We are often told that one of the most important things to do to keep our hair in perfect condition is to use a deep conditioning treatment twice a week and leave it on for at least 20 minutes. But as we’ve seen in a previous post, most conditioning ingredients can’t penetrate into the hair shaft, and so all they do is coat the strands, making hair appear nice and healthy, but don’t actually repair it.

So I started wondering, is it the same with deep conditioners? Is it wishful thinking to believe that deep conditioning hair is more beneficial than using a plain old conditioner or is this treatment really effective? To answer that question, we need to know how conditioners work.

How conditioners work

Washing hair, heat from blow dryer and other styling tools, sun exposure and harsh weather are all factors that can strip hair of the natural oils that keep it moisturized, causing it to become dry, brittle and prone to breakage. So we apply conditioners and deep conditioning treatments to restore lost moisture to hair.

But how is this possible considering that you can’t open and close cuticles at will? Hair cuticles, in fact, don’t open (well some chemical process such as hair relaxing can open them but these are harsh treatments not done at home) and you really wouldn’t want them to anyway because their function is to protect the inner hair cortex by keeping things out of it.

The cuticles perform their functions so well that only very few natural oils, such as Coconut Oil and Olive Oil, and water can actually penetrate inside the hair shaft. All other ingredients remain on the surface and smooth cuticles by filling in gaps, make them lie flat so that they reflect light and look shiny, and just generally improve the feeling and appearance of hair. But they can’t repair hair or make it stronger.

So, is deep conditioning just wishful thinking?

In my opinion, yes and no. I believe that deep conditioning hair by applying olive oil or coconut oil on your locks and leave it there for 20-30 minutes can actually benefit hair, making it soft, stronger and more flexible. But if you’re using a deep conditioner that doesn’t contain these natural oils, then they’re not gonna perform any better than any regular conditioner regardless of how long you keep it on your locks.

But don’t throw them away. You can turn them into effective deep conditioners by pouring the amount of product you need to cover your entire hair into a small bowl or cup and add a teaspoon of either olive oil or coconut oil to it. Mix well and then apply it evenly throughout your hair.

Do you deep condition your hair?

Hello everyone,

today I want to show you my 5 minute look, the one I do when I don’t have much time to get ready in the morning. It’s simple and quick and makes me look polished. I hope you’ll like it:

Products used:
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
- NYC Metro Quartet Eyeshadow Palettes in Union Square
- Pupa True Eyes Eyeliner
- Bottega Verde Mascara Volume Extra Black
- Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF15
- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer
- Mememe Blush Me in Pink
- Wet n Wild Cover All Concealer Palette
- Senna Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer in Suinkiss)

Directions:
- Apply an eyeshadow primer to your eyes (I used Too Faced Shadow Insurance) to help makeup stay put all day.
- Apply a warm brown with orange undertones (I used the one in the NYC Metro Quartet Eyeshadow Palettes in Union Square) on the lid.
- Sweep a warm-toned medium brown shade (I used the one in the NYC Metro Quartet Eyeshadow Palettes in Union Square) on the crease and blend. Apply the same shade on the lower lashline too.
- Apply a pale gold shade (I used the one in the NYC Metro Quartet Eyeshadow Palettes in Union Square) on the browbone to highlight.
- Line your upper lashline with a black pencil liner (I used Pupa True Eyes Eyeliner) and apply mascara.
- Apply foundation or tinted moisturizer to even out the skintone (I used Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in Bare) and follow with concealer (I used Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer) where needed (I used it to hide dark circles).
- Sweep a shimmery, cool, Barbie pink shade (I used MeMeMe Blush Me in Pink) on the apples of your cheeks, and highlight the cheekbones with a white highlighter (I used the white shade in the Wet n Wild Cover All Concealer Palette).
- Apply a soft pink gloss (I used Senna Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer in Sunkiss) on the lips.

What’s the first thing you do when you get a new beauty product?

Beautiful with brains says: being a beauty blogger, I should probably say that I take pictures of it, and that’s what I do most of the times, but not always. Some products are so pretty and tempting that I just swatch and play with them (but only lightly so they don’t look used in photos) as soon as I get them.

Name: L’Istant Magic fragrance
Brand: Guerlain
Size: 1.07oz
Price: $74.00

What I liked:
- light floral woody scent
- sensual and sophisticated scent, perfect for a date or evening occasions
- longlasting

What I didn’t like:
- some people may find it too powdery and old-fashioned
- if you’re into sweet or fresh scents, this is not for you

Guerlain L’Istant Magic (am I the only one bothered by the half French half English name, by the way?) was launched in 2007 as a flanker of the strong oriental floral L’Istant. L’Istant Magic, however, is said to be a lighter version of the scent, “a caress of flowers and woods” and aimed at a younger audience too. But when I read the notes and discovered it contains both rose and almond, I was sure I wasn’t gonna like it. I’ve always disliked the scent of almond and even though that of rose is nice, it is just so common in perfumes that it doesn’t excite me anymore. But L’Instant Magic must really be a magic fragrance because, once I spritzed it on, I fell in love with it, almond, rose and all.

