Wednesday 29 June 2016

The Wet Brush - Pro

It seems that hair is "my thing" nowadays. First I raved about Balea LE Jeden Tag Mango Shampoo and now I am here again, just a post later with a hair brush ;). Lately, I have been really good with photographing new items and testing them out. So, I strive to tell you my impressions about them as soon as possible. You could have seen The Wet Brush-Pro before in my New in post and in my review of The Cult Beauty Box by Anna & Lily where I received it, but today it is getting its own, well deserved post.


By the words of the manufacturer:
"An innovation in hair care, The Wet Brush has totally transformed our locks (and lives)! Detangling in mere minutes, this (let’s be honest, fairly ordinary looking) brush is the secret to happy hair, healthy scalp, and no more mornings spent wrestling (crying) over that nape-of-the-neck dread that’s developed… Lightweight and easy to wield, Classic Wet Brush seamlessly separates all knots and tats without compromising precious strands. This is all due to the revolutionary ‘Intelliflex’ technology; the thin, strong yet super flexible bristles have brains – yielding or unbending as required – to glide through tangles with next-to-no tugging, tearing or tress distress. What’s more, the ball-tip bristles are perfect for gently stimulating circulation near the scalp, to better feed your follicles and encourage new growth."


The Wet Brush is ergonomically designed with a rubber coated, non-slip handle. This is ideal for eliminating post-wash knots and reinvigorating your scalp – as well as for smoothing and separating dry hair (including both real and synthetic extensions).


It is suitable for all hair types and textures, men and women, and children as well. Because of its Intelliflex bristles it is also suitable for wigs and hair extensions.


And now it is my turn. My hair is long, straight and dense with a tendency to get tangled. That is why washing my hair was a nightmare, it hurt und lasted at least 20 minutes even with a wide tooth comb until I discovered Macadamia No Tangle Brush (review). But I know that girls with long, dense and curly hair weren't equally impressed with it, because its bristles weren't long enough for their curly hair. Since The Wet Brush-Pro is designed as a typical hair brush with longer intelliflex bristles, I think it might be a great solution for them as well.


Personally, I am loving The Wet Brush-Pro!!! It has a classical design and is rubberized so you get a good grip on the handle which makes brushing out wet hair easy. I don't think that the brush will fall out of your hands because of the water and conditioner, which I hated about The Tangle Teezer. The rubber reminds me a bit of Nars packaging. The Wet Brush-Pro is great for combing out dry hair also, but I prefer it for wet hair, because it is quick, efficient and without any pain.


I don't wear wigs or extensions, so I can't say how it would work for them but I heard girls with extensions raving about these brushes as well.


For me and my needs, this is an amazing product which I recommend!


If you are wondering where to find it, look no more! It is available everywhere - Lookfantastic, Hqhair, Cult beauty, Beauty bay in multiple sizes, designs and colours. Mine is Classic Black and costs 12 GBP, but you can often find them on sale or use a coupon code to get them cheaper.


This brush, in my opinion, would be a great choice for your beach bag as well, so if you're looking for a helper with you salty hair, consider this one. If you decide to buy it, let me know how you liked it! :)


What do you think? Have you tried Wet Brush-Pro? Interested?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007




For Croatian version of this post click here


Tuesday 21 June 2016

Balea LE Jeden Tag Mango Shampoo for all hair types

My dearest readers... I want to wish you a wonderful day today! My current mood is happy so I decided to write today's post about a product that also makes me feel that way... Spoiler alert! :) You already know the tone of this review but let me start from the beginning.


I don't know about you, but during summer heat I wash my greasy hair even more often, every or every other day. I know what you are thinking... That is not good or healthy for your hair, but I can't help myself. This time of year that isn't because of its greasiness but because I love the feeling of refreshing shower at the end of a busy and hot summer day. 


During one of my visits to DM, I was already at the register when I saw Balea LE Jeden Tag Mango Shampoo. That Jeden Tag (every day) sign got me interested and when I saw the price for 300 ml bottle of 8.90 kn (about 1.20 Euros/0.92 GBP/1.36$), the bottle immediately found its way to my cart.


