Backstory:
Long ago, when I was a goth, I bought a whole lot of MAC makeup.
It was just as MAC launched in Singapore, RuPaul was their muse and I bought powder eyeshadows 'Vanilla' and 'Carbon' as well as two gorgeous lipsticks in aubergine and pewter.
I've long since tossed the lipsticks. Turns out I couldn't really overcome my lipstick phobia.
Carbon broke two years ago. I hadn't really made a dent in it but I guess after 10 years loyal service, it had had enough.
Vanilla is still going strong. I have only started wearing ANY form of makeup daily in the last year so little Vanilla is only really getting used again now. And yes, she's still going strong. (*once again, I disagree with the idea that 'inert' makeup products - essentially dry products like traditional eyeshadow and blush - have a used-by date. And once again, I'm an actual doctor so there :P)
Today:
I have been a keen makeup geek over the last two years. My day to day makeup is minimal (coz I'm lazy) but I'm still an enthusiast so I decided a little visit to my local MAC counter was long overdue.
I asked the makeup artist there (I know she was one because she talked abt the makeup class the store is offering in a fortnight) 3 questions and purchased accordingly
Q1: I would like ONE eyeshadow that I can use as a stand-alone item. No other colours required - one colour, one look. Instant go-to for the lazy gal. Not fussed abt powder or cream.
A: Constructivist
Q2: What's a good, go-to highlighter? Most bang-for-my-buck, maybe even a multi-tasking item? Again, liquid or powder - it's all good
A: Mineralize skin finish in Soft & Gentle
Q3: I would like a pencil eyeliner that does not smudge. I have lots of great gels, lots of great pens but they take too long if I'm in a rush. Do you have a PENCIL that will work? Urban Decay's 24/7 pencil doesn't work, Milani Liquif-eye + Avon Super Shock - same problem. Help!!!
A: Powerpoint eye pencil in Stubborn Brown
….So I'm going to try them all for a week - let's see if they are worth the hype!
And the hefty price tag.
AUD $114 - damage done.
I guess I can't give up my day job.
I have naturally thick, wavy and frizzy hair.
It may sound a little odd but the top layer of my hair is coarse and frizzy… the bottom layers are a finer texture entirely and are more straight. This seems to be inversely affected by its length too --- It all seems much straighter and finer when in a pixie cut. Right now, when it's halfway down my back, it's just as described above.
Before I had a decent hair dresser who advised me against it, I used to cut my hair straight across… I guess I hoped that if I cut my hair as if it was thick, dense, straight Chinese hair (hey, i'm mostly chinese!)… it would be. It never was, is never will be.. and I have a lot of pics I have to hide from people because my hair looks like a combination of Ronald MacDonald and the Sphinx.
I have tried a ton of hair products - both high and low end - partly because my hair is now coloured (dark red highlights) and partly because I love the fact that it's so wavy. If only I could get it to stop being frizzy at the same time!
So… here's my Hits & Misses:
HITS:
- Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Argan Oil
- This was affordable and I bought it on a whim.
- This has an excellent texture - not too watery or thick. Feels like a classic serum and smells lovely.
- Works very well. A full pump does all my hair when combined with a little Pureology Reviving Red Illuminating Caring Oil (added for colour boost) and gives it gloss without weight while minimising frizz.
- Ellips Hair Vitamin/ Hair Treatment
- bought this on a whim while travelling through Singapore. It was very affordable. A pack of 12 pods for $3.
- slightly odd almost plastic-y scent when you first snip open the pods but this disappears immediately afterwards and certainly doesn't affect the serum.
- A whole pod is almost a little too much for my head of hair. It actually was very shiny and silky when I used the whole pod BUT it got greasy within a day.
- I've now started combining half a pod with the Pureology and that works nicely.
- I'm definitely going to buy more pods when I'm in Asia again and try their other range.
- What a great item for travel too! Really lightweight and no excess, no mess!
MISSES:
- Kerastase Elixir Ultime ***(not pictured)
- Yes, I'm sure I'm going to cop a lot of flak for not liking this product BUT hear me out!
- This smells amazing! And has a light-ish texture for a serum - both good features!
- But it didn't do anything special for my hair though! Maybe a little less frizzy but certainly nothing any drugstore/supermarket serum can't deliver at 20% the price!
- It's so average as a serum, I probably wouldn't even buy it if it was $5 a bottle!!! I'd still buy the Avon! (yes, you heard me!)
- SunSilk Weather Defense Leave-in Serum
- Did nothing for my hair
- In its favour, it was very affordable, easy to find and an aerodynamic shape making it easy to travel with.
- Ojon Rare Blend Hair Oil
- I had been dying to try this coz many beauty bloggers swear by it. It's almost impossible to find here in Australia so I waited till I was in the USA and grabbed a mini at Sephora, cost be damned!!!
- It's fun to mix up, has a neutral smell…. and does nothing for my hair. Just nothing. And it was USD$15 for 15ml (0.4 fluid ounces). Yes, $1 per millilitre.
- Pure Organic Argan Oil ***(not pictured)
- I thought I should go straight to the source… bought a 30mL bottle while in France.
- Has the texture of a light oil. Think canola rather than olive oil (sorry, best analogy I could come up with).
- Didn't do anything for me other than weigh my hair down and make me look oily and greasy… even when only put at the bottom ⅓ of my hair.
- I've found many other uses for the oil but my hair isn't one of them!
UNDECIDED!
- Pureology Reviving Red Illuminating Caring Oil
- This does NOTHING for the frizziness or the glossiness of my hair BUT it does revive the red.
- No real smell.
- It costs USD$32 dollars per bottle for 125ml. If there was a drugstore dupe/ substitute available, I would buy it in a heartbeat.
…So that's it from me.
What are your thoughts? Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any awesome products to recommend? :):):)