The scent opens with a fresh burst of bergamot, that is immediately followed by the cooler scent of freesia mixed with powdery rose. The floral notes give the scent a sensual, old-fashioned vibe, which I actually love. I guess this accord may remind some people of something their grandmother would wear, but to me this powderness makes the scent elegant and timeless, instead than out of fashion and boring. The drydown is woody: it is a mix of sandalwood, cedar and white musk with a hint of almond that gives it a very pleasant creamy quality.

I really love the contrast between the cooler top notes and the warm musky and woody base of the scent. Although the scent is very linear and doesn’t change much throughout the day, this contrast, imo, prevents it from being boring and flat. Instead, this juice is sexy and sophisticated, confident and feminine. It’s quite light but I still think it’s more suitable for the evenings, especially for a date with a special someone. It also has impressive staying power. Although now I use it only on special evening occasions, I first spritzed it on on a morning and it lasted till evening.

Available at: amazon and perfume.com

Summary
Guerlain L’Istant Magic Fragrance is a light floral woody scent better suited for the evening. The cool top notes contrast beautifully with the warm base, creating a scent that’s sophisticated, sexy and feminine that lasts for hours. However, it is also quite powdery, which can put some people off.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Seaweed Power Clear Pore Exfoliant
Brand: Oxy
Size: 100ml
Price: £5.99

From Oxy’s website:
OXY Clear Pore Exfoliant harnesses the power of natural seaweed to cleanse deep into your pores. It cuts through grease and oil, removing dead skin, clearing spots, blackheads and oily skin.

What I liked:
- removes dead skin cells and dirt, leaving skin clean, bright and soft
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- can be too harsh if you use too much product
- unpractical packaging

Do you remember my review of the Oxy Seaweed Power Fresh Skin Wash, which is part of a new range of skincare products designed for those with oily and spot-prone skin? Well, Oxy recommends to substitute it with the Oxy Seaweed Power Clear Pore Exfoliant 2 to 3 times a week. That’s because, although both products do their job well, they are too harsh for skin when used together, so don’t try that.

The Clear Pore Exfoliant has a runny consistency and is infused with black and white beads. The instructions say to wet your face with warm water, massage the exfoliant into your skin for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly. The beads aren’t too harsh on the skin (unless you use too much product but more on that in a minute) and effectively remove dead skin cells, dirt and even makeup, leaving skin very clean and brighter, yet soft.

Like the other products in this range, this too contains Hydrolyzed Algin and Zinc Sulfate, which, when used together, regulate sebum levels and inhibit acne bacteria. It also contains Salicylic Acid, a beta hydroxy acid, which has the ability to exfoliate both the surface of the skin and inside the pores, thus unclogging them and helping prevent breakouts. However, these ingredients are much more effective when left on the skin for hours, which isn’t the case with rinse-off products like this exfoliant. So, for best results, I’d recommend you to massage the exfoliant into the skin gently for at least 5 minutes before rinsing it off.

And make sure not to use too much product, something not made easy by the packaging. Although the sleek white tube with the image of seaweed on it is hygienic, it has a big opening that pours out more product than necessary, so be very careful to avoid wastage. I also noticed that, because I store the tube on its cap and the consistency of the exfoliant is quite runny as I’ve mentioned before, I always find some product on the cap when I open it, which is very annoying! I wish they’d solve this problem as it makes the packaging unpractical, which brought the rating down a bit.

Ingredients:
Aqua, Silica, Polysorbate 20, oxidized Polyethylene, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Xantham Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Zinc PCA, Hydrolyzed Algin, Limonene, Linalool, Menthol, Zinc Sulfate, CI 77499.

Available at: amazon and boots

Summary
Oxy Seaweed Power Clear Pore Exfoliant exfoliates skin, removing dead skin cells, dirt and impurities, leaving it clean, soft and bright. It doesn’t irritate skin (unless you use too much product) but the packaging is not very practical.

Rating: 3/5

Hello everyone,

call me a snob, but I’ve never paid much attention to the Sephora brand. I don’t have a Sephora store near me, so whenever I have the chance to go to one, I am so busy catching up with the latest releases from Benefit, MUFE, Too Faced and other American brands that I always neglect the more boring Sephora Collection counter. But this summer, I’ll make an exception. The brand has teamed up with illustrator Izak Zenou to create a whimsical, fun and girly collection of products that feature his illustrations on the packaging. Let’s see what the collection includes, shall we?

IZAK BAKED EYESHADOW PALETTE ($30.00)
This cute, notebook-style palette contains eight baked eyeshadows: Chiffon, Candy Bondon, Vienna Vieee, Mystère, Rustique, Vintage d’Époque, Bonsoir and City Of Lights Cité de Lumières.

IZAK SATIN KISS TWIN LIPSTICK ($15.00)
A duo of creamy and moisturizing lipsticks. Available in: Coquette, Mademoiselle and With Love.

IZAK BRUSH SET ($39.00)
A cute and whimsical, five-piece brush set: Powder Brush, Foundation Brush, Shadow Brush, Crease Brush and Eyeliner Brush.