The shampoo comes in a vivid, summery bottle with a tropical vibe, with a classic attached lid opening on the top, and it houses orange mango/tropical scented shampoo inside. To be honest, its scent wouldn't be my first choice but it is OK. It smells a bit like multivitamin juice, but the scent is so light and doesn't linger that I think that it will not be a problem for most people.


DM with its Balea team claims that this shampoo has especially mild recipe which makes it a good choice for all hair types. Although it is very mild to your hair, it cleans it thouroughly from roots to ends, leaving it clean and shiny, while its exotic tropical scent creates feeling of summer vacation. The recipe includes vitamin B3 and provitamin B5 which provide for the health of your hair, and it doesn't contain silicone.


And as for me... I agree. This shampoo is wonderful. It really does have a mild recipe which means that it leaves me with a feeling of fresh, clean hair, but doesn't make my hair squeaky clean. It washes hair very nicely and thouroughly, it is mild but doesn't leave you with a feeling of weighed down hair, and the end result is beautiful, clean, shiny and flowy hair. I LOVE IT!!! As I already said, my hair is greasy but I really do think that this one would act great for all types of hair.


What I don't like about it is the fact that it is a limited edition product!


Job well done DM and Balea!

What do you think? Have you tried this shampoo? Interested?


Tell me...


Love, beautyandbrains007



For Croatian version of this post click here

Sunday 19 June 2016

My New In....

Hi Girls! I really wanted to hang out with you today, but at the same time it is Sunday and I am not in the mood for heavy writing or reading. I need a refreshment on this rainy Sunday. And is there a better way to pick yourself up than with the new beauty products? Actually there is. But for purposes of this post, let's pretend that this way is the best. Also, after my pretty large Empties post (here), I think that some new things are just in time ;). So, Ladies...welcome to my New in post!


I was quite busy purchasing new beauty items last few months. Some of them were (surprisingly) bought in actual stores, some are presents, and some were bought through the internet. You gotta love internet shopping!!! I certainly do.


This year I got to travel a bit, so I celebrated that with some shopping.


If I had to name one type of makeup product that I really don't need anymore, I would say eyeshadows. But eyeshadows and eyeshadow palettes are also my favourite products to purchase. I apparently decided to endulge myself and bought three new eyesshadow palettes: The Catrice LE - DENIM DIVINE C01 Injeanious palette, Maybelline The Blushed Nudes palette and Urban Decay Naked 3 palette that I am probably the last one to get but I just couldn't help myself.


I visited Germany and there I bought my first P2 products. P2 is a drugstore brand that I heard great things about. To try to avoid more eyeshadows, I chose lip products and bought myself MOST CHARMING lip fluids (something between lipstick and lip gloss). I also purchased Clinique Cheek pop blush in the shade 04-Plum Pop, which looks absolutely beautiful... <3 <3 <3


My body care got some loving as well. I visited The Body Shop and went away with two new products- Strawberry Body Butter and Shea Body Scrub.


Visits to Croatian drugstores were also very satisfying. ;)


I am always in need for a new Nivea roll-on (my favourite), especially this time of year. Dry shampoos are another staple product in my bathroom, so I stocked up during a Batiste sale in BIPA. I've written a review here for Batiste Strength & Shine dry shampoo, which is my favourite, so if you want to know more about it go and read it. In BIPA Le Petit Marseillais body lotions were also reduced. I saw this kind with Poppy and remembered that a fellow blogger, Nives from the ALittleMakeupobssesed blog, raves about it. Since I was still sad about the last few particles of my TBS Smoky Poppy Body Butter, there wasn't any other option for me other than to buy it for myself, and I did.


Recently, Physicians Formula products landed in Kozmo stores here in Croatia. I watched Tati (former GlamLifeGuru) raving about their Organic Wear Mascara for years, and when I had the opportunity to buy it and try it out myself, I jumped! I am still testing it out but I would say don't take your wallet to the register yet! I must say that Physicians Formula products are a bit expensive on our market. This mascara, for instance, costs 100 kn (13.36 Eura/10.55 GBP/15.04$).
DM was offering 40% reduced prices for L'Oreal products. I needed some new makeup items like L'Oreal Infallible 24H Matte foundation, and wanted to try some new products, so I bought L'Oreal Infallible Mega Gloss lip glosses (Mafia Gloss and Protest Queen).


