My 2014 Favorites PART 1: Hair Products

ALL ABOUT HAIR!

I had so many products to choose from (other product fiends would understand) but these were my favorites from the lot! How I chose? It wasn't on whether I emptied it out (some products I loved I even used judiciously). I picked the following because of how much I enjoyed using them and/or how well it worked. These were products that I craved for, I relied on or reached for when I was on auto-pilot. For a quick run-through, read on: )

SHAMPOO

Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvinating Shampoo

*tamed, frizz-free, shiny hair even without conditioner

*pleasant scent

-not easily available here in Manila 

-a bit pricey  (35 Sing or roughly USD 29)

Big Sea Salt Shampoo by Lush

*clarifying and volumizing without the frizz

*hair does not feel stripped

*can skip the conditioner

*loved the feel of the salt scrubbing my scalp

*refreshing scent

-a bit pricey 

Zenutrients Natural and Organic Scalp Care Shampoo (Tea Tree)

*clarifying without stripping

*can skip the conditioner

*gives a refreshing, minty, tingly sensation to my scalp

*perfect for washing oils off quickly

*-fairly inexpensive for a certified natural and organic product

-scent does not stay 

CONDITIONER & MASK

Happy Happy Joy Joy by Lush

*scent is divine!!!

*scent throw is strong and hair stays fragrant for 3 days!

*always gets good attention

*tames hair without weighing it down

-very pricey! (PHP595 or USD13 for 50 grams, PhP725 or USD 16 ofor 100 grams and PhP1750 or USD 39 for 500 grams)

Veganese by Lush

*hair is bouncy, soft and shiny

*conditions hair without weighing it down

*smells great

*a vegan product

-pricey 

-faint scent 

Macadamia Natural Oil Moisturizing Rinse

*hair is bouncy and shiny

*conditions hair without weighing it down

*pleasant scent

-not easily available here in Manila 

-pricey (43 Sing or roughly USD 35)

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

*consistently revives over-treated hair, scraggly hair

*can be used as a normal conditioner (need not stay on too long)

*pairs up beautifully with ANY shampoo

*hair is bouncy and shiny

*conditions hair without weighing it down

*hair ends look especially tamed with this product

-not easily available here in Manila 

-pricey (54 Sing or around USD 45)

DRY SHAMPOO

 Aerosol-Free Klorane Dry Shampoo in Oat Milk

*can stretch shampooing comfortably up to 4 days

*powder residue washes off relatively easily (as compared to Dove’s Dry Shampoo)

*scent refreshes hair but does not compete with other fragrances

*gives hair texture, volume and grit 

*aerosol free is environmentally friendly

*in-flight friendly; love travelling with this one; perfect for long haul flights that bring out my oiliest scalp and hair (even if freshly washed!)

-dispersing product by squeezing is not so convenient and makes for patchy distribution through hair 

-not easily available here in Manila 

-a bit pricey 

Klorane Dry Shampoo in Oat Milk Aerosol Can

*can stretch shampooing comfortably up to 4 days

*powder residue washes off relatively easily (as compared to Dove’s Dry Shampoo)

*scent refreshes hair but does not compete with other fragrances

*gives hair texture, volume and grit

*aerosol upside: very convenient to use daily and makes it easy to disperse product easily through hair

-downside: not environmentally friendly 

-not easily available here in Manila 

-a bit pricey (if purchased locally, costs PhP850 or USD19)

-not in-flight friendly

Beauty Formulas Dry Shampoo

*the cheapest dry shampoo I have purchased (PhP90. or USD 2)

*works almost as well as the Klorane

*stretches shampoo time comfortably up to 4 days

*gives hair texture, volume and grit 

*gives perfumed hair (which can be a downside sometimes as it competes with other fragrances)

*readily available in our local grocery store (Robinsons)

*aerosol is not environmentally friendly

-more residue build-up than Klorane but can easily be washed 

-quality control of this product is not so strict: got a can without its spout—had to borrow from Klorane) 

THERMAL PROTECTION

Got a good hoard going!

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray

*leaves no gunk on any of the hot tools

*scent is pleasant which dissipates fast

*does not weigh my hair down

*hair feels less dry, tired and stripped after shampooing, when used during heat styling (as compared to using other heat protectants)

*nozzle spray is environmentally friendly

*nozzle spray is convenient and disperses product evenly (no more sticky, messy hands—as opposed to heat taming balms)

*screw top makes it easy to open and decant product into small spritzers for travel

*cheap compared to others (purchased at Target for USD 3)

*now readily available in the supermarket but a bit more expensive

HAIRSPRAY

 

Tresemme Salon Finish Hairspray in Extra Hold

*reasonably priced

*delivers on “extra-hold” claim

*no crunchy, flaky hair

*lightweight! can keep teased hair in place!

