BALEA AQUA eye cream/gel

I am preparing a pretty overwhelming post about my empties in November. It will be like a beauty products of all kinds massacre in which you will see how much products I've used up in a five months period. If you have ever read my empties posts you alredy know that I really like to finish my products. When you are so into beauty, it is such a good feeling to play with products and finish them. Then you can really form an opinion how a certain product worked for you, and when some of these products repeatedly appear in your empties bin, I think it is time for a review. So, today I bring you a review on Balea Aqua eye cream/gel.

It is a cream, very light in texture, almost like a gel but a bit richer, which is meant for the sensitive skin around your eyes. This cream doesn't promise a miraculous anti-age effect that will wipe off all your fine lines and wrinkles, but very simple, it promises to provide moisture for your skin which will reduce and remove signs of puffiness. It fulfills it claims with a little help of blue algae and thermal water. It is recommended to use it twice a day, in the mornings and in the evenings (which I did) and in return she will moisturize your eye area.

I'm in my thirties, so my journey with wrinkles and fine lines has begun… especially around my eye area. And I won't lie. I bought this cream/gel twice already in DM. First time because of curiosity, low price and previous positive experience with Balea's Aqua line (I had their Aqua serum and loved it!), and second time because this cream turned out to be great, my other eye cream was vanishing fast from its pot, I was lazy and without any idea what to purchase next, and YES… Have I mentioned alredy that this is a very wallet friendly choice? ;)

My impressions… This is a very good and light cream which nicely moisturizes your eye area, sinks quickly and nicely into the skin without being greasy, which also means that it doesn't leave an oily residue, so it won't affect your makeup application or longevity in any way. It is unscented and also very mild, so much that it is recommended for people who wear contact lenses. My eyes aren't overly sensitive but they do sting and tear up if an eye cream accidently ends up in them. I never had that experience with this one. But because this is a moisturizing cream I think it is a much better choice for spring and summer, because it might not be enough for winter conditions and all the things that come with that (cold, winds, central heating…). That time of the year I suggest to go for something more nourishing. For oily skin, you can still use it in the mornings, but dry skin, especially mature one, should go for something else. Also, as I stated before, this doesn't fight any signs of ageing so if you need something a bit stronger, you should also look further. I don't struggle with dark circles so I don't know how it deals with them, but for young girls with oily or mixed skin that just want to offer their skin rehydration, this would be great.

It comes in a small plastic 15 ml tube. Since it is a Balea brand product, you can find it in DM stores for the price around 25 kunas (I think it costs 21,90 kunas, but am not 100% certain; which is about 4.15$, 3.25 Eura, 2.57 GBP).

ingredients

From my experience (I have oily skin with first signs of ageing) it was a very good eye cream, with all the pros and cons mentioned above in mind. I have bought it twice already and would buy it again for mornings. In translation, I would encourage you to try it out. Even if you will not be crazy about it, its price is so affordable that a possible miss will not hurt your wallet. On the other hand, who knows? Maybe you'll find a new affordable trustworthy friend?

Did you try this cream? Anything else from Balea's Aqua line? Any recommendations?

Tell me…Love, beautyandbrains007

LUSH BUBBLEGUM LIP SCRUB

It is not a secret that I like Lush and am their frequent customer, so you can often read about their products here. Today it is time for their BUBBLEGUM LIP SCRUB. If you ever entered any of their shops or browsed around Lush's site you probably noticed this small glass jar with its pink content inside.

As its name says, it is a scrub but specially made for delicate skin on your lips. It is efficient and mild enough at the same time, leaving your lips smooth and nourished.  For best results it should be followed with a lip balm of your choice. Since it is sugar based, this is definitely a product that you can make by yourself at home, but that is not something I usually do. It also contains jojoba oil which nourishes your lips in order to leave them nice and smooth.

You apply a small amount on your lips, gently massage them and then either rinse it off or lick the rest off. It is natural and edible. In my opinion this is as girly product as it can be, since it is pink and smells like cotton candy bubblegums.

list of ingredients

As I said, it comes in 25 g glass jar which has a protective cap when you first buy it, and it is packed full.