I really do not discriminate. I buy beauty stuff from everywhere, even through the catalogues. That is how I ended up with the next few items. With summer feet exposure in mind, I  bought Oriflame Feet Up Rescue Treatment Foot Mask and Oriflame Moisturizing Socks. I didn't want my hands to be jelaous, so I also bought travel size of The Oriflame Dream Cream hand cream. And for my face I chose The Oriflame Swedish Spa Purifying face mask. Hand and foot cream are really nice, the mask and socks are still waiting for their turn. Will keep you posted! :)


People around me also traveled and brought me back gifts. Bless them! ;)


I had my birthday in May and everyone knows that they can't go wrong with beauty products. Those who traveled to North bought me loads of products from TBS Olive line, and those who went more south, brought me back The Kiko lipstick.


I know that it doesn't seem that way, but I really did start paying more attention not to buy loads of monthly beauty boxes.


Lookfantastic Beauty Box, after months of honest crush brought me to the end of our love affair when I realized that I have a stash of Lord & Berry eye liners for life! I did buy one box but mostly because it contained  Revlon Colourburst Balm which I wanted to try and which isn't available in Croatia.


Feelunique Pamper Me Beauty Box was a must because it was reduced and I had another coupon code for even less, and the products inside of it are really nice.


I already wrote about The Cult Beauty Box by Anna & Lily here, so I won't go into details, but this was hands down the best box that I have ever bought! While shopping on Cult Beauty I also added Konjac sponge to my cart. Couldn't resist.


We have come to the end.... ;)

How do you like my purchases? What did you buy?


Tell me...


Love, beautyandbrains007


For Croatian version of this post click here

Friday 17 June 2016

STARSKIN Instaglam Foaming Peeling Perfection Puff & STARSKIN Brightening Bio-Cellulose Second Skin After Party face mask

A year ago, when I received these two products in my Selfridges Summer Beauty Box, STARSKIN was a complete unknown and new brand for me. Today it is very well known on the market, and in Croatia you can find their products in Douglas. The idea behind this brand is to team up Starskin skincare experts with dermatologists and make-up artists-to-the-stars to get you camera-ready. STARSKIN products contain top natural ingredients which is also a plus in my book!


Somewhere at the end of May the skin on my face got out of control. I usually don't have skin issues... I have combination to oily skin with enlarged pores and some small red parts which are visible only because of my pale complexion, I do get a spot or two around "that time of the month" but all in all, I can't really complain. But last month it looked horrible! I had a huge red spot on the tip of my nose, few of its cousins on my chin and I couldn't resist the urge to deal with them using my fingers, so they became even worse and my skin was not only red but also flaky. Then I remembered that last summer I received STARSKIN products in Selfridges Summer Box, STARSKIN Instaglam Foaming Peeling Perfection Puff and STARSKIN Brightening Bio-Cellulose Second Skin After Party face mask, and decided to put them in action!


When I used them, I started with The STARSKIN Instaglam Foaming Peeling Perfection Puff so I will also start this review with it.


By the words of STARSKIN, this peeling puff provides advanced exfoliation, smoothes skin texture, deep cleans, evens skin tone and boosts radiance! This patented pre-dosed peeling and foaming puff exfoliates and removes dead skin cells. The puff creates an intense brightening and renewing effect without irritation and is safe for all skin types. Innovative fermentation technology provides an efficient and effective solution to eliminate dead skin cells, impurities, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and create an even skin tone.


The puff comes in a cardboard sachet that provides you with information about the product itself, marketing this puff as an easy, effective and safe solution for removal of dead skin cells which can cause dull skin and clogged pores.


The patented puff is infused with natural AHA ingredients, natural plant extracts and advanced fermentation formula to gently exfoliate skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and creating a lustrous radiant skin tone. It can be used alone or as a prep before skin care products to stimulate penetration of active ingredients, some of which are skin renewing carrot extract, brightening turnip extract, soothing broccoli, illuminating tomato extract, calming aloe, moisturizing olive leaf, brightening rice, purifying arginine and skin renewing lactic acid.


The puff is hidden inside of another aluminum sachet. That is because there is a very special way of using this puff.


First of all, your face has to be completely clean and a bit moist.


