The chosen ones | Kérastase Elixir Ultime Moringa Immortel

Another day, another moringa-based formula. I'm surprised by the fact that I don't hear a lot of buzz about this range of oils, by Kérastase, in the blogosphere. The Elixir Ultime Grand Crus line up comprises four different oils, that meet specific hair needs. As someone who tried and tested quite the variety of hair oils, I wasn't expecting to be this surprised by the performance of Elixir Ultime Moringa Immortel.
If you're a carrier of a dry, frizzy and rebellious mane like myself, or just need some TLC due to some chemical processing, this is the version for you. A blend enriched with the Oléo-Complexe and Immortal Moringa extract — known as the "Tree of Life" — enclosed in an elegant bottle.

The woody oriental fragrance combined with the lightweight texture of the oil, make the application very pleasurable. It actually shows a long-lasting result, providing nourishment, shine and a healthy feel.
Being a multitasking product, it will perform throughout the whole hair care routine. Pre-cleanse or use as an intensive conditioning treatment before washing; apply to towel-dried hair before styling; finish using a few drops to add a polished look; and retouch whenever needed.
Aside from its conditioning properties, this oil strengthens damaged hair, delivers essential nutrients and promotes cellular renewal with its antioxidant active ingredients.
To keep my coloured, heat styled hair in shape, I'll be holding on to this product for dear life.

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Empties #3

Okay, time for another empties post. Because I want to throw away some stuff. Hah!
This time, I have a couple of hair products, some skincare bits and a mascara — I'm pretty sure you know which one. Yep, it's the Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara. You can read a proper review here, though, I should add that when it gets to the point where it starts to dry out a bit, the formula gets a bit gloopy. Considering that the bristles are so small, it's not ideal. But, it's still a good mascara nonetheless.

Since said mascara is a bit hard to cleanse away, a pretty nice product to take it off with is MAC Gently Off Eye & Lip Makeup Remover. It's dual-phased — formulated with both water and oil —, so you have to shake it in order to combine the two. Removes every trace of make-up, whether it's oil-based or water-based, including stubborn mascaras (case in point) and lip stains. It's gentle and suitable for all skin types. Formulated with Cucumber extract and Damascus Rose water to soothe and refresh. If you prefer this type of cleanser that you pour into a cotton pad and wipe away, opposed to a balm or cream cleanser and a warm cloth, this is a good option, for sure. It's quick and easy. Just hold the cotton pads in place for a few seconds and then gently swipe the make-up off and rinse. Easy-peasy.

If your skin is oily or combination, and you know just how frustrating a shiny nose can be, I totally feel you. My skin is combination, but whenever I'm out and about, especially in the sun or somewhere with a powerful AC, my nose gets shiny in a few hours. Powders just don't do it for more than that period of time. Obviously, blotting tissue is my friend, but I also need some sort of primer to extend the need to blot and powder during the day. I have tried many, many of them, and still haven't found an amazing one that lasts all day. The best I've tried so far, was this Clinique Pore Minimizer T-Zone Shine Control. I can't find it on the Clinique site/counters anymore, but I found it on Amazon (click here). It keeps shine at bay until mid-afternoon, which is pretty good, and it's very lightweight and colourless. Comes in a gel texture and goes on smoothly, leaving pores minimized and a velvety feel. Acts as a great primer under make-up and can be used over make-up, as well. Contains Salicydic Acid (which exfoliates the pores from the inside), Silica (to absorb shine), Witch Hazel (to tighten pores) and Clove Flower extract (to reduce oil production). Has quite a strong alcohol smell when you first squeeze it out, but goes away almost instantly, so it doesn't really bother me.
I was going to repurchase this, but since it has been discontinued, I got the Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector in Invisible Bright, instead. So far, so good. Goes on very smoothly, kinda like silicone.

Moving on to the hair department, I finished another bottle of Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2. This shampoo is so rich and luxurious. If you have dry hair, you'll love this. The smell is incredible (redundant information, since it's Kérastase, duh!) and the formula is very, very creamy. I always let it stay for a couple of minutes before rinsing, to let the ingredients do their job. It's very moisturizing and provides a great level of nutrition, so the hair doesn't feel dry or dehydrated, even when you use harsh styling tools (ghd Styler, I'm looking at you!). Contains glucose, proteins and lipids to protect and repair the hair fiber. Just try it.

