Gels/Soaps -Yves Rocher - Jardins Du Monde - All Shower Gels
Afrocutie 4/22/2013 4:20:00 PM
Yves Rocher shower gels do not dry out or irritate my skin. Wasn't expecting that, so gutted it took me so long to try them. I have tried the orange, purple rice something or other and the lime. All of them really hit the olfactory senses something fierce and turn what may be a simple shower into a spa like experience. Unexpected.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Yves Rocher - Monoi de Tahiti Lagoon Hair & Body Wash
Afrocutie 4/22/2013 4:11:00 PM
Love this scent.... Smells like 'soon come' holiday mentality. Of evenings spent on the veranda/gallery with great company, nice beverage in hand, live music in the distance and crickets keeping you'all company. Mmm mmm mmm. Great way to distress. Now this scent is quite sweet, but it isn't cloying on the skin. I haven't used it in my hair, but it is quite gentle on my skin considering the amount of perfume it contains. My 5yr old son loves it and wants it for him alone, so I hide it high on the shelf.... Out of Sight out of mind. Just this am I have bought another 4 bottles as they were 1/2 price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neal's Yard - Frankincense Nourishing Cream
Afrocutie 2/10/2013 8:19:00 AM
3.4 really. Oh my this stuff is like a butter, not a cream, it is so thick. Lemon in colour, it also has a distinctive fragrance that to some may have to rule it out. It is winter which is the best time to use it as it is so thick. After cleansing and toning(a combo of water in a can and some organic aloe gel), on damp skin I apply a tiny amount around my eye area and pat in with the whole ring finger action. I will also apply a fair amount to my neck and upper chest area. This is where Frankincense Nourishing Cream gains its points imo, as it really does what it says. Those fine expression lines that didn't bother me before, gone. My poor neglected neck until last year (I would moisturise my face and body but always missed my neck for some reason) started to look 'better', basically when I lightly squeezed the skin on my neck the start of the dreaded crepe had nearly disappeared. Nice. Now with the ingredients in mind I was really not looking forward to trying it on my face, all those pore clogging oils (scream and run for the hills). So after 2 weeks of using FNC as a glorified eye/neck cream and having no adverse reactions, and my present cream had finally finished (2013's resolution to use up my stuff), I proceeded to use this cautiously on my face. After my treatments, I use literally a finger dab of FNC and rubbed it on the pads of my fingers I then proceeded to finger tap this stuff over my face and only on the areas that needed it. Okay this cream/butter is rich, I can only use this at night on my face as during the day with my ss and then mu it is too much. FNC will absorb into the skin and will leave no oily residue, which is unexpected. It even feels nourishing on the skin. However after 2 weeks of doing this, I am scouring MUA looking for a new moisturiser. I have a few pimples that have sprung up and the pores on my nose are notable again. Now I can't totally blame this cream/butter, as my routine and skin has gone a bit random of late due to illness. But I don't think FNC cuts it for me. I might add this was part of a present - along with the Rose facial oil - from a friend who clearly listened to the sales assistant. Neal's Yard states that Frankincense Nourishing Cream is suited to all skin types, as an acne-prone/dehydrated/normal-oily combo skin type I would have to disagree. Although this is a kick ass eye/neck cream, I will continue to use when and if my skin needs extra nourishment in certain areas. Although I do wish this was in a tube. Over the last few months I have had a spate of moisturisers in glass jars, so not travel friendly.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Unlisted Brand - Glycerin
Afrocutie 1/14/2013 7:42:00 PM
Very basic product. But for my shoulder length afro (read dry dry dry) distilled water with glycerin is a gift from the gods. When I remember, a mixture of aloe, chamomile, rose hydrosols, my hair just laps up juice. A mixture of argan and castor oils helps to seal this joy for the day. I would not think to use it on my face as that would just fail. But I would not be without this product. Only use vegetable glycerin....
