Friday, January 27, 2012

Hair Oil Comparison–Moroccan VS Dove VS L’Oreal


Over the past 6 months or so I have been trying out and comparing three different hair oils. My hair is short, straight, fine and bleached. So my main concern is usually dryness and breakage, as well as getting volume.

1. Moroccan Oil

The first oil I have been trialling is the probably most famous one in the market that has started the hype of oils..

Moroccan Oil says: moroccan
Moroccanoil Treatment’s versatile, nourishing and residue-free formula can be used as a conditioning, styling and finishing tool. It blends perfectly with other products and even speeds up drying time. This treatment for hair completely transforms and repairs as its formula transports lost proteins for strength; fatty acids, omega-3 oils and vitamins for shine; and antioxidants for protection. It absorbs instantly to fill gaps in hair created by heat, styling and environmental damage.
Beeneelicious says:
I like it. In fact I like it a lot. Firstly it smells really nice, a little sweet. You only need to use the smallest amount and it will instantly smooth out your hair and get rid of any knots and tangles. It makes your hair manageable and I also find it protects your hair from drying out when working with heat. Most importantly though it doesn’t weigh your hair down and make it look all greasy like some hair oils used to do in the past. And what’s left on your fingers can be used on your elbows or any other dry skin patches. Only downside of this product is the price…
The price of this product varies a bit but I found it online at http://www.salonstyle.com.au/ for AUD 52.50 for 125ml

2. L’Oreal Mythic Oil

The second oil is the L’Oreal Mythic Oil which was kindly supplied to me for consideration.
L’Oreal says:mythic
Enriched with a special blend of avocado and grape seed oil, this lightweight oil cares and pampers all hair types. Nourishing even the finest hair, the formula leaves hair looking shiny, feeling nourished and supple.
Beeneelicious says:
I am somewhat undecided how I feel about this product. I like it, but I don’t love it. I will definitely use it up but I don’t think I would repurchase. I feel that out of all three hair oils I have tested this one is the heaviest one, and if you are not really careful with the amount you are using then it can leave you looking like a grease ball. I think this would be more suitable for someone with thick hair. It does smell divine though.
The Mythic Oil retails for around AUD 38 for 125ml

3. Dove

I was lucky enough to be given this Oil Serum as one of the first people in Australia to test. It has now hit shelves and is easily available through places like Priceline.
Dove says:dove
This new wonder serum treats 99% of roughness and frizz and is clinically proven to be as good as the current market leader, Moroccan Oil, yet is only a fraction of the price.
Formulated with both Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil, Dove Nourishing Oil Care Nutri Oil Serum will turn dry and unmanageable hair into soft and silky, finger-runnable hair within minutes. The hair shaft is deeply nourished by fine and easily absorbed oils, leaving no greasy residue.
Beenelicious says:
Well not much else to say really – I agree with everything that Dove says. I love this product – it works just as well as the Moroccan Oil. I find it is slightly runnier and lighter. I also like that the pump bottle is a lot smaller than both the Moroccan Oil (full size) and the L’Oreal Mythic Oil – but this is only a personal preference because I have been travelling a lot and taking it with me. No matter how crappy the hotel hair dryer – if I use this oil after washing my hair and before blow drying it then I am pretty much guaranteed to walk out the door with a lovely hair do.
The product retails for AUD 9.99 for 40ml

Summary:

If we set money aside for a moment then my winners are the Moroccan Oil as well as the Dove Nutrive Therapy Nourishing Oil Care Nutri Oil Serum (even though I think the name is ridiculously long). If we do take price into consideration then Dove is my winner without a doubt.
Have you tried any of these three hair oils and what is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below. X

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Best Eye Brushes - MAC, Sigma, Royal & Langnickel, Coastal Scents

Here is part 2 of my best brushes featuring eye brushes.

The Flat Shader : Royal & Langnickel MD Eye Shader C411-S
I love this shape of brush for packing eye shadow onto the lid. To be honest any brush will do, the one I have photographed is just a representation for this type of brush. What I do like about this particular one however is that it has synthetic bristles which makes it a great brush for using cream shadows such as MAC Paint Pots. Approx $10
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The Fluffy Blending Brush: MAC 224
I can’t really blog about brushes without mentioning the MAC 224 which has its own cult following. This is a real hair fluffy brush that I like to use for under eye concealer or blending out eye shadows. RRP $54
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The Other Fluffy Blending Brush: Royal & Langnickel Crease C430
This one is a more recent purchase but definitely worth mentioning. A fluffy soft crease brush but with a very tapered top which makes it perfect for blending out colour. RRP $7.50
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The Tapered Blending Brush: MAC 217
Another brush that has its own cult following is the MAC217. A densely packed soft blending brush that his great for a soft wash of colour or like the name suggests: blending. RRP $37IMG_0845_thumb3_thumbIMG_0846_thumb4_thumbIMG_0848_thumb5_thumb

