Clarins: Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

CLAIM:

(click to enlarge)

VERDICT:

The gel melts into very thin oil, i mean its less greasy than DHC cleansing oil, it actually felt like the gel hasn't melt yet that I look into my hands if its in oil form already,. And since it's thin it doesn't run down unlike when Im using oil cleansers so it doesn't sting my eyes.

Smells really nice, I can't pretty tell what it is, but its like being in a spa, smell is not lavander or minty though, its rather lighter not musky and flowery.

I just notice that the gel sometimes melts slowly especially around the eye, it tends to clump and dissolves undereye conclear and eyeshadows rather slower than other oil cleanser I've tried, I ended up massaging my face longer, but the end result is still superior! I really like leaving it longer, i dunno but it felt like letting marula oil sink better and do its therapeutic benefits.

It washes off as milky emulsion just like other oil cleansers too. It delivers, true to its claim,. it does dissolves eyeshadows and mascaras and leaves skin soft.

Those with dry skin will benefit from this since it leaves skin hydrated and velvety-soft. Being OC, it feels a little oily for me (though its not ) so i still use soap after. Still my face doesn't feel tight but rather refreshed. Very spa like!

Its main component is Marula oil,. It's quite new to me so i reserched a bit and this is what I got:

Extracted from the kernels (nuts) of the Marula tree which is indigenous to Southern Africa. Marula oil has a clear, light yellow colour (Hence the color of the gel is light yellow) and a nutty aroma (oww, that’s the smell.. i didn’t got that!) .. It is traditionally used as a moisturizing body lotion for women and also as a massage oil for babies. In the past, women used Marula oil rather than water to clean themselves.

Marula oil has remarkable qualities. It is rich in antioxidants and oleic acid as well as the essential linoleic fatty acid, essential components for the maintenance of healthy skin. Marula oil contains a similar fatty acid composition to olive oil however it is 10 times more stable to oxidation. Marula oil has also shown to improve skin hydration, skin smoothness and reduce redness

With its combination of high nutritional value and excellent stability, marula oil is an ideal and innovative choice for modern cosmetic formulas and as a carrier oil for aromatherapy.

Applications

Skin:
- To treat dry, chapping skin.
- To maintain hydrated, smooth skin
- To reduce redness.
- Can be used around the eyes.
- A good Massage oil.
- Anti aging face cream

Baby care: massage oil
Hair care: shampoo for dry damaged and fragile hair
Cosmetics: component of lipsticks
Food: antioxidant properties for the nutraceutical industry

OTHER FACTS

The Marula fruits are edible, eaten either raw or made into a delicious jelly. They are also brewed into a popular beer; a marula liqueur is available commercially. The kernels are either eaten raw or roasted, have a delicious taste and are regarded by many indigenous people as a delicacy, a ‘Food of Kings’ .

The bark is widely used medicinally to treat diarrhea, diabetes, fever and malaria, and the roots are used to treat sore eyes. The leaves are used to make a relish, and the hard wood makes excellent kitchen utensils.

It is the oil from the Marula kernel that has come to give the Marula tree its spiritual status. The kernels are so full of oil that a squeeze with the hand can release a rich yield.

Across the generations it has proven to protect against dry, cracking skin and in fact its moisturising properties are so effective that it is also used to treat leather and in preserving meat. Hence within the Zulu tribe, the Marula tree symbolizes women’s fertility, softness and tenderness, and new-born baby girls are welcomed into the world with traditional Marula ceremonies

Marula oil is indeed Africa's miracle oil. Im glad I've tried this thru our sis Gracie.. I'd say Clarins is one luxurious brand that is a must to try..

Price at Rustans: P1,400.00

What's in my vanity cabinet – 2nd Installment

Here's the second installment from my treasure cabinet... my Perfume cabinet..

I've been into perfumes eversince I was grade 2.. While the little girls use Johnsons baby cologne, I was using Jovan,. When I went to highschool everyone was into Nenuco and Angel's Breath while me, I used Poison by Christian Dior,.

I've emptied bottles of perfume already but my fascination with collecting bottles (and scents)started in Year 2006. Here's what I've treasured so far,.

Here's what I use in the office.. (Yup, that's a second bottle of Mango adorable, Im inlove with this scent, this will always be a staple scent for me)

I’ve emptied some of them, I just put them at the table side coz I find it fascinating to look at and I sometimes sniff the scent from the spritzer . What’s left is a body mist from Avon (to freshen up), a little from The body shop Vanilla and a French perfume (at the back of Prescripto bottle) – this perfume is too strong and last really long so I just use a spritz of this and spread it all over.. I’m not even halfway from the bottom..

