New in #121 – Mateja’s Beauty Blog

DM, 25,99 €

*MILANI Make It Last Floral Scented Setting Spray

DM, 12,99 €

*MILANI Flora Tinted Lip Balm

A tinted liquid lip balm with a glossy shine and a comfortable, nourishing formula. It’s got a sheer warm pink tint and a sweet lemon flower scent. It reminds me of L’Occitane lip balms/glosses I used to buy, though it’s been a while since I got any of them. For dry lips it’s a nice formula and it clings on well for a gloss, however, don’t expect amazing staying power from it. 

DM, 12,49 €

*MILANI Color Fetish Matte Lip Makeup – The Flora Collection

320 Petal

DM, 12,99 €

*MILANI Highly Rated Anti Gravity Mascara

I got one of these a couple of months ago and talked about it in a New in (review is still in drafts). On Milani’s website it’s a best seller. It’s a top performer in terms of volume and length right out of the box, meaning it creates big lashes, but I don’t reach for it often, not just because it’s a regular formula that doesn’t hold a curl well, but also because it makes the lashes stiff, so when they hit my glasses, it’s not comfortable (this is mostly a “me” problem and I’m aware it won’t bother most of you). It’s also a mascara that is difficult to remove, so I’ve used it in cleanser’s tests. If you’re not as fussy about holding a curl as me, this is a great volumising & lengthening mascara, but I prefer their softer and more defining (however, less volumising) Most Wanted Lashes formula. 

DM, 14,49 €

*MILANI Conceal + Perfect 2in-1n Foundation + Concealer

DM, 16,99 €

*REVLON ColorStay Blot Setting Powder

*REVLON ColorStay Grip Matte Primer

Revlon says Grip Matte primer creates a bare canvas for makeup, it mattifies and improves staying power for up to 16h. I expected a silicone-y instantly dry-to-the-touch primer, but this feels more hydrating and it’s not instantly matte. It’s a gel type of formula and a very silky one. It makes my skin feel so smooth to the touch, it’s nothing I’ve felt before, as it doesn’t have that classic silicone feel to it. Foundation applies nicely over it, smoother than without a primer. It says it blurs pores, which is partly true, by that I mean since it’s clear, you need to apply a foundation over it to see the full effect. When I wore all three products at once, I couldn’t wear my makeup for the full 16h because my skin felt so dry, however, my makeup was pretty perfect when I took it off. Skin looked smooth and matte, foundation didn’t slip into lines, my eye makeup looked like freshly applied, only the blush was gone, but I was rubbing my cheeks at one point because I was removing dust (I was also rubbing my eyes because something fell into my eye and the makeup ended up looking surprisingly good). When I wear this on its own, it’s a smoothing primer that keeps my makeup looking matte all day and it doesn’t feel drying, but if I use all three products, it’s just too much for my skin. So I’m guessing this trio might just work for oily skin, keeping oils at bay, but I can’t claim that 100%.

*REVLON ColorStay Lock Setting Mist

REVLON SkinLights Prismatic Bronzer

110 Sunlit Glow  & 115 Sunkissed Beam

TREND IT UP Face Contouring Palette

I don’t really use contouring products, so I got this cheap one, as a just-in-case option. It’s got good reviews on DM’s website and it’s not like there are a ton of other similar products in the drugstores here. I’m very pale and all three powders don’t have the best pigmentation and need layering to show up well – it could be just the top layer for now. They’re not the smoothest or at least they are not very creamy/buttery powders, but can be applied without looking patchy. Contour is a decent shade for pale skin, though I wish it were a tiny bit ashier. Bronze is too warm for my taste, though it’s not (very) orange or at least it’s not if I keep it subtle. Revlon’s SkinLight 110 & Rimmel’s 022 Sun Bronze bronzers, which both have some the best powder textures I’ve ever tried, are much better shades for my skin tone. Highlighter is a pointless shade in this palette, since it’s matte and matches my skin tone, so it does nothing for me in terms of brightening/highlighting (considering it looks like contour fits mostly fair skins, the choice of a highlighter is odd). The palette will do in a pinch, but I wish I got something better instead. 

