TEO DEGAS' REVIEWS: Beauty

Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

1/06/2025

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails Natural

This is a nail strengthener designed to treat flaky and pealing nails. It can be used on its own, but applying 2-3 coats on your nails, which is what the brand recommends. However, I mostly use it base coat for my manicures and on its own on my toe nails. It has a beautiful shine to it, with a slight tint, if that can be said. When I applied on its own it my nails are harder to touch than when I use a normal base. Not sure if this will result on my nails being actually stronger, but they are better covered and protected and they don't flake as much.

I've never used L'Oréal Excellence to tint my hair mostly because it's more expensive than my usual brands. Having used another brands of DIY hair colour, I can easily compare what this package has in it, the tinting experience, and the results.

THE PACKAGE
The package contains a cream colour tub, a bottle of developer, hyaluronic acid shampoo and conditioning mask, a pair of average of plastic gloves (which I hate) and a very useful instructions leaflet (great presentation and organisation of the information and illustrations, font size, etc.). Unlike other DIY hair colour packages I've used, this also includes a tube of shampoo and a comb applicator, which can be attached to the developer bottle to apply the colour directly on the hair.

THE TINTING EXPERIENCE
I used the comb applicator and I didn't find it useful for me, but I'll keep it as a mark-making tool for my art practice. I think it might be good if you have a Pixie haircut or just straight hair.

I emptied the bottle into a professional tinting bowl and used a professional tinting brush to get the best results.

Due to this colour shade being a bit lighter than my previous colour, I left the colour on the roots nearly an hour and about 20 minutes on the rest of the hair. I did NOT get any itchy or burning sensation during the long application.

The colour combo is creamy so it does not drip and spreads beautifully. Despite my long thick hair, I had enough product to cover all of it and even have some leftovers. That’s great because there is nothing worse that being short of colour when tinting at home.

I removed the excess colour once the time was up and it washed easily. To be honest, I initially thought that the shampoo tube was too small for my long thick hair. But, surprise!, the quantity was perfect; it's a fabulous creamy shampoo that leathers beautifully. The conditioner is also fab, with just a bit of product being necessary to detangle and soften my hair. I had more than half bottle left for another week at least. The results were a shiny healthy-looking hair.

THE RESULTS

Did the product cover my greys in full? Yes and it also lightened up a bit my hair. The colour looks beautiful and is true to the box photo.

Do I prefer this colour or the other ones I've used in the past? I'd say the results are very good with all the brands I've used before, but L'Oréal Excellence left my hair way less dry and more hydrated than the others. Also, I thought the colouring mix was also creamier, more nourishing, spread better and was not irritant at all.

Would I buy this again? Totally. I'll be looking up for discounts and flash sales to get the best possible price. Yet, I understand why this is always more expensive than other brands I use.

MIND

This product has both ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.

Aimeili Natural Nail & Cuticle Oil (15ml)

I bought this to treat my cuticles and nails, which suffer from my constant use of acrylic paint. I also wanted it to treat my toes cuticles that are really dry in Summer and/or between pedicures.

This is a small bottle of 100% wheat germ oil, no other preservative or additive added. No scent, either, at least to my nose.

I first tried this oil on one of my big toe cuticle and the lower part or the toe skin as it looked really dry, ugly, and hard. I've been brushing a bit of this oil for several days and I can see a noticeable difference. On my finger nails is even better; I rarely have manicures done, as I do those my own, so cuticle oil really helps any dry skin to look naturally good.

Not a fan of the brush, though, which is a bit stiff and plasticky.

I've never heard of this brand before, but the fact that the product has provided good results, is reasonably priced and it does what's meant to do without any chemicals added, has put Aimeili on my radar. Not a fancy product recommended by influencers or pop-stars, but it works.

Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon Lipstick (Make It Happen)

This is a twisty crayon lipstick in an intense flattering rich. I love the pencil concept as application and outlining are precise using minimum product. It has a matte velvety texture on the lips and dries very quickly so I don't have the feeling of having any lipstick on. It does not last as much as the long lasting lipstick by the same brand, which last me all day long even after eating. This one does not last after eating but it lasts more than other lipsticks I own.

Australian Wholesale Oils Certified Organic Avocado Oil 100 ml

I was a bit worried that this oil might not be organic or a mixture. However, it is both organic and 100% pure oil.

