Keune Shampoo 389B

I have never used any Keune products so when the opportunity to purchase a professional keune product came along I grabbed my opportunity. I bought 389B Neutral Shampoo which offers deep cleansing mild with a neutral pH level for professional use (hey I’m a professional right?!).

The bottle is a large black bottle (1000ml) so not very handy to have in your shower (you may want to pour some in smaller manageable bottles). On the other hand, a larger bottle makes the product more environmentally friendly and more economical so that’s not too bad after all.

The product smells different to commercial shampoos in that it smells more salon like then the usual perfumed kind I use at home. The shampoo itself is yellow, which to me is a peculiar shade for a shampoo.

The shampoo lathers up very easily and you only need to use a very small amount so a 1000ml bottle is going to last months! The effectiveness of this shampoo though can be observed after the hair is washed. The hair feels and smells clean and if you use the same conditioner that goes with it, it will be easy to detangle.

The best point of this shampoo though is its lasting effects. Although my hair is very oily, this shampoo helps to reduce a lot of its oiliness so I need to wash it less often then usual. In conclusion I would say that I can certainly see a difference between this professional salon shampoo and other commercial shampoos. Definitely a thumbs up products!


PRODUCT RATING 5/5

Clear Pores

I keep getting a few spots here and there and over a coffee a friend suggested trying out ClearPores. To be honest, I had never heard of it but a quick search explained to me all I needed to know.

ClearPores is a 3 step cleansing system for acne. The system is a natural one that is endorsed by both doctors and herbalists. Basically the system helps to kill the bacteria that causes the acne, from the inside and outside of the skin.

Step 1 is a deep cleansing wash that removes all the dirt and grime from the skin. It unclogs the pores and removes excessive sebum while preventing the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

Step 2 is a herbal supplement that works to protect the skin from the inside. The natural herbs it contains work on the acne bacteria at the source. It also prevents the productions of excessive sebum and reduces inflammation, redness, scarring etc.

Step 3 is the protection cream which provides anti-inflammatory relief, protects the skin and prevents from clogging.

I basically tried this system for a few months to get rid of some spots that seemed to always crop up on my face. The result! I loved it. It doesn’t work immediately, it took me around 2 weeks to start seeing results and then I was very happy with what I saw. Literally no more of those red inflamed spots! I was worried that the spots would return once I went off these products but amazingly 4 and a half weeks have now passed and I still have very clear skin. Definitely a product I would recommend to friends!



PRODUCT RATING 5/5

Stott Pilates Sculpt and Tone DVD

Stott Pilates has produced a series of Pilates flex band workout DVD’s. In this article I will focus on the Stott Pilates Sculpt and Tone DVD. I have watched a number of other Pilates workouts and I think that Stott Pilates is the best that I have tried, so I wanted to check out this DVD.

I think that Moira Stott has done a great job of including a number of different workouts in her flex band workout program. Instead of only focusing on the abdominals, her workouts include exercises which work to tighten and strengthen other important muscle groups including the biceps, pecs, triceps, and leg muscles, offering a total body workout.

What I have liked about Moira Stott’s DVD’s in the past is that she has a strong focus on good form. This DVD is no different and she is repeatedly emphasising how to breathe properly and what posture you should have to complete each exercise.

All the Pilates workouts in the video make use of Flex bands. I have heard them also called Thera-bands, Pilates bands, Resistance bands, and Exercise bands, which all refer to the same band.

Beginners always ask questions about how to grip flex bands, how much tension to create, where to anchor the bands for different workouts and so forth. All these questions are put to rest with this workout video, as Moira Stott workouts are demonstrated well and are professionally produced.

You will need to buy the Stott Pilates flex bands separately. They come in two different tensions (green/blue). If you feel the workouts are not tough enough with the green bands which are designed for beginners, attempt the same workouts with the blue bands which offer added resistance. I like the Stott Pilates flex bands because other brands tend not to be long enough for some Pilates exercises, but I have never had a problem with these bands. I have also had other brand bands snap in half, and the Stott pilates flex bands seem strong enough.