DM, 4,99 €

CATRICE Liquid Shadow Waterproof

050 Free Spirit

Müller, 4,19 €

ESSENCE Inner Eye Brightening Pen

I actually still have enough of the discontinued Bright Eyes version (I stocked up), which I realised at home is a better shade for me because it’s pinky nude, while this is a peachy, warm nude. I wanted to see what the current version is like and it’s similar, but not as pigmented. Formula is creamy and payoff in the waterline good, though it needs some building up because the pigment shifts (I only need one swipe with the old formula). It creates a more “wide eyes”, awake look. 

Müller, 1,19 €

ESSENCE Longlasting Eye Pencil

35 Sparkling Brown

I’m looking for replacements for my ancient makeup and this was meant to be my new Urban Decay eyeliner in Bourbon, which is a brown with gold shimmer. New one costs over 20 € and I’d have to order online, so I decided to check the local drugstores instead. This one isn’t as vibrant as I’m looking for, as it’s a deep brown on the eyes (still distinctive from black). Formula is creamy, colour payoff good on the skin, while in the waterline most of the pigment ends up between the lashes. It lasts well on the skin, but not superbly in the waterline. It’s good formula for the price and I suspect the black one might be really good. 

Müller, 1,59 € 

DEBORAH MILANO 24 Ore Waterproof Eye Pencil

5 Golden Green

I got this as a replacement for Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner Stash, which I used to use every day, but it has become dryer and haven’t used it in a while. This is lighter and more green than Stash. Formula is better than Essence’s, even smoother, though both are good. It’s has a good colour pay-off on the skin, though not the best on the waterline. It lasts well on me. It has an added sharpener and a smudger. 

DM, 7,99 €

KISS Strip Lash Adhesive

I needed a better glue than what’s included in the boxes with Essences fake lashes (to be fair, the bar is low) and I picked this because it’s sold in DM & Müller and has good reviews. I’m glad I picked it up. It holds all day, keeps the corners from popping up (Essence and Catrice are terrible at that) and the applicator is a brush, so you’re not wasting any product like you might at tubes such as Duo. I used to have a Catrice and/or an Essence one, which I have no idea if they are still sold, but this is so much better. 

DM, 5,39 €

EBELIN Puder und Makeup Blender

A repurchase. I love this sponge – it’s so soft and bouncy even when dry. I actually prefer to use it dry and it blends foundations so beautifully, better than wet, but that’s just my preference. You’re supposed to use them wet because everyone will tell you they soak up too much of foundation otherwise, but I don’t find that’s the case, at least with this one. I really appreciate that the bottom part is flat and I use that side for general blending all over the face, while I use the rounded tip for concealer in the inner corners of the eyes. It’s also got a velvet flat top part, which can be used for powder, though I don’t use that so often, but it does get more powder on the skin at once than a brush.  

DM, 2,69 €

ESSENCE Repair Nail Oil

I don’t in general take much care for my nails, but I figured I should do some nourishing, though I know I’ll forget on most days. I used to have Essie’s Apricot oil, which I guess I lost somewhere and this feels about the same. It’s a combination of almond oil + some other oils (like argan as it says on the cap, but that’s not in the largest amount). It’s fairly thin and the nails + cuticles don’t stay greasy very long. It doesn’t work amazing with one use, but I haven’t been used to using it every day, so I can’t say if it works better long term. I guess it does considering it has got good reviews. It smells of nothing definitive, maybe a bit like lemons, but mixed with a typical nail polish scent. 

DM, 2,19 €

FOREO Luna Play Smart 2

The battery bit is not ideal, but sensors sure are super handy and is the fact it personalises the routine for you. 

DM, 98,99 €

FOREO Micro Foam Cleanser

I got another one of these, though I still have mine. It’s the best cleanser I’ve tried so far. I only need a tiny bit and it emulsifies between the palms of my hands into this rich, dense foam. So one tube lasts you very long. It’s gentle, but effective, it doesn’t irritate the eyes and isn’t drying. Only bad thing about it is the price, but minis exist and like I said you only need little for one use. 