This oil is very runny and has the avocado natural green colour. It has no specific fragrance just the oil natural scent. It is not greasy, so it absorbs well. I use it to remove hair colour stains from my skin (after tinting my hair or eyebrows, for example), to remove the same colour from my glasses frames, to apply it on irritated spots on my hands, or as a treatment when I notice that my face or hands skin is dull. It works well in all cases. I don't use it as a normal moisturiser but more like a treatment.

The design of the bottle is really pretty and classy. However, it's plastic, which is a huge let down to me as I like containers that are environmentally friendly. I love the pump system, but, in all honesty, it is a bit "squirty" at times, at least with this oil. The green oil colour stain clothes.

Overall, a good value for money and a good product.

L'Oréal Magic Retouch, 75ml, Dark Brown

I use this product regularly, between professional tinting and when my thick very-noticeable greys pop up all rebel. The product is very easy to spray and has a good focus sprayer. I usually spray it twice; I let the first coat dry and then apply again. Result, no grays! This product is especially good for the part line, not as much for temples or hair line as it can stain my skin. However, I easily remove those by rubbing a bit of beauty oil on the stained spot .

The product can stain your clothes, so I usually put a plastic cape on my shoulders. I don't apply this when I'm dressed to go out as unnoticeable unpredictable drops might stain them and ruin them if unprotected.

The product washes out completely with a single shampooing.

I always apply this product with a surgical mask on, because it has some residual "vapours" after spraying.

OPI Rapidry Spray, 55ml

I love O.P.I products so I had great expectations rethis product as I paint my nails myself at home, sometimes in a hurry before an outing or going to work.

The instructions of use on the bottle back are in a minuscule font size. It says to mist over the nails 45 seconds after applying the last coat. But last coat of what, of enamel or the top coat? Or is this product to replace the top coat? No indication of how much this speeds up the process or how long it takes to dry after application. Ain't sure if it works just with O.P.I nail polishes because the one I had on my nails was good quality polish but not this brand.

The bottle has a good spray system and the mist comes out easily.

I've tried the product twice. The first time, I didn't mind the watch, but it was perhaps a minute over the last coat application. I didn't see any speeding up in the drying time after application. I didn't apply the mist on my other hand, but used my hair drier on a cold setting. The results were indistinguishable. Besides, one of my nails with the applied O.P.I.spray smudged; to me, that's not working.

The second time I tried it, I also did a double testing. I sprayed some of the nails without top coat and they responded well, as they dried a little bit quicker than usual. I also sprayed other nails that had a top coat on, and these ones took longer to dry, and there was barely any difference with those nails where I had applied top coat but not this product on top. In short, it worked way better when I applied it directly on the enamel not on the top coat. Perhaps the product is to be used as top coat, but that's not clear anywhere.

In all honesty, I won't be buying this product again as the speeding up of the drying is so little that it's not worth my money. Besides, the bottle came 3/4 full. I thought that it might be an used bottle, but I've noticed that everyone had the same issue with their bottles, so that's the company's fault and a rip-off because the product isn't cheap by any means, even when discounted.

Rimmel London Nail Nurse Base & Top Coat 5 in 1

This is one of those products that I buy when I travel or I'm on a budget. It does the job quite nicely for a fraction of the price I pay for other brands. It is not as good as others I buy, but it's good quality nevertheless. The bottle design is simple and effective as it has the average quantity of product but isn't as bulky as others.

Mavala Switzerland Mini Nail Polish Baghdad, 5 ml

I've bought Mavala mini nail polishes before and I love the travel size and the quality of the product. However, this item has been a great disappointment. To start with, the photo is misleading as the colour is not orange but an orange-ish pink (see my photo); most importantly, the colour is quite translucent and, even if I use two coats, the results are quite neutral. If I had been looking for a neutral pink I might have been happy with this colour and texture, but I was looking for an opaque orange as per the colour in the photo and I got neither.

MOR Boutique Little Luxuries Lychee Flower Hand Cream 50ml

This is a wonderful lychee-flower scented hand cream with a long-lasting scent that can be used as everyday perfume. It has a semi-liquid texture, so it absorbs well and quickly. It's very moisturising. and it doesn't leave a greasy residue; after using it, my skin feels velvety. The packaging is lovely and luxurious, as well.

