Skincare update: what I have been using in September. Back from holidays!

Once again, we are at that time of the year, when holidays end, and it’s time to start all over with the routine, be productive, and active, and adjust our pockets to our “new” reality. And what better than to start with clean and conditioned skin?...And hair free of impurities and soft? Get ready to smell like a goddess, and feel smooth like a goddess.

BODY.

Skin is the largest organ of our body, and with it, the one that suffers the most from external aggressions, and in some cases, the one we take the least care of. We simply decide to use any type of cleanser and moisturizer on it, without realizing if we are using the right product.

By having sensitive skin, the last thing I want after vacation is to have to go back to the routine with tight, and itchy skin after a shower, and even if I still haven't been able to find a perfect dupe for my favorite shower gel (Lactacyd shower gel), I have decided to find more affordable alternatives that effectively cleanse the skin, without leaving it dry, tight, and itchy. 

• Micellar gel shower, by BYPHASSE.

For months I had been trying different products from this brand, which had left me pleasantly surprised, therefore decided to leap to the rest of their range of products, mainly shower gels, starting with the range of micellar shower gels, which aim to gently capture impurities on the skin without drying it out.

Both correctly fulfill the promised function, but my favorite was the monoí shower gel, for leaving the skin softer, conditioned, and with the characteristic smell of the star ingredient: monoí oil. 

• Body wash, by SOAP AND GLORY.

Soap and Glory has become one of my favorite beauty brands. Their range of products indicated for the body has never disappointed me so far, however, some products work better on one type of skin than others, such as these two shower gels. Both smell great, have a good texture, are highly concentrated making 500ml last the same as 1000ml, and emulsify into a rich foam that covers the entire body. 

However, the Smoothie Star shower gel has a denser and richer texture, with an enveloping vanilla aroma, which leaves the skin clean, soft, conditioned, and perfumed; in contrast, Call of Fruity leaves the skin slightly tight.

HAIR.

Just as we cannot use just any product on our skin, the same thing happens with our hair, especially after a crazy vacation. Depending on the type of hair, preferences are different, since untreated, virgin hair will not have the same needs as hair that has already undergone various chemical treatments, such as bleaching, straightening, or dyeing.

• Nutritive and repairing reset shampoo, by BABARIA.

This shampoo is one of the best hair products that Babaria has created. It leaves hair soft, highly malleable, shiny, and smelling deliciously like a sweet orange smoothie.

• Aloe Vera and Shea Butter hair mask, by SECRET CODE.

The perfect complement to the previous shampoo is this hair mask enriched with Aloe vera and shea butter, which leaves hair extra soft and silky, with a very appetizing smell. Besides that, and in my personal experience, compared to other hair masks I have used, it is not necessary to use a lot of product to cover all the hair and see results.

• Kukuí oil shampoo, by OGX; and Keratin hair conditioner, by SYOSS.

If your hair is going through a very bad time, due to aggressive treatment, bleaching, or simply has just undergone an intense chemical process, this is one of the combos that has surprised me the most. To me, it has become one of the star combinations to use right after having a straightening treatment, since it leaves the hair clean, soft, and shiny, and progressively strengthens it. Definitely another masterful combination. 

• Baobab nourishing oil, by PRÉPHAR; Sleek and Shine 10 in-1 hair leave-in cream, by GARNIER; Ronquina enriched with rosemary extract hair toner, by CRUSELLAS.

The perfect triad to keep the hair nourished, soft, malleable, frizz-free, and smelling good. Right after lightly drying the hair, using a good hair tonic helps re-balance the scalp, preparing it for the next product to be applied. Yes, just like the skin, the scalp needs a good tonic that works as a first step and penetrates the scalp. My favorite is the one by Crusellas, which is enriched with rosemary extract, whose main ingredient is ronquina, a tree known for its balancing properties, which contribute to hair regeneration, preventing hair loss and breakage, with various antiseptic, antibiotic, and healing properties.

Secondly, leave-in conditioner, in this case, my favorite so far has been Garnier's 10 in 1, it does what it promises, and contributes to the nutrition and strengthening of the hair fiber (straightened hair and 4C afro hair). 