*love the in-flight travel size the best

*spray delivers a fine even mist

*scent does not get me gasping for air

-aerosol cans are not environmentally friendly 

HAIRGEL

Splash Control Styling Gel in Strong Hold Clear

*will always be my lifetime favorite

*scent is great

*keeps baby hair in place

*gives understated sleekness (as opposed to super wet look)

*the squeezable bottles can be squeezed effortlessly

*can brush through hair without it getting flaky

*comfortable to use: no crunchy, gummy, sticky hair

*if in a rush, hands can just be wiped dry after application

*very, very cheap!

*because it’s cheap, I don’t feel bad keeping a bottle everywhere: cars, bathroom, bag, dresser, desk drawer, gym bag

*available even in 7/11 stores in the provinces!!!

 (PHP20.0 or less than $0.50 cents for 50 grams)

ARGAN OIL

The Souq Organics Moroccan Argan Oil

*not sticky at all

*nourishes and tames ends

*easily absorbed by the hair and does NOT make it oily

*makes a remarkable difference in the health of hair (it’ll be undeniably clear)

*excess product I like using for my hands and other parts (excluding the face as this broke me out really badly; did not do anything for fading of scars)

*100% pure argan oil 

*scent dissipates quickly

*locally available

-they changed the packaging from the dropper (I loved!) to the pump which leaks and dispenses too much product 

-expensive (PhP1,500 or USD 33)

Pure Bliss Liquid Gold

*a cheaper alternative to Souq’s with only a subtle difference in smell and texture (PhP1,100 or USD 25)

*a bit sticky to the touch but the feeling goes away as it gets absorbed

*takes longer than Souq’s to be absorbed by the hair but nonetheless gets absorbed

*clearly nourishes hair

*excess product I like using for my hands and other parts

*certified organic

*100% pure argan oil 

-pump dispenses too much if not controlled properly (but at least it does not leak as it dispenses, like Souq’s) 

-locally available but only at Skin Station branches

Review: Ro's Argan & African Paradise Body Conditioners by Lush

REPURCHASE?

Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner 250 ml, PhP 1250 (listed it the US website at USD32.95). Made in Japan. YES!!!!! And I have been and will most definitely continue repurchasing. This is a Holy Grail product for me.

African Paradise 250 ml, PhP1595 (Listed in the US website at USD39.95). Made in England. Yes, for moments when Ro’s Argan is unavailable or when I outgrow the scent of Ro’s Argan.

EASE OF USE:

After soaping, scrubbing and rinsing, I follow up with this. I don’t use this on days when moisturizing exfoliators are used (Burt’s Bees Sugar Scrub or The Body Shop’s Shea Body Scrub). It seems such a waste to moisturize on top of moisturized skin---and besides, in this case, the scents in the exfoliating scrub and the body conditioner usually just cancel out each other.

I scoop about half a tablespoon for each of my legs, a tbsp  (and a half at times) for my upper torso and a scoop for my entire backside. I love spreading this stuff from my neck down to my tippy toes! Then I rinse off—just like you would after soaping. This leaves your body feeling greasy…hyper-moisturized and looking slick—even after toweling off. I call this the “greasy phase.” But this feeling does not last long. Give it time to be sopped off by your skin. This usually happens, at least for me, at about the 20 to 30 minute mark. An additional step I find myself doing before stepping out of the shower is soaping my hands to get the thick greasy feeling off of it. I feel that the oils would interfere with makeup application.

SIMILARITIES:

Both Ro’s Argan and African Paradise are beigy-cream colored body moisturizers with the texture of yogurt. Spreads like yogurt on your skin, too. They are both easily spreadable on your wet skin. African Paradise, however, I find a teeny bit thicker in feel.

Top: African Paradise, Bottom: Ro's Argan

Both leave my skin moisturized and perfumed. I feel like a grease-ball after rinsing and even after toweling off BUT after about 20 to 30 minutes, the “grease” gets absorbed leaving smooooooth, lightly perfumed skin until day’s end with Ro’s Argan and about 2 hours for African Paradise. No need to re-apply lotion mid-day. Both make my skin glisten with a healthy sheen right after but the glow leaves after the oils get absorbed.

Both Ro’s Argan and African Paradise I feel are full of intense moisturizing oils that penetrate my extremely dry skin leaving it conditioned and hydrated for an extended period of time. I used Ro’s Argan for an 18 hour flight to a much, much, co-co-colder country and guess what, skin was still great. Tried scratching my name on my shin and it didn’t show through. (It was at this point that Ro’s reached HG status for me). My arid skin, the driest patches found on my knees, elbows and shin where they tend to be flaky and looking chalky, are dealt with effortlessly by Ro’s Argan and African Paradise.  Looove how this delivers effortlessly unlike lotions or oils which almost always require multiple re-application throughout the day.

