Beauty ponders

no longer allowed to buy shower gels / body lotions... Will take forever to empty this basket to begin with I guess** these things last ages sometimes...!
Sounds familiar?

Time again for some hair care and one of my most beloved findings of 2011, which is the Joico K-Pak reconstructor. Actually I like the whole Joico K-Pak line, it's good stuff - especially if you frequently style/colour your hair look into this -, but this product is probably its most radiant star...
The packaging is simple and big, you get 250ml which lasts quite a long time. You can buy it at hairdressers or online (feelunique, lookfantastic,...). It's not cheap but not insane expensive either considering the amount you're getting. It has a strong scent that reminds me most of bananas and coconuts, I really like it.

• K-PAK Reconstructor contains the highest amount of Quadramine Complex than any other product in the Joico family.
• Hair is left shiny, strong and in a healthy, manageable state.
• K-PAK Reconstructor results in an immediately noticeable difference in strength, texture and appearance.

This product qualifies as 'a treatment', it's not a mask or a conditioner, don't be fooled. It's meant for damaged hair to improve its structure. If your hair isn't damaged, you will most likely achieve hardly any results with this one (wow, complicated sentence). Myself, I regularly use a straightening iron, I sometimes colour my hair - safe to say there is some damage to it. So when I started using this I quickly saw results... My hair became stronger, softer, easy to detangle and when I style it - it remains styled throughout the day/next days. However, don't overdo this product... even though you want it. It's adviced to be used once a week at its most, as it can be drying for your hair and it's best to follow up with another conditioner (they advise K-Pak intense hydrator, I tried it & it's a good combination). When your hair has regained its strength, leave the product be as it is too heavy then, untill you need it again. Now, there's something I'm not good at... leaving a product be when I love it?! But it's the best choice, I noticed it wasn't adding anything to my hair anymore lately, only weighing it down and the volume was less & less...
To sum it up: yes, I love this product and when my hair is in need of it, I will repurchase this one for sure. Just make sure you don't add this to your hair-routine, use it like it's intented to and I'm sure you'll love it!

This week I paid a little visit to 2 stores: the IU for some skin care and the ICIParis since I had a coupon code that needed to be redeemed...
And I scored the Caudalie cream cleanser, such a nice brand and I love cream cleansers so I hope this one fits the bill too. Then I got the Frederic Fekkai Shea butter cream, to be used as a leave-in cream before drying your hair. This is a relatively new product from Fekkai and is intented for dry, brittle hair. It smells amazing, hopefully it works the same way! I got a few glossing samples along with it, yay!

Today no beauty related article, but a little something extra from Liu Jo which I recently purchased, my first ever purchase from this brand but not my last one for sure... Gorgeous packaging with a little ribbon, ohh, cuteness all over... I love brands that give me this feeling - cloud nine, present!
Onto business now, what did I get? This lovely wallet from the Spring/Summer 2012 collection. I was in need of a new wallet (had mine for 4 years now I believe) but I couldn't find one to my likings, untill I ran into this one... It's totally me: soft & neutral colours, a decent canvas, luxury looking, gold letters - yes, I love it a lot!
It's also available in a black/grey version if you're interested and retails for 60-65euros. You can buy it in all Liu Jo stores. They also offer handbags with this canvas, but that's a bit too much for me and would bore me too soon.
It's a medium size but quite spacy, with a zipper and room for lots of cards... Recommended if you need room but don't like those big big wallets.
Do you have something from Liu Jo?

Shopping is fun... either it is shopping for beauty products, shopping for clothes, most kind of shopping I like (except for the foodshopping, takes ages) so today I also have a nice kind of shopping for you... I ordered a new phone and I decided to go for the Iphone *yeay* and guess what I've been browsing? Yes, covers & cases... but there is so much choice...!!?!!

Marc Jacobs, Cath or Swash?

Which one do you prefer or which one do you have?

Do you remember my review on Dandelion last year? Check the link if you didn't or here's the summary: I love love love it! This has definitely become my HG blush over time, it's also listed on my HG page and I have been using it about 80% of the time. A close second favourite is MAC's Warm Soul, but that's for another article. So, what happens when you use a blush almost every day of the week? Pan, yes, it happens, a lot of pan...
This is the perfect blush for my skin, easy to put on / easy to blend, and it stays put all day with a good base and finishing powder. Minor discomfort is the paper packaging, it looks cute but after time becomes a bit dirty... Nevertheless, I will surely be repurchasing this blush - I do get a few more weeks or months usage out of what's left, but I have to face the fact that I've finished this blush. Can you believe that? Finishing a blush? I never guessed I would say something so soon... But it's true and it feels good. So if your skin looks a bit like mine, try this blush and see for yourself :)!
Which blush is on your repurchase list and why?

Exfoliation and skin care walk the same dusty path and are essential in everyone's routine. But when it comes to exfoliation there are 2 types: AHA and BHA. AHA is intented for sun damage and wrinkles, whereas BHA comes in regarding blackheads & blemishes. In my routine AHA is much more common than BHA, but I do use it and, being honest, my skin does need it. I rarely get blemishes but I do tend to get blackheads - especially on my nose (like so many others). I'm not keen on using strips, so I wanted to give this a try...!

