l’oreal total repair 5

The Review | L’Oreal Total Repair 5 Replenishing Mask

I’m always complaining that living in Canada – and the East Coast in particular – that products are much more expensive and difficult to come by even via online shipping here but in terms of the L’Oreal Total Repair 5 Replenishing Mask ($6-8), us Canadians are actually in luck. As it turns out, we are fortunate enough to have the Curly-Girl-Method-approved European and Middle Eastern formulation, while in the US, the customer is stuck with the silicone-laden version of the product of the same name. If you’re not familiar with the Curly Girl Method, I am basically saying that this hair mask is free of sulphates (obviously), silicones (that cannot be removed without the aid of a cleanser) and anything else that might build up on the hair.

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Ingredients: AQUA, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRONIUM CHLORIDE, GLYCERIN, CETYL ESTERS, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, PHENOOXYETHANOL, LAURYL PEG/PPG-18/18 METHICONE, BHT, ARGININE, GLUTAMIC ACID, CHLORHEXIDINE DIGLUCONATE, CITRIC ACID, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, SERINE, HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM HYDROLIZED WHEAT PROTEIN, DODECENE, HEXYL CINNAMOL, POLOXAMER 407, LINALOOL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, LIMONENE, 2-OLEAMIDO-1, 3-OCTADECANEDIOL, GLYCERYL LINOLEATE, GLYCERYL LINOLENATE, PARFUM.

It’s time to move on to why I like it so much. I will note that it’s not holy-grail material or anything but it’s impressive in the way that it performs without building up on the hair, particularly because its so affordable and accessible. I would categorize it as a product thats on the higher end of moderately moisturizing but with a slightly thick – but watery – weightless texture. It has really good slip, despite only containing one silicone – which is water-soluble and not one of the worst suspects. The main ingredients are glycerin, emollients and those moisturizing alcohols but theres a low to moderate amount of protein added into the mix – enough to help repair the hair, without presenting much of an issue for the protein-sensitive. What I think is so impressive about this mask is that it’s very moisturizing and slip-y without relying on heavy oils or butters that even my porous hair sometimes needs a break from. It would be particularly great for those who find that heavier ingredients weigh their hair down but still need a good dose of moisture.

As it’s not the most intense moisture or protein treatment out there, I simply use it in the place of my regular conditioner in the shower. It’s also lightweight enough to use on my relatively fine wavy strands as a leave-in if I’m so inclined. In other words, I recommend it, especially to those with finer hair.

Any Thoughts?
Maggie, x.

The Weekend Post |The Current Shower Staples

 

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If you’re anything like me, there’s something instantly compelling about discovering the products that other human beings use and obviously you derive some sort of borderline twisted pleasure from being nosy and seeing the products that one uses in the shower. Because I tend to go on and on about products and I share my shower with my brother and other family members and therefore have a million products in there, I thought I would share my picks for the moment.

Herbal Essences Naked Moisture Cleansing Conditioner ($6-8)

I’m not entirely new to the whole cleansing conditioner thing, having used the L’Oreal EverCreme version previously with fairly good success and doing some plain old conditioner washing with similar success, but I’m still no expert on the whole thing. However, I would say that I’ve really been enjoying this one as its potent mint scent feels refreshing, particularly on the scalp and it both seems to cleanse nicely without weighing my hair down where my hair is the finest and works nicely as a conditioner to boot. I appreciate that this does work as a truly 2 in 1 product for me when I’m feeling lower key and the only thing I would change is the dimethicone (a non-water-soluble silicone) in the formula.

L’Oreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($8-10)

I must admit that I’ve only had this shampoo in my possession for a few weeks but since I’ve picked it up, I’ve been loving this nourishing shampoo. Out of all of the shampoos that I’ve tried this comes closest to the Pureology SuperSmooth for gently cleansing the hair with its concentrated but gentle formula, leaving my hair relatively untangled as a result without any sort of weighing down action going on. It has a nice subtle scent and works nicely on my finer wavy-curly hair. While it does contain a silicone, it’s one that does not build up on the hair and I appreciate this.

Pureology Precious Oil Softening Hair Masque ($50)

I’m beginning to realize that I’ve neglected declaring my love for this rather indulgent but phenomenal hair masque after my initial ravings months ago. I was not using it for a bit in fear of running out of it but now that I’ve returned to it, I’ve been loving the concentrated silicone-free formula that somehow manages to detangle hair and nourish it like nothing else in this world with a hefty amount of coconut and sunflower oil without weighing hair down in the slightest. It’s amazing but pricy and I’m a huge fan of the brand in general.