To close up, I'll end with a hair treatment — Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 60 Second Treatment. I was both skeptical and excited about the "60 Second" mention on the label. I don't have the patience to wait 15 minutes for a hair mask to work every time I wash my hair, especially on weekdays. Leaves hair feeling very soft and, most importantly, acts fast. The formula balances the lipid levels in the hair, making it supple and healthy looking. Definitely will repurchase.

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Hair routine | Straight & sleek

If you know me, you'll know that I only wear my hair straight or with loose curls/waves. But if it's winter, than it's probably pin straight.
Now, my hair is not straight and sleek naturally, in fact I have large curls, a lot of volume and a lot of hair. But it's really frizzy in texture and, having a dry scalp, I also have dry hair. So, yeah... it takes a few hours to tame this unruly head of hair. Here's how I do it.

If my scalp is extra dry or sensitive, I start by applying a few drops of the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essential Drops Relaxing Blend directly on my scalp, with the help of the pipette embedded in the lid (there's a purifying one for normal to oily scalps, as well). I gently massage it with my fingers, distributing the oil evenly, and let it process for at least 10 minutes.
After that time, I wash my hair with Kérastase Nutritive Bain Oléo-Relax Smoothing Shampoo or Redken Scalp Relief Soothing Balance Shampoo, depending on what needs more TLC that day – the hair or the scalp.
For moisture and nourishment, I apply a mask like Goldwell DualSenses Rich Repair 60 Sec Treatment – when I'm a hurry, usually on week days – or Redken All Soft Heavy Cream – when I'm more relaxed, specially since this one takes longer to process (from 5 to 15 minutes), but it's one of my all time faves. I always comb it through, with a wide tooth comb, before rinsing – makes detangling easier afterwards.
After absorbing the excess moisture with a towel, I spray TIGI Catwalk Sleek Mystique Fast Fixx Style Prep to help with the detangling process. Although, the Tangle Teezer has made my life easier – I'd always cry when I was little, during the long sessions of unknotting my hair...
Anyway, after that, it's time to add some nourishment into the hair, with a few pumps of oil. Right now, I'm back on the Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil, since it's a bit more heavy duty than the others I have laying around. Ideal for this dry, cold weather.
I then spritz some ghd Style Heat Protectant Spray and wrap the hair on one of those super-absorbing turbans (otherwise, I would end up with a soaked top). During this time, I lay out my outfit for the next day or do a mini facial. *Watching videos on YouTube with face mask on*
Now, the boring part, drying the hair. I always hated this part, because it takes so long and, did I mention it's so boring? Anyway, the process is faster and more efficient now that I have a new hairdryer – the air flow is so strong, it actually breaks down the curls into waves. Pretty cool. But I still look like a frizzy lioness after. To turn that into sleek and silky, my weapons of choice are the ghd IV Styler and a rat tail comb.
To finish, I apply a few pumps of the L'Oréal Professionnel tecni.art Hairmix Sublime Shine, from the ends going upwards, to provide some extra shine and reduce static. And... done. Phew!

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Review | Kérastase Nutritive Oléo-Relax Nuit Treatment

Today, I wanted to post another review. This time, on a nighttime treatment for hair, the Kérastase Nutritive Oléo-Relax Nuit Treatment.
This is a leave-in cream that nourishes and treats the hair, while you sleep. An ideal product for me, seeing that my hair is very rebellious, frizzy and dry. Being quite long and thick, it also requires more care. I usually apply this product on the weekends, because that's the only time I actually remember to use it.
The formula has a new generation of controlling silicone, that provides control and anti-frizz protection, while restoring the surface of the hair fibre; and Camelina Oil to nourish and make the straightening process easier, while treating the sensitised areas of the hair. So basically, everything I need in one.
Most of the time, I apply it on dry hair, from mid-lengths to ends, working it in until it absorbs a little. You'll get a sticky feeling on your hands, but it goes away afterwards. The smell of this cream is amazing – just like most Kérastase products. I never felt the need to wash the hair, the next morning. It doesn't look "crispy" or wet looking, so you can just style it as usual. I don't think you're supposed to wash it so soon, anyway.
The result is smooth, repaired and manageable hair, the next morning. The natural (excessive) volume is reduced and stays that way, even during rainy weather. Who wouldn't want to wake up with sleek and healthier hair?

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