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair Color -Unlisted Brand - Naturtint Permanent Hair Colorant
Afrocutie 1/14/2013 7:18:00 PM
I have used this in 5M for the past four months. I have otherwise unprocessed shoulder length afro hair, which by definition is beyond dry. Esp having to use harsh London water to wash it with. I have had random grey hairs since I was a teenager, but over the last 4 years they have been multiplying like crazy. I have gone to various professional hair dressers to have my hair coloured, and to be honest I have always preferred doing my own. Maybe I don't explain myself that well. Anyhoo, I have found many box dyes give a flat tone over the head, that if your just trying to restore your colour then ends up looking like it comes out of a box...... This brand is great for me. 5 Mahogany comes out really like a black with deep red tones on my hair. I took note with reviews on here and UTube suggested the colour comes out darker. I wash my hair one every 7 days, and my colour doesn't fade in 6 wks, when I touch up the roots. I can squeeze 2 touch ups out of one box, if I rope someone to help me. My bug bears: that shampoo will destroy my hair, it is way to harsh. I throw that out each time. The smell is like plasticine, modelling clay for kids. The gloves are redundant, I use dish washing gloves as they cover my wrists, the thin one time use ones. And I do think its chemical process that is as natural as drugstore ones. But has worked very hard on the tones and shades to keep people going back for more. Oh and how much time this needs to rinse! What I like is, how much product you get. Clear instructions on mixing tones if you wanted. The gel texture which makes for less mess. The conditioner is actually quite good and a fair size, I use the lot in one go. But like I said I have beyond dry hair and it soaks it up. Best of all is the colour, love it. The price is ok, but I get coupons off the net and purchase that way. I really like this stuff. Would recommend. X
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Vichy - Normaderm - Targeted Anti Imperfection Concentrate 2% Salicylic Acid
Afrocutie 12/23/2012 6:19:00 PM
Shame, I liked the blurb on the box which stated that it; "Helps reduce sebum secretion on the skin. Reduces the look of imperfections. Soothes skin." It is in a 15ml tube and once squeezed the product is a light blue, low fragrance crème. Once put on to my skin it didn't sting, even after over zealous cleansing with my microfibre cloth. This was quite noticeable as I had just stopped using the Neutrogena visibly clear treatment, which eventually burnt my skin. Moving on... This left a weird film on my skin, looked at the ingredients and Nylon-66(film former) is the 2nd ingredient. This meant you have to work kinda fast to rub it in and I don't think anything else you put on your skin afterwards would reach my skin....... This can not work for daytime, which it does suggest to use if necessary, as SS and MU would look like a smeary mess. Now that I have used this product every night for over a month, until the tube finished. I have to say that it is rubbish, whereby for all of its claims it didn't stand up to any of them. Should I call Trading Standards????? It didn't irritate my skin, but I do not equate that with soothing my skin. My Aloe Vera gel does a better job at taking the sting, inflammation away. Noraderm didn't create any further spots, but as it was so ineffectual the couple of blocked pores that came about were not effected by this product. In terms of price it cost around £10. Which considering the amount (15ml) and the fact that it is crap I feel this product is expensive. If however it did everything it said on the box then I would be saying this was a bargain. It's all relative. Bottom line: find something else.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Superdrug - Naturally Radiant Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser
Afrocutie 12/14/2012 9:19:00 PM
This is reminiscent of that much hyped Liz Earle cleanser, although I think much better. It does have an ingredient list that looks a bit scary, how many extracts is necessary? The scent is a bit strong, mainly mulberry, but I like it. Reminds me of my grandmother preening and putting on her Liz Taylor eyebrows..... This spreads much easier than the other cleanser, is nicer to massage in and take off. Although the muslin cloth that comes with it has a low thread count, it is huge and it can be swapped for a flannel. We have just experienced 'the beast from the east' weather speaking, and we have plummeting temperatures to face, this cleanser will take off the days impurities, SS, makeup and leave my face clean and soft with no tightness. Admittedly I will use a gentle foaming cleanser afterwards if I feel my face needs it. However in the morning and if my face just feels dehydrated from the heating then I will use this and all is restored. After using this for a week I went and bought another, after all the price was amazing, £2.99! (introductory offer 5.99 after, but they rarely sale items at full price) So this should see me through to spring. I do have an array of cleansers that I like to use as my skin sees fit. As a winter cleanser this is a winner. FYI I have combo oily skin, acne prone, sensitive with dehydration issues... Lol. So anyone travelling to UK, pick up a tube of this.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Unlisted Brand - Etat Pur - Express Purifying Mask