Foreo, 44,90 €, mini 20 ml is 9,90 €

FOREO Call it A Night and Make my Day masks

DM, 10,99 €

*SVR Sensifine Double Cleansing Balm

A creamy balm cleanser that turns to oil and then a milky emulsion when you add water. It’s a minimalist formula with only 9 ingredients. I tested it with my most long-lasting makeup, including a waterproof mascara on one eye and a resilient regular mascara on the other (Milani Anti Gravity). It removed everything, only a small trace of waterproof mascara remained when I went over with a cotton pad and a separate cleanser. It feels pleasantly balmy during massaging it in, it does leave the eyesight a little misty for a short time and it washes off completely, though I follow with a mousse cleanser. It has no scent. Overall this is really good. It’s designed for sensitive skin.

*FILORGA Neocica Moisturising Repairing Care

This is described as a repairing cream, but it has so many nice ingredients, it’s like also an anti-ageing product in my eyes. Filorga says it’s suitable for use after treatments (laser, peels, injections), on burns and irritated skin (like after shaving). It’s not very balmy or thick like I imagined it might be, so don’t expect something like Bepathen or SVR Cicavit, instead it’s a lighter creamy formula that I can use all over the face as the last step of my routine. 

*SEBAMED PRO! Hydro Serum

A serum with active ingredient Meiritage ™ that was inspired by the medicinal herbal effects of traditional Chinese medicine, but it also has niacinamide high on the list. It’s a simple, light hydrating serum, one that is easy to layer. My skin is already nice, since I found skin care that suits me and I don’t really see a difference when I use this, but ingredients-wise, this is really nice for all skin types. It is fragranced, though. 

*SHISEIDO Urban Environment Age Defense SPF 30

*SHISEIDO After Sun Intensive Damage SOS Emulsion

A light gel that turns into a watery, cooling texture. As the name says it’s meant to be used after sunbathing and it provides “instant recovery”. It’s got squalane and aloe vera, but also peppermint, which I expected to be cooling, but I don’t notice it being tingly on my skin. I didn’t have an SOS emergency, but I gave it to two people who still don’t understand you should probably wear SPF if you plan to work at midday in the sun and neither commented on it being amazing, though I think their redness calmed a bit faster.   

*SHISEIDO Waso Yuzu-C Beauty Sleeping Mask 

A clear gel hydrating overnight mask with yellow beads. The latter are filled with vitamin C (ascorbly tetraisopalmitate) and burst when you apply them on the face. It’s a refreshing and slightly cooling type of formula from the start, and it feels very lightweight on the skin, so this is especially nice in the summer. I haven’t noticed any quick brightening effect, just a hydrating one. The packaging is refillable. 

*SHISEIDO Waso Koshirice Tinted Spot Treatment Spot Clear

Natural Honey 

I’d love this if I had it in a shade that fits me. The packaging sort of fools you into thinking it’s a lightly tinted product for spots, but this is a full on concealer and a good one at that. Texture is very light, but packs a lot of pigment. I’ve tried it on an inflamed blemished and it covered well without making the skin look more textured. I had self tanner on that time, but it was still too dark for me, so I can’t claim coverage is full, but it’s the texture of it that convinced me that it’s a good formula for blemishes. It blends into the skin nicely and it’s not that super matte texture that would make the spots look cakey. This is the middle shade of the three and though I haven’t seen the lightest one, I’m assuming it’s also too dark for my pale skin. This contains salicylic acid.  

*URIAGE Bariéderm-Cica Daily Serum

A serum for damaged and sensitive skin, which contains a thermal-biotic complex (10,5 %. It’s a combination of Uriage Thermal water + prebiotics, specifically inulin), centella asiatica, panthenol, hyaluronic acid and a dipeptide (Glutamylamidoethyl indole). It’s otherwise a short list of ingredients, but it’s a good one, concentrated on repairing ingredients. I loved this straight away. It’s a light serum that instantly feels so soothing. The first time I tried it didn’t even know my skin was tight until I applied this and felt instant relief. It’s light, so easy to layer, hydrating and does the job of soothing and calming the skin. It has no fragrance.  