These Lush pots do not perform in the same manner as Body Butters (of The Body Shop), too. The difference being my skin retains that slick feel and sheen that the butters give. I personally prefer the feel that Ro’s Argan and African Paradise give me. They moisturize deeply and yet it feels so light on the skin (my skin can breathe) that after the initial hour, save for the lingering scent, you forget that you’re deeply and richly moisturized.

DIFFERENCES between RO’S ARGAN & AFRICAN PARADISE:

Obvious differences: price, listed ingredients (see pictures below) and the scent.

Formulation and Feel

Aside from the obvious, there is a very subtle difference between the two formulations. Ro’s Argan spreads out thinly. And like a said earlier, African Paradise has a thicker feel to it. Once rinsed off, both leave your skin feeling the same way.

Longevity of Scent

African Paradise does not last beyond 2 hours for me whereas Ro’s stays with me a loooong time. The scent of Ro’s Argan stays on my skin until the tenth hour even when it has not been layered with Rose Jam.

HOW I USE[D] THEM:

Caveat before anything (this is where the lawyer side of me rears its ugly head): I may have used this for hair as well but Lush only suggests using this as a rinse off body conditioner or body melt.

In-shower Body Conditioner

Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner and African Paradise Body Conditioner are body moisturizers that you use while you are in the shower. It’s like hair conditioner but for the body so it needs rinsing off pretty much they way we do with hair. I always do this when it is cold so I do not have to suffer through more cold drying myself off and putting on moisturizer.

Bath Melt

Lush says it can be used as a bath melt, too. Did this once only and will not use it in this manner again. It is such a waste! I had to use soo much of the product into the bath water that I shuddered every time I got a scoop! Depending on how much you add, it does turn the bathwater milky—ish. I felt bad when I drained the bathwater. It did soften my skin and ever so slightly perfumed my skin. The “greasy phase”, which I talk more of above, gets skipped. However, it did not stave off dry skin until the end of day.

Body Lotion

I use both African Paradise and Ro’s Argan as normal lotion. This happens when I forget to take it off the bathroom shelf to bring it in the shower with me. I even use less of the product when I use it this way. I enjoy re-applying Ro’s Argan this way because the fragrance is just sooooo lovely and I want to add to the strength of it. “More is not enough” comes to mind.

  

Hair Perfume/Smoother

I love using it as a defrizzer at times. It locks baby hair in place. I smooth it on my ends and my hair doesn’t look like it has anything to complain about. My full head of hair is sooo perfumed. Haahaha. I try not to use it too much though—just on those days when I want to smell especially rosy! 

Hair Conditioner

Twice when I picked Rose Jam (also by Lush: a gel for body and hair that uses the same scent as Ro’s Argan) as my shampoo, I followed it up with Ro’s Argan as conditioner! It wasn’t difficult to apply. It almost gave me the same slickness I get when using ordinary hair conditioner. It wasn’t difficult to comb through my wet hair. However, my hair dried down straight to End-Of-Day-2 Hair. It wasn’t greasy or anything but precisely that: as if it had been 2 days since the last shampoo. The second time, I used less but it didn’t perform any better. Oddly enough, my hair did not smell perfumed at all. No scent throw. It even masked the scent that Rose Jam initially imparted.

INGREDIENTS:

African Paradise's List of Ingredients

Ingredients List of Ro's Argan

VERDICT:

As long as Ro’s Argan is available on the Lush shelves, I am not purchasing African Paradise again. Its much more expensive, for one.  Almost 300 pesos more (roughly $4.5) and it does not do anything extra. Two, I just simply loooove the scent of Ro’s Argan.

CAUTION:  this can leave the bathroom floor or your tub slippery. Because of this, I do not allow my children (10, 8 and 5) to use this without supervision.

TRIVIA:

The Lush stores I visited in Singapore (save for facial cleansers and masks which are made in Singapore), Macau and Hong Kong get all stocked with Lush products made in England. Here in Manila, we get ours from Japan.

Review: L’Occitane 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner

REPURCHASE? Yes, but I am in no rush. Refilled this soooo many times and having these bottles in my bathroom shelf everyday for the past 4 years have gotten me quite bored with them. It consistently gave me beautiful hair, however, I need a break from it. Anyhow, will keep the empty bottles in storage first and give myself time to miss it before topping them up.