The main problem with the cream, to me, is that the scent is overwhelming; it masks my perfume, and it gets to my nose and throat lingering there for too long. The cream is moisturising but not enough to fix my very dry hands issues; said differently, moisturising level is medium. Besides, the back of the tube has the description and ingredients list in a very small gold lettering, so there is barely any contrast against the pink background and it cannot be read without a magnifying glass. I won't buy it again.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm Chai Tea Tube 4.25g

This is a simple, no-fuss lip balm that makes wonders for my cracked lips. It is very emollient and pleasurable to have on. I always check the list of ingredients in the cosmetics I use as this really matters to me. This lip balm has a huge array of natural wax, oils and plants extracts, something that, to me, explains, why it took me two days to get the cracks disappear from my lips after using this balm. I own other lip balms and lip treatments and this is my fav so far.

I love chai tea, so I chose this variety thinking that it might have a slight similarity with the flavour, but, to my delight, it really tastes of chai tea.

Good value for money.

I have sensitive very dry skin and this ointment works beautifully for me. No fancy packaging or scent, but the cream really soothes my skin contact rashes as well as my very dry hands. I use acrylic paint and mediums for my artwork, working sometimes with my bare hands, so this cream has helped me to counteract the dryness I get as a result. Once the ointment penetrates the skin there is no residue. However, until it does, it is a bit 'oily' if that can be said, and it takes a few minutes for the product to be fully absorbed; something that, on the other side, I expect from any ointment.

The only think I dislike is that the package does not have a list of ingredients on the jar. Coloidal oat is mentioned but, is this the only ingredient? The main ingredient? One of the ingredients? Why not having this fully displayed? I own other Dermaveen skin products and they have the list of ingredients on the back of the package, so I don't know why this cream does not.

It is not tested on animals, something that really matters to me.

Good value for money.

I will buy again.

Rimmel London Provocalips 16HR Kiss-Proof LipColour 310 Little Minx

I've been using this lipstick since it came out to the market. I love the colour, which really suit my skin colour. Most importantly, this is a good value for money lippy. It stays on all day even after eating, and, depending on what I eat, it will last till next morning before I shower. It is matte when used without the gloss coating. Otherwise, it looks moist without being glossy. The clear coating really goes quickly, so I barely use it on weekdays. This lasts me for a long time as once light coat does the job.

Mavala Switzerland Mini Color Nail Polish - Pink Cosmic, 5 ml

Let me tell you, the Cosmic Pink colour you see in the pictures and the colour you get on the nails is quite different. The bottle looks a bit purpleish or cherry-ish, but it is not. This is a very girly, festive and Cinderella-ish pink. I guess the glitter bits distort the colour in the photos because even in the photos of my hands, the colour doesn't look as prettier as in real life .

The polish spreads easily and evenly. One coat is nice enough and has decent coverage, but two coats make perfection. Despite the glitter, one coat dries off quickly

This polish has a rugged textured finish not a smooth one, which can be expected from any glittery polish. It smooths out a bit with a clear top coat, but the textured finish won't disappear despite this. Beware, as with any glittery polish, it takes a bit of more effort to remove it. The polish chips off but not overly so, so a new spot application is enough as the polish is thick enough to cover the spot without needed of a full coat.

This is a travel-size tiny size (see my photo beside an average polish bottle), and, this being the case, it's a bit pricey for what it is. This explains the four stars not the five. On the other hand, as I have small hands, I find this sizing perfect for my DIY manicure and the brush is perfect for my nails size.

The brand is vegan and cruelty free, something that's really important to me. This is my first Mavala polish, and I will repeat.

O.P.I. Nail Lacquer An Affair In Red Square

I've been using OPI An Affair in Red Square for several years now and it's my fav red shade on the nail polish stratosphere. OPI is also one of my fav nail polish brands. Yet, there are some issues with this specific shade that I want to mention:
> This shade is one of the thickest OPI polishes I own, and I own many. One coat over a base coat and under a top coat suffices to have full coverage and to look spectacular.
> Two coats of the polish look great, but, when I apply two coats, the polish takes a lot of time to dry off (more than other OPI shades) and it tends to smudge easily even when it's almost dry.
> This shade polish starts to thicken when the bottle it's mid way, in a way that makes it difficult to apply without resorting to adding acetone to clarify it.
> This being the case, and despite this being of one those polishes that I always have in my beauty case, it is pricey, because I usually bin the bottle midway.
> This red, as most red shades, chips easily, that's why I reserve the second coat for when my nails are totally dry but I need to cover the chipping.

