michael Todd's Charcoal Detox Gel Cleanser 
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2013/10/charcoal-detox-products.html

Mario Badescu Bee Pollen Night Cream
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2012/12/sleeping-in-radiance-mario-badescu-bee.html

Estee Lauder Maximum Coverage Double Wear
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2013/07/ranking-my-most-loved-foundations.html

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation

Ofra Universal Brow Pencil
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2013/09/discovery-product-2-ofra-universal-eye.html

Maybelline Dream-Lumi under-eye concealer
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2013/06/loving-drugstore-1.html

Diptyque Genevier Candle

Essie Bahama Mama
http://etherealellie.blogspot.com/2012/10/anybody-bahama.html

Butter London Nail Foundation

Seche Vite Top Coat

Leave a Comment butter london, candle, chanel, current favorites, diptyque, essie, estee lauder, mario badescu, maybelline, michael todd, my beauty picks, Nars, ofra, this works

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CHARCOAL = DETOX PRODUCTS

My skin has been horrendous this past month. It's hard to talk about skincare products when my skin goes through so many different stages and cycles. Sometimes the products that have worked wonders at a certain period stops working at a certain time. No clue why, but things like that happen. So, I do have set kinds of products I use for different stages of my skin's craziness!

This month, I have officially fell in love with Michael Todd's Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser. I went through two tubes of this but never featured it exclusively on my blog because though I liked it, I didn't really love it. That is... until now. I went off this cleanser for a few weeks, months. Then, when my skin was just hopeless I decided to do anything that would detox it and give it clarity.

Two days after I started using this cleanser, all my angry acne completely died down! Crazy, especially when I was doing so much to get my skin clearer. It was as simple as using this cleanser!

What I love about this cleanser is that it is a gel-form, not a foaming kind of cleanser. As you know, foaming cleansers aren't good for your skin. So, this gel cleanser doesn't foam as much but it does lather so well. Foaming and lather is quite different, so if you are worried that you'll need to use a lot to cover your face and wash it, don't worry about that. Really, it lathers up so well.

Also, it does a great job. Makeup and regular cleansing, without making it too parched up. It does erase my makeup, and I use it one more time after to get regular washing done. It does leave skin quite squeaky clean so I make sure to use a great moisturizer after.

In terms of detoxing the skin, I also love the Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask. Also, it is a great detoxing tool. Again, I featured this on my blog before so click here and check it out!

But in terms of which really worked miracles, it was definitely the Michael Todd's Charcoal Cleansing Gel.

1 comment charcoal, cleanser, detox, mask, michael todd, origins, skincare

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Returned Products #1 . Marc Jacobs

It may be another version of "disappointing products" kind of post, but I'll just call it "Returned Products" post because what's great about the beauty industry here is that they have great return services! Beauty products can really add up, and spending some few hundred dollars on them is a breeze. So, if ever I am disappointed with a product, I make sure to return them. Sometimes I miss the return term and keep them around, but that rarely happens.

The first of these series is unfortunately about a product I wanted to like. I read so many good reviews on this product, so I had hoped it would be good. I'm talking about the Marc Jacobs "Magic Marc'er Precision Pen". On Sephora it has a blooming 5-star rating, and I take those ratings seriously. Unfortunately, because Marc Jacobs beauty line is so new, all the beauty bloggers I always rely on hadn't written any reviews on their products. So, taking a leap of faith, I bought their liquid eyeliner and got a sample of their "Gel Volume Mascara".

So, in short here are the reasons why I ended up returning the item(s). Please remember that these are my preferences and opinion! They may just work for you... Anyway, to go on!

For the eyeliner:

• Because it is a gel formulation (so it says on the packaging) it is so wet. Most liquid products do not smudge on my eyes, but the dry time for this eyeliner is so long. I mean, I was fanning my eyelids so that the would dry. Before knowing that, I had a thick wet line above my eyes! 
• The finish. Too wet-looking. It almost looks plastic on the eyes, and it doesn't give a sophisticated look because it's too shiny.
• Something about the works of this isn't favorable. Perhaps it's too thin, although I've been a fan of thin brushes (CathyCat eyeliner) but the works of it is not the best of it's kind.
• When swatched, it does last all day, but I asked people around me to try this one out and it had smudging going on. (Flaking, mostly)

In terms of the mascara.

• Fall outs. Mascaras don't usually bother me much, but this one, by the end of the day was drying up and flaking all over and under my eyes.
• Again, because it's a gel-consistency, it is so difficult to take off! I don't go for waterproof makeup because I hate taking them off.
• The brush is hard to work with. 
• Again, that gel-formulation is just way too wet. Too much of a dry time!

Whew.

This all sounds negative, but they are my honest thoughts so I hope it helped you somehow. Again, they are purely my preferences so they may just work for you! Tell me what you think.

Leave a Comment cathycat, eyeliner, liquid eyeliner, marc jacobs, mascara, sephora

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Blue Raspberry by Bobbi Brown

Introducing a new (so much talked about) Bobbi Brown lipstick called Blue Raspberry with formulation of Creamy Lip Color that is actually the lipstick Katie Holmes wears in most of your photoshoots for Bobbi Brown. It's a nude slightly blue toned pink that transfers deeply yet very nudely... on the lips! It's a prettier when taken under flash or brighter light. 

Pigmentation is pretty intense but since the shade of this is such a natural color, I have no problem smudging this all over my lips! So, it is a bit thick but it is almost creamy as well. If you are one for tinted "nothing on the lips" feeling, this probably won't give you that, but it definitely won't dry out your lips so you can comfortably wear them all day.

Here are a few shots of me wearing the lipstick under different lighting.

I feel I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this because it is so natural! What are some of your favorite natural your lips but better shades? x

1 comment blue raspberry, bobbi brown, katie holmes, lipstick, natural, nude, pink

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