L’Occitane 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner was a set that I always ignored inside the L’Occitane shop--- I was going through my Verbena phase then. However, when my husband brought home a couple of small bottles from a hotel stay, I wasted no moment trying them out and wow! Was I immediately chastised for snubbing them! Somehow, by some sort of miracle, this L’Occitane 5 Essential Oils Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner duo revealed beautiful hair! The scent got me hooked some more because it never failed to bring fond memories of childhood. It smells similarly to Johnson & Johnson’s baby shampoo, aka, the “scent of my childhood”. That same week, I made a trip to the L’Occitane shop for the sole purpose of getting the full sized set 

I often used the shampoo on its own, foregoing the conditioner. This was no hardship because the shampoo took care of my hair so well. Hair was bouncy. Every single strand had flounce to it. It was light. It was shiny. Have to say, too, that it was easy to brush--- wet or dry. Skipped conditioner half the time because good-hair-days lasted longer this way. My hair didn’t get oily too fast and I found that using the conditioner forced me to shampoo my hair more frequently than I liked. For 5 years now, I have religiously followed this rule: shampoo hair at the very most, every two days. I strive for 3. Ever since I started this habit (helped by dry shampoo and the fact that I’ve stopped going to the gym) my hair has become thicker and healthier.

There were times when I’d slather on the conditioner, though, and that was when my hair was particularly dry because of the weather or because of heat styling. However, I found myself reaching for the conditioner when I craved for the scent. I noticed that the fragrance stayed on my hair so much longer as opposed to just shampoo where the scent dissipated as my hair dried.

As I finish writing this blogpost, I’m beginning to wonder how long before I miss this. Bet it would be soon. Gosh, there must be something wrong with me!

Japan Beauty Haul!

I knew I was going to be given a haul of some sort because I had asked for it. My sister Gibb went to Japan and I told her to surprise me with makeup/beauty goodies from the local drugstore/highstreet. Annotated my wish with, “get me something that puzzles you!” Before handing me the bag of goodies, she said she did not know there were so many kinds of eyeliners and she repeatedly cautioned me that she was clueless and confused when she picked out stuff in the store. I believed her. She is one that can NOT be engaged in makeup or product talk over 5 minutes, so she doesn’t know much beyond the basic fare. Hahahaha! Anyhow, this is what she brought home! Not quite an odd bunch (far from it) but looking at the loot still gets me giddy and excited to play with them all!!! Thanks, Gibb!

The K-Palette product that I have not seen ever is the “Real Lasting Tears Tank.” Why the name?  I have no idea what this is going to do. Don’t want to Google anything because I want to be surprised. I have it in color, “Elegance Beige.” My guess, getting clues from the picture and ofcourse its name, is that it’s for highlighting the corners of the eyes. Hahahaha! I do not know how near or far off I am from the mark.

Kate. This is one brand that I see in all the Sasa branches in Macau or Hongkong. I also see this in a couple of beauty stores in Singapore. I don’t know why I haven’t bothered picking up a single product to try. None drew my curiosity. Now that I have four to try out, who knows? There might be one that’ll get me waxing poetic and get Gibb’s eyes to roll!?

Point Makeup Remover –I do not know the brand. The only English that is seen on its packaging is just that. It helps that the picture on the packaging is of an eyelid and that its formulation looks like Lancome’s Bifacil, otherwise, I would most probably have used this oil all over my face. Hey, might do just that, too. Like I said, it reminds me a lot of  Bifacil—where the separated oils have to be shaken before use. I wonder which one performs better. Contest!

Visee Shadow and Liquid Liner. I have not heard of this brand. I’d just like to know how this will perform; if it is easy to use; if it dries up too fast (which is my usual complaint about anything with similar packaging.)

Eyemania Mineral/Fiber Long & Volume 300% Mascara. What timing! I imposed a mascara ban (one of my new year’s resolutions---others are meaningful ones, I swear) because I have 7 opened ones*** and several more which I have to go through. But, man! I really want to try this out already! This claims to increase the length and volume of lashes by 300%. Reminds me of Younique Mascara that is making the rounds on Facebook and on YouTube. I’ve never tried Younique nor do I have any burning desire to. Based on what I’ve seen online, (YouTuber Shaaanxo devotes a first impression video on this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2snmxFAovmw) it seems very time consuming and tedious, requiring multiple coats of product from two different tubes. But this! This looks promising! 300% just by using a single tube. Will see how long I can hold out!

Anyway, I plan to update this page as soon as I try any of the products out. Looking forward!

***

The mascaras I’m currently using are: Majolica Majorca’s Lash Gorgeous Wing New, K-Palette 1Day Lash Perm, NYX Doll Eye, Fairy Drops, Lancome’s Virtuose and YSL’s Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking, Urban Decay’s Perversion. Will write about these soon!