Then you tear sachet open and lightly sprinkle a few drops of water inside.


Create a rich lather inside sachet by squeezing puff with your fingers.


When foam is created, gently scrub entire face, concentrating on forehead and nose for 2-3 minutes, avoiding contact with eyes. Lastly, rinse face with water and dry. Skin will be smooth, bright and naturally glowing. For ultimate effect, you can follow with some of the Starskin Bio-Cellulose face masks. The puff is disposable, but you can use it up to 3 times, which I can confirm.


You get one 16 g puff per packaging which contains 16 ml bottle of formula, situated on top of this puff and as you keep using it, you can see the formula disolving. The bottom part of the puff is made from some kind of mildly scrubby material which goes on your face.

you can see the product on top disolving

My experience with this puff is amazing!!! I totaly agree with all the claims for this product. This really is a great product which helped me immediately with my skin. After first apllication my skin became more bright and smooth, after second use it was perfectly healthy and smooth, and after third use I was sad to see it gone.... And if I will have problems with my skin again, I will definitely buy this puff! But then again, I will probably buy it just to have it on hand if things go wrong with my skin again. Starskin recommends to use this puff 1-2 per week.

list of ingredients

The puff has a very light and quite neutral scent which I don't think anyone would mind. You can buy it on Selfridges site, Asos or in Douglas here in Croatia for about 80 kn (7 GBP). If you aren't dealing with dry spots or dull skin all the time, I don't think that you have to use this puff on regular basis. But once a month, or every other month this puff should help your skin look very nice. I've read reviews for this puff and some say that its effect is not very long-lasting. I disagree. My complexion stayed beautiful and smooth for a while now.


The second STARSKIN product that I tried and that I am reviewing is The STARSKIN Brightening Bio-Cellulose Second Skin After Party face mask.


STARSKIN claims that this face mask is intensely energizing, radiance boosting, evens skin tone, corrects dark-spots and smoothes skin texture. It is also made with top natural ingredients some of which are moisturizing coconut, stimulating tetrapeptide-2, omega-3 purslane, moisturizing mallow, refining vitamin C, brightening cowslip, healing gentian root, renewing sugar maple, probiotic Lactobaccilus and dark-spot correcting herbal melody.


This brightening Bio-Cellulose face mask is made of naturally fermented coconut juice and also comes in aluminum sachet. This is a sheet, second skin mask, made from advanced premium mask material that adheres like a second skin and is very gentle, so it is suitable for all skin types. In this packaging you get one 40 g mask, that is infused with 1 full 30 ml bottle of serum.


The mask should be applied to cleansed and towel dry skin. Before opening sachet, you should use fingertips to gently distribute serum evenly and then carefully take out mask and unfold. Remove protective film layers from the mask and place mask on face, adjusting eye, nose and mouth openings to fit. Smooth folds or air pockets on mask for optimal skin contact. Leave on for 20-25 minutes, remove mask and discard. Gently pat the remaining serum into the skin until fully absorbed. You don't need to rinse your face. If you want an even more refreshing feeling, refrigirate the unopened sachet for 10 minutes before use. Recommended use of this mask is 1-2 times per week.


Personally, the child inside of me loves sheet masks because they are fun! But they are also not very practical. You can use them only once and they aren't cheap. One mask will cost you about 80 kn (8 GBP).

list of ingredients

My experience with this mask is also very positive. It makes your face look more rested, bright and healthy but it isn't as long-lasting as the effect of smooth and beautiful skin that you get with the puff. Also, after using this mask my face was a bit sticky which I wasn't crazy about. I still use the rest of the serum that is left in the sachet in the evening, every other day and I didn't experience that sticky feeling again, so I guess my face drank as much serum as it needed and the rest was sitting on top of my skin when I used the mask. Because of its price and the fact that you can use it only once, I am not sure that I will immediately buy it again, but I would be really happy to get it in a beauty box again, which means that I really did like it! And another thing that I almost forgot to mention, thet I am sure some of you would like to know, is that it doesn't have any particular scent, at least I didn't smell anything special.

Have you tried any of the STARSKIN products? Interested? What do you think of these two?


Tell me...


Love, beautyandbrains007



For Croatian version of this post click here