I've read that some women/girls use it both in the morning (before lipstick or gloss) and in the evening (before a balm). In my opinion, that is a bit too much. I use it only in the evening every or every other day. After it, I apply my beloved Korres jasmine lip butter. This routine works great for me. My lips are always nice and smooth.

This is how Lush describes it:
"Prep your lips with a buff and polish at the start of your make-up routine to ensure your lipstick glides on and stays put. Just apply with a clean finger, and let the exfoliating caster sugar and softening jojoba oil scrub away dead skin and infuse moisture to rejuvenate your smile. Bubblegum lip scrub won’t leave any greasy residue; just a sweet candy taste that you’ll enjoy licking off. Lip-smackingly good."

You can buy this small jar for 67 kunas in Croatia (6.93 GBP, 8.70 Euros, 11.15 $). While browsing through Lush sites internationally, I've realized that it is less expensive in other countries, so a jar of it in the UK will cost you only 5.50 GBP. So, it is not cheap at all. Another minus that I have to mention is that with time it hardens and looses that light sugary texture. It is still good and effective, but since this is not my first jar of this product, I have to mention it. On the jar it says that it is best to use it in a year from the time that it was made. I think it is OK that you use it up in a year from opening it.

In my opinion, this is a great product, with an excessive price tag but I still like it and have it. Although I must say that I got it in my Think Pink box for 50% less. It is fun to use and this small jar reminds me to give some love to my lips on the daily basis. If you are not crazy about pink, bubblegum taste and smell, you have other scrubs to choose from. I must admit that I, personally, would not buy the popcorn one. I have another one from their Christmas LE. Too cute...
The conclusion is that I bought them before and would and will buy them again, but can't tell you to go and buy them! If you have will and knowledge to make something like this at home, or just don't want to splurge for this type of product, I fully understand your reasons.

So.... Is this something you would be interested in? Have you tried any of their lip scrubs? Do you make something like this by yourself?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

TETESEPT bubble bath with lavender and orange oils

We are enjoying a warm and sunny autumn in Croatia and I am very thankful for that, but it is getting dark sooner and temperatures drop more during the night. So, after being exclusive "showerer" during spring and summer, I am starting to get more into luxurious bubble baths. I have this bottle from last winter and am more than happy to finish it, now.

In Croatia, you can buy Tetesept bubble baths in Müller department stores. Mine came in a 125 ml glass bottle, which will normally cost you 40 kunas (5.23 Euros, 4.12 GBP, $ 6.61), but for some reason, I paid mine 20 kunas (2.61 Euros,  2.06 GBP, $ 3.30). I am not sure if it was on sale or this is a cheaper version?

To be honest, I didn't really pay attention to these bubble baths but after seeing them on another blog that I follow, HERE (check it out, you won't be sorry), I just had to try it out.

So, the story about Tetesept bubble baths is that "it is warm and cozy bubble bath which helps calming your body and soul. That is because it is full of essential oils which don't only benefit your skin while you are bathing, but also continue doing their magic after your bath. These bubble baths don't contain preservatives, paraffins, silicones, mineral oils or alkaline soaps. You just need to fill you bath with warm water (temperature between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius) and enjoy your bath for about 10-15 minutes."

I agree with their statements. This is not the bubbliest bubble bath that I ever came across but it is bubbly enough and makes your bath time special. Lavender will prepare you for the night and lead you to your dreams, so I prefer it in the evening before going to bed. In any case, you will have some quality time with yourself to relax.

In this particular one you can smell a perfect fusion of lavender, orange blossom and a hint of a herbal note.