You might be wondering what's a prescripto bottle is doing here,. This was among the limited scent, its not 'a version of' or 'immitation' scent. This is amongst the original scent released back then and it was a good musky, flowery scent...

This one is a Liz Claiborne perfume given by BF (I forgot to include it in the photoshoot,. hehe..).. I use this at office since it is a musky, powdery scent too.. Sometimes I use it for overnights,. its a sexy scent..

So there, hope you like the second part,.. two more to go,..

My birthday gifts…

It wasn’t a good month for me, how ironic, it’s supposed to be special coz it’s my birthday month, but some asshole people just succeeded in making my days bad... so what’s a poor me to do? Pamper myself with my favorite vice… SHOPPING!!!. I deserve these I know…

My gifts to myself..

Clinique toner, Super City Block SPF40, Take the day off Cleansing Oil..

The freebies..
A roomy bag… really big you can stuff this with folders,.
Samples: powder foundation, turnaround concentrate, 7-day scrub cream
4U2 Gemtone palette in Onyx and Glitz liquid eye-liner for smoky eye-do
Beauty Credit slanted liner and detail shadow brush
Ellana concelear brush, slanted liner, crease brush and Beloved ES (matte warm brown)
Reviews and swatches again to follow,.

Now the bags..

A Calvin Klien bag – I love that this have an adjustable strap so I can use this as shoulder bag or as a messenger/sling bag

A Ralph Lauren Sling Bag which can be used as handbag too when strap is removed..
A trendy Fendi Bag.. this is roomy as well..

A Lacoste Bag And the gift of my very loving and understanding BF.. A Guess Bag,. (forgot to remove the plastic on metal sign..)
He spoils me, but this comes with a condition, that I will fix my transfer paper,. Obviously I’m not enjoying my work anymore,. But hey, I’ve got a lot of reason to be happy,. Just look at those goodies… Im such a baggaholic,..

Passion Berries Pure Oils

Looks interesting and promising and so I bought samples of these from sis Hannah..



ANTI-AGING OIL

Claim:
AGE DEFYING BEAUTY OIL (Source company is ISO Cerified-9001:2000)
Blended oils with sandalwood scent .
UNBELIEVABLE BUT IT IS NON GREASY.
Can be used in anti stretch treatment for combination and normal skin types. Apply directly on the skin with light massage in circular motion until totally absorbed. Can be applied morning and night.
May also be formulated/added into body and skin care products, such as creams and lotions. Adding it to your fav skin care product 3-10percent is enough.

COMPOSITION
This is a refined vegetable oil composition enriched with other ingredients to enhance anti stretch activity of the skin. The composition helps to prevent and eliminate stretch marks and wrinkles.

Enriched with vitamin A and E ( natural tocopherols ) which have the effect of increasing the collagen formation in the dermis.

Contains Jojoba Oil, Soybean Oil and Sunflower Oil. Rich in omega 3 (linolenic acid) and omega 6 (Linoleic acid), essential fatty acids which every living cell in the body needs.

These components are essential for rebuilding and producing cells, cellular and membrane lipids. Products containing omega 3 and 6 are the appropriate skin care for individuals suffering from neurodermatitis as their skin generally shows a ceramide I deficiency.

CLEOPATRA OIL

Blended natural oils with flowery scent
Designed for use in body care products
NON GREASY. FAST ABSORBED.
May be applied directly to skin and to hair or mix it with your fav cream/oil or other skin care product. Its cost saving because 3 to 10 percent solution is sufficient when you mix it with other products.

COMPOSITION

Contains Pomace Olive Oil, Soybean Oil, Sunflower Oil and Sweet Almond Oil; all of them are known for their excellent nourishing and hydrating properties in skin-care.

This formulation is enriched with the addition of Polysorbate 20 an emulsifier that would help to obtain the maximum homogenity in a creamy formulation. Also contains TBHQ which is a natural antioxidant.

The presence of vitamin F helps to protect against the formation of dry skin and helps to restructure keratin break, promotes revitalizing and conditioning effects in the hair.

Sunflower oil has moisturizing properties and is easily absorbed.
Sweet almond oil offers deep penetration and moisture retention.
Soybean oil has great penetration and skin hydrating effect.
Pomace olive oil possesses excellent emollient properties, has superior moisturizing effect on the upper layer of the skin and helps in reducing scar appearance.

PURE ROSEHIP-OIL

Refined. Pure. cold pressed, refined vegetable oil. No additives.Unscented. NON GREASY.

This is extracted from Rosa Aff. Rubiginosa, a delicate rose which grows wild on the high mountains in Chile and which is locally known as Rosa Mosqueta.

