Monday, June 24, 2013

The Waste Of Money Review



     Someone could spend his life using only 3 or 4 products that work for him/her, but it is the adventurous and curious side that make us want to try what lies in other bottles and tubes. SO today I thought I would get the products that I hate and photograph them on their "hall of waste".

     I usually try to finish the products even if I don't like them, I try to find a way to use them. For example, if a face cream did not work I use it for my neck or even my hands, and if I don't like the color of a lipstick, I mix it with another and create my desired shade, etc. But most of the products I will list below are just hopeless ..




1- Kerastase Nutritive Masquintese  for fine hair:  This one is the most disappointing. I have never purchased a hair product this expensive- about $60 at CVS- but I was in desperate need for a solution for my dry hair. And because Kerastase is a trusted brand and used by hair dressers I had great expectations for it. It does not hydrate as it promised, and it leaves a bit of a shiny film that does not look like a healthy shine, but rather something coating the hair, even though sometimes I shampoo after using it. It is meant to be used on roots, but I don't use any conditioners or masks on my roots other than natural oils.
The smell is awful, smells exactly like glycerin, if you have ever used a hand cream called Glysolid, you will know what I am talking about. But I still use it from time to time in the hope of finishing it fast.

2-  Elizabeth Arden Daily Moisturizer Lotion SPF 15 I used it only for outdoors and it left the skin shiny especially the T-Zone. It does not feel good on the skin. It does not smell good, a bit like sunscreen. A product that I can't tolerate on my face. 

3- Alba Hawaiian Oil-Free MoisturizerI don't shop at drugstores for face moisturizers - only if they have high end products like Vichy and La Roche Posay..etc - but this one tricked me with its organic and 100% vegetarian ingredients. It does not moisturize or even soak into the skin properly and does not feel nice too. It smells like plastic to me. Tried to find a way to use it on my neck or hands, but I could not tolerate the smell.

4- Burt's bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract : This is one of the brands that for some reason I want to love every single product they have.  But turns out that this product is going to the trash after one use. My skin felt warm and burning after using it. Plus the awful, awful scent, I can describe as a mix of unpleasant smelling herbals and lavender.

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Have you tried any of these products ? Did you like it ? 


Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. I wrote my honest opinion of products I purchased with my own money. 










Thursday, June 20, 2013

Handbags Wishlist








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1- Pierre Hardy Color-block leather shoulder bag

I don't hate multicolored bags, but i don't usually buy them or fancy them, only if the shades are close to each other ( e.g. black and dark blue ). But this bag is still in my mind since I saw it during winter at Barneys New York. Such a beautiful mix of my favorite colors. And most bags of this brand are a mix of interesting colors.


2-  Frye Norah Woven Mini

This kind of
Bottega Veneta woven style is never my cup of tea . But I liked my first when a strong smell of leather leaded me to a new and huge Frye store. It is so well made with an impressive intricate details. Loved both the dark grey and the brown one. 


3- Salvatore Ferragamo 'Jody' Leather Shoulder Bag


This shade of burgundy is just perfection. The shape of it, and the strong and smooth looking leather ... timeless.


                               






4                                                       5                                                    6



4- Mark Cross Scottie Small Satchel

Burgundy, classic, elegant and a bit masculine, how can't I adore it ! everything I like is stretching on this bag. There is also a clutch version of it, which is so pretty and the color looks more beautiful than the picture. The whole Scottie collection of Mark Cross speaks directly to my taste. 


5- Chanel Vintage Quilted Tassel Bag 

I am always into the dark shades of any color ( dark red, dark green, dark blue, etc). Dark green in particular is hard to find in bags, and the last time I needed a new bag I was looking for something similar.  This shade is exactly what I like, plus vintage Chanel ! a dream comes true.


6- Emilio Pucci Colorblocked Accordion Satchel


This accordion thing is becoming a trend. Celine did it and other brands too. I like the mix of two colors that Pucci did. They also have it in nude with black accordion, and both look chic





 
Which one is your favorite ? 



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Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored in any way. Everything I wrote is based on my own opinion.


Monday, June 17, 2013

Review: Vichy Purete Thermale One Step Cleanser (3 in 1)



     I remember a nice lady at CVS gave me a sample of VICHY Purete Thermale One Step Cleanser  with my purchase, and it was more of a travel size than a sample. That was during a time in 2012, and I remember I raved about it ( to myself at the time) and promised that I will buy it as soon as I finish the products that I need to finish, just to avoid accumulations..and I did.

    I don't remember in my life purchasing a 3 in 1 product, I'm actually never attracted to such products for some reason !








