Showing posts with label Vichy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vichy. Show all posts

Empties #8


I haven't got the foggiest who actually used this up (thieving bubble bath fairies?), but here it is even though I only used it a couple of times. It's a bubble bath with a piña colada scent, however, the bubbles are pretty pathetic. The scent, on the other hand, is lovely exotic and it makes you feel like you're bathing in a massive piña colada cocktail. It's inexpensive for a big bottle, but I prefer more bubbly products.
Repurchase: Probably not.

One of my favourite shower gels ever! It smells divine - like peach flavoured bubble gum and it's only a €. Love it!
I hear they released a passion fruit version recently, which I obviously need and I have my eye on the strawberry one as well.
Repurchase: Already did.

Another lovely smelling shower gel, except this one smells like sweet honey. It had one of the best honey scent ever and a gentle, jelly-like texture formula. Unfortunately, it was limited edition, so I was super frugal with it, but sadly it had to run out one day.
Repurchase: I would if it weren't a LE.

A boring empty. It's a staple in my bathroom. I love the powdery floral scent and the quality is fantastic for the price.
Repurchase: Already did and I got the Summer Garden version as well (which smells amazing).

Another product I was very sparing with since VS isn't available in my country. The scent is a winner at this body butter. Love Spell is one of the most delicious tropical scents I've ever tried and layering the body butter with the body mist made me smell like a fizzy tropical drink. The texture is almost like a body butter meets gel and feels strangely wet, but it's super moisturising.
Repurchase: Yes.

Yes, I'm getting boring again. I used up another one of these. You know I love it and there is nothing more to say.
Repurchase: Yes.

Maybelline Eye Makeup Remover Waterproof
The same story as with Bioderma, this is my staple and it excels at removing waterproof mascara. I recently purchased Nivea's version because DM doesn't carry Maybelline's one and it just made me appreciate it more. Fantastic product for a reasonable price.  
Repurchase: Yes.

It is great defrizzer in a spray that smells like lemon candy. I used this before I found Healthy Sexy Hair Three-Wheat Leave-in conditioner, which also defrizzes very well as well as provides my dry hair with extra moisture. Spoil me is a super light product that feels like nothing on the hair and yet it works. It's great for those who have hair that gets weighted down or greasy easy and need a light taming product. The bottle is massive and it lasts long, however, it appears that perhaps gas escaped from mine, since there is still product inside, but it won't come out.
Repurchase: No. Since I discovered Three-Wheat Leave-in conditioner I don't need it any more. 

Another dandruff shampoo that I gave a try and it failed. It's a very gentle sulphate, silicone and paraben free formula that doesn't clean the scalp well which is essential if you have dandruff. It's also a bit stripping and it leaves my hair tangled. Basically, I didn't like it at all.
Repurchase: No.

I have to say with each use I love it more and it's fast becoming one of my favourite hair treatments. I literally repurchased it the day I used it up (and I haven't repurchased the Dove Oil care one yet). It hydrates my dry hair well and performs similar to much more expensive products. Not to mention it smells amazing like bubble gum. A winner.
Repurchase: Already did.

I have mixed feelings about this one. It's undoubtedly a good product, but is it really so good that it deserves that extra few euros when there are very similar performing products in the drugstore range? It just lacks that bit of oomph that something from Joico or Kerastase has. The pot contains only 200 ml of product which didn't last me many treatments and though the scent is very cinnamon-clove-Christmas-y, it is strong and only appeals to me in the winter months. I also noticed a very unattractive crust on the top when I didn't use it for a few weeks. It's not bad, but for the price there are better.
Repurchase: Probably not.