The unique properties of ROSEHIP OIL were discovered through scientific studies conducted at the Universities of Concepcion (Chile) and Missouri (USA). These studies showed that application of this oil effectively helped in attenuating scars, wrinkles and stretch marks; in preventing premature aging and in regaining skin’s natural color and tone. This offers great penetration and significant moisture retention. It is very effective in halting and even reversing the effects of sun radiation on the skin. In general it is useful in all kinds of cell regeneration face treatments, pore reduction and acne treatment.

APPLICATION

May be applied directly to the skin and hair. It may also be incorporated as an active ingredient or an ideal carrier in skin and hair care products. It is ideally suited for anti wrinkle and sun care products.

Other info from the internet
Rose hip oil is very rich in vitamins especially vitamin A, which has been proven to have a very beneficial effect on skin, as well as a related substance, retinoic acid, which gives rose hip oil its remarkable skin repairing and rejuvenating properties.

Extensive studies have proven rose hip seed oil to have a positive effect on:
Aged skin (Fight the Effects of Photo-Aging) and wrinkles
Scars, Acne scar, sensitive & skin Stretch marks
Surgical and Traumatic Dermal Scars
Skin burns - when applied to burns it assists in reducing the formation of keloids and scar and returning the tissue to its normal and natural coloring.
Also used in hot oil treatment for brittle damaged hair

The natural composition of Rosehip Oil includes :
· Linoleic acid 44%
· Alfa Linolenic acid 36%
· Natural anti oxidants (tocopherols and carotenoids)

Jojoba Oil

It can spread well and can be absorbed well. It can be used as skin moisturizer, lip balm/moisturizer, shaving cream, hot oil treatment alone, or mixed with other product.

Dermatological tests shows that jojoba oil increases the skin’s suppleness by 45% and after 8 hours the effect was still present. It was also found that jojoba oil softens and smoothes the skin with fine line reduction. This is because jojoba oil controls transpiration water loss and helps to control flaking and dryness of the skin, thereby helping fight wrinkles.

What’s interesting about it is that it isn’t actually an oil, but rather what they call a wax ester. Of all the compounds in nature, this wax ester is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum). This provides all day moisture as it doesn’t evaporate like water based moisturizers. It is vry stable because it does not become rancid or lose antioxidants even after long periods of storage.


Overall although cleo and age-defying oil are scented, they didn’t irritate my skin ( I used them on face) , cause rashes nor made my skin itch. Rosehip oil is very effective in drying pimples. I cant choose which is better they all made my skin soft and radiant. It healed rashes and pimples. I find myself using rose oil and age-defying on face alternately while Cleopatra and jojoba oil on body.

Remember I posted that I’m battling hormonal pimples? These helped a lot. I experienced minimal breakouts on face (during those times when I was still sick and my boss forced me to report to work so when i got home i went straight to my room and fell asleep immediately and woke up the following day already) I wasn’t able to used it much on body though due to days when I was sick to bathe, was not feeling to vain recently coz I was on lazy mode or im still weak so I keep my bath routine really short, so yah hormonal pimps succeeded on giving me backne (geesh..)

I will definitely repurchase and use these potent oils as body oil and hopefully it will heal those nasty spots on my back,.

fashion 21 Mineral Blush

Note: crappy pic so i didn't watermarked it anymore..

Saw this at newspaper and i immediately checked the mall for this promising cheap mineral make-up alternative,. Costs P150.00, comes in 4 colors (light pink to reddish pink). Now the ingredients,. I read it,. Yays,. Parabens,. For an MMU purist like some of us, reading this will shoo us enough,. Hmm,. I was tempted to buy,. almost.. but I didn’t,. geesh…

This is cheap though… hehe..

EDM Swirling Bowl

I bought swirling bowl from EDM before. When I got them I didn’t know what to do with the biggest bowl (2 cups measurement, I think). I don’t wanna use them for food either so I just kept them for awhile then I realized that I can use them to store my MMU baggies. I’ve transferred some to pots already but there are quite a many that’s left and I don’t wanna buy pots anymore.

So I just grouped them into four meshbags (from different MMU companies too)
Foundie, finpow, eyeshadows and blush

And voila..

I think their cute..

Joppa Grab bag and EDM Loot

Got the PO notice for these babies last May but was able to pick them up last week only..

Here’s what’s inside my Joppa Grab Bag

FS Jar Med. Light Morning Dew & Simple radiance blend
FS Refill baggie Light Morning Dew & Simple radiance blend
Earthen Rose blush
Simple radiance frost - ES
Samantha - ES
Majestic - ES
Glitzy - ES/blush
Lavander Hand Butter sample
Minty Lips Lip balm

Everyday Mineral (EDM) loot

TOP ROW: Blushes
2nd ROW: eyeshadows except for
pearl beige (concealer)
Stippling Brush

I will post swatches soon,. I'm on lazy mode still, waahh..