Finally, the final dressing is hair oil. Normally I alternate this last step with, occasionally, hair grease, my preference is always based on the best and greatest combination of natural ingredients. Baobab's oil is known for its softening properties. 

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April last ride: skincare products review.

This month have been full of new discoveries, based on new purchases like L’oréal face serum and moisturizer, vitamin C face toner by one of my favorite skincare brands, and a purifying gel face cleanser that turned out to be more gentle that appears. April 2024, have been full of hidden gems, that deserves more credit!

• Lemon’C Squeeze ampoule toner, by It’s Skin.

One of the most famous face toners in South Korea, have arrived to my dresser, and with it, to my daily skincare routine. Its main ingredients are lemon extract (vitamin C), and 8 different types of Hyaluronic Acid, that helps to illuminate, and balance the skin.

Using it, I could realize why is so famous, since it combines the benefits of a face toner + face ampoule, obtaining as a result a rich formula, that balance and treat the skin, leaving it more luminous, moisturized, and full of life, as an immediate result. After a few weeks of use, the skin becomes more even, by reducing spots, helping to reduce pimples, as well as improving small expression lines.

Neither as liquid as a toner, nor as dense as an ampoule, but with a formula and texture that allows the facial moisturizer to be applied directly, not necessarily needing a face serum.

• Hemp seed cleansing foam, by The Nicess.

Particularly surprising for the price! Usually, this type of face cleansers are very drying, being the reason why their prices are too low (max 3USD). With a vegan formula, its main ingredient is hemp seed oil, well know for being a natural source of Omega 3, 6, and 9 which helps to condition the skin.

Not the best cleanser, but a good one to keep in mind, especially when we cannot afford to spend a lot of money on a water based facial cleanser. Not the richest formula, but a decent one, that removes all the impurities from the skin, without drying it, or leaving it tight.

• Nourishing cleansing Paste, by Eco U.

Based on the name, technically, it fulfills the function of a cleansing balm, but reading the instructions, its function is exfoliant, an exfoliating paste, composed mostly of natural ingredients.

Is not a product that I would recommend, since firstly it leads to confusion, and secondly, it has an aggressive formula and texture for the skin, making it quite uncomfortable to rinse. Its texture scratches the skin, far from exfoliating it without damaging it.

• Cleansing balm, by Fluff.

This two cleansing balm are absolutely a hidden gems! The formula, the texture, and the smell are just amazing; they dissolve and remove all the makeup, pollution residue, or any trace of impurities from the skin, even wax traces.

Since they are very affordable, I don’t mind the product size (50ml).

• Revitalift laser serum, by L’Oréal; Green Grape pore control serum, by Frudia.

The L’Oréal serum, improves skin texture, and helps to reduce skin blemishes. I used it at night, along with my night face moisturizer, and after a week of use, I started to see results: my skin was more even, and plump.

On the other side, the one by Frudia, was a totally discovery, since it balance the skin, by reducing the skin sebum production, helping to maintain the face fresh, and healthy-matt.

• Aqua non-stop active sun protection 50+spf, by Anne Moller; Avocado greenery relief sun cream, by Frudia.

The one by Anne Moller, ended up being one of my favorites face sun protection, for its formula, texture, and ingredients, that does not leave white cast, soft with the skin, provides a 360º sun protection, and does not sting the eyes. By the way, the one by Frudia, is the opposite: it leaves white cast, and sting the eyes.

• Revitalift face moisturizer anti-wrinkles and extra firmness, by L’oréal; Blanc de Noirs, night face moisturizer, by Natura Siberica.

I really loved both. L’oréal face moisturizer, is like an all in one morning boost, it protects the skin from sun damage (fps 30), and it helps to treat different skin problems like blemishes, fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles: The only handicap? It can’t be used around the eye area. 

On the other side, Natura Siberica face moisturizer, turn out to be a very complete night moisturizer, with a very pleasant texture, that deeply moisturize the skin, leaving it full of youth, to wakeup the next day like a queen.

• Purifying gel enriched with chamomile and Gotu Kola, by Kueshi.