It works as : 1- Cleansing Milk    2- Toner   3- Eye Make-up remover. And you don't have to rinse it if you don't want to, even though I do. 
I first cleanse my face using my face wash,  then I apply Vichy using a cotton pad,  after few minutes I wash it with water then I apply my moisturizer. It helps a lot and softens the dry parts of my skin,  and the smoothness doubles after applying my moisturizer. I just wish it does not have fragrance in it , and I also wish they specify if it is synthetic or natural, even though I LOVE the scent, very refreshing. 


Did you try this product before?

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Where to buy online:
Dermstore
Walgreens
CVS



Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. I wrote my honest opinion about a product I purchased with my own money. 




Tuesday, June 11, 2013

My visit to SOWA Open market





     So Sunday was the time to go to SOWA Open Market, which is my favorite in Boston, if not in all of Massachusetts. Luckily the weather was not hot, just nice but a bit humid. 
If you have not been to sowa, it is basically like a 3 or 4 sections open market: A section for food trucks, another for farmers, one for handmade lovely stuff which I call " the Etsy section" and the last one and the only reason I go there is the vintage market, which is filled with antiques and vintage things that just make me want to have them all and place them in a huge house and just look at them.









Most of it is outdoors except the vintage section which is indoors. Once I arrive, I directly go to the vintage market and spend most of the time there, I sometimes go around it twice or even thrice. This time I was hoping for a jewelry box, unfortunately the ones I liked where not that clean, at least to me, so I ended up buying brooches as I usually do. But it is always a delight to be there, at vintage markets in general, just to look around and examine things and what time they belonged to. And of course applying my "Antiques Roadshow" knowledge to evaluating vintage pieces, which is not easy and did not work well despite my addiction to this show, the UK version in particular.







 

The gates of heaven






That lime green armchair is pretty, I would have bought it if my stay is not temporary in this country.






I don't know if this is supposed to make it more valuable, but that hair brush has blond hair in it which actually made me disgusted and curious to know who used to use it! is this the point of keeping it hairy !



















Dirty ballet shoes signed : Kimberly Ostrowski. I was curious to know who it belonged to, but sometimes it is hard to find the owner of the stand, and this is a problem for me because I stand for a while looking for assistance among people, and sometimes there is no one even if the stand is empty of customers. I just wish they wear like an ID card that says SOWA or anything just to differentiate rather than asking any old person " is this your stand Sir ; Mam ? " .













Lovely embroidered baby blue dress from the 50s I believe, reminds me of Betty Draper.








Teeth anyone ? wish it is that simple ..







The perfect Fathers Day gift. This is one of the things I was curious about and did not find anyone to assist ..






Don't you love how make up packaging used to look like, how fancy ! some of these are Avon, which was the MAC of the 50s and 60s .





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Excuse the poor quality of the photos, they are all Iphone-ish just because I can't stand roaming around holding my heavy Canon. Hope you enjoyed this post as I enjoyed my time there.


Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Review: Avene Hydrance Optimal Rich & Thermal Spring Water Spray




      Back in high school, I started my skin care routine with French products. Then I continued on purchasing only French products. And even when ,at a certain time, I used a not "Made In France" , I knew deep down that nothing can beat their stuff. I am not trying to be biased here, but believe me, they know what they are doing. When it comes to beauty products, trust the French. 


Avene Hydrance Optimale Rich Hydrating Cream 


     Formulated for dry and very dry sensitive skin. And since my skin is currently dehydrated with some dry patches, hoped this will be the one. It has a creamy texture that absorbs impressively fast into the skin without leaving it greasy, and it leaves the skin very soft. The good thing about it is that it can be used any time in the day; it is not that thick or greasy that you have to use it only at night. It also has a patented technology that helps prevent moisture loss. I just wish I had this during winter...

Now I can say that this lovely cream will be a staple, so whenever my skin gets dehydrated, I will definitely know what to use. 


Where to buy online :
Amazon
Dermstore

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Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray

I must admit that I felt stupid buying a 50ml water spray for $8, but sometimes I feel I need something to refresh my skin, and since this one does not only refresh, but also soothes and softens, I thought why not ! plus it is rich in minerals.
I use it after I cleanse my face and before applying my moisturizer, it gives a lovely refreshing feeling. And I know it will be ideal during long flights, where my skin gets crazy and intolerant.
It is a good product to keep in your bag and on your nightstand for whenever your skin needed refreshment or felt irritated. 


Where to buy online:

Amazon
Dermstore

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Disclaimer: This post is NOT sponsored. I wrote my honest opinion of products I purchased with my own money.