*SVR [C20] Biotic Regenerating Radiance Cream

A rich moisturiser that takes time to absorb (I can still feel it an hour after application). It’s not that thick in terms of texture, but it feels almost balmy on the face. It’s designed for lifeless, dull and uneven skin with wrinkles. It contains 2 kinds of vitamin C, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate and 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, together in a 20% concentration. It contains orange beads with vitamin E and there’s also a probiotic, shea butter and hyaluronic acid. This has a gentle creamy scent. I’ve been using this in my night routine, but so far I don’t see a brightening/evening effect.

*SVR [Pepti] Biotic Regenerating Smoothing Matt Gel

A moisturiser with squlane, vitamin C in Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate form, amino acid Lauroyl Lysine, almond oil, a probiotic, a peptide and hyaluronic acid. I love this. It reminds me of L’Occitane’s matte lotions, but here it’s a less dry formula. It almost feels like a primer because it’s thick and feel silky on the skin, proving a good base. I’d pick this from SVR moisturisers a for use under makeup.

*SVR [Cera] Biotic Regenerating Filling Cream

A rich moisturiser that takes quite some time to absorb. It’s meant for dry skin that’s experiencing appearance of lines and loss of firmness. It contains babassu oil, vitamin C in my preferred Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate form, ceramides, a pasteurised probiotic and hyaluronic acid. To me this is very close to a perfect combination of ingredients, so it’s just my luck that I think this breaks me out. I started trying it twice and both time got a slow healing spot on my chin. But what breaks you out is an individual thing and if it weren’t for that, this would be my first pick from SVR moisturisers.  

*SVR [Hyalu] Biotic Regenerating Plumping Gel

A light-ish gel cream for dehydrated, tight skin with wrinkles. It contains vitamin C in Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate form, hyaluronic acid and a probiotic. It absorbs quickly enough and it’s by far the lightest of the SVR moisturisers I’ve tried, but it’s intensely hydrating. I measured my skin with Foreo’s Play Smart, which showed my skin as dry, so I started using one of the testers of this and my skin moisture levels improved quickly. It has a lovely fresh floral scent.  

*SVR [A] Ampoule Lift

A kind of all-in-one anti-ageing product. It contains 0,3% retinol (0,1 pure retinol and 0,2% encapsulated), squalane, vitamin C (3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid), a few peptides, vitamin E, grape seed oil, shea butter and soybean oil. Based on first couple of uses, I thought this is very gentle on my skin, though I felt it for a few minutes. But when I started using daily, my skin got sensitive like it happens with pure retinol products. So this packs a punch, despite the low concentration. I decided to stop using for now and I’ll try it in colder, less sunny months. Formula is a light lotion-serum that’s easy to layer.  

*SVR [C] Ampoule Anti-Ox

*SVR [B3] Ampoule Hydra

A product with 5% of niacinamide and 3 kinds of hyaluronic acid for sensitive, dehydrated skin. It’s a light serum that absorbs quickly and is nice for layering. It doesn’t really stand out that much among myriad of niacinamide serums, but it’s nice. The ingredients list contains only 12 ingredients, it’s without fragrance and is designed for sensitive skin. 

*SVR Cicavit+ Crème

A repairing cream with Erasyal and antibacterial Teflose. It promises to help the skin heal 7-times faster (compared to not using anything). It’s a similar consistency to Bepanthen, so thick, yet kind of refreshing. An SPF50+ version exists too. 

*SVR Blur Sun Secure Mousse Cream SPF 50

*URIAGE DS Hair Soft Balancing Shampoo

A soothing shampoo that calms and protects the scalp. It’s neither SLS or fragrance free and it has Piroctone olamine, an anti-dandruff ingredient, so if I just saw the ingredients list, I’d say this is a typical anti-dandruff shampoo (it meant also as an addition to stronger anti-dandruff shampoo). I wasn’t too impressed by it because it’s not amazing for dry hair. It cleans well and does the job, but it was too stripping for my taste. It should suit any other hair type, since it’s light. 