L’Oreal Total Repair 5 Replenishing Mask ($6-8)

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been very disappointed overall in my adventures in the drugstore for effective masks and also that this one has broken that streak a few weeks back here and my thoughts have not changed on the subject. While its not quite as concentrated as the Pureology, this offering is nourishing on my hair and definitely has a nice slip to it for detangling, despite only containing a water-soluble silicone and is effective without weighing down my hair in the slightest and it has a nice concentration of amino acids that I haven’t noticed a huge effect from yet but are impressive nevertheless. If only the scent wasn’t quite so synthetic-floral…

Aveeno Eczema Care Body Wash ($7-8)

While I haven’t raved about this endlessly, I’m sure that regular readers are aware of my love for this gentle and soothing soap-free and fragrance-free body wash and I couldn’t do this post without including this one. This is easily one of my most repurchased products for good reason; it’s not too expensive and it works for my extremely sensitive eczema-prone skin, even in its most horrific state. This is a really fantastic but basic product that I would recommend to anyone with body skin issues – and I can use it on my acne-prone back without any issues. I apologize if that was verging into TMI territory…

Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish ($18)

I picked this up as my first foray into the British-based company (and into body scrubs in general) when I spotted the brand on for three for two at Shopper’s Drugmart maybe six weeks back and I have been particularly impressed. I’m not usually into that whole pink packaging thing but I do enjoy the novelty of it and the whole “now he’ll never know that all this time you’ve been flaking it” slogan and the subtly warm scent. Beyond all of those details, I’ve found this to not be too abrasive on my sensitive skin but leave it smooth and hydrated afterwards even on my rough patches of skin. Obviously, I don’t use it on broken out irritated patches of skin but it doesn’t seem to harsh on other patches compared to other scrubs that I’ve heard about and tried once or twice. This product has been one that really has provided that pampered feeling and hasn’t seemed to irritate things further.

What are your current shower staples?
Maggie, x.

The Weekend Post | The Current Loves

DSC_0945It might seem like all I do around these parts is rave about my favourite products but I’m not going to let my fear of repition get in the way of shring some of my favourite products of the moment with you. Don’t click off just yet; I promise that I’m going to speak of some new loves along with a usual suspect or two.

L’Oreal Total Repair 5 Repairing Mask

Despite being a girl who places high demands on her haircare, having such dry and tangly wavy-curly hair and consequently ending to go for higher end options, I’ve always held high regard for the L’Oreal line. With this said, I’ve been less than impressed by the other offerings that I’ve tried from this particular line and I’m pleased to report that this one has compared to the highest end counterparts. It’s not too heavy but extremely nourishing for my long hair and has nice detangling power to boot.

Garnier Deconstructed Texture Tease

I will admit that despite really enjoying this in the last week or so, I included it in the photo without thinking about how it would be the topic of discussion in my next post. Oops. Case in point — I’ll try to keep this brief. This is a colourless spray that instant texture and volume to the hair (roots in particular), adding grit to the hair with a dose of hold at the same time.

Dior Star Fluid Foundation

While this isn’t a foundation that instantly applies and looks like skin with the most glowing finish, I have grown to love this foundation and it is one that I love as it sets into the skin and wear it throughout the day, even after say the 10 hour mark. It sinks nicely into the skin and really blends nicely without being obvious on the skin despite being medium-buildable coverage with a nice satin finish that turns glowier throughout the day. I wish that the fragrance and/or chemical sunscreen didn’t make my skin tingle upon first use but I do love that the formula is nice and hydrating throughout the day and has that nice lightweight texture without involving irritating alcohol. It’s not an uber-dewy foundation but I love how it leaves the skin looking revitalized while feeling comfortable on my sensitive skin.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

This is definitely the item that has been previously talked about the most of the bunch but it deserved mention because I’ve grabbed for it daily, primarily for the middle limited edition shade, Incandescent Light as a nice highlighter with refined sheen that’s actually light enough to brighten the area head-on and to highlight the inner corner of the eyelid in a pinch. Also when I haven’t been feeling much on the checks, I’ll reach for the bronzier Radiant Light for that subtle glow.

L’Oreal Infallible Super Slim

After retiring my beloved Lineur Intense a few weeks back, I decided to pick this one up a a replacement and I must say that I’m at least as impressed with it, for slightly different reasons. Although it’s not as easy to create a smooth wing with this formula because of its firm controlled top that requires sufficient pressure to deposit product, I’ve been enjoying just how easy it is to control and create a precise line with it.

Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara

Now, I’ve had this mascara since I picked it up (in sample size) as part of my Sephora birthday gift back in June but I threw the small box into the back of my drawer, only o be recently duck back out and actually applied to my lashes. Although I’ve been enjoying the dramatic volume and impact that this gives to my lashes, I’m sure that I’ll fall in love more when the formula is less wet and I don’t have to be quite so careful with the wand. I haven’t been using higher end mascaras in ages but this might just have brought me back into the game because of the drama it gave to my lashes without clumping or heaviness involved. It might just be worth the splurge.

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 110 Kiss of Life

I’ve been really into the bold lip as of late and this fairly neutral red that leans slightly-orangey in tone has been my pick not only because of how much I love the shade but also because of how fabulous the formulation is. I wouldn’t describe the finish of these comfortable lipsticks as completely matte but they are semi-matte and don’t dry out your lips in the slightest, gliding on with full pigmentation and staying in place for 5-6 hours with some eating and drinking involved. Not only is this scarlet hue a flattering option with my dark hair and fair skin, but it’s also a low fuss shade to wear, being bold without requiring a whole lot of maintenance.

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