• Lightly moisturizing lotion base
• 1% salicylic acid removes dull, built-up layers of damaged skin cells to reveal healthy, smooth skin
• pH of 3.2 is optimal for effective exfoliation
• 100% fragrance and colorant-free

I chose this one from Paula's Choice because of various reasons: it's a mild one at 1%, it's a lotion & intented for dry skin, price/amount is very fair. Adding that I've read multiple great reviews on it and we have ourself a winner to try out. As all her products the packaging is simple. It's not cheap around 24euros but you do get 118ml in return, which will last you a long time... - this isn't something that you need to layer on thick and it's better to only use it in areas where you have clogged pores.

As you notice the top packaging could have been better as it leaves some residue that can clog up. Best to keep it tidy. The dispenser works nice, with a little squeak you can get the desired amount. The product is a white silky lotion, with silicones in it off course - it has no scent at all. It spreads out nicely, sinks in fast, leaving the skin feeling a bit tight but not too dry (which is a problem with the gel type of this BHA, I used a tester to try it, if you have dry skin only go for this lotion!!). I've been using this for more than a year *seems so long*, mainly on my nose and on certain areas when I felt blemishes appearing. I used it every other day in the evening, but you can adjust this to your preference off course (I use an AHA on the other day). I must admit, this BHA does work! It has diminished my blackheads a lot and has prevented new ones from appearing. This 1% version is really mild, I've ordered the 2% now to test because I feel my skin can easily handle it and I still have a few tiny blackheads that won't dissapear so maybe the stronger version will succeed in it.
The goods: fulfills its claims, good packaging, nice pricing/amount of product received, can be used on dry/sensitive skin

The bads: mild - most people can use the stronger 2% version, leaves residue on top of packaging, only available through her webshop

Overall, yes, I'm a fan and will probably keep on repurchasing this or the stronger 2% version. If you have a problem with blackheads and/or a few blemishes from time to time, do try this product - it delivers! I easily see where it gets its great reviews from, it's a decent BHA for a decent price - they are hard to come by you know... :)

Another episode of finished and of me being proud of myself. I am actually finishing more stuff than buying new stuff, which is good. I must behave, but I do tend on splurging on a few nice limited collection items...!
*Estee Lauder Vérite cream cleanser: this product is intented for sensitive skin and is for a cleanser, not that cheap. But since I read some great reviews on it, I wanted to try it. It has a heavy scent, flowery, and works ok but I found other cheaper cleansers performing the same or even better... It's good, but far from special.

*Batiste dry shampoo in Blush: I cannot live without my Batiste I guess, I've already finished a few bottles and I love it. It's perfect for my fringe or when my hair needs a little touchin' up. The "Blush" is the only one available here in my country, although I also liked other scents such as the Tropical one.

*Etos body butter cream: I bought this when it was on sale, it was quite cheap, and I enjoyed using it. Etos offers a nice thick creamy body butter for a good price. The scent of this particular one is so nice, a bit tropical-like, I really like it.

*Paula's Choice skin recovery mask: one of my favourite moisturizer to use at night, especially in winter when my skin is even more dry than usually. I already have a new tube awaiting usage, HG all the way this one!

*Estee Lauder resilience lift mask: again, I also bought this mask to use as a night cream and it has also been performing very well. It's scented & very creamy/thick. A review of this one is coming up.

*Pai BioAffinity toner: did a review on this one, beloved product but the price tag is a bit too much I guess

*Pai Macadamia & Rose cream: also did a review on this one, beloved as well but also with a price tage though I may repurchase this one because it does last a long time - it's extremely thick and rich, dry skins love this one for sure!

*Avon Supermagnify mascara: as always there's a mascara in my finished episode. It is said to use it for 3 months and I surely follow this rule. Because of my contacts my eyes are very sensitive and I do notice when it is time to change mascaras - funny, not? This is a lovely mascara by Avon, it has such tiny bristles - quite funny actually-, one that I should review soon...!

And the hauling begins... with a little bit of skincare. Actually I want to buy and try a whole lot more, but I first have to finish a few things. I made a little deal with myself saying that if I have more than 1 backup of a product wandering around, let's say 2 unopened night creams, I am not allowed to buy a new one... So far, this deal is working so I just came home with what I could use some time soon...
On the left my beloved Bioderma make-up remover, HG all the way. In the middle is a free gift that you got when purchasing a La Roche Posay product with a few big samples in it. I bought the Rosaliac UV Riche cream, intented for dry & sensitive skin. Hopefully I'll end up loving it as much as other LRP products :)!

Today's wishlist is one consisting only of jewelry... These items have been on my list for days, week, some even for months and it may be the time to get some of them in house..., curious?
Michael Kors Rose Gold watch, ohh, how I love it. I've been eyeing this for more than a year but this particular model I've posted now is a new one and it's sweeping me of my feet. I'm afrai to try it on, because I know I will probably end up buying it! Then Pandora leather bracelets. At first I wasn't into Pandora at all, not my cup of tea. But I must admit I do like their leather bracelets, at their own or with one or two charms on them but not crowded and filled. Most people have the silver bracelet, but I like this one far more...

And again 2 bracelets, but now from the brand Maison Scotch - which is one of my favourite clothing brands. Sadly, their collection is quite small and hard to come by. Now I ran into their jewelry and I'm loving these 2 bracelets by them. But I'll have to choose: I cannot end up buying 3 bracelets now, can I?