*URIAGE Bariésun Moisturizing Cream SPF 50+

*EARTH LINE Vitamin E Sunless Tanner

17,99 €

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*EARTH LINE Argan Sun Care Face Age Control SPF 15

This has only mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) as well as organic argan, coconut and macadamia oil, shea butter, vitamin A (can’t find it on the list. They must mean it as a part of oil or extract), vitamin C (Ascorbyl palmitate), E and Q10. Formula is quite rich and has some white cast. It’s not that easy to apply it evenly and it doesn’t feel like a smooth formula at application, but those streaks can be blended away with some more effort. It’s not a light sunscreen even on my dry skin and there is a layer of product on the face that feels tacky, so I don’t think those with oily skin will love it. Makeup went over it ok and I got no pilling or irritating of eyes. I think the highest SPF version is only 20, but even 15 protected me well that day that I wore it (but it was cloudy. I didn’t dare go out without my SPF 50 in strong sun).

17,99 €

*EARTH LINE Long-Lasting Deodorant

Lavender

A deodorant with a BDIH Cosmos Naturals certificate, it’s 100% certified vegan, has no micro plastic, baking soda, parabens and silicones. It’s said to be suitable for sensitive skin. It’s a cream deodorant, so you wind up the mechanism and a cream spurts out of the one hole it has at the top. I apply it with my hands, so it’s more evenly distributed. I don’t really sweat a lot, not even in summer (I’m one of those “always feels cold” people), so I can’t tell you how well it works, having said that, I always start my day with a dose of Dove anti-perspirant, so when I used this, at the end of the day I didn’t smell quite as fresh, though it wasn’t terrible. I got the version Lavender, which is one of my favourite scents and this is a nice version of it, but four more exist: Aqua, Cotton Flower and Lemon & Mint.   

13,99 €

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BALEA Beauty Expert Body Crème 5% Niacinamide

DM, 3,99 €

LA CROA Argan Keratin Repair Conditioner

I have several products from this brand and in particular this line. I’ve been repurchasing the hair mask, which is only sold in satchel sizes in my local Müller, so I got the conditioner in the hope it has the same thick, balmy, rich texture that suits my very dry hair. I actually haven’t had a chance to try this yet, but it has argan & macadamia oil high on the list, plus hydrolysed keratin & collagen.  

Müller, 6,50 €

MIXA Baby & Adult Soothing Cleansing Oil for Body & Hair Atopiance

A repurchase. It’s a simple gel cleanser, so not an oil at all like the name says. I was disappointed when I discovered it’s just a foamy gel cleanser, but I  ended up liking so much that I bought another bottle. It’s gentle, has some nice ingredients, cleanses well and the pump packaging is a plus. 

DM, 3,69 €

AVEO MED Sensitiv Pflegeshampoo Totes Meer Salz

A repurchase. I don’t use this as often as I did in the past, as now my shampoo combination isn’t Aveo + L’Oreal Extraordinary oil, but Joico Defy Damage + Olaplex n.4 (or n.4P), but I do use it every time I bleach my hair because it has a low pH and it’s gentle. I’ve gone through many bottles of this and I like it because it suits my very dry hair, it works similarly to L’Oreal’s Extraordinary shampoo, so it’s like it has a bit of conditioner in it and it doesn’t leave my hair stripped nor tangled. It’s a good all-in-one product for minimalists because aside from being a shampoo and shower gel, it’s also gentle and not drying enough so it can also be used for the face.

Müller, 1,29 €

AFRODITA COSMETICS Lavender Relaxing Moments Oil Shower Gel

A repurchase. It’s nothing special in terms of texture, just gel, which is a bit thicker than average, but the reason I buy this is the lovely lavender scent, which is one of the best I’ve found so far. 

DM, 2,49 €

DOVE Care by Nature Uplifting Shower Gel

Dove again discontinued great scents and replaced them with new ones. I’m not a big fan of these, though both have that rich, creamy texture I love. This one smells like mangoes, but it’s not a particularly juicy, fresh scent. 

DOVE Anti-Stress Shower Gel 

This one smells calming of chamomile, but again it’s not the best for my nose. I miss the pink clay version and the long discontinued coconut & jasmine one. 