Another hidden gem, that softly cleans and purify the skin. Normally, when names such as purifying or deep cleansing appear among the properties of a skin care product, they sound like a red flag for sensitive skin, however, this time it is not the case. This purifying gel, has as main ingredients chamomile and Gotu Kola, both famous for treat sensitive skin problems without damaging the skin barrier.

Cleans the skin in depth, is not drying, and it does not damage the skin barrier.

....

**PD: as always this is me, sharing with you, my personal experience! If you want more, please subscribe, and follow me on my social media!***

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NACOMI TO THE TEST: NACOMI COSMETICS REVIEW.

The Swedish skincare brand, has definitely come to democratize (even more) the european skincare industry, through its formulas and ingredients. After having tested for months some of their products, I can confirm that they absolutely worth the hype. Cute and simple packaging, from basic skincare ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, or ceramides, Nacomi creates products focused on offering effectives formulas, with attractives textures, that makes the skincare routine more pleasant.

CLAY FACE MASKS.

Comes in powder, which means that they need to be activated by water, face oil, or the  face mask activator by the same brand. I personally prefer to use water or face toner, to observe how they really work, and the level of effectiveness.

• Black clay mask.

It detoxify the skin, absorbing all the skin impurities, leaving a feeling of freshness.

• Green clay mask.

Indicated to treat skin with imperfections, it purifies, balance, calms, and illuminates the skin.

• Algae mask.

Indicated for skins with acne, is a peel-off mask formulated with marine algae and tea tree oil, ended being too aggressive for my skin type (sensitive combination to oily), making my entire skin itch and burn.

FACE SERUMS.

Basic key ingredients, effective formula, with a delightful texture that easily absorbs into the skin. However, the salicylic acid, and the vitamin C face serum, felt incomplete to me, being my favorites ones the hyaluronic acid face serum, and the vitamin E face serum.

• Vitamin E face serum.

My first time using a face oil serum, and the first thing I learned was to moderate the amount of product to avoid waste. Easily absorbed by the skin, after a week of use, improves skin texture and appearance, having a better performance in combination with the hyaluronic acid face serum.

• Hyaluronic acid face serum.

It has become one of my favorites low-cost hyaluronic acid face serum, for the texture and effectiveness. It deeply moisturize and softens the skin, leaving a dewy and healthy skin use by use, especially in combination with the vitamin E face serum.

• Ceramides face serum.

Honestly, I was expecting more from a ceramides face serum, a light, but more enveloping and emollient formula, instead of a slightly moisturizing one.

• Salicylic acid face serum.

Difficult to use, difficult to understand, and difficult to love, the 3 D’s. Even if it is a non-irritating formula, its color (black) and texture difficult its use, even if it slightly contribute to balance the skin, I personally found it uncomfortable to use, since it leaves black streaks on the skin.

Nowadays, if I have to recommend any low-cost effective salicylic acid face serum, is the one by The Conscious. 

• Vitamin C face serum.

Nice texture, with a non-effective formula. Being formulated in the beginning with a 15% of vitamin C, broken down in 10% ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate 3%, ascorbyl glucoside 2%, it supposed to be a non-irritating, and effective formula, that helps to even the skin tone, by clearing dark spots. But, after a few weeks of use, it ended up being just a conditioning and moisturizer serum.

A better low-cost option, is the JUST 20% Vitamin C face serum by Revox, formulated with ascorbic acid, and green tea, that even the skin tone, by reducing skin imperfections, targeting inflammation, and improving the skin texture.

 

FACE MOISTURIZERS.

Perfect formula, good ingredients, and nice texture, definitely moisturizers are the strongest point of Nacomi. No favorites in this category, since both are incredibly good.

• Protein Patch face cream for atopic skin.

Very light, and emollient formula, it calms, moisturize, and softens the skin.

• Shea butter face moisturizer +50.

I used it as the last step in my night skincare routine. Still lightweight, but with a more rich formula, being one of its main ingredients shea butter, skincare ingredient known for its highly restorative properties. 

 **PD: as always this is me, sharing with you, my personal experience! If you want more, please subscribe, and follow me on my social media!***

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