Rexona Clear Pure Crystal
Deo stick antiperspirant
This is the first deodorant ever that didn't stop working on me and I've used every bit of it! I was quite shocked when I hit the plastic bit at the bottom as I didn't expect to use it up and not toss it before that. It's a stick deodorant that smells nice (fruity) and works well enough on me by keeping BO at bay. The only bad thing are the white marks, however, I can forgive that. I actually bought a different deodorant out of curiosity, but I don't like it nearly as much.
Repurchase: Rather surprisingly yes.

lee stafford POKeR STRAiGHT DeHUMIDIFIER
The so called "invisible umbrella" that promises to prevent curling due to the moisture and fight frizz. It should work in theory, but in real life situations it didn't quite cut it. Actually, it's pretty much the same thing as got2b Öl-La-La Styling Öl-Spray and it leaves the same same light oily-siliconey feeling as well as gives loads of shine. And that's what I've been using it for, as a shine spray and a tamer. It has the typical Lee Stafford scent, a heavy oriental one with flower notes and patchouli. I would recommend only girls with dry(-ish) hair should use it as it is oily.
(Re)purchase: No. I prefer Öl-La-La because it smells nicer.

 lee stafford Dry ShaMPOO ORiGiNAL
Not my favourite dry shampoo since its oil absorbing properties are not the best and it doesn't refresh the hair as effectively as for example Batiste, however, it doesn't leave that powdery, gritty texture as most dry shampoos do. It has a very strong parfumey scent, again the typical Lee Stafford one, but a very intense version which can be headache inducing for more sensitive people.
(Re)purchase: No.

Have a great day!
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Best from Pharmacy Brands


My first experience with pharmacy brands happened many years ago with one of the dandruff shampoos and in these years I've tried a fair share of other products as well - from the famous Avene's Cleanance K and La Roche Posay's Effaclair Duo to the luxurious Nuxe Baume Prodigieux Lip Gloss - and I've found a nice amount of favourites and staples. I have a lot of faith in products from the pharmacy being a lot better than those from the drugstore and are probably as good as some high-end ones just for a more reasonable price. They are easy to get a hold of where I live, since we have a lot of pharmacies nearby and quite a few online shops (by the way, my favourite pharmacy is Leposana (E. Leclerck Ljubljana), where things are quite a lot cheaper than in my local pharmacy, especially if you have their loyalty card). 

 Phyto Phytheol Intense 
Dandruff treatment shampoo (100ml)
This has the weirdest texture of a shampoo ever. It's very thin and runny, also the packaging is beyond annoying because it's metal and you can't squeeze it resulting in having to pour the product out, which is particularity irritating when it's on its last legs. So why am I including it here? It's simple - because out of mountains of anti-dandruff products I've tried, this with combination of Phytopolleine had the best effect so far. It didn't cure it (I've actually lost hope for that, it's been going strong for 13 bloody years and I've tried everything, even went to a dermatologist), but it was the only product that actually removed that stubborn layer of dandruff that is stuck on my scalp and I finally felt like my scalp could breathe again. I'm sure that on someone whose scalp isn't so persistently dry that it flakes, rather has more "normal" dandruff problems this should solve it.

cream-shampoo anti-dandruff (250 ml)
Again another anti-dandruff shampoo, but this is not the intensive treatment rather a maintainer with salicylic acid that chemically exfoliates the scalp. But why I love it is because it's super gentle, yet really creamy and perfect for my mega dry hair. Most shampoos leave my scalp itchy after use because they dry it out, but with this I never had those problems at all. I've gone through a half a dozen tubes and though I'm trying other treatments for dandruff, I keep coming back to this. This and Kerastase Oleo-Relax are my absolute favourite shampoos. 

(200ml)
Technically I didn't buy this in a pharmacy, I buy them in Müller, but it is a healing type of product so I'm including it here. Again I bought this originally as a dandruff treatment, but it didn't yield much results in that department, however, this is a miracle for itchy scalp. Whenever my scalp feels itchy this soothes it instantly. I have to warn you that is has a very powerful, herbal schnapps scent so beware of any comments about reeking of alcohol, but hey at least your scalp will feel great. Another thing is the packaging which is rubbish since it lacks some sort of a nozzle with which you could apply this directly on the scalp, rather it's just pouring out uncontrollably and that's why (please don't laugh at me for this) I use a syringe (without the needle, obviously) so I can get the product directly and evenly on the scalp. I'm currently using my eighth bottle.