DM, 2,79 €

*AFRODITA PROFESSIONAL Summer Affair Perfect Tan Prep Premium Body Scrub 5 in 1

A pink Scrub with glitter and 5 different kinds of abrasives and is meant to prepare the skin for self tanning. The whole Summer Affair line has the same scent, which is described as cherry blossom and coconut water. It smells so familiar to me, it’s a lovely fresh-sweet vanillary, almost kind of bubble-gum scent (I think like those pink one is tape form, but I was kid last time I bought those). I love this, it instantly became my favourite scrub, beating the long-time favourite Soap & Glory Flake Away (which I still love, am currently using, but it’s got less particles). I can’t feel the 5 different kinds of abrasives, mostly I think it’s just salt and some larger black ones, but the density of particles is perfect. It’s one of harsher scrubs, so the way I like it, but it doesn’t feel too abrasive, especially considering it’s a dense salt scrub. It also washes off completely, leaving no residue behind (unlike their old golden version from Afrodita did). It’s almost the perfect product, except for the price and the fact it’s not in drugstores, which I know will make me possibly not repurchase it because I’m just weird that way – but also why is the scrub more expensive than the self tanner? 

Vegan

*AFRODITA PROFESSIONAL Summer Affair Extra Strong Self-Tanning Lotion 

 Vegan.

*AFRODITA PROFESSIONAL Summer Affair Charming Perfume Shimmer Body Oil

This is a dry oil with gold shimmer and the same perfume as the scrub & self tanner, so cherry blossom and coconut water. It’s meant for enhancing tan. Scent is truly lovely, but it fades relatively quickly on me. Since it’s a dry oil, it absorbs fast and it’s not greasy. My dry skin absorbs it too quickly, so that oily glistening disappears on me, leaving just golden shimmer. 

 Vegan.

*AFRODITA PROFESSIONAL Summer Affair Super-Active Dreamy Tanning Jam

A new version of the famous Afrodita tanning jam (marmelada) that has been popular in the last years. They joined of their two best-selling products, Art of Tanning Marmelade and Anticellulite Fat Burning Creamy gel, to make this product. I’m the type of person that would never get either of these, so sorry if you wanted to hear my review, but I don’t tan in the sun, nor does my body need anything fat burning (nor do I believe in the efficiency of the latter, but that’s up to you and your experiences what you think about such types of products). Formula is a creamy gel that’s easy to apply and doesn’t leave the skin greasy. Afrodita says that it increases natural tan by 44% (it containd Lipobronze™ Veg-Ab), it has an SPF 10 and a fat burning effect with an anti-cellulite action & “reduces circumference of critical body parts and limits build-up of new fat pads”. To me this is a light body moisturiser with that lovely cherry blossom and coconut scent.

*AFRODITA PROFESSIONAL Summer Affair After Sun Tan Extender Lotion

This is designed to prolong the tan, but it’s essentially a gradual fake tanner with a small amount of D.H.A. and Erythrulose. I haven’t had it long enough to see how much tan develops with frequent use, but so far I haven’t had any of that self-tan scent developing with this one (2 uses). Formula isn’t a lotion, but a thick cream that feels much lighter when you apply it on the skin, similar to the Tanning Jam. This has the weakest cherry blossom & coconut scent. Both the Tanning Jam and this, leave my skin soft like the Self Tanner.   

*URIAGE Eau Thermale Bariésun Thermal Mist Self-tanning

Uriage added self-tanning ingredients to their thermal water spray and that’s exactly how this feels – light as water (I also have their water with no additions and love it. . It contains both the DHA for developing the tan and Erythrulose for prolonging it. It’s in a spray form with a very fine mist and it’s so far the self tanner that was the easiest to apply both quickly and evenly. This is a tan at which I don’t miss having a self tanning mitt. It’s very light and not greasy, though not a dry mist and there is some tackiness left to the touch. It’s clear, so no guide colour, but even without I got an even application and no dark patches on my feet or knees. Tan was visible after an hour, but it fully developed in about 12h. It’s a natural, more subtle tan than Afrodita’s, but more intense than Earth Line’s. My skin is darker by a shade or two. The typical selftan scent developed soon after application, but I get that at every tan I’ve tried so far (it was less strong than at Afrodita, but still annoying).  

*LAZARTIGUE Nourish High Nutrition Conditioner Shea Butter

I absolutely adore the mask from this brand (and line Nourish) as well as the hair oil. I picked this conditioner so I can see if it’s as good as the mask, since it’s cheaper. It is. It’s another fantastic formula for very dry hair. It silicone free, yet makes the hair feel like I used Kerastase. Another winner by Lazartigue.