In the bottle it has a dark magenta colour...

in the beginning

But, when in water, it will have a light purple colour.

developing

It says on the packaging that this 125 ml glass bottle is enough for 8 baths but I don't agree with that. Mine was good for 5-6 baths and I used an amount that fits 1.5 caps from the bottle.

in the end

My overall impression is that this is a beautiful bubble bath and I would definitely buy it again or try others from their range.

ingredients

What about you? Have you tried any of the Tetesept bubble baths? Did you like them? Do you have any to recommend?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

Love Lush: Helping Hands hand cream

During one of my shopping frenzies in Lush last year, I bought a Think pink set- here, where I got a 10g  tin box with a Helping Hand hand cream inside.

When I first laid my eyes on it I was enchanted by its rosy colour... Yes, sometimes us women really get carried away with a look of something or someone. That is how we end up with handsome but stupid men. Totally off topic. On the other side, it was a bit weird in texture. Something between gel consistency and rich body butter?! I must admit that this teeny-tiny size lasted me for quite some time because this cream is very rich and I would say oily, which means that you need the smallest amount for your hands.

Pfff! I heard and read amazing things about this cream, how light and non-greasy it is, but still so nourishing for the skin in which it sinks and disappears without any residue...

My opinion is quite the opposite. Yes, at first glance it seems nourishing, but it is most definitely greasy and it definitely leaves an oily reside after application. With all mentioned above, I applied it only before going to bed. For me, it is not the most handy cream for busy days.

Since it is quite heavy and greasy, one would think that it nourishes the skin. I don't know what to say to that? It is not the worst cream, it nourished my hands until morning but during the day it was like I never applied it. So, not a miracle cream also. For me, this is a mediocre hand cream with a tough, yet less expensive competition at the drustores.

Ingredients:
Chamomile Water (Anthemis nobilis), Linseed Mucilage (Linum usitatissimum), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Triethanolamine, Honey (Mel), Lavender Oil (Lavandula hybrida), African Marigold Oil (Tagetes erecta), Fragrance, Alkanett Extract (Alkanna tinctoria), *Limonene, *Linalool, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Chamomile, almond, shea butter and marigold.... I must admit that I am surprised with its lack of magic?!

How Lush describes it:
The name says it all. Our miracle-working, calming chamomile and cocoa butter cream has been saving hands worldwide for years. It’s perfect for people who work with their hands and suffer from dry, chapped skin as a result. Soothing honey, moisturizing oils and nourishing butters help to protect and care for hardworking hands and make them soft and flexible once again. You might be a person who thinks that hand cream is merely one more non-essential thing to spend your money on. Give your hands a little help; smooth some on and feel the difference it makes.

• Handy helper: Soothes sore hands with a powerful mixture of marigold and lavender oils.
• Softens you up: Shea butter and almond oil are effective emollients, proven to moisturize and keep skin soft.
• What's Linseed Mucilage?: Linseeds swell when exposed to water. Rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, the gel helps to protect the skin.

And my thoughts about its scent... Well. it is unusual, not bad but a bit unusual. A mixture of citrus and Lush shop scent, with a hint of clay. I know I probably won you over with these words.... But, if you have tried or smelled this cream, please write how you experienced its smell. I must say one more time that to me its smell wasn't bad or offensive, but I do think that it is a bit strong and if you don't like it, you will hate this cream.

If you decide to buy this cream you can find it in Lush shops. In Croatia a 100 g plastic pot will cost you 84 kunas, around 11 Eura, 8.79 GBP, 14 $. Mine is in a small tin, but it usually comes in plastic pots which are recyclable. It is possible to get it in a bottle with a pump, also.

To sum up: this wasn't the best or the worst cream I have ever tried, and if I get it again in some kind of set I'll use it up, but I will not be buying this cream for what it is for sure.

What about you? Have you tried it? Interested?

Tell me...

Love, beautyandbrains007

AVEDA Rosemary Mint shampoo and conditioner

I've been hearing and reading a lot about AVEDA for quite some time now, but I never really tried any of their products. Then, they opened a hair salon in Zagreb which reminded me that one day I should really get something from their line. I knew that they were striving to be a "natural" based company, respecting the earth. AVEDA is the first beauty company manufacturing products with 100% certified wind power. RESPECT!