The Pencil Brush: Coastal Scents Large Pencil Crease Black/Silver
What makes this brush special is how tapered and dense it is. It also has a very long handle which is somewhat different. I like this brush for precisely placing eye shadow in the crease and for smudging out eye liner. RRP $3.95
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The Small Angle Brush: Sigma SS266/E65
This type of brush is my HG for grooming my eye brows. Any brush will do, this Sigma brush is just a representation for small angle brushes in general. RRP $9
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The Eyeliner Brush: Coastal Scents Synthetic Fine Liner Brush
This is the best flipping eye liner brush I have ever tried and it’s almost ironic that it only costs 2 bucks. What makes this brush so special is how thin it is but it is still stable enough to let you apply gel liner in perfection. I have lined it up next to the Sigma eye liner brush so you can see how small it really is. RRP $1.99
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The Small Smudger: Royal & Langnickel Mini Flat Smudge C402
This type of brush is great for applying eye shadow to your lower lash line. Any brush will do, that’s just the one I have. Approx $6
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The Definer: Royal & Langnickel Eye Detailer C470
I love this brush for applying a highlight to my inner corner. It is also nice for precise spot concealing. Again any brush like this will do, but that’s the one I had on hand. Approx $6
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The Big Blending Brush: Royal & Langnickel Super Eye Fluff C448
I didn’t actually realize how many Royal & Langnickel brushes are part of my favourites but there you go, another great example. This big fluffy eye brush is great for generously applying eye shadow but also for blending out harsh edges. Approx $10
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Sunday, October 09, 2011

Best Face Brushes - MAC, Sigma, Royal & Langnickel and more

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I think that everybody has a vice – this one item that they own enough (too many) of and yet they still hunt for more wishing to find something even better.
For me this vice are brushes. I have a ton of them, but I still get excited when I see new brushes and get an anxiety attack fearing that I may be missing out if I don’t have them all.
The bad news is that I obviously have a problem and should be seeking professional help. The good news is that I have tried an awful lot of brushes and can now share my wisdom with all of you.

The Big Paddle Brush: MAC 134

Out of all my brushes (all 593 of them..kidding) this is my absolute favourite. I love this brush for its quality and versatility. This is a very big, very soft, yet quite dense real hair face brush. I use this for loose powder, pressed powder, bronzing and blush. It’s my favourite brush for powder and bronzing. RRP $105, however I bought this for about $65 online.

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The Synthetic Kabuki: Sigma F82

I have given Sigma a hard time in a recent review because I have had some pretty poor experiences with their brushes. However this brush I adore. Let’s hope it lasts. This is an extremely dense, yet soft, synthetic brush. I use this almost every day to apply my foundation. RRP $16

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The Concealer Brush: Sephora Pro Concealer Airbrush

This brush looks different to your standard concealer brush but let me tell you, it is oh so good. I had to get someone to buy this for me in the US as I could not find this anywhere online (let alone in Australia). This brush is actually quite comparable to the above synthetic kabuki, just a lot smaller and absolutely perfect for under eye concealing. RRP $24

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The Blush Brush: MAC 168

A dense and soft blush brush that does what it’s meant to do. I use this for blush (who would have known) and also contouring. I have also tried the Sigma version of this but there is comparison. RRP $65

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The Big Fluffy Blending Brush: Coastal Scents Pink Blending Brush

This brush is extremely fluffy and for my taste a bit too big for my eyes. But I do love this for applying highlighter on my cheeks. RRP $1 (!)

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The Big Fluffy Face Brush: nude by nature Application Brush

This brush is extremely soft and I mainly use this for applying loose mineral powder such as the Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation. RRP $14.95

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The Powder Foundation Brush: Coastal Scents Kabuki On A Stick

How best to describe this brush? Umm.. it’s a kabuki on a stick! I love this for applying pressed powder foundation to achieve full coverage. RRP $5.95

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The Big Fat Foundation Brush: Royal & Langnickel Super Foundation Brush BC142

This is a dupe of the Coco Beau Big Fat Foundation Brush. It makes applying foundation a breeze – super quick and easy. It actually gives a very similar finish to the Sigma Synthetic Kabuki brush. RRP $16

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