SUBRINA Recept Probiotic Care Shampoo for Itchy Scalp

New shampoo in the scalp care line Recept by Subrina. I’m picky about shampoos and I actually quite like Recept ones, especially the Sensitive Action, which doesn’t fix my dandruff problem, but it’s gentle, not drying, foams well and is just in general a nice formula. My scalp is almost constantly itchy, so I gave this a go and it’s another nice one. It’s not as nice for my dry hair than Sensitive, as it’s little bit stripping, but still ok. My scalp did indeed not itch, though effect lasted only a couple of days. This has no SLES or SLS and it contains lactobacillus ferment and some extracts. Since Sensitive Action is an anti-dandruff shampoo that strips colour, I’m switching to this one as my occasional shampoo, though I still mostly use Joico & Olaplex duo. This has a lovely smell, Subrina tends to have quite nice smells in their products. 

SUBRINA Pure Herbal Shampoo

For normal to greasy hair

A new version of shampoo among Subrina’s selection. It contains sage, hamamelis extract, chamomile, green tea, rosemary and lemon balm. It’s designed for oily and normal hair, and promises to regulate sebum production and soothe the scalp. I haven’t tried it, since it’s not for my type of hair, but I wanted to share some experience from others with Subrina’s shampoos and conditioners, since I give the bottles with old labels to my friends and family. Not this version actually, but the Vitamin’s & Strength – for one Subrina gets lots of praise for how soft and nice it leaves the hair (thinner hair than mine and not as dry), but also that Vitamin’s version prevents the hair from getting greasy fast effectively.  

LUXURIOUS COCONUT All-Over Coconut 5 in 1 Moisture Cream 

Light Repair

A new addition to the Luxurious Coconut brand. So far there were only shampoos, conditioners, masks and a hair oil, now there’s also a leave-in conditioner in the Repair line, though this one is called “light”. It’s the type of creamy formula that can be used on both damp and dry hair, and I don’t find it’s that type that would leave the hair weighed down, so both the silicone oil and this cream from Repair line are suitable for thin hair. For me it’s on the light side and I need to reapply it at least once a day to hydrate my hair, but my hair is super dry since always and I prefer oils or even balms, but this does the classic job of taming the hair, smoothing flyaways and adding an extra boost of moisture to the hair. This has the same coconut scent as the other products from the brand – A little bit of oen fo the products spilled in a box where I kept it and now that whole area smells like tropical paradise (for some reason I don’t get that same scent on my hair, but a more sour coconut one). This is silicone free (suitable for curly hair) and vegan. 

BOROTALCO Deo Stick Original

My usual Dove deodorant sort of stopped working or at least it’s not as effective as it was (I repurchased the original version, not my usual coconut one and the former started failing. I still have one coconut one as a backup, but haven’t been able to find this version recently in DM). I’m was repelled by Borotalco because of annoying TV advertising, but there aren’t that many different brands of stick deodorants I haven’t tried yet (all eventually stop working on me after years of use), so this one got its shot. It’s really good. It works all day as it should, I think it’s stronger than Dove and keeps me fresh. I’m not sold on the scent though, even though it’s a basic clean powdery one, but it feels very dated, like some cosmetics I smelled at my grandma’s decades ago. I don’t notice it much anyway, so it doesn’t matter. If I can’t find Dove’s coconut version or maybe even if I do, I think I’ll continue repurchasing this. There are more versions of roll-on and spray deodorants, but I just find these stick ones are the best performing at any brand. They all leave white marks, though. 

Müller, about 4 €

EBELIN Pinsel Reiniger

Brush cleanser

I’ve been using this one not well known brand cleanser that’s really good, but it was discontinued, so I got this as a replacement, since many told me it’s good. It’s almost exactly the same as my old one, the difference being the fragrance. It has a very strong powdery floral, perfume-y fragrance that some may find too much, but the brushes don’t retain that scent for long. It cleans effectively considering there’s no rinsing involved, it just has to be sprayed on the brush and then you wipe it on a paper towel. This is an effective and cheap essential for makeup wearers by DM.

DM, 2,49 €