Afrocutie 12/14/2012 6:41:00 PM
Another basic product from the Etat Pur, Biomimetic skin care range. Again I was offered another deal of choosing a full sized cleanser, I chose the oil cleanser which is in my stash to use later, I clicked on this as I was looking for a gentle but effective purifying mask. It is only 50ml so for a price point is pushing at the recession hit discerning buyer.... As a mask, it doesn't sting once on after cleansing, doesn't contain menthol like so many purifying masks, so no redness and as u only need a thin layer it will dry in 5mins. However it will not crack, u can still move your face, handy if you need to yell at someone to stop banging the fridge door, to pick up the phone.... Or laugh at a random stupidness in my house. I digress. I have quite oily prone sensitive skin and this will quickly mop up the oil to leave me less oily throughout the day. Good before going out as I'll need fewer blotting sheets throughout the night. As for keeping pores clearer and reduction of pore size I am not best to judge as, fingers crossed, I have managed to sort my skin in respect to that. But it keeps the oilys at bay.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Etat Pur - Salicylic Acid 70
Afrocutie 12/12/2012 8:48:00 PM
This is from their pure actives range. Just as an aside I really like this idea of your skincare that does the basics and you can add your actives like a pick and mix. I bought this at a time when my skin was freaking out with a stress acne attack, it was reacting with anything that had worked previously and I was getting desperate. It is packaged in a one piece dropper bottle, so minimum of contaminants will enter the product. I think due to this there is minimum of preservatives, as the shelf life is only 3mths after opening. You add 1 drop of product to your chosen area of face, like forehead or chin, with a maximum of 4 drops. I took this with a pinch of salt.... I used it twice a day and I did notice a marked difference in my skin texture, pore size and inflammation from my acne within 1 week of using. So far this is the only bha that doesn't adversely react with my skin and is readily available. I plan to purchase the 300mg version of this product so fingers crossed it doesn't rip my face off.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Etat Pur - Micellar Cleansing Water
Afrocutie 12/12/2012 8:07:00 PM
This is only available in the UK online, in France the brand only has one shop in Paris I think. 6 months ago I was blinded by the first order free P&P and ordered 2 of these. Like all micellar cleansing waters your meant to use a cotton round and gently remove makeup and impurities, repeating the process until the cotton becomes clear. Then you do not need a toner, just cream & go. I found that this would sting my skin if I left it on for longer than a few minutes. Also it would take some rubbing and many applications to get my mascara off, not even waterproof. So I chose to use it as a sort of makeup remover and progressed to a rinse of cleanser. It wasn't until I started the 2nd bottle that I realised the burn didn't happen with that bottle. Trouble with consistency me thinks. Would I buy again. No.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Lacura - Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream
Afrocutie 11/3/2012 1:09:00 PM
I have high maintenance skin. Oily but dehydrated, sensitive to some products/ingredients & not others, acne prone and now I'm in the aging demographic. Over the summer had an acne outbreak like no other and the topical Rx were drying my skin out. In the am I would wake up with dry patches, so hence the search for a DS low cost (recession is biting) nightcream. Olay anti-wrinkle is v.basic and not very moisturising, I would slather it on and it wouldn't touch the sides. I read about some award Lacura has received and I went to check it out. Bought this for £2 and used it that night. Only a little was needed and woke up with no dry patches. Now I have stepped down the night Rx and have no need for such a cream. So now use it in the day under SS and make up. It isn't greasy nor leaves the glycerin shine. What I don't like about it is the pot, haven't used a cream pot in years also the glass makes it not so good in the bathroom or for travelling. The fragrance! If u like lily of the valley, or sweetpea perfumes then get it. I'm more of a dark scented perfume lover me, so I have to just wait till my nose gets used to the scent. Hasn't irritated my skin and during my Rx didn't create breakouts. I have only just read the ingredients properly and it has a bunch of high cloggers in there. But £2, I can't complain too much. I think I will try the aqua complete moisturiser next. I forgot to mention about the anti wrinkle aspect of it. It costs £2.... Nuff said. