REVIEW: CLIO Professional Twist Up Waterproof Brow Mascara

~AG~

This CLIO Professional Twist Up Waterproof Brow Mascara is a replacement of my old-time favourite Benefit Cosmetics Speed Brow (older version). I bought while I was in Korea last April. 

In terms of pricing, I cannot remember exactly, but I recall it being cheaper than Speed Brow. Twist Up Brow Mascara should costs US$12-15 in Korea.

With that being said, both eyebrow gel/mascara does not harden and leave a residue upon application. Previously, I have tried a L'oréal brow mascara that left an unsightly residue on the brows when it has dried up. Below, I have compared the differences between the two eyebrow mascaras.

Differences between CLIO Professional Twist Up Waterproof Brow Mascara and Benefit Cosmetics Speed Brow (older version):

1. In terms of packaging, CLIO Twist Up is longer and wider than Benefit Speed Brow. For travel convenience, Benefit Speed Brow packaging takes up less space and is more handy to have in your travel makeup bag.
   
   
   
   
   
2. The CLIO Twist Up brush is wider than Benefit Speed Brow.
   
   
   
   
   
3. CLIO Twist Up is a tinted eyebrow mascara mascara while Benefit Speed Brow is a non-tinted eyebrow mascara. Thus CLIO Twist Up adds colour to your eyebrows while Benefit Speed Brow is essentially colourless. 
   
   
4. CLIO Twist Up thickens my eyebrow while Benefit Speed Brow just keep my eyebrows in place. On some days when I am not careful and apply too generously, I will end up having overly thick eyebrows.  
   
   
5. For fuss-free everyday use, I will recommend Benefit Speed Brow. The tinted colour of CLIO Twist Up requires a more careful application compared to Benefit Speed Brow.

REVIEW: Keratin Treatment at KenAris Salon

~AG~

On Sep 29, 2014, I did the Keratin Treament at KenAris Salon. The Keratin Treatment cost $488 for my hair length which was considered long. I was a little wary at first because I did try Keratin Treatment once in the United States and it was unsuccessful. Gilbert heard my concerns and reassured me that I will be satisfied with the results. He mentioned that my split ends will be less noticeable after the treatment. The whole treatment took 3.5 hours. First they washed my hair with the special shampoo. My hair was given a good wash to thoroughly remove build-up and other impurities. When my hair is damp, the keratin treatment is applied carefully section by section. A shower cap is put on to retain the head's natural heat. They let it soak for 20 mins or so then they rinsed it off. After that, they put another ingredient on my hair will at the sink and let it soak for another 10 mins. My hair was blown dry section by section to seal the keratin. After that, a flat iron was used to seal the treatment. Lastly, my hair was rinsed off with water and then blown dry naturally.

I was recommended not to wash my hair for 48 hours after treatment. For the first week, it was recommended to not have my hair tied up or for it to get to chlorinated water. I was also recommended to use the special shampoo for keratin treatment that was sulphate-free and sodium chloride-free. Click link for my review of the recommended shampoo for keratin treated hair. Review Kerastraight Maintain Shampoo

In order to prolong the effects of the keratin treatment, Gilbert recommended that I wash my hair every other day instead of every day. He also reminded me to wash my hair with cold water to prolong the treatment. 

Five days after the treatment, I had my hair curled and styled for my cousin's wedding. I even had my hair braided and put up for the evening. I was worried that my hair was no longer going to be straight after the hair styling, but after washing it out, it went back to being straight and smooth. Gilbert told me to put lots of conditioner after the hair styling to keep it soft and smooth.

I went swimming two week after I did the keratin treatment. I tried to minimize contact with chlorinated water but it was almost impossible to do. However, it did not seem to cause the keratin to be stripped off. My hair was still smooth and straight. 

Three weeks after the keratin treatment, my hair was noticeably straighter and not as frizzy. However, I found that my hair was too flat. I tried to follow Gilbert's advise to not wash my hair everyday. But after a week of doing it, I could not continue. My hair will be oily at the end of Day 1, and it will be super flat and oily on Day 2. I just could not stand the greasiness of second day hair after the keratin treatment. 

My hair started to look more natural after about 1.5 months. It continued to be smooth but less flat; my hair regained some of its volume back. That was my ideal hair look. 

Gilbert said that the keratin treatment should be able to last 3 months if I use the specified shampoo and proper care. I finished using the bottle of Kerastraight shampoo in December 2014, and started going back to my usual Essential Rich Shampoo. Now, in January 2015, which has been four months,   my wavy roots are showing. But the rest of my hair is still relatively straight. My frizziness has somewhat returned but it is still better than my au naturel hair. 

Keratin treatment was supposed to make the hair still look natural and not flat straight. I will not do Keratin treatment again. Yes, it does make my split ends less noticeable but I do not like how flat it makes my hair. Plus, I find that after the keratin treatment, my hair gets oilier more easily. A big no-no in my books. Lastly, keratin treatment is very expensive and does not as long as other smoothing treatment. 

NEW BUY : Oxe Cure Body Acne Spray

~AG~ 

 

One of my Thai friends recommended this acne body spray. This is in available in Thailand at Boots for 255 Baht (S$11). 

 

 

She said this acne spray works well. The result is not instanteous, but it is effective.   

The active ingredient in this spray is 1% salicylic acid. It claims to cleans acne blemishes and helps prevent new acne pimples. The spray supposedly works from any angle, and even upside down.   

 

My back acne is appearing again. I can feel bumps on my back. Since I will be wearing a strapless evening gown in two weeks time, immediate measure should be taken to treat and prevent more acne from appearing. I really hope this works. *cross my fingers*

 

Makeup Products Today

 

🔹Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette 

🔹Shu Uemura Face PowderColorless 

🔹NARS Orgasm Blush & Laguna Bronzer Duo 

🔹 Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch in 2.5 

🔹Lancome Alber Elbaz Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof  

🔹 Cle De Peau Beaute Concealer in Ocher  

🔹NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base 

🔹Lancome Artliner Eyeliner

NEW BUY: Redken Diamond Oil Conditioner

 ~AG~  

Since my conditioner was running low, I decided to shop around for a new one. Currently, I am using Essential Rich conditioner. This time, I decided to look for a more moisturizing conditioner since I will be trying the Dae Gi Mae Ro anti-hair loss shampoo. Since anti-hair loss shampoo can dry out the hair, I will need a "heavier" conditioner. My hairstylist, Gilbert, uses Redken products, so I decided to try one of their conditioners. 

Buying shampoos and hair products from salon tend to be more expensive. A more affordable alternative is to buy high-end hair products from shops such as Venus Beauty, Red Tomato and such, which sells the products at a much cheaper price. Skeptics said shampoos and hair products sold in those shops are not authentic or that the products have been diluted. However, from my experience, the shampoos and conditioners work just as well.  

The shampoo I bought was Redken Diamond Oil Conditioner from Venus Beauty @ AMK. It retailed for $22.90. This is one of the most expensive conditioners that I have bought, I hope it is worth the price.   

Redken official website mentioned that this conditioner contains coriander, camelina and apricot oils which moisturize hair strands and prevent it from breakage. Hair oils are known to be good for dry and frizzy hair. This is probably the "richest" conditioner that Redken has on the market. 

I cannot wait to try this conditioner. I hope it moisturizes my hair and prevents further split ends from occuring.  

Please stay tuned, and I will let you all know whether this conditioner is worth the buy.