Botanical Scalp Stimulant (25ml)
As I already said in the Pytherol review, this is a little miracle product that completely purified my scalp. It's eye-wateringly expensive at 29 € for a stingy 25 ml, but I bought two in a row. Sadly, it seems that it stopped working on me as all anti-dandruff products do (please tell me I'm not alone in this), so I'm having a bit of a break from it and I'm hoping a fresh bottle in a few months will be effective again. This really was the only product that came close to getting rid of my stubborn dandruff and because it's an oil, it also leaves the hair feeling really nourished .

(100ml, 250 ml and 500 ml) 
It wouldn't be a best from pharmacies post without this. I've been a fan of it for about three years and I've gone though countless bottles. Sure there are drugstore dupes nowadays, but I don't find them as effective in completely and quickly removing all the makeup even though they are really good.

(30 ml)
This is a saviour for very dry, flaky skin. It actually feels relatively light, but it's intensely moisturising and it transforms the flaky skin literally overnight. Sadly, it breaks me out, which breaks my heart, but my mother adores this. She's not the one to pay more than 5 € for a moisturiser, but since I gave her this one, she bought four in a row and says it's absolutely worth the money and even puts an effort into tracking it down, would you believe it. If you're suffering from dry, flaky skin, do yourself a favour and grab this next time you're in a pharmacy.

(30 ml)
When I first tried to seriously deal with my dehydrated, flaky skin years ago, this was like a little miracle in a bottle. It's fantastic for such skin, even for one that has a greasy T-zone. It balances the skin out by intensely moisturising it, but its super light texture doesn't cause problems for oily skin. It is a serum, so it should be used with a moisturiser on top, personally I love the combination of this with Nuxe dry oil. 

(30 ml)
My second favourite moisturiser right behind L'Occitane's Angelica Hydrating Cream. It's based on aquaporins, which are a sort of plumbing system for cells and it moisturises the skin while still being light enough to be used under make up. I actually got this based on a few samples the sales lady gave me and I was so impressed I ran to the pharmacy as soon as I finished the samples and I've repurchased it three times so far. 
Multi-purpose Dry Oil (50 and 100 ml)
If you're an old follower on my blog, you'll know that I've been using this every day for three, yes three, years already. This is a staple in my skincare, much has changed, but this stayed. This is one of those products I can hardly imagine being without. It keeps my skin super soft, radiant and healthy looking. It's a dry oil, so it actually doesn't feel that oily and it sinks in in minutes. It's a multi-purpose oil, so I use what's left on my hair and it keeps it in good condition. It can also be used as a body moisturiser and it gives that great glow in the summer. The scent of it is fantastic as well. By the way, I would recommend the 100 ml version because it comes with a spray pump, while the 50 ml size just has a hole and it's irritating to get the product out because you have to shake it vigorously.

Multi-purpose Dry Oil (50 and 100 ml)
The shimmer infused sister or the original. This gives that amazing Victoria Secret glow on the body (best on legs and collarbone) as well as that glowy, summery look if used under a foundation. I love using this on my hair, because it's not too greasy even though it's silicone free and it gives a lovely shine to the hair.

with apricot butter (15 ml)
I've been loving this more and more since I got it. I have a favourite lip balm, Palmer's Swivel stick and for years I haven't used anything else (I bough a few, but hated them), and this Nuxe one is getting just as much use as Palmer's. It's a lip balm-lip gloss hybrid that moisturises the lips and gives a nice glossy finish that is not super shiny, which I really like. It smells amazing, exactly like home-grown pears. It costs 10€, but there is a massive amount of 15ml in the tube, which should last a long time.

Avene Cicalfate
Antibacterial Repair Cream (40 ml)
A staple in any household. This is just one of those panthenol (provitamin of B5) treatments I've tried and they are all about the same, but this one is the one I have currently. Cicalfate is very similar in texture to Bepathenol (from Bayern, the Aspirin company) in a sense that it's a very thick cream that doesn't spread that easy. But these are little saviours for any type of wound or that blemish you squeezed just a bit too hard. It's antibacterial and it helps the wound to heal faster.
Another panthenol treatment that is actually very different is La Roche Posay's Cicaplast (original one, not the new B5 version). That one feels like a silicone primer, so some may like it more to use it on the face. 