IZAK COMPACT MIRROR ($16.00)
A luxurious pocket mirror.

IZAK BAG COLLECTION ($24-$44)
A collection of pretty makeup bags.

Doesn’t everything look gorgeous? The collection is available now at Sephora.com. What do you think of it?

I have already talked about a few sunscreen myths here, here and here but there seem to be so many misconceptions about this essential product that I thought it was important to set the record straight on a few more. After all, not knowing enough about sunscreen and when to apply them, can cause a lot of harm to our skin. So, let’s get started:

1. I already have a “base tan” so I don’t need to wear sunscreen

First of all, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. A tan, whether you got it from sun exposure or a tanning bed, is a sign that your skin is damaged and it is absolutely not a substitute for sunscreen. While it is true that a tan may give your skin a tiny little bit more protection from burning, your skin can still burn. And in any case, that won’t protect you from all the damage (like premature aging and cancer) the sun can do to your skin. So, always, always, wear sunscreen, even if you already have a tan.

2. If I stay in the shade, sunscreen is not necessary

Again, this is false. Although you should always seek the shade whenever possible (or wear a hat or even use an umbrella), you still need to wear sunscreen. That’s because shades don’t completely block all the sun rays, leaving your skin exposed to damage if not properly protected.

3. SPF 30 is twice as strong as SPF 15

I wish! While I think it is very important to wear a high protection factor every day, especially when you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, the truth is, that there really isn’t that much difference between SPF 15 and SPF 30. A sunscreen with SPF 15 can block out about 93% of the sun rays while one with SPF 30 about 97%. Higher factors can block out about 98% or 99%, but the assumption that the protection provided is proportionally increased by higher SPF factors is wrong. And most expert think that SPF 15 is enough for daily wear, although I personally think that if you’re going to the beach or spending a lot of time outdoors, it’s best to use at least SPF 30.

4. Sunscreens block out all UV rays

Again all I can say is, I wish! The truth is that no sunscreen, not even those labelled SPF 100, can completely block out all UV rays. Some can block out 97% or 98%, like we’ve seen above, but there always is a small percentage of rays that won’t be blocked out. In addition, there are lots of sunscreens on the market that protect only from UVB and not UVA rays. These offer only partial protection and should be avoided so be sure to check the label carefully before purchasing.

Do you know any other sunscreen myths you’d like to bust?

Name: 3D Forever Lip Gloss in Geisha
Brand: Mirenesse
Size: 14g
Price: $29.95/AUS$39.95

From Mirenesse’s website:
A Brilliant transparent mineral gloss with long lasting wear. A Super juicy emollient texture and flavour full taste. New Curved applicator makes it super easy to apply!

What I liked:
- highly pigmented
- hydrating, not-sticky texture
- easy to apply, glides on smoothly
- no burning or stinging feeling
- good staying power, fades evenly into a stain
- delicious citrus scent
- the packaging

What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t plump my lips much
- the price

I had never heard of Mirenesse until my blogging friend Tine, the lovely lady behind Beautyholics Anonymous, sent me one of their lipglosses to try (thanks hun!). I do love discovering new brands and I was very impressed with this gloss. Mirenesse 3D Forever Lipgloss comes in a black and golden bag with the picture of a fan on it. I find this really cute. The gloss itself is packaged in a sleek and huge tube (it contains 14gr!) that will last forever!

There are 10 shades available, ranging from wearable nudes to feminine pinks to daring reds. The one I received is Geisha, a bright and shimmery red with a very shiny finish. The shade is very pigmented and a little bit goes a looong way, so if you only want a hint of color you’ll have to be careful when you apply it. I do love its brightness, though, and one swipe is enough to achieve an intense but surprisingly wearable coverage. Application, thanks to the slanted wand, is really easy.

The texture is on the thick side but not sticky at all. And it’s quite hydrating too. In fact, not only it doesn’t dry my lips, I also don’t need to put on lip balm before applying it. It also glides on smoothly on the lips and stays put for about 3 hours. After that, it starts to fade evenly into a stain and slowly, completely disappears. And did I mention that it has a yummy citrus lemony scent? It doesn’t smell fake at all and doesn’t hang around long.

Miranesse 3D Forever Lip Gloss also promises to make your lips look plumper, but it didn’t do much for my lips. They look slightly bigger when I wear it, but the difference is barely noticeable. I think it’s just an illusion created by the hydration and shininess of the texture, but this gloss looks so pretty on the lips that I don’t mind that it doesn’t plump my lips much. And I was glad to discover that, unlike a lot of plumping glosses, this doesn’t make my lips burn nor string.

Available at: mirenesse.com

Summary
Mirenesse 3D Forever Lip Gloss in Geisha is a beautiful bright and shimmery red shade. Very pigmented, it has a quite hydrating, non-sticky texture that glides smoothly on the lips. It lasts 3 hours before starting to fade into a stain and doesn’t sting nor burn lips. However, it makes them only slightly plumper and is expensive.

Rating: 4/5