During a special offer on lookfantastic, I went a bit AVEDA crazy and bought a couple of their products, including shampoo and conditioner from their Rosemary Mint collection that I am reviewing today.

They come in plastic, recycled bottles and they urge you to recycle them again. Many ingredients are organically grown and if so, they are specially marked. My bottles are 8.5 fl.oz/250 ml sized, and this whole rosemary mint line should invigorate your hair and senses.

Both shampoo and conditioner are available in three different sizes, and each size comes at the same price for both products: travel size- 50 ml/1.7 fl.oz. (4.50$ each at their official website- www.aveda.com), 250 ml/8.5 fl.oz. (13.50 $ each at their official website) and a big 1l/33.8 fl.oz. bottle (40 $ each at their official website). Having said that, as usual, prices of their products in Europe come with a higher price tag.

Both od these products are ment for fine to normal hair.

This unique daily shampoo adds body to fine hair—without stripping, build-up or static electricity. Formulated with peppermint to awaken your senses and rosemary to help protect from environmental damage. Its pure plant aroma naturally energizes and motivates your mind and body. (Aveda's words)

This daily conditioner adds weightless body and shine while preventing tangles and static. The tonic properties of rosemary and peppermint cool and revitalize your scalp. After shampooing with Rosemary Mint Shampoo, add a small amount of Rosemary Mint Conditioner to hair. Massage onto hair and scalp. Rinse.(Aveda's words) Ma hair tends to get greasy but I' also applied it all over my hair, even close to my roots and that didn't make my hair greasier than usual or weighed it down so I must agree with their claims.

This duo was my choice for summer vacations. I was at the seaside so leaving salt in my hair was not an option, which resulted in washing my hair every day with these and I can say that they worked great and my hair survived the summer without any damages.

This shampoo really offers deep cleaning of the hair without stripping it, it leaves it clean, light and fresh. It doesn't foam up as most of the shampoos, especially not during first aollication. Since I washed my hair almost every day, when frequently used, I shampooed it only once. So, the moral of this story is that I agree with Aveda's claims.
As for the scent of it, it is mostly minth which is perfect after lots of sun for a touch of freshness, it lightly stays in the hair but I think that it wouldn't be tto much for most people. You feel fresh, it gives a cooling sensation and the hair looks healthy, shiny and a bit bouncy, meaning...it also adds a bit of volume.

The conditioner is very light in texture, o much that I first rolled my eyes thinking that it would be like I didn't apply anything, ut it will surprise you. After shamppoing, I applied this conditioner and leyve it on while I wash my body, then I comb out my hair with Macadamia No Tangle brush and rinse it off. It is soo good. Washes out nicely, leaves hair clean and nourished but not heavy. Its scent is also mostly minted but you can also sense rosemary somwhere in the background. For me both of these products get really good grades! The only thing is that it doesn't do anything foe my greasy hair, it is not like they weigh it down more, but it gets greasy as fast as with any other products.

Shampoo ingredients:
Aqueous (water/aqua/eau) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Sodium Coco-Sulfate, Lauramidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Babassuamidopropyl Betaine, Vinegar/Acetum/Vinaigre, Camphor, Menthol, Cocamidopropylamine Oxide, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Polyquaternium-4, Fragrance (Parfum), Linalool, Limonene, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid <ILN36155>.

Conditioner ingredients.
Aqueous (water/aqua/eau) Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearalkonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-11, Vinegar/Acetum/Vinaigre, Wheat Amino Acids, Tocopherol, Oryzanol, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Mentha Pipierita (Peppermint) Oil, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Olealkonium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate <ILN36156<

I bought these two at lookfantastic during an Aveda special offer for about 17 Euros, shipping is free, which is more expensive than in the USA, but honestly I am used to higher European prices.

I really like these products an would buy them again, but don't go surfing the web for any Aveda products, because I tried some more products from their range which didn't wow me as much.

What about you? Have you tried any Aveda products? Like them? Any recommendations?


Tell me....


Love, beautyandbrains007