What are your favourites from the pharmacy? Have a great day!
Labels: , , , , , , ,

Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Sensitive Treatment Shampoo

I'm always trying new anti-dandruff shampoos as I have been suffering from dandruff since I was 11. I have been at the dermatologist, but she didn't give me anything, she just said I should keep trying different shampoos until I find one that works. I believe Vichy Dercos Anti-Dandruff Sensitive Treatment Shampoo is a newcomer on the market. I've had Vichy's anti-dandruff shampoo before, but this version is sulphate, paraben and colour free. I've been using it for 8 weeks so far and I'm not impressed at all.


Texture: a clear, runny gel consistency. It doesn't foam upon first application, which I find annoying, but it does on the second, though not a lot. As at L'Occitane's Repairing shampoo, I have to use a lot of shampoo for it do anything at all, so a bottle doesn't last long, especially if you're one of those who washes their hair every day.
Performance: It's a sulphate free shampoo which means it's very gentle, but that also means it doesn't manage to remove all the build up and flakes which is essential if you have dandruff. The light, very basic formula doesn't do anything for my hair and it leaves it a bit dry. In terms of anti-dandruff abilities, it's not at all effective on my scalp. It didn't help cure dandruff, but it's very gentle on my scalp and it doesn't irritate or leave it itchy unlike L'Oreal's Ever Riche sulphate free shampoo. This leaves my hair insanely tangled. Normally, a wide tooth comb just glides through my hair after being washed and there isn't a tangle in sight (I comb it before applying conditioner because I noticed that then I use much, much less conditioner), but with this all I can do is slap on a massive amount of conditioner and wait for it to loosen the tangles.

Scent: a fresh pharmacy-ish peppermint one. I quite like it.  

Ingredients: 
Price and availability: 13.05€ in a pharmacy.

I don't like it. It doesn't clean well, doesn't foam, makes my hair ridiculously tangled, does nothing in terms of curing dandruff and I used it up way too fast. The light texture makes it appropriate for most types of hair and it is gentle, but that's it. As far as anti-dandruff shampoos go, I haven't found one that would actually work, but honestly, I prefer shampoos with sulphates because they actually clean well and I notice no difference between regular and sulphate free shampoos in terms of how gentle they are to my scalp. I know there is this whole hype about sulphate free shampoos that are supposed to be better for us with dandruff, but I had much better shampoos with sulphates and I had some sulphate free shampoos that really irritated my scalp. My dermatologist assured me that sulphates are fine and sulphate allergy is rare. I also like silicones in my shampoo because it make the hair a lot more manageable, so shampoo was really a miss for me.

Have a great day!
Labels: , ,

New In #12

I bought a few Kérastase products as a treat for myself. Nobody talks about this product and it's not like I need volumising products, but Forme Fatale caught my attention and after watching this video (just look how shiny her hair looks!) and days of pondering, it landed in my shopping cart. The number of reviews of this from someone who actually bought it for themselves it pretty much zero, so this was really a blind buy. I liked the idea of a styling product with good hold and heat protection in one, and I'm hoping that this will have a better control of my frizz compared to got2b Volumania mousse. I just got it in the mail, so I hadn't had the chance to try it, but there will be a full review.
21.40 € on HQHair.

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Sublime Cleansing Oil Shampoo
I wanted to try this shampoo for at least a year, basically ever since I slowly fell in love with Elixir Ultime. I still have a bit of Oléo-Relax shampoo left (the best shampoo ever!), so I won't use this one yet, but there will be a full review once I test it thoroughly.
19.28 € on HQHair.

There is this hair trend called co-washing, where you use a conditioner (preferably a silicone free) instead of a shampoo. This brought a new form of hair cleansers on the market, Wen being the most known, and Herbal Essences recently launched their affordable version (which is not available in my country of course). Kérastase has their version as well in their line for coloured hair. It's a cleansing balm that is sulphate, paraben and silicone free, and it's supposed to be used alone every other wash. The idea is that it has no harsh cleansers and it conditions the hair at the same time. It doesn't foam, which reduces frictions of the hair fibres, therefore the hair colour should stay last longer. I haven't tried it yet, but there will be a full review. 
I got it as a gift with purchase, but a smaller 200 ml version with a pump costs 19.69 € on HQhair.