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Okay, I have had to put my overall rating for this product up by one to four. Having got used to the artificial floral fragrance I used this day and night until the end of the jar. The results of this on the skin are subtle, very subtle, as it wasn't until I started using something else that I realised the effort of this jar of cream. It is oil free. It doesn't have a large amount of glycerin init, therefore it doesn't create the dreaded shine. It didn't cause breakouts and it moisturised my skin without a residue. On really crap skin days that my skin felt parched and my powder wasn't gonna cut it, I was able to mix this with a little concealer and cream to powder foundation (like tiny amounts seriously 1:4 parts cream, on the back of hand), buff onto my skin after my ss and it helped my skin outby providing moisture so no flakes, without the oil slick and mu coverage that doesn't look like a mask. Honesty my skin only better. As for the active ingredients, I don't know if I can force myself to believe that this had assisted my skin to even out, as I use a pa++/ spf40 everyday to complement my bha and hp treatments. The cost of this is 10% of the cream I am using at present and hands down this is great in comparison. I am now looking for another product like this with the same qualities as this without the fragrance. If you have a suggestion pls pm me with it! Thank you for reading. x
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Avene - Thermal Water
Afrocutie 11/2/2012 8:00:00 AM
Yes, it is water in a can. No not fairy pee that will give u luminous gorgeous skin in less than 2 mins. I live in London, the water here is v. hard with lots of chemicals. I am between homes right now so getting a tap & shower filter is out for now. So after cleansing I use this to tone, I just spray my face and let it dry on its own. That tight drawn feeling from washing is taken away. I do feel that it has contributed to clearing my adult acne and the inflammation that came with it. But that is just my experience. I have used LRP and Evian, Vichy but Avene seems to provide a little something more to my skin. I would say if you live in a soft water area u prob don't need this beyond having the spray in ur handbag to cool down on hot days. But in harsh water areas it can make a small difference to your skin.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -E.L.F. - Studio Matte Lip Color
Afrocutie 10/24/2012 8:57:00 AM
There was a 50% discount a cross the products on the website. I looked on mua to look at reviews on stuff and bought sight unseen. Got this in Praline. A rosy nude colour that is matte, yea. A big chunky pencil that you twist up. It is not that dry when you put on and it gives u time to blend out with your finger if you wish. would work with a slick of lipbalm overtop. For a dark WoC it might come out too pale, but it is good to even out lip colour before lipstick. It lasts a long time even though that isn't its premise. I like to use it when I make my eyes are the focus. Or when time is short and u want something quick to pull your lotd together, eyeliner, lashings if mascara, a bit of contour and this on the lips. Gives you a minimum effort gold star.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Unlisted Brand - Microfiber cloths
Afrocutie 10/19/2012 5:33:00 PM
This is my standard cleansing tool. I use it with all types of cleanser and I have no need for a separate exfoliator (?sp?). However I only use the baby wash cloths, they are small squares and really soft. I have cleaning cloths for dusting, washing dishes and cleaning the car, those cloths are a lot more abrasive than the baby cloths. I discovered these when another mum used one on her baby during an activity class, baby sign I think, I thought how convenient and eco friendly . Once I realised how cheap they were, 99p for 6, I bought one colour for my son and another for me. Now my son is 4 and they are way to small to use to wash him, but great for my face. I have bought many since. If I forget myself and actually rub my skin with them then it can leave patches on my skin raw. Not good. If I just swipe cleanser away, and even in the am I can see impurities built up over night. Have bought some for my sister in law and my friends teenage son. They work.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Unlisted Brand - Ciate - Paint Pots
Afrocutie 10/17/2012 6:35:00 PM
I have this brand in 4 other colours. But this is the one I love the most.... The Glossip , a real vibrant coral that looks amazing on fingers or toes for a real pop of colour. Yes it is a summer look, but damn the weather London looks like it's gonna be rain, rain, rain for the next few months so I plan to be wearing this. This is a creme colour and therefore really wearable. The brush is a little short... and I need 2 - 3 coats for full coverage. With base & top coat, this will last me for 4-5 days without chippin. I'm a 1/3 of the way down in the bottle and is starting to get a little thick, but still workable. Love love love.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No