Conclusion

If you are new to Pilates workouts then you will find great value in getting the Stott Pilates Sculpt and Tone DVD.


PRODUCT RATING 5/5

BYS Lip Liner Fresh Chair

One of my latest purchases was a lip liner I got from a cosmetic store. I went to the local store and found a new brand. It was BYS and as a range it was inexpensive. I got a lip liner in Flesh Chair no 10 for 2 Euros. The liner was in the usual typical style of a black pencil with a plastic cap as a cover.

The colour I chose was a nude shade which I wanted for morning use. This liner did not disappoint. It was a nude brown shade that turns into a slightly bronze look but still looks absolutely natural. It is a matt shade and spreads well over the whole lips so if you are too lazy to apply lipstick, or simply want a matt look you can cover your whole lips with this shade.

The durability of the product is also very impressive. It lasted a whole day of heavy use and that included a couple of coffees and two meals besides the odd snacks.

If you want a dramatic look, this is not the colour for you. This is an understated tone that will blend with the rest of your natural face and give you style and sophistication without looking as though you are trying too hard.

I personally loved this product and I think I will be going back to get a matching lip gloss to use on top of this liner at night time. Don’t snob this product just because it’s cheap, because the quality is top of the range!


PRODUCT RATING 4/5

Rimmel Colour Loose

Rimmel just launched Colour Loose which is a brand new powder-dip eye shadow. The bottle has a dip and design precision applicator which means it basically looks like a bottle of nail polish with the difference that it has an eye shadow applicator rather then a brush. I picked a delicate grey shade because the other colours seemed a bit too intense to me.

Being loose powder I immediately thought this would be a bit messy to apply and so I placed a tissue under my eye to prevent spillage. The shadow seemed very smooth but you have to pick only a tiny bit of powder otherwise you end up with way too much. I did have a bit of a mess with spillage but since I had covered up it was no problem. The colour in itself is very pigment rich so you can get a very bold bright look. Personally I blended in only a tiny amount to get the effect I needed. The result was very long lasting.

The eye shadow is good for those one off occasions when you want to make a statement. It’s not ideal for everyday use since its way too fiddly and too bright. Thumbs up for durability and smoothness though!



PRODUCT RATING 3.5/5

Simple Refreshing Shower Gel

Simple is a company that never adds perfume or colour to products, so I was interested in trying out their shower gel just to see how this concept will work. I am used to buying strongly perfumed shower gels so showering with no scent will be a bit weird for me. This Simple Refreshing Shower Gel contains Cucumber Extract and Chamomile Oil so there is plenty to soothe, soften and purify the skin.

I used this shower gel and it felt very rich and smooth on my skin. It builds up quite a bit of lather so it feels pretty luxurious. Although it’s meant to be scentless, it did have a bit of mild smell. I’m not sure what it smelt of, but it smelt fresh and clean and didn’t irritate my skin one bit.

Regarding packaging, it’s nothing special so I wouldn’t think of giving this item as a gift but at a mere $3 it’s worth the price. This item is for sale at most department stores and available on Amazon.


PRODUCT RATING 4/5

Constance Carroll Perfecting Eye Mousse

With spring in the air, its time to experiment with some new vibrant colours instead of the usual brown tones I wear all winter. I checked out the Constance Carroll Perfecting Eye Mousse Collection and picked a metallic green tone. I don’t normally wear green eye shadow but I want a different look.

The product feels really silky and smooth. It is a long wear product and lasted all evening without any need to touch up. I like it because it’s got the feel of a liquid and the lasting power of a powder. What more does a girl need? Apart from that, you can choose how dramatic you want the effect. Just one coat for a subtle minimum touch or layer it on for a dramatic effect. Finish off with a touch of eyeliner and a coat of mascara and hey presto sexy eyes!

This collection is definitely a must have if you are looking for a flexible long wear eye colour. Loads of shades to choose from, and they are so cheap that you can afford to experiment as much as you like.



PRODUCT RATING 4.5/5