Does anyone like mini sizes as much as I do? I love how Lee Stafford has these sample sizes to try out or keep in the bag. I decided to try dehumidifier which is supposed to help prevent frizzies and other hair disasters in humid weather. I already tested it, however, I still have a review to write, but just as a preview: Dehumidifier = got2b Öl-La-La Styling Öl-Spray. 
Mini size is 2.79€.

I don't use dry shampoo for it's intended purpose since my hair almost never gets greasy, but I do like using them for refreshing the hair. This one has a super strong scent and in general hasn't wowed me, but more about it in a future review.
Mini size is 2.45€.

I ran out of the mini version and all of the rest of the hairsprays I had (well most of them), so I purchased the full size version of it since it's my favourite so far. It has a nice flexible hold without being sticky and doesn't feel crispy or stiff at all. The scent is a bit strong, but I can tolerate easier than Elnett's.
250 ml is 7.49€ in Müller.

This recently landed in our Műllers and I was a bit surprised when I found it was sold here. It was on my wishlist since I read this post (doesn't she have fabulous hair?), where it says it's a more affordable version of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish. I really wanted to try a texturising spray since every one seems to have one, either Oribe or Bumble and Bumble. I must admit I don't really get along with it (perhaps yet?) and I'm not impressed. I'll keep trying to make it work and report again in a proper review.
I paid 6.29€ in Müller.
This is a sulphate, paraben and colour free shampoo for treating dandruff. So far I can say that it's ok, but really nothing special and I don't like the fact it's sulphate free in this case because it hardly foams. However, I've only been using is for a couple of weeks, so I'll report in a while how I get along with it.
13.05€ in a pharmacy.
  Toni & Guy Hairdressing Sectioning Clips
I didn't expect these to be as good as they are for something I got off eBay. They feel so professional with the matte rubberised texture. I've been looking for something like this for ages in our drustores, but they only sell individual ones for some idiotic prices. Now I have twelve fantastic sectioning clips, which I use so much, mostly when drying my hair (I do it like this, if anyone is interested).
3.08€ on eBay from this seller.
I bought a few samples of fragrances from Salma.si and Mexx's were free. Two of them aren't sold in our drugstores, but I really wanted to test them, so I like the idea of having samples available to buy.
I know it's weird to buy samples, I actually don't mind paying for them (and I love samples), it's not like they are given here happily (in Slovenia, obviously). I feel like most sales assistants think of it as some form torture to give actual samples (L'Occitane being the notable exception. I bought most of their stuff based on my experience with a sample). 

Aquolina Pink Sugar eau de toilette sample
This is ridiculously popular abroad, but not sold in Slovenia. I smell a mix of caramel and licorice notes, but mostly cotton candy and there are also some fruity notes in the background. It's nice, however, a bit generic, as if someone tried to make a shampoo that smells like cotton candy. I much prefer Fantasy, Can Can and even Wonderstuck Enchanted.

Ellie Saab eau de parfum sample
This is super floral. To my nose the loudest note is jasmine which hits you like a truck and not african orange flower as most say. There is also a bit of honey in the background that gives it some sweetness and I detect patchouli as well. It reminds me of Lush's Lust, but classier.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy sample
I wanted to try this since forever (it's not sold in Slovenia to the best of my knowledge). It's a lot softer than I expected, gently sweet from the caramel and praline notes, but with a larger emphasis on floral notes particularity tuberose which is similar as in Britney Spears Radiance. It's quite a warm scent also because of a hint of vanilla, but nothing like in Fantasy for example. It reminds me a lot of Gucci's Gorgeous Gardenia. It's nice, but I don't get the hype. It smells kind of generic to me - floral, sweet and warm, but I wouldn't not call it a gourmand scent

Mexx Woman eau de toilette sample
I like this. It's soft and feminine, a bit citrusy sweet, but mostly woody-floral. It's strangely comforting, despite the lack of vanilla.

Mexx Fresh Woman eau de toilette sample
I like this as well. It's freshly sweet and floral, generic, but in a nice way. The staying power is very weak.

Have a great day!
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)