Beyond that, this is just a classy wonderful red that never goes out of fashion and I never get tired of.

Aphrosmile 100% Pure Rosehip Oil for Massage, 30ml

This is a wonderful oil that spreads well, absorbs quickly and leaves my skin hydrated and nourished without any greasy residue. In a way, it is a dry oil not an oily oil.

I use this oil instead of my regular hand/arm cream when I notice signs of irritation or redness in my skin, I had some cuts or wounds that I want healed, to rub my cuticles when doing my DIY manicure, and also to remove hair-color stains after DIY tinting my hair.

I love the vintage-look bottle and the branding. The drop dispenser is great to prevent using too much product and using the right amount.

The smell is nothing I would use in aromatherapy as it is the oil natural scent and it isn't especially aromatic, not bad but nothing that I would put my nose to it, if you know what I mean.

Mind, the oil can stain your clothes if falls on them, as it has the oil natural yellow-orange color.

Good product but a bit pricey.

This is a good cream overall. It spreads evenly, it's absorbed quickly and leaves my hands moisturized without any residue or greasy feeling. The mouth dispenser is well designed to prevent wasting product, something that it's really important as this cream is not such, but more a body milk. I have sensitive skin and I haven't noticed any reaction to this cream, which is great. The tube has a considerable size and it's good value for money.

On the downside, although I like this cream, I don't find it especially healing or really not better on my hands than other creams or oils. I have mixed feelings about the scent, too. On the one hand, it's subtle, but on the other, it's also odd. I would say that it has a wax/honey-ish sort of scent, but the scent is quite peculiar and it's one of those that polarize people. In my case, I find it odd but not unpleasant and it doesn't clash with my perfume, yet I don't find it appealing either.

Overall a good cream, but not intensive or really healing and it is not especially natural. No indication on whether the cream is cruelty free or not, or tested on animals or not.

Burts Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment, 7.08 g

This is a good quality lip treatment, that spreads evenly and leaves my lip moisturized if I use it overnight, giving it time to do its job. A tiny amount of product is enough to cover my lips, and the tiny container can fit even in a wallet. I love the brand and the fact that the product is cruelty free, too.

However, t I find this treatment as good as any other lip treatment out there if you leave it overnight, but it's more expensive. Flavor is minimal. As the product has peppermint oil in it, there is a slightly hint/after-taste of it, something I dislike.

To be fair, this is a good product, does the job and is not glamorous, but does the same job as cheaper products I've used in the past.

Revlon PhotoRead Concealer, Light

I have been using this inexpensive concealer for over a year now and it has become my fav on-the-go concealer as well as my preferred eye primer. I use this to neutralize and cover reddish spots on my face (pimple-ish or hair plucking red spots for example) , as an under-eye foundation to cover signs of tiredness and irritation, and as an eyelid primer. Although not an eye primer per se, I use it as such. The results are fabulous as it doesn't irritate my eyelids, it settles/dries quickly, covers the area perfectly and my eye-shadow colorful palette colors are noticeably enhanced. The product spreads easily and evenly and perfectly matches my skin tone. It's thick enough to cover any area perfectly but without being greasy or too thick. I have sensitive skin and I haven't had any problem with it so far. Despite the item being quite small, the quantity of product is considerable for me to use it, on a daily basis, for months.

HASK Argan Oil Vial Repairing Hair Oil for All Hair Types, 18mL

I have been using the argan oil vial for several months, applied to my long colored dry hair after shampooing and conditioning and the results are great.

Despite being an oil, it is not greasy and it spreads easily. A tiny amount of product is enough to make my hair shine and look super healthy. The vial looks small (see my photo beside one of my mascaras), but it actually lasts me for 5+ uses, more or less depending on whether I use it just on the upper layers of my hair to add shine and smooth out or all through all the hair.

It smells wonderful, like a sweet orange sort of scent.

The vial cap is really tight, so you can safely put the vial horizontal and the oil won't spill out. Great size for traveling, too.

I am a devotee of this product because it makes wonders for my hair.

MONOI COCONUT VIAL
The Monoi coconut oil vial, which I also use, is equally good and long lasting. It smells beautifully but not as nice as the argan vial. I apply this after shampoo + conditioner, while my hair is still